Grand Cherokee Will Get More Muscle
Since Jeep removed the HEMI V8 from the Grand Cherokee lineup, something felt missing. With the 4xe plug-in hybrid models also gone, the Grand Cherokee only comes with Jeep’s turbocharged Hurricane inline-four engine, producing 324 horsepower. It’s a capable setup for daily driving, but it’s also the only option available.
But that could be changing. A recent report claims that Jeep is cooking up a much beefier option for the Grand Cherokee, and it’s not the old HEMI V8 making a comeback – it’s something from the Hurricane engine family.
Jeep
Hurricane Inline-Six Arriving for 2028
Citing unnamed sources, MoparInsiders claims Jeep is gearing up to drop the twin-turbo 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six into the Grand Cherokee for 2028. Don’t get too excited for the wildest version, though – it’s reportedly the Standard Output, not the fire-breathing High Output variant.
If that’s true, we’re looking at around 420 horsepower and 468 lb-ft of torque – numbers that line up with the Standard Output Hurricane already doing duty in the Grand Wagoneer.
For ages, the big holdup with the Hurricane was all about squeezing it in. The inline-six is a long beast compared to what’s under the current WL-generation Grand Cherokee’s hood, and word was it would need some serious surgery up front to make it fit.
But that all changed at SRT Day earlier this year, according to MoparInsiders. Jeep engineers rolled out a Grand Cherokee test mule packing the Hurricane High Output engine and an experimental eBoost Air electric compressor. Sure, it was just a concept, but it proved the big inline-six can actually fit under the Grand Cherokee’s skin. That little demo seems to have put the packaging worries to bed.
Stellantis
Why the Hurricane Makes Sense
Plenty of Grand Cherokee faithful have been begging Jeep to just bring back the 5.7-liter HEMI, but that’s not in the cards. Stellantis wants to keep its American brands in their own lanes, so Dodge gets to keep the V8 thunder while Jeep heads for turbocharged and electrified territory.
On paper, the Hurricane inline-six actually gives the Grand Cherokee a real shot of performance compared to the old HEMI. The outgoing 5.7-liter V8 made 360 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque in the Dodge Durango, but the Standard Output Hurricane leaves those numbers in the dust.
However, towing is a different issue. Grand Cherokees with HEMI engines could tow up to 7,200 pounds before the V8 was discontinued, while current V6 models can tow about 6,000 pounds. This difference is important for people who need to tow campers, boats, or trailers.
If the rumors are correct, the 2028 Grand Cherokee will not have the V8 sound that many people enjoy. However, it could offer more power, more torque, and the towing strength that made the old V8 models so popular.
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