2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit First Test: Does the Hurricane 4 Rock?
Key takeaways
- Though innovative, the automaker’s latest engine doesn’t blow us away in the real world.
- Jeep has struggled to find a next-generation powertrain solution for the Grand Cherokee, having offered the midsize SUV with the Pentastar V-6 since 2011.
- Develop a four-cylinder engine with more output than the Pentastar V-6 that would serve as propulsion for the Grand Cherokee’s higher trims.
Why this matters: an automotive development that could shape industry direction or buying decisions.
Though innovative, the automaker’s latest engine doesn’t blow us away in the real world.
Jeep has struggled to find a next-generation powertrain solution for the Grand Cherokee, having offered the midsize SUV with the Pentastar V-6 since 2011. That old engine is still in service under the hood of lower-level Grand Cherokee variants, outlasting V-8 and plug-in-hybrid options that are a thing of the past (at least for now).
Jeep’s solution? Develop a four-cylinder engine with more output than the Pentastar V-6 that would serve as propulsion for the Grand Cherokee’s higher trims. The idea is that this new “Hurricane 4” engine would have greater power density than the Hellcat Redeye’s supercharged V-8 while using 10 percent less fuel than Stellantis’ existing 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine thanks to situational use of port and direct injection. Our initial drive of the Hurricane 4 Jeep Grand Cherokee left us impressed, but the route was short and offered a limited perspective on the updated SUV. We’ve now had the chance to extensively test the SUV with its new powertrain in a wider range of scenarios on the road and at our test track. The results aren’t quite what we expected.