Rear Locker, Low Range, and 31 MPG: 2027 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk Revealed
This one is personal for us. Holli and I owned a 2014 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk for seven years, and while I only took it off the pavement a handful of times, it impressed me every single time. So when Jeep finally released the full details on the 2027 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk, I read every line.
The short version is that Jeep kept the hardware that made the old Trailhawk special and added hybrid efficiency to the mix. It starts at $44,625, including a $1,995 destination charge, and customers can place orders now.
Need To Know Facts
- Starting Price: $44,625, Including $1,995 Destination
- Powertrain: 1.6-Liter Turbo Hybrid, 210 Horsepower
- Fuel Economy: 31 MPG Combined (Estimated)
- 4×4 System: Jeep Active Drive II with Two-Speed Power Transfer Unit and Electronic Locking Rear Axle
- Crawl Ratio: 37.5:1
- Ground Clearance: 9 Inches, with a 1-Inch Lift
- Water Fording: 24 Inches
- Towing: Up to 3,500 Pounds, Properly Equipped
- Built at Stellantis’ Toluca Assembly Complex in Mexico, with Production Starting Later in 2026
A Real Low Range Is Back in a “Compact” Jeep
The biggest news for off-road fans is under the floor. The Trailhawk uses Jeep Active Drive II, which adds a two-speed power transfer unit with a 2.92:1 low range. Jeep calls it class-exclusive, and it delivers a 37.5:1 crawl ratio for slow, controlled climbs and descents.
That hardware pairs with an electronic locking rear axle and a Lock Mode. As I wrote in our story on the Trailhawk’s testing, the available locking rear differential on our 2014 was a game changer in the segment, and I’m glad Jeep kept that recipe.
Selec-Terrain comes standard with five modes: Auto, Sport, Snow, Sand/Mud, and Rock.
The Numbers Behind the Trail Rated Badge
A 1-inch suspension lift gives the Trailhawk 9 inches of ground clearance. Here are the key off-road figures:
- Approach Angle: 28.8 Degrees
- Departure Angle: 31.8 Degrees
- Breakover Angle: 21.9 Degrees
- Water Fording: 24 Inches, a Jump From 20 Inches on Other Cherokee Models
- Ramp Travel Index: 45 Points Higher Than Other Cherokee Models
Steel skid plates protect the front axle, wiring, and fuel tank, and a dedicated plate protects the hybrid battery. That last detail matters, because a hybrid battery is not something you want meeting a rock.
Jeep put the Trailhawk through its Trail Rated testing at Sand Hollow and Moab, covering slickrock, sand, articulation, ground clearance, and traction. “Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk is the real deal, and earned its Trail Rated badge through a gauntlet of testing scenarios,” said Branden Coté, Jeep brand CEO.
Hybrid Efficiency Is the Twist
Our old Trailhawk used a 3.2-liter Pentastar V6, as I mentioned when we reported that the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk is coming back. The new one uses the same 1.6-liter turbo hybrid as the rest of the Cherokee lineup, with 210 horsepower.
Jeep estimates the Trailhawk at 31 MPG combined. That trails the up to 37 MPG combined that Jeep advertises for the Cherokee, which makes sense with the lift, the all-terrain tires, and the extra hardware. Still, 31 MPG in a Trail Rated Jeep with a low range is a number I would have loved in our 2014.
“This SUV blends authentic 4×4 off-road capability that the Trailhawk badge represents, and with hybrid efficiency that is so important to customers in this segment,” Coté said.
Towing checks in at up to 3,500 pounds with the available Trailering Package, which is plenty for a small camper or a pair of jet skis.
Trailhawk Looks, Inside and Out
Outside, the Trailhawk gets its own gloss black front and rear fascias, red front and rear tow hooks, and an anti-glare Trailhawk graphic on the hood. It rides on 17-inch wheels wrapped in 245/65R17 Nexen Roadian ATX all-terrain tires.
Inside, Jeep went with premium Mantis Green upholstery with red accent stitching and an embossed logo. The rotary shifter gets a Black Spun Aluminum finish surrounded by a Radical Red bezel. It’s a fun, distinctive cabin that doesn’t look like every other compact SUV in the parking lot.
Standard Features and Available Packages
The Trailhawk comes well equipped for the price. Standard features include:
- 10.25-Inch Digital Driver Cluster
- 12.3-Inch Touchscreen
- LED Headlamps, Taillamps, and Fog Lamps
- Power Heated Front Seats
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Memory Seats and Mirrors
- Hands-Free Power Liftgate
Three packages are available:
- Sun and Sound Package: Dual-Pane Sunroof and Premium Alpine Audio
- Trailering Package: Up to 3,500 Pounds of Towing
- Advanced ProTech Group: Ventilated Front Seats, Heated Rear Seats, 360-Degree Camera, and Front and Rear Camera Washers
The camera washers are a smart touch. Anyone who has taken a Jeep down a muddy trail knows how fast a camera gets caked over.
Final Thoughts on the 2027 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
Jeep got the important things right. The low range, the rear locker, the skid plates, and the 24-inch fording depth show the Trailhawk badge is more than a sticker package. The Cherokee was one of the first Trailhawk models from the Jeep brand, and it’s good to see it return with real hardware, just like the 2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk.
What I want to know now is how that 1.6-liter hybrid feels on a steep climb, and whether 210 horsepower is enough once you load up a family and gear. My old Trailhawk surprised me every time I took it off-road, so I’m eager to find out if this one can do the same. If you’re shopping small Jeeps, our 2023 Jeep Compass Trailhawk story is a good look at the Cherokee’s little sibling.
Until then, subscribe to the GT: Garage Talk® newsletter for the latest automotive news every week.