Jeep Confirms That the 2027 Cherokee Will Get a Trailhawk Rating for More Capability

There has been talk about a Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk since the Easter Jeep Safari but executives are holding details very close to the vest. At least now Jeep is confirming that it is coming as a 2027 model. According to Jeep, “The Trailhawk name signifies one thing: legitimate capability wrapped in a comfortable, accessible SUV package.”When it released the tease Jeep said, “The brand continues to listen to customers and return capability to the core of the brand's ethos. More information will come at a later date.”

I recently had the pleasure of driving the Jeep Cherokee at the Rocky Mountain Driving Experience. I said at the time that the two most important vehicles there were the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the 2026 Cherokee. Both are bread and butter vehicles for Jeep. They are both top sellers. 

The new 2026 Jeep Cherokee was fun to drive. The Cherokee name has been huge in the Jeep lineup over the years. This new version is only available with a 1.6L turbo hybrid. It gets a combined 37 mpg and can hold 68 cu.-ft. of cargo. The Cherokee will soon be built in North America to help Jeep avoid tariffs. The Cherokee gives Jeep an affordable entry level SUV to draw buyers into the Jeep family. Designers told me earlier this year that the Cherokee was specifically designed so that there is no learning curve between it and the larger Grand Cherokee. All of the controls are in the same place in each cabin so that the Cherokee driver will always feel comfortable in the larger SUV and vice versa. Drivers won’t have to figure out where the windshield wipers or HVAC controls are in the other vehicle, the SUVs have a similar layout.

The fact that Jeep plans to bolster the Cherokee with the Trailhawk designation reinforces how important the Cherokee is in the Jeep lineup. Off-roading is huge right now, and whether drivers intend to go off-roading or not, they want the ability to. Plus, the added capability is often a key factor in resale value. 

2026 Jeep Cherokee

The small but capable Cherokee was redesigned for 2026. The new Cherokee has a boxier exterior that makes it look more like its larger siblings. 

The new 1.6-liter turbo-four hybrid powertrain gives the Cherokee more than 500 miles of range and an estimated 37 mpg combined, which is very important in light of fluctuating gas prices. It is the first Jeep brand hybrid system, it is not a plug-in. Composed of an internal-combustion engine, two electric motors and a battery, the propulsion system delivers 210 horsepower and 230 lb-ft of torque. When the Cherokee was unveiled, the head of Jeep, Bob Broderdorf said, “The 2026 Jeep Cherokee redefines what a modern midsize SUV can and should be – a striking, turbocharged vehicle with 500-plus miles of range, uncompromising safety and the capability to chase every adventure. Powered by our new, efficient hybrid propulsion system, the 2026 Jeep Cherokee is built to compete, inspire and take back our place in North America’s largest vehicle segment.”

Now, with the Trailhawk designation, the Cherokee will be even more capable, especially out on the trail. 

Even though, the Cherokee is considered an affordable vehicle, at under $40,000, it is still packed with technology and a more comfortable interior. It has 140 standard and available safety and security features, including standard Active Driving Assist.

Jeep is not saying when it will reveal all of the Trailhawk details. While I was out driving the 2026 Cherokee, it was not the fastest vehicle or the largest. But the Cherokee was fully capable with plenty of interior space and technology to make the drive comfortable and fun, which is exactly what you need in an affordable small SUV. 

Images by Jeep and Mary Conway

About the Author

Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin. Follow Mary at @MaryConwayMedia on X  and on Facebook, and send her car news tips for future stories. Mary Conway is an esteemed automotive and business reporter who was inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame in 2019. Mary is a member of the Automotive Press Association, Rocky Mountain Automotive Press, Society of Professional Journalists, and NATAS.