NEW ENGINE! We have thoughts! 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee Review

TL;DR

The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee swaps to a 324hp turbo four-cylinder, which disappoints with rough throttle mapping despite strong on-paper specs.

Key Points

• 1.The new Hurricane turbo four-cylinder replaces the V8 entirely. Rated at 324 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, it claims more power density than a Hellcat Redeye, but the V6 remains the base engine starting at $59,995 CAD.
• 2.Throttle mapping and transmission tuning are the engine's biggest real-world flaws. Off-the-line performance is unimpressive — brake boosting didn't help — and the 8-speed's downshift behavior causes an unsmooth, unpredictable power delivery, though once moving it's acceptable.
• 3.The engine sounds noticeably rough and unrefined outside the cabin. Direct-injection four-cylinder clatter is audible at idle, drawing comparisons to a Fiat motor; inside, however, it's reasonably quiet and well-insulated.
• 4.Interior quality punches above its class, rivaling Lincoln and some Lexus models. The top Summit trim features real soft-touch materials, massaging seats with hard-button controls, a passenger entertainment screen, McIntosh audio, built-in rear window shades, wireless charging, and air suspension with off-road modes.
• 5.Capacitive climate buttons and a non-circular start button are functional criticisms. The top trim tested sits at $84,490 CAD, and reviewers felt the Hurricane inline-6 would have been a better fit than the four-cylinder at this price point.