2027 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk Packs Real Off-Road Hardware

The Jeep Cherokee is returning to the dirt with some serious hardware. For 2027, Jeep is expanding the revived Cherokee lineup with an all-new Trailhawk model designed to combine hybrid efficiency with the kind of legitimate off-road capability expected from one of the brand’s most recognizable badges.

The new Cherokee Trailhawk receives a dedicated suspension, additional ground clearance, aggressive bodywork, underbody protection, all-terrain tires, and, perhaps most importantly, a true two-speed four-wheel-drive system. Jeep says the result is a compact SUV capable of delivering an estimated 31 mpg combined without sacrificing the mechanical tools needed when pavement gives way to rock, sand, mud, or snow.

“Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk is the real deal, and earned its Trail Rated badge through a gauntlet of testing scenarios,” said Branden Coté, Jeep brand CEO. “This SUV blends authentic 4×4 off-road capability that the Trailhawk badge represents, and with hybrid efficiency that is so important to customers in this segment.”

Trail Rated Means More Than Appearance

Trailhawk has represented Jeep’s more capable off-road trim for more than a decade, and the Cherokee was among the early vehicles to wear the designation. For the latest generation, engineers again subjected the Trailhawk to testing designed to push the SUV beyond the conditions most owners are likely to encounter.

Development included trips through challenging terrain in the American Southwest. At Sand Hollow, engineers evaluated the Cherokee’s performance on slickrock and sand while paying close attention to the underbody and other vulnerable components. Moab trails were used to refine suspension articulation, traction, ground clearance, and overall off-road performance.

The finished SUV carries an approach angle of 28.8 degrees, departure angle of 31.8 degrees, and ramp breakover angle of 21.9 degrees. Jeep also claims the Cherokee Trailhawk is the only SUV in its class with a 24-inch water-fording rating.

Ground clearance measures 9 inches, aided by a 1-inch suspension lift. Unique spring and damper tuning accompanies the additional ride height, and Jeep says the changes improve Ramp Travel Index by 45 points compared with other Cherokee models. Ramp Travel Index is commonly used to measure suspension flexibility and axle articulation, making that improvement particularly important when traversing uneven terrain.

Real Low Range Comes Standard

Where the Trailhawk separates itself most clearly from many crossover-based competitors is underneath the body.

Jeep Active Drive II with Lock Mode is standard, along with what Jeep calls a class-exclusive two-speed power transfer unit. The system provides a 2.92:1 low-range ratio and a 37.5:1 crawl ratio, giving the Cherokee substantially more control when climbing, descending, or working through loose and rocky terrain.

That low gearing allows the vehicle to maintain slower speeds while delivering usable torque without forcing the driver to constantly work the brakes.

Protection underneath the Cherokee has also received attention. Steel skid plates guard the front axle, wiring, and fuel tank, while a separate protection plate shields the hybrid battery.

Jeep’s Selec-Terrain system is included as well, providing Auto, Sport, Snow, Sand/Mud, and Rock driving modes. Each adjusts vehicle systems to better suit the selected terrain.

Trailhawk-Specific Design

The Cherokee Trailhawk’s styling changes are functional as well as visual.

Jeep redesigned the front and rear fascias specifically for the Trailhawk to improve approach and departure angles. The model receives a gloss-black upper front fascia along with the upright proportions and squared-off design language used across the latest Cherokee.

Red tow hooks are mounted at both the front and rear, while a Trailhawk graphic on the hood helps reduce glare. Trailhawk badging appears at the rear.

Two unique 17-inch wheel designs are available, both fitted with 245/65R17 Nexen Rodian ATX all-terrain tires. Combined with the suspension lift and revised bodywork, the wheel-and-tire package gives the Cherokee a noticeably more purposeful stance while adding useful traction away from pavement.

Inside, the Trailhawk gets an equally distinctive treatment. Premium Mantis Green upholstery is paired with red accent stitching and an embossed logo. Jeep also adds a Black Spun Aluminum finish to the shift dial along with a Radical Red bezel around the transmission control, a detail shared with some of Jeep’s most capable models, including the Wrangler Rubicon.

Hybrid Power With 210 Horsepower

Power comes from the Cherokee’s 1.6-liter turbocharged hybrid system, rated at 210 horsepower. Jeep has not attempted to turn the Trailhawk into a high-output performance model. Instead, the emphasis is on balancing sufficient power and off-road capability with fuel economy.

Jeep estimates the Trailhawk will return 31 mpg combined, a figure that gives the vehicle a distinctly different mission from more traditional body-on-frame off-roaders.

The Cherokee also receives a significant amount of standard technology. A 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster sits in front of the driver, while infotainment functions are handled through a 12.3-inch center display.

Trailhawk models incorporate much of the equipment offered on the Cherokee Overland. Standard features include LED headlights and taillights, fog lamps, heated power front seats, a heated steering wheel, memory settings for the seats and mirrors, and a foot-activated power liftgate.

That combination gives the Trailhawk a somewhat broader mission than simply being the Cherokee buyers choose for trail use. Jeep is positioning it as a comfortable daily-driven SUV that happens to carry considerably more off-road hardware than the average vehicle in the segment.

Towing And Available Technology

Three optional packages allow buyers to add more luxury, towing capability, or technology.

The Sun and Sound package combines a dual-pane sunroof with a premium Alpine audio system. A separate trailering package allows the Cherokee to reach an advertised maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.

The Advanced Pro Tech Group adds ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, front and rear camera washers, and a 360-degree camera system. That last feature could prove especially useful on narrow trails, where being able to see obstacles immediately surrounding the vehicle can help a driver place the tires more precisely.

A Different Kind Of Cherokee

The Trailhawk arrives at an interesting point for the Cherokee nameplate. Rather than relying solely on rugged styling to create an off-road model, Jeep has given the 2027 version the equipment that has traditionally separated Trailhawk vehicles from conventional crossovers.

The two-speed transfer system, 37.5:1 crawl ratio, additional ground clearance, revised suspension, skid plates, tow hooks, all-terrain tires, and improved body angles all point toward a vehicle intended to venture considerably farther off pavement than the typical compact SUV.

At the same time, the hybrid drivetrain and estimated 31-mpg combined fuel economy reflect how much the segment has changed.

Production of the 2027 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk is scheduled to begin later this year at Stellantis’ Toluca Assembly Complex. Orders are already open, with pricing beginning at $44,625, including a $1,995 destination charge.