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Yes, we know, Grand is right there in the name, but not every addition to the Jeep Grand Cherokee has to be some big thing, y'know? Take the 2026 model, for example. As part of a mild refresh, the Grand Cherokee has picked up a new turbo-four engine option that packs more of a punch than its size suggests.
Hurricane 4 and More: What's New
The biggest news of the model year is the introduction of what Jeep calls its Hurricane 4 Turbo. You're smart folks, so you can probably figure out what's hiding behind the name. Jeep's newly optional turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four produces a hearty 324 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, which gets sent to either the rear or all four wheels by way of an eight-speed automatic transmission. This new four-pot's got a little more meat on its bones than the base Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6, which makes 293 horses and 260 pound-feet.
It's worth noting that the Hurricane 4 Turbo only has three things in common with its inline-six sibling: the bore, the stroke, and the name. If you're looking for commonalities with other Jeep four-cylinders, all you'll find is the oil filter.
For Sale Near You
See all results for new 2026 Grand Cherokee for sale near 67000
Jeep claims that the Grand Cherokee's lineup has been simplified down to just three trims—Laredo, Limited, and Summit—but there are some more layers to this onion. The base V-6 is available on the entry-level Laredo and step-up Laredo X variants. Gaining access to the miniature Hurricane (Tropical Depression 4 Turbo doesn't hit the same) requires stepping up . . . or, er, diagonally, like a bishop, to the Laredo Altitude. Things are less wonky within the Limited range, where just the Limited and Limited Reserve hang out, though the base Limited can be equipped with an optional Altitude package. The Summit is, blissfully, just the Summit.
Did we mention that the first four of those trims can be had in either rear- or all-wheel-drive forms, and every single one can be optioned as either a two- or three-row model? Like Jeep said, it's simple.
When you hack away the kudzu vines that comprise the Grand Cherokee's trim walk, most of the GC's other mid-cycle improvements are universal. New blue and coppery hues join the paint parade. The exterior gets mild tweaks to the grille, headlights, fasciae, and trim. The cabin picks up a new 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen alongside other mild nips and tucks.
How It Drives
Since the Hurricane 4 Turbo is the sole meaningful addition to the 2026 Grand Cherokee, let's focus on how it feels compared to the old-enough-to-collect-Civil-War-survivor-benefits Pentastar V-6. That tried-and-true workhorse delivers fine-enough motive force, but you really have to work it to get anything out of it, and that's only going to crater your fuel economy.
The H4T is not that kind of engine. Its variable-geometry turbo starts building pressure lower in the rev band, allowing for extra dollops of torque as you move through the midrange. The eight-speed automatic is rather hesitant to downshift, likely to prioritize fuel economy, which is fine given what we just said. However, if you do boot the throttle, the transmission will eventually kick down.
When that happens, you're met with one of the more interesting four-cylinder arias we've heard this side of Hyundai's N division. The sound has a strong bass register to it, with a pleasant growl that builds to a sort of rorty, inline-six-rasp-adjacent clamor. It's no supercharged V-8, but to us, it sounds and feels good enough to earn the Hurricane moniker. Acceleration was more than ample for a vehicle of this size; nobody will be let down by how it throws down.
We'll also note that we only drove the standard-wheelbase Grand Cherokee. The three-row Grand Cherokee L is larger, heavier, and thus likely a little pokier with the Hurricane 4 Turbo underhood.
Nevertheless, when nestled under there, this new turbo four blends well with every other corner of the Grand Cherokee experience. We drove a top-trim Summit model, which comes with a standard air-spring suspension; while it's not soaking up every undulation like, say, a Mercedes-Benz GLS, the Grand Cherokee provides plenty of cushioning, though it can feel a bit wallowy in some tighter corners. The steering does impart a good bit of info about the road surface, but it's not like you're going to find excellent weight (it's overboosted) or proper off-center buildup (lol).
The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee runs a pretty big price spread, starting with the $40,410 Laredo 4x2, rising all the way to the $62,190 Summit 4x4. You'll have to look beyond those two Laredo models to get the new turbo four-cylinder, but we think you'll find it worth the extra scratch.
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Specifications
Specifications
2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear- or all-/four-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base: Laredo 4x2, $40,410; Laredo 4x4, $42,410; Laredo X 4x2, $42,905; Laredo X 4x4, $44,905; Limited 4x2, $45,810; Laredo Altitude 4x4, $45,850; Limited 4x4, $47,810; Laredo Altitude 4x4, $47,850; Limited Reserve 4x4, $53,405; Summit 4x4, $62,190
ENGINES
DOHC 24-valve 3.6-liter V-6, 293 hp, 260 lb-ft; turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve Miller-cycle 2.0-liter inline-4, 324 hp, 332 lb-ft
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 116.7 in
Length: 193.5 in
Width: 77.5 in
Height: 70.8–70.9 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 56/51 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 71/38 ft3
Curb Weight (C/D est): 4250–4800 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 6.5–7.0 sec
1/4-Mile: 14.6–15.0 sec
Top Speed: 120 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST)
Combined/City/Highway: 22–24/19–21/26–28 mpg
Cars are Andrew Krok’s jam, along with boysenberry. After graduating with a degree in English from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2009, Andrew cut his teeth writing freelance magazine features, and now he has a decade of full-time review experience under his belt. A Chicagoan by birth, he has been a Detroit resident since 2015. Maybe one day he’ll do something about that half-finished engineering degree.
