Skip to main content

Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk - Not Trackhawk - Debuts in NYC

A new Jeep Grand Cherokee with the word “hawk” in the name debuted this week at the 2016 New York International Auto Show, but rather than the Hellcat-powered Trackhawk that rumors insisted would debut, the new premium Trailhawk trimline debuted – with your choice of Hemi, Pentastar or Diesel power.

Join us...    

The Trailhawk name has served as the premium off-road package for both the Renegade and Cherokee, and the new Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk follows the same design direction as those two smaller SUVs. Unfortunately, while there are three different engine options for the new Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, none of them are the 707hp Hellcat Hemi and it appears as though the rumors of the Trackhawk debuting in the Big Apple were not correct.

Hopefully we will see the Hellcat Jeep soon, but the big news in New York from the Jeep brand was their new Trailhawk offroading package.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk
The new Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk is the sixth trimline for the brand’s flagship vehicle and while it doesn’t pack the power of the SRT models, it is the most capable Grand Cherokee in terms of non-racing efforts. If you want to go offroading in a new Grand Cherokee, this is the model for you.

First up, Grand Cherokee Trailhawk buyers get to pick between three engines – the 3.6L Pentastar V6, the 3.0L EcoDiesel or the 5.7L Hemi V8 – and all of those engines are mated to the 8-speed automatic transmission. Four wheel drive is standard, of course, and the Trailhawk package comes with the top of the line Quadra-Drive II 4x4 system mated with a rear Electronic Limited Slip Differential. Next up, the Trailhawk features a version of the Quadra-Lift air suspension setup that was developed specifically for this package, with improved articulation and wheel travel for the most extreme off-road obstacles while also providing plenty of space for either of the wheel options. An 18 inch wheel is standard, but buyers can opt up to a 20 inch wheel – all of which are wrapped in Kevlar reinforced Goodyear Adventure off-road tires.

Finishing up the exterior of the new Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk is the expected badge package, a special low glare treatment on the hood, underbody skid plates, tow hooks and a unique front fascia that has a removable lower portion for extreme off-roading.

The Trailhawk can be ordered in seven exterior colors - Redline Red, Billet Silver, Bright White, Rhino, Granite Crystal, Velvet Red and Diamond Black Crystal.

On the inside, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk has a blacked out cabin with leather and suede performance front seats, red stitching throughout, Trailhawk badges, gun metal finish on the various painted bits and the 8.4 inch UConnect infotainment screen with a new off-road information screen. This information screen offers things like wheel articulation, suspension height, Selec-Terrain mode, etc.

So, while the new Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk is far from a 707hp beast, it is the most capable Grand Cherokee for those who want to get off of paved roads, but it also has a premium cabin – so you will be plenty comfortable when pushing through the woods in what will likely be the second most expensive option, next to only the SRT model.

The Grand Cherokee Trailhawk is expected to drop later this summer, but no pricing has been announced thus far. It will almost certainly be more expensive than the non-SRT models and with the premium features inside and out, it might rival the high performance SRT package as well.

Join us...