Jeep Is Bringing Back The Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, But Left Something Behind

Jeep has finally confirmed what many off-road fans have been waiting to hear. The Grand Cherokee Trailhawk is coming back as part of the SUV’s facelifted lineup. Fresh off the brand’s 60th Easter Jeep Safari, Jeep released a dark, heavily shadowed teaser image showing the nose of the upcoming SUV and confirmed that the Trail Rated model will arrive later this year.

This new iteration will build on the recently refreshed 2026 Grand Cherokee and is expected to land as a 2027 model year offering. It steps in to fill the gap left by the discontinued plug-in hybrid Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe, which was swept away alongside Stellantis’ wider North American PHEV pullback earlier this year.

While the company stopped short of revealing full specifications, the teaser image gives us a good idea of what to expect.

First, let’s acknowledge that this is a pretty thin photo to pull from. That said, there are some clear cues that it’s not exactly the same as the mall-crawling Grand Cherokee most will buy. The front fascia appears to feature a slightly more aggressive lower bumper, there’s a bright red tow hook peeking out from the corner, and the hood wears a red accent decal that seems similar to the graphics used on previous Trailhawk models.

Read: Every 2026 Easter Jeep Safari Concept Is Missing The Same Thing Under The Hood

The teaser also shows amber daytime running lights, a blacked-out seven-slot grille, and what appears to be a darker trim treatment across the entire front end. In typical Jeep fashion, the company managed to reveal just enough to build a touch of excitement without actually showing the whole vehicle.

All of this comes after the new Grand Cherokee launched without this pivotal trim. It’s clear that it’s a fan favorite so consider its absence more a strategic move than an afterthought. While Jeep didn’t say why it’s only showing up now, it could be that the engineering team wanted to fine-tune some bits or it could simply be that layering important trim launches over a longer span of time helps to keep Jeep in the news cycle.

The Grand Cherokee Trailhawk should stick to its familiar playbook, just without the plug-in hybrid this time around. What sits under the hood remains an open question. Jeep could lean on the V6, pivot to the turbocharged four-cylinder, or offer both depending on how it wants to position the lineup.

As for hardware, expect the usual off-road toolkit to make a return. Standard four-wheel drive, all-terrain tires, possibly a trick 4WD system with a two-speed transfer case, skid plates, and probably an air suspension for increasing ride height at the press of a button. We’ll know for sure later this year.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee facelift.