The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ushers An A New Era With The 2.0-liter Hurricane 4 Turbo Engine

For over three decades, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has been a benchmark in SUV capability and comfort—a name synonymous with American adventure. Now, the 2026 model storms into view with a new kind of power under the hood: the all-new 2.0-liter Hurricane 4 Turbo engine, a cutting-edge four-cylinder that delivers the kind of performance and range once reserved for much larger engines.

“The Jeep Grand Cherokee set the standard for SUVs and grand adventures over 30 years ago, and it continues to drive them forward today,” said Bob Broderdorf, Jeep brand chief executive officer. “The 2026 Grand Cherokee scales to every customer’s needs, offering a blend of surprising power from the all-new Hurricane turbo-four engine, true 4×4 capability, and a suite of amenities designed to tackle both everyday and extraordinary adventures for customers and their crew.”

A Compact Powerhouse With A Big-Punch Attitude

The all-new 2.0-liter Hurricane 4 Turbo, the company’s latest addition to its performance engine family, is a compact four-cylinder with the heart and muscle of a six, boasting 324 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque while sipping 10 percent less fuel than its predecessor.

At first glance, a 2.0-liter displacement might seem modest for a Jeep Grand Cherokee. But the Hurricane 4 Turbo doesn’t play by old rules. With 162 horsepower per liter, this little brute produces more output than many V6s and even some V8s. That’s thanks to a deep bench of race-proven technologies adapted for everyday drivability.

“The Hurricane 4 Turbo name is appropriate because this engine packs a punch,” said Micky Bly, Stellantis senior vice president and head of global propulsion systems. “The variable geometry turbocharger, the high-performance combustion, and the twin fuel system deliver 162 horsepower per liter of displacement. The clean-sheet design gives our customers a powerful, refined, smooth-running engine that uses 10 percent less fuel to deliver 20 percent more power than our current 2.0-liter DOHC I-4.”

First destined for the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Hurricane 4 Turbo is designed with modular flexibility to serve conventional, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrains.

Racing DNA: Turbulent Jet Ignition Combustion

The real secret sauce of the Hurricane 4 Turbo lies in its Turbulent Jet Ignition (TJI) technology—a system born on the racetrack and refined for the road. Traditional combustion relies on a single spark to ignite the air-fuel mixture. TJI takes that a step further by igniting a small charge in a pre-chamber above each cylinder. The burning mixture shoots into the main chamber through tiny orifices, creating high-energy jets that ignite the rest of the air-fuel charge almost instantaneously.

The result? A faster, more complete burn with less fuel and fewer emissions. Think of it as the combustion equivalent of a flamethrower compared to a lighter. The system’s efficiency allows for a 12:1 compression ratio—a high figure for a turbocharged engine—without the risk of detonation, and it does it all on regular 87-octane gasoline.

Each cylinder gets two spark plugs—one for the TJI pre-chamber and one for the main chamber—plus ion sensing for precise misfire detection. Stellantis engineers also paired the TJI design with a Miller Cycle operating strategy, closing the intake valves early to improve efficiency and cut emissions. The combination makes this engine as clean as it is clever.

Twin Fuel Systems, Smarter Breathing

Fuel delivery in the Hurricane 4 Turbo is a lesson in precision. The engine uses two fuel systems—port injection and direct injection—controlled seamlessly to match driving demands.

During cold starts, both systems work together to light off the catalytic converter quickly. At idle or low loads, port injection handles the work quietly, minimizing vibration and particulate emissions. Under typical driving, the two blend dynamically, and when you bury the throttle, both systems unleash full fury, with high-pressure direct injection (up to 350 bar or 5,076 psi) delivering the lion’s share of fuel. This dual system ensures smooth operation and rapid throttle response across all conditions.

Boosted Brilliance: The Variable Geometry Turbocharger

If the TJI combustion system is the brain, the variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) is the brawn. Instead of relying on a fixed vane configuration, the Hurricane 4’s VGT uses active vanes inside the housing to tailor boost pressure dynamically. The system can deliver up to 35 psi (2.4 bar) of boost, providing instant low-end power without sacrificing top-end pull.

With 90 percent of peak torque available from 2,600 to 5,600 rpm, and full torque between 3,000 and 4,500 rpm, the Hurricane 4 delivers a fat, usable torque band perfect for both trail crawling and highway merging. The compressed air then travels through a liquid-to-air intercooler, cooling the intake charge for denser, more oxygen-rich combustion.

Built Strong, Engineered Smart

All this high-tech wizardry needs a sturdy base, and Stellantis didn’t skimp on the structure. The die-cast deep-skirt aluminum block provides rigidity and durability while minimizing weight. Compared to the outgoing 2.0-liter DOHC I-4, the new block features 24 percent thicker cylinder walls and larger crankshaft bearings for improved strength and smoothness. A balance shaft assembly and viscous crankshaft damper tame unwanted vibrations, while a structural windage tray reduces rotating mass losses.

The aluminum cylinder head carries four valves per cylinder and variable valve timing via an electric camshaft phaser for instant response. Sodium-filled exhaust valves handle extreme heat, and Stellantis borrowed from its twin-turbo inline-six program by using Plasma Transfer Wire Arc (PTWA) cylinder coatings. This aerospace-derived process sprays molten steel onto the bore walls at over 2,300 degrees C (4,150 degrees F), forming an ultra-thin, low-friction surface that’s ten times more wear-resistant than traditional iron liners.

Efficiency by Design

Every system in the Hurricane 4 Turbo is designed to save energy. An electric water pump and variable displacement oil pump reduce parasitic drag, letting the engine focus more on propulsion and less on self-maintenance. The combination of reduced friction, improved combustion, and smarter airflow makes this four-cylinder not just powerful but also genuinely efficient—a rare balance in the age of turbocharging.

Made in America, Ready for Anything

The Hurricane 4 Turbo will be assembled at Stellantis’ Dundee, Michigan facility, with additional production to come online in Kokomo, Indiana. Even the aluminum block and PTWA cylinder lining are produced domestically, a nod to Stellantis’ investment in its U.S. manufacturing network.

And while the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee will be the first to benefit from this little tornado of an engine, Stellantis has made it clear: this is just the beginning. With flexibility for hybrid and plug-in hybrid configurations, the Hurricane 4 Turbo could soon power a wide range of vehicles across the company’s lineup—from rugged off-roaders to refined daily drivers.

Refined Inside, Tough Outside

While the Hurricane 4 Turbo headlines the 2026 Grand Cherokee’s updates, the refinement goes far beyond the engine bay. Inside, a new 12.3-inch infotainment screen takes center stage, paired with available tech like a 10.25-inch front passenger display, Active Driving Assist, and a 19-speaker McIntosh premium sound system.

The exterior design stays true to the Grand Cherokee’s unmistakable upright stance, refreshed with an updated seven-slot grille, new headlights, revised rear fascia, and new trim finishes. Jeep also adds three new paint colors—Steel Blue, Copper Shino, and Fathom Blue—to keep things fresh for 2026.

2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Simplified Trims, Serious Capability

The Grand Cherokee lineup simplifies to three core trims—Laredo, Limited, and Summit—each now more focused and better equipped.

The Laredo Altitude marks the entry point for the Hurricane 4 Turbo and features the Selec-Terrain 4×4 system, a first for the base trim. It also comes with the 12.3-inch infotainment screen, premium audio, and new safety tech like Traffic Sign Recognition and Intersection Collision Assist.

Step up to the Limited, and Jeep layers on Silver Silk exterior accents, heated second-row seats, leatherette upholstery, and a nine-speaker Alpine audio system. Optional packages like the Limited Reserve add 20-inch black wheels, dual-pane sunroof, Nappa leather, ventilated seats, an off-road camera, and more. The Limited Altitude package brings darkened exterior accents and panoramic glass to elevate the SUV’s look and feel.

At the top, the Summit trim defines luxury adventure. Inside, you’ll find Palermo leather, massaging seats, suede headliner, and rich Oak and Liquid Chrome accents. Jeep’s Quadra-Trac II 4×4 system with air suspension anchors the Summit’s off-road confidence, while a 19-speaker McIntosh system turns any trail into a concert hall.

Freedom Of Choice: V6s, Hybrids, And Family Adventure

Not every Grand Cherokee will be Hurricane-powered. The base Laredo continues with the proven 3.6-liter V6, now paired with new 18-inch wheels and expanded driver-assist technology, including Blind-spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Path Detection, and Automatic Emergency Braking. The Laredo X adds heated seats, a heated steering wheel, sunroof, and wireless charging.

For larger families, the Grand Cherokee L returns with a third-row option and best-in-class second-row legroom. Even better, Jeep’s plug-in hybrid Grand Cherokee 4xe remains one of America’s best-selling PHEVs, delivering a 470-mile total range and up to 410 lb.-ft. of torque in the Trailhawk, the most off-road-capable Grand Cherokee ever.

2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Built For What’s Next

Set to roll off the line at Stellantis’ Detroit Assembly Complex (Jefferson and Mack plants), the 2026 Grand Cherokee joins a wave of new Jeep launches—including the upcoming 2026 Cherokee, Grand Wagoneer, and all-electric Jeep Recon.