2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee will get huge energy, torque increase, nevertheless it’s too late for Australia
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If the Jeep Grand Cherokee was recurrently criticised for one factor in Australia, it was the V6 that served as its base engine. Now, there’s a brand new petrol engine out there, nevertheless it’s not coming right here.
That’s as a result of Jeep discontinued the Grand Cherokee regionally earlier this yr, that means Australia misses out on the brand new ‘Hurricane’ turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine.
The WL Grand Cherokee is the primary automobile from Stellantis to make use of the Hurricane 4, which pumps out 238kW of energy and 450Nm of torque. That’s 28kW extra energy and 106Nm extra torque than the three.6-litre naturally aspirated ‘Pentastar’ V6.
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The venerable Pentastar will proceed to be provided, however unique to the Laredo and Laredo X trims. The turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain stays out there solely within the regular-length, two-row Grand Cherokee 4xe.
The 5.7-litre Hemi V8 had already been retired from the WL vary, and wasn’t provided within the mannequin regionally.
Jeep claims the brand new Hurricane-powered variants – the primary petrol four-cylinder fashions within the Grand Cherokee’s historical past – can tow 2812kg, matching V6-powered variants.
The corporate says the brand new engine represents the trade’s “first high-volume software of Turbulent Jet Ignition know-how”, which sees a small quantity of gas ignited in a cup-like pre-chamber atop every cylinder which in flip expands into the combustion chamber.
The tip consequence, based on Jeep, is cleaner and extra environment friendly combustion plus improved gas financial system. Jeep additionally says 90 per cent of torque is accessible over 2600-5600rpm and 100 per cent from 3000-4500rpm, making this engine a lot much less peaky than the previous V6.
An eight-speed computerized is the one transmission provided throughout the Grand Cherokee lineup.
The brand new engine coincides with a minor facelift for the Grand Cherokee vary.
Exterior adjustments comprise a brand new headlight design, refreshed grille, tweaked rear fascia, and three new exterior paint colors: Metal Blue, Fathom Blue, and Copper Shino.
Inside, there’s a revised dashboard with a brand new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, up from 10.1 inches.
The tip of right-hand drive manufacturing sees the Grand Cherokee moved to a prolonged record of Jeeps that Australia misses out on.
This consists of the revived Cherokee mid-size SUV, which packs hybrid energy for the primary time, in addition to the full-size Grand Wagoneer. There are additionally V8 and plug-in hybrid variations of the Wrangler which stay off-limits to Aussie patrons.
Jeep Australia axed the Grand Cherokee – or relatively, in its phrases, “made the tough determination to pause availability” – again in March of this yr, and provided enormous reductions on leftover inventory.
The axing got here after gross sales continued to sink regardless of the launch of the brand new WL era in 2022. Whereas this was the primary Grand Cherokee with an out there third row of seats, it misplaced its widespread turbo-diesel V6 choice.
In 2014, the Grand Cherokee’s greatest yr of gross sales, Jeep delivered 16,582 examples in Australia – beating even the mighty Toyota Prado. However in 2024, Jeep shifted simply 645 examples.
The Grand Cherokee’s fortunes have adopted these of the Jeep model’s in Australia, although contemporary product is coming within the type of the brand new Compass small SUV subsequent yr. Jeep has additionally beforehand confirmed the electrical Wagoneer S and Recon for our market.
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MORE: Jeep Grand Cherokee axed: Former Toyota Prado nemesis useless in Australia
