Jeep Brings Trailhawk Capability to the Hybrid Cherokee for 2027

The 2027 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk puts a two-speed transfer case, a locking rear axle and a hybrid powertrain into one five-seat SUV. For New Brunswick shoppers who want gravel-road and trail confidence without a thirsty engine, it is a launch worth knowing early.

Here is what the Trailhawk brings, and what it means for the way you drive.

What the Trailhawk Confirms Today

The Trailhawk is a 4WD hybrid SUV with a 1.6 L turbocharged four-cylinder. The gas engine makes 177 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. Paired with the electric motor, the full hybrid system delivers 210 hp and 230 lb-ft. A power-split eCVT handles the shifting, and braking recharges the 1.08 kWh battery.

Fuel economy is rated at a Jeep brand-estimated 7.5 L/100 km combined, on regular 87 octane. The tank holds 51.9 L.

The four-wheel-drive hardware is what earns the badge. Jeep Active Drive II 4x4 with Lock Mode can run in two-wheel drive and engage all four wheels automatically. A standard two-speed power transfer unit adds a 2.92 low range and a 37.5:1 crawl ratio. An electronic locking rear axle backs it up.

Selec-Terrain gives you five modes: Auto, Sport, Snow, Sand/Mud and Rock. That last pair matters on loose shoulders and rutted back roads.

Built for the Trail, Down to the Underbody

The Trailhawk sits on an off-road suspension with a 2.5 cm (1-inch) lift, which gives 227 mm of ground clearance. Steel skid plates guard the front axle, wiring and fuel tank. A separate plate protects the hybrid battery.

The angles are the numbers off-roaders check first:

• Approach angle: 28.8°
• Breakover angle: 21.9°
• Departure angle: 31.8°
• Water fording depth: 609 mm

The press material points to a 45-point Ramp Travel Index improvement over other Cherokee models, a standard measure of suspension flexibility. The wheels are 17-inch units wrapped in 245/65R17 Nexen all-terrain tires, with red tow hooks at the front and rear.

Inside, Mantis Green upholstery with red accent stitching sets the Trailhawk apart, along with a Black Spun Aluminum shift-dial finish and a Radical Red dial bezel. Outside, you get a gloss-black upper fascia and an anti-glare hood graphic.

Everyday Comfort and Space

A trail-ready SUV still has to handle the school run and the grocery haul. The Trailhawk seats five. Cargo volume is 835.1 L behind the rear seats and 1,760.7 L with them folded. The foot-activated power liftgate helps when your hands are full.

Standard equipment covers the cold-morning basics: power heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and memory seating and mirrors. A 10.25-inch digital cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen are standard, along with LED headlamps, LED taillamps and fog lamps.

Towing tops out at 1,587 kg (3,500 lbs) with the optional Trailering Package. Payload is 363 kg (800 lbs).

What Matters for Shoppers Now

Two optional packages add comfort. The Sun and Sound Package brings a dual-pane sunroof and a Premium Alpine Audio System. The Advanced Pro Tech Group adds ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, front and rear camera washers and a 360-degree camera.

The camera washers and surround view suit anyone who drives dirty back roads, since lenses stay clear when mud and road spray build up. The sunroof does trim front headroom, from 1,023 mm to 965 mm, so tall drivers should sit in one before choosing.

The Trailhawk is the only Cherokee trim on the Canadian roster so far, so the decision is about packages, not trim levels. Official Canadian fuel-consumption data is still to come, so the 7.5 L/100 km figure is the brand estimate.

Ordering Your Cherokee Trailhawk

The 2027 Cherokee Trailhawk enters production later this year at the Toluca Assembly Complex, and Canadian customers will be able to place orders later this year. It is a hybrid that backs its Trail Rated badge with a two-speed transfer case, a locking rear axle and real ground clearance.

Explore the Trailhawk with the team at Fairview Chrysler in Fredericton. Ask about ordering, financing and a test drive, and see how the 2027 Cherokee Trailhawk fits your roads.