Jeep Grand Cherokee to Gain Hurricane Inline-Six in 2028

Jeep will add a 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six to the Grand Cherokee for the 2028 model year, according to a document leaked to Mopar Insiders. The engine is not expected to arrive for 2027 and would increase output significantly over the current top new-production option.

Leaked engine details and expected performance

The leaked document indicates the new 3.0-liter inline-six will join the Grand Cherokee line in 2028. The paper attributes output of 420 horsepower and 468 pound-feet of torque to the Hurricane inline-six. The extra power is expected to improve towing capability over current configurations, though the leak does not provide final published tow ratings for the 2028 model.

According to the leak, the 3.0-liter Hurricane will deliver 420 hp and 468 lb-ft when it debuts in the 2028 Grand Cherokee.

2027 carryover powertrains and current figures

Stellantis will reportedly carry the current Grand Cherokee powertrain lineup into the 2027 model year. The model range includes the base 3.5-liter Pentastar V6 and the 2.0-liter Hurricane inline-four as the most powerful new-production option today.

• 3.5-liter Pentastar V6: 293 horsepower (297 metric horsepower) and 260 pound-feet (353 Newton meters) of torque.
• 2.0-liter Hurricane inline-four: 324 horsepower (328 metric horsepower) and 332 pound-feet (450 Newton meters) of torque.
• Expected 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six (2028): 420 horsepower and 468 pound-feet of torque.

Context: HEMI history, corporate direction, and the 4xe

The Grand Cherokee lost factory HEMI options in 2023. The most powerful Grand Cherokee previously was equipped with the 6.2-liter supercharged Hellcat HEMI V8, a powerplant rated at 707 horsepower (717 metric horsepower) that sprinted to 60 mph from rest in about 3.5 seconds. With former Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares driving a push toward downsizing and electrification, those HEMI units were removed from the lineup. Tavares resigned in late 2024.

While reports have suggested the Dodge Charger may be closer to a HEMI return, the Grand Cherokee is not expected to regain a HEMI V8 in the near term. Separately, Stellantis has ended production of its North American plug-in hybrid models, discontinuing the 4xe plug-in hybrid for the current Grand Cherokee lineup and citing a strategic shift away from traditional plug-in systems following a series of recalls.