The Jeep Grand Cherokee remains a core pillar of the brand's North American lineup, but since dropping its iconic 5.7L Hemi V8, the SUV has lacked a true high-output option. That could change for the 2028 model-year, with reports indicating Stellantis is preparing to fit its twin-turbocharged 3.0L Hurricane inline-6 under the hood.
According to reports citing internal sources and leaked documentation, the Grand Cherokee is set to receive the Standard Output (SO) variant of the twin-turbo 6-cylinder. In other Stellantis applications like the Grand Wagoneer, this mill produces a robust 420 hp and 468 lb-ft of torque.
If realized, this addition would dramatically outperform the Grand Cherokee's current engine lineup, which comprises the long-running 3.6L Pentastar V6 (293 HP) and the newer 2.0L Hurricane turbo-four (324 hp). Perhaps more to the point, the 420-hp inline-six would also handily surpass the departed 5.7L Hemi V8's output of around 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque.
Towing a consideration
Beyond outright speed, the additional torque could resolve a major pain point for buyers: towing capacity. Current 6- and 4-cylinder models max out at 6,200 lb (2,812 kg), which is a 1,000-lb drop from the Hemi's 7,200-lb limit. The Hurricane i6 could restore that lost capability for hauling travel trailers and boats.
Previously, the official word from company execs was that the inline-6 was too long to fit behind the Grand Cherokee's grille. But Stellantis has effectively cast aside that constraint by showcasing an experimental SRT prototype equipped with a High-Output Hurricane engine paired with an eBoost Air system.
A return of the mainstream 5.7L V8 remains unlikely; Stellantis wants to maintain clear product differentiation between Jeep and Dodge. However, the door isn't closed on V8 power for upcoming high-performance variants, with a future Grand Cherokee SRT expected before 2030.
While Jeep has yet to officially confirm production plans for the 2028 model-year, adding the standard-output Hurricane i6 would provide a production-ready bridge between the Grand Cherokee’s everyday powertrains and that upcoming high-performance SRT variant.