2028 Jeep Grand Cherokee Could Get Hurricane Inline Six Engine
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The Jeep Grand Cherokee could be getting a major powertrain change for the 2028 model year. According to a report from MoparInsiders, Jeep is planning to add the 3.0 liter twin turbo Hurricane inline six to the Grand Cherokee lineup.
The report says Jeep will use the standard output version of the Hurricane six, rather than the more powerful high output version. Jeep has not officially confirmed the engine for the 2028 Grand Cherokee yet.
If the reported plan goes ahead, the Grand Cherokee could get around 420 horsepower and 468 lb ft of torque. That would give the SUV considerably more power than its current four cylinder and Pentastar V6 engines.
2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee already received a new engine
Jeep introduced the 2.0 liter Hurricane four cylinder for the 2026 Grand Cherokee. The turbocharged engine produces 324 horsepower and 332 lb ft of torque.
The 3.6 liter Pentastar V6 remains available in the lineup and produces 293 horsepower. Jeep currently lists a maximum towing capacity of 6,200 pounds for the Grand Cherokee.
The Hurricane four cylinder brought more power, but the arrival of a six cylinder could make a bigger difference for buyers who want stronger acceleration and towing capability.
420 horsepower Hurricane inline six could be next
The reported engine is the standard output version of Stellantis’ 3.0 liter twin turbo Hurricane inline six.
In other Stellantis applications, the standard output engine produces:
| Specification | Hurricane Standard Output |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.0 liter twin turbo inline six |
| Power | 420 hp |
| Torque | 468 lb ft |
| Turbochargers | Twin turbo |
The high output version makes considerably more power, with reported figures of 550 horsepower and 531 lb ft of torque. However, the 2028 Grand Cherokee is reportedly being planned with the standard output engine instead.
That makes sense for the regular Grand Cherokee. A 420 horsepower engine would already put it well above the current 324 horsepower Hurricane four cylinder.
More towing capability could be the bigger change
Extra horsepower is easy to talk about, but towing may be the more important part of this engine upgrade.
The current Grand Cherokee can tow up to 6,200 pounds with the available powertrains. A Hurricane inline six could give Jeep more room to increase that figure, although the final towing rating for a six cylinder Grand Cherokee has not been announced.
So it is worth separating what is known from what is expected.
Confirmed today: The current Grand Cherokee has a maximum towing rating of 6,200 pounds.
Reported for 2028: The Hurricane inline six could be added to the lineup.
Not confirmed: The final towing rating of the Hurricane powered Grand Cherokee.
That distinction matters because Jeep has not officially announced the 2028 engine or its specifications.
What about the Hemi V8?
This is where things get interesting.
The 5.7 liter Hemi V8 is not currently part of the Grand Cherokee lineup, and a return of that engine does not appear to be the main direction for the regular model.
Stellantis executive Tim Kuniskis previously said that putting the 5.7 liter Hemi back into the Grand Cherokee did not make sense. He also pointed to the need to keep the Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango different from each other.
That does not mean Jeep is giving up on high performance versions of the Grand Cherokee.
Could a Grand Cherokee SRT bring back a V8?
Jeep has indicated that an SRT version of the Grand Cherokee is coming. The exact powertrain has not been confirmed.
There has already been a Grand Cherokee development vehicle fitted with the high output Hurricane inline six. That prototype also used an experimental eBoost Air system designed to reduce turbo lag. The setup was reported to have the potential to push output as high as 640 horsepower.
That does not mean the production 2028 Grand Cherokee will make 640 horsepower. The current report specifically points toward the standard output Hurricane for the regular Grand Cherokee, and there is no confirmation that the experimental eBoost Air technology will make production.
A future SRT model could therefore be a completely different story.
The Hurricane six already fits in the Grand Cherokee
One interesting part of the story is that Jeep has already shown that the Hurricane inline six can be installed in the Grand Cherokee.
The development vehicle used the high output version of the engine, showing that the long inline six can physically work in the Grand Cherokee platform. MoparInsiders says engineers had previously faced packaging challenges with the engine, but the SRT development work demonstrated a workable installation.
That makes the reported 2028 engine plan more understandable.
2028 Jeep Grand Cherokee engine lineup could look very different
If the report proves accurate, the Grand Cherokee could move into a different powertrain position over the next couple of years.
The current lineup already includes the 2.0 liter Hurricane four cylinder and 3.6 liter Pentastar V6. Adding the 3.0 liter Hurricane inline six would give buyers a much more powerful option without bringing the 5.7 liter Hemi V8 back.
For now, the important numbers are simple:
• 293 horsepower from the 3.6 liter Pentastar V6
• 324 horsepower from the 2.0 liter Hurricane four cylinder
• Around 420 horsepower from the reported standard output Hurricane inline six
• 6,200 pounds of current maximum towing capacity
The 420 horsepower figure comes from the Hurricane standard output engine used in other Stellantis products. The actual output for the Grand Cherokee could be different if Jeep uses a different calibration.
2028 Grand Cherokee Hurricane inline six: What we know so far
| Current Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Expected Model Year | 2028 |
| Engine | 3.0 liter twin turbo Hurricane inline six |
| Reported Version | Standard output |
| Reported Power | Around 420 horsepower |
| Reported Torque | Around 468 lb ft |
| Current Maximum Towing | 6,200 pounds |
| Hemi V8 Return | Not expected for the regular Grand Cherokee |
| Grand Cherokee SRT | Planned, exact powertrain not confirmed |
| Official Jeep Confirmation | Not yet available |
The 2028 Hurricane inline six remains a reported plan, not an official Jeep specification. MoparInsiders says its information comes from a source close to the situation, while other automotive outlets have reported the same expected engine plan.
For Grand Cherokee buyers, the interesting part is that Jeep appears to be looking at six cylinder power as the way forward rather than simply bringing the old Hemi V8 back.
And honestly, 420 horsepower in a Grand Cherokee should be enough to make the four cylinder feel like it has been sent to the wrong meeting.
Sources & References
Official sources
- Jeep Grand Cherokee Official Website
Jeep Grand Cherokee Official Website
Official US Jeep page for the Grand Cherokee, including current model information and specifications. - Jeep Grand Cherokee Capability and Engine Information
2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee Capability
Official Jeep source for the current 2.0 liter Hurricane four cylinder, 3.6 liter Pentastar V6, horsepower, torque and 6,200 pound towing capacity. - Stellantis
Stellantis Official Website
Official corporate source for Jeep’s parent company and its powertrain and brand strategy.
Main unofficial source for the 2028 engine report
- MoparInsiders
MoparInsiders: Jeep Grand Cherokee Getting Hurricane I6 Power For 2028
This is the original report behind the 2028 Hurricane inline six claim. MoparInsiders says its information comes from a source close to the Jeep program and identifies the Standard Output 3.0 liter Hurricane inline six as the reported engine.
Additional US automotive sources
- Car and Driver
Car and Driver: 2028 Jeep Grand Cherokee Hurricane Inline Six Report
Reputable US automotive publication that independently reported on the expected 2028 Hurricane inline six. It also covers the reported 420 horsepower and 468 lb ft figures. - Road & Track
Road & Track: Jeep Grand Cherokee Reportedly Adding Hurricane Inline Six
Another Hearst automotive publication covering the 2028 report and the potential 420 horsepower, 468 lb ft Hurricane setup. - The Drive
The Drive: Hemi V8 Does Not Make Sense in Grand Cherokee
Useful source for the Hemi V8 discussion. The article reports comments from Stellantis executive Tim Kuniskis regarding why the 5.7 liter Hemi is not expected to return to the regular Grand Cherokee. - Car and Driver: SRT eBoost Air Technology
Car and Driver: SRT Develops eBoost Air System
Useful reference for the Grand Cherokee prototype equipped with the high output Hurricane inline six and experimental eBoost Air system. - TFLcar
TFLcar: 2028 Jeep Grand Cherokee Hurricane I6 Report
Additional US automotive coverage of the reported Hurricane inline six and possible towing implications.
2028 Jeep Grand Cherokee Hurricane Inline Six FAQ
Here are the key questions and answers about the reported 2028 Jeep Grand Cherokee Hurricane inline six engine, its expected power, towing capability and possible SRT version.
01 Could the 2028 Jeep Grand Cherokee get the Hurricane inline six?
Yes. A report says Jeep could add the 3.0 liter twin turbo Hurricane inline six to the Grand Cherokee lineup for the 2028 model year. The reported engine is the standard output version. Jeep has not officially confirmed the 2028 engine yet.
02 How much power could the 2028 Jeep Grand Cherokee Hurricane inline six make?
The standard output Hurricane inline six produces 420 horsepower and 468 lb ft of torque in other Stellantis applications. Those figures are expected to be relevant to the 2028 Grand Cherokee, but Jeep has not confirmed the final output for this SUV.
03 Which Hurricane engine is reportedly planned for the Grand Cherokee?
The reported plan calls for the standard output 3.0 liter twin turbo Hurricane inline six. The more powerful high output version produces 550 horsepower and 531 lb ft of torque in other Stellantis applications, but it is not the version currently reported for the regular 2028 Grand Cherokee.
04 What engine does the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee use?
The 2026 Grand Cherokee can be equipped with the 2.0 liter Hurricane four cylinder, which produces 324 horsepower and 332 lb ft of torque. The 3.6 liter Pentastar V6 remains available and produces 293 horsepower.
05 Could the Hurricane inline six increase Grand Cherokee towing capacity?
It could, but the final towing rating has not been announced. The current Jeep Grand Cherokee has a maximum towing capacity of 6,200 pounds. The additional power and torque from the Hurricane inline six could give Jeep more room for a higher towing rating, but that remains unconfirmed.
06 Will the 5.7 liter Hemi V8 return to the regular Grand Cherokee?
A return of the 5.7 liter Hemi V8 does not currently appear to be planned for the regular Grand Cherokee. Stellantis executive Tim Kuniskis previously said that putting the 5.7 liter Hemi back into the Grand Cherokee did not make sense. The reported Hurricane inline six appears to be the more likely higher output engine for the regular model.
07 Could the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT return with a V8?
Jeep has indicated that a Grand Cherokee SRT is coming, but its exact powertrain has not been confirmed. A high output Hurricane inline six has already been used in a Grand Cherokee development vehicle. A future SRT could use a different powertrain, but there is no confirmed production specification yet.
08 What is the eBoost Air system tested with the Grand Cherokee?
The eBoost Air system was tested on a Grand Cherokee development vehicle equipped with the high output Hurricane inline six. The system was designed to reduce turbo lag and was reported to have the potential to push output as high as 640 horsepower. This technology has not been confirmed for the production 2028 Grand Cherokee.
09 Is the 420 horsepower figure confirmed for the 2028 Grand Cherokee?
No. The 420 horsepower figure comes from the standard output Hurricane inline six used in other Stellantis products. The 2028 Grand Cherokee application has not been officially confirmed by Jeep, so its final horsepower and torque figures could be different.
10 When could the Hurricane inline six arrive in the Grand Cherokee?
The reported arrival is for the 2028 model year. This remains a reported plan, rather than an official Jeep announcement.
