Jeep has put real off-road hardware into its newest compact SUV. The 2027 Cherokee Trailhawk, announced by Stellantis on September 30, 2026, pairs the Cherokee's 1.6-liter turbo hybrid system (210 hp and 230 lb-ft of combined torque) with hardware that Jeep calls class-exclusive: a two-speed transfer case with a 2.92 low-range ratio, a 37.5:1 crawl ratio and an electronically locking rear differential. The Trailhawk sits on a factory one-inch lift with 9.0 inches (227 mm) of ground clearance, 245/65R17 all-terrain tires and steel skid plates that cover the hybrid battery, and Jeep rates it to wade through 24 inches (610 mm) of water.
The Cherokee name returned for the 2026 model year as a hybrid-only compact SUV positioned between the Compass and the Grand Cherokee, and the Trailhawk badge was last offered on the previous-generation car before that model ended in 2023. It is a conventional self-charging hybrid, not a plug-in: there is no charge port and the battery is a small 1.08 kWh pack. Pricing starts at $44,625 including a $1,995 destination charge, order books are open in the United States, and production begins later in 2026 at Stellantis' Toluca Assembly Complex in Mexico.
Performance & Specs
The Trailhawk uses the same hybrid system as every other 2027 Cherokee. A 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (177 hp and 221 lb-ft on its own, built at Stellantis' Dundee Engine Plant in Michigan) works with two electric motors inside an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission, a power-split hybrid layout. Jeep quotes a peak combined output of 210 hp and 230 lb-ft (312 Nm). The battery is a 400-volt, 1.08 kWh nickel-cobalt-manganese pack that Jeep lists as charged by brake regeneration, so the Cherokee never needs a plug.
What separates the Trailhawk is everything after the transmission. Jeep Active Drive II is a fully disconnecting 4x4 system that runs in 4x2 for efficiency and engages four-wheel drive automatically, with a 50:50 front-to-rear split and the ability to send 100 percent of torque to the front or rear. The Trailhawk adds the two-speed power transfer unit (2.92 low range, 37.5:1 crawl ratio) and an electronically actuated mechanical locker on the rear axle, while the front differential stays open. Five Selec-Terrain modes (Auto, Sport, Snow, Sand/Mud and Rock) tune throttle, traction and the driveline. Jeep says the Trailhawk's tuned springs and dampers deliver a 45-point improvement in Ramp Travel Index over other Cherokee models. Jeep has not published a 0-60 mph time or a top speed for the Trailhawk.
| Powertrain | 1.6L turbo hybrid, power-split eCVT, 4x4 |
|---|---|
| Power | 210 hp combined |
| Torque | 230 lb-ft (312 Nm) |
| 0–100 km/h | Not published |
| Battery | 1.08 kWh, 400 V (no plug) |
| Fuel economy | 33 / 29 / 31 mpg (EPA est.) |
| POWERTRAIN TYPE | HEV (conventional hybrid, not plug-in) |
|---|---|
| HORSEPOWER | 210 hp combined (engine alone: 177 hp) |
| TORQUE | 230 lb-ft (312 Nm) combined |
| ACCELERATION | Not published |
| TOP SPEED | Not published |
| DRIVETRAIN | Jeep Active Drive II 4x4, two-speed transfer case, locking rear axle |
| BATTERY | 1.08 kWh, 400 V, NCM-graphite |
| FUEL ECONOMY (EPA EST.) | 33 city / 29 highway / 31 combined mpg |
| TOWING | 3,500 lb (1,587 kg) |
Off-Road Hardware
The numbers are what make the Trailhawk worth covering. Approach, ramp breakover and departure angles are 28.8, 21.9 and 31.8 degrees, ground clearance is 9.0 inches (227 mm), and the rear differential carrier has 10.2 inches (259 mm) of clearance. The Trailhawk fascia is unique, with a gloss-black upper section and red front and rear tow hooks, and it is shaped for steeper approach and departure angles than the standard Cherokee. Tires are Nexen Roadian ATX all-terrain rubber in 245/65R17, on unique 17-inch alloy wheels, and a full-size spare is an option.
Jeep calls the 24-inch fording rating class-exclusive in this segment. The skid plates are steel rather than plastic, and Jeep specifically lists the hybrid battery pack among the protected components. Towing is rated at 3,500 pounds (1,587 kg) with the optional trailering package, and payload is 800 pounds (363 kg) on a 5,500-pound (2,495 kg) gross vehicle weight rating. Curb weight is 4,545 pounds (2,062 kg), roughly 250 pounds more than the standard Cherokee's published figure, which is what you would expect from the added hardware.
Dimensions & Practicality
| Length | 4,778 mm (188.1 in) |
|---|---|
| Width | 1,898 mm (74.7 in) |
| Height | 1,739 mm (68.5 in) |
| Wheelbase | 2,869 mm (113.0 in) |
| Ground clearance | 227 mm (9.0 in) |
The Cherokee Trailhawk is a five-seater with two seats up front and three in the second row. Jeep lists 40.3 inches (1,023 mm) of front headroom without the panoramic roof and 38.0 inches (965 mm) with it, 41.3 inches (1,050 mm) of front legroom and 38.5 inches (977 mm) of rear legroom. Cargo space behind the second row is listed at 29.5 cubic feet (835 liters) in the Trailhawk specification sheet, and it expands to 62.2 cubic feet (1,761 liters) behind the front seats. The load floor is 32.1 inches (816 mm) high, and the 24.1-inch (613 mm) tall, 45.2-inch (1,149 mm) wide liftgate opening is served by a standard foot-activated power liftgate. Fuel tank capacity is 13.7 gallons (51.9 liters) of regular 87-octane gasoline.
| LENGTH | 4,778 mm (188.1 in) |
|---|---|
| WIDTH | 1,898 mm (74.7 in), 2,123 mm (83.6 in) across mirrors |
| HEIGHT | 1,739 mm (68.5 in) |
| WHEELBASE | 2,869 mm (113.0 in) |
| CARGO VOLUME | 835 L (29.5 cu ft) behind rear seats; 1,761 L (62.2 cu ft) behind front seats |
| CURB WEIGHT | 2,062 kg (4,545 lb) |
| DRAG COEFFICIENT | 0.379 Cd |
Charging & Battery
There is nothing to plug in. The Cherokee Trailhawk carries a 1.08 kWh, 400-volt nickel-cobalt-manganese and graphite battery that Jeep lists as charged by brake regeneration. That is a buffer pack for the hybrid system rather than a battery meant for electric-only driving, so the Trailhawk should be read as a gasoline-electric hybrid that uses its motors to boost power and cut fuel use. The engine takes regular unleaded, and the 13.7-gallon tank at the 31 mpg combined EPA estimate works out to about 425 miles (around 680 km) of theoretical range.
| BATTERY | 1.08 kWh, 400 V, NCM-graphite |
|---|---|
| AC CHARGING | Not applicable (non-plug-in hybrid) |
| DC FAST CHARGING | Not applicable |
| FUEL | Regular unleaded, 87 octane |
Design & Interior
Outside, the Trailhawk is easy to pick out. It gets a gloss-black upper fascia, red tow hooks front and rear, an anti-glare hood graphic, Trailhawk badging on the liftgate and a black liftgate accent, with LED headlamps and taillamps and fog lamps standard. The wheels are unique 17-inch designs in machined or black cast aluminum, wrapped in chunky all-terrain tires, and Jeep's press photos show the lifted stance and black lower body cladding that set it apart from a standard crossover.
Inside, the signature touch is premium Mantis Green upholstery with red accent stitching and an embossed logo. The transmission dial gets a Black Spun Aluminum finish with a Radical Red bezel, and the Selec-Terrain controls sit beside it. Standard comfort equipment includes power-adjustable, heated front seats with memory for seats and mirrors, and a heated steering wheel. A 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster faces the driver, and the Sun and Sound Package adds a dual-pane panoramic sunroof and a premium Alpine audio system.
Technology & Features
The Trailhawk comes standard with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and the 10.25-inch digital cluster. Three option packages are listed: the Sun and Sound Package, a Trailering Package for the 3,500-pound tow rating, and the Advanced Pro Tech Group, which bundles ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, front and rear camera washers and a 360-degree camera. The camera washers are a thoughtful pairing with a trail-focused SUV, since mud and spray on a camera lens would otherwise defeat the point of a surround view.
Safety & ADAS
Jeep's Trailhawk announcement and specification sheet do not describe the driver-assistance suite or give crash-test results, so we are not listing an ADAS level. What the documents do confirm is the chassis hardware: electronic stability control and all-speed traction control are standard, and the Trailhawk runs four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes with ABS (13.0-inch vented front rotors and 12.6-inch solid rear rotors) plus an electronic parking brake. The optional 360-degree camera with washers is the one visibility aid Jeep highlights.
| STABILITY | Electronic stability control and all-speed traction control (standard) |
|---|---|
| BRAKES | Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, electronic parking brake |
| CAMERAS | 360-degree camera with front and rear washers (optional, Advanced Pro Tech Group) |
Available Versions
| VERSION | POWER | TORQUE | 0-100 | TOP SPEED | DRIVETRAIN | BATTERY | EV RANGE | COMBINED RANGE | PRICE | KEY DIFFERENCES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trailhawk | 210 hp | 312 Nm | — | — | 4WD | 1.08 kWh | — | — | $44,625 | Low range, locking rear axle, 1-inch lift, all-terrain tires, skid plates, 24-inch fording |
Pricing & Availability
Jeep prices the 2027 Cherokee Trailhawk from $44,625 in the United States, a figure that includes the $1,995 destination charge (that is $42,630 before destination, by simple subtraction). The Trailhawk is positioned just below the luxury-focused Overland trim in the Cherokee range. Orders are open now, production starts later in 2026 at the Toluca Assembly Complex, and Jeep has not announced an on-sale date or prices for markets outside the United States. Jeep brand CEO Branden Coté described the model as blending authentic Trailhawk 4x4 capability with the hybrid efficiency that matters in this segment.
How It Compares
The Subaru Forester Wilderness Hybrid is the closest real-world rival, and it is already in our catalog. It makes 194 hp, rides on 9.3 inches of ground clearance and starts at $40,495, a few thousand dollars less than the Cherokee Trailhawk, although Jeep's figure includes destination. What it lacks, according to Jalopnik, is the Jeep's locking differential and low-range gearing, which is the Trailhawk's entire pitch. The Ford Bronco Sport Badlands is the other name that comes up in the press coverage of this launch.
For a value contrast, the GWM Tank 500 PHEV is a Chinese off-road plug-in hybrid that we have already covered. It costs about $49,434 in China, roughly $4,800 more than the Cherokee Trailhawk's US price, and makes 402 hp, nearly double the Jeep's output, with 50 km of electric range and 790 km combined. It is not sold in the United States, so this is not a cross-shop, but it shows what a similar budget buys in a plug-in off-roader elsewhere. The Cherokee Trailhawk's case rests on proven Jeep 4x4 hardware, a U.S. dealer network and no need to plug in, not on spec-sheet numbers.
- Real 4x4 hardware in a hybrid compact: two-speed transfer case, 37.5:1 crawl ratio and an electronic rear locker
- 9.0 inches of clearance, 28.8/31.8-degree approach and departure angles, and a 24-inch fording rating
- Steel skid plates that also protect the hybrid battery, plus 3,500 lb towing
- Generous standard equipment: 12.3-inch screen, 10.25-inch cluster, heated and memory front seats, heated wheel
- 31 mpg combined is a clear step down from the 37 mpg EPA combined rating of the standard 2026 Cherokee hybrid
- Only 210 hp for a 4,545-pound SUV, and no plug-in option or meaningful electric range from the 1.08 kWh battery
- At $44,625 it sits just below the Overland trim and above the Subaru Forester Wilderness Hybrid's $40,495 starting MSRP
The 2027 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk is aimed at buyers who want a genuinely capable small SUV and a hybrid's fuel bills in the same vehicle. Low range, a rear locker, 9 inches of clearance and a 24-inch fording rating are rare in this class, and Jeep's published angles back up the Trailhawk name. The trade-offs are modest power, a thirsty 31 mpg for a hybrid and a $44,625 price that leaves little room under the Overland. If you actually go off pavement, it is the more capable choice over the Forester Wilderness Hybrid; if you mostly commute, a standard Cherokee makes more sense.
