If you haven't already, it appears we need to make peace with the reality of downsized engines. While you might prefer internal combustion from at least six cylinders, there is copious evidence that four-cylinder turbocharged engines are handily getting the job done in vehicles like the Audi Q7 and Lexus TX SUVs, BMW 5 Series sedan, the Ford Mustang pony car, at least two Porsches, and four sporty Mercedes-AMG models.Don't forget how much love was heaped on the Honda S2000's 2.0 liters of 9,000-rpm fury. Even in the full-size truck world, there are Chevrolet Silverado owners who like their 310-horsepower 2.7-liter four-bangers. Hurricane Minus 2 Pistons StellantisThe refreshed 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the first application of an all-new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that is nicknamed Hurricane 4. Parent company Stellantis in 2022 launched this engine's bigger brother, the Hurricane inline six-cylinder, which now powers the larger Jeep Grand Wagoneer SUV, Ram 1500 pickups, and the Dodge Charger.Jeep also offered 2.0-liter four-cylinder power in the 2025 Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid, but Stellantis recently announced the end of the PHEV offerings in the Grand Cherokee and Wrangler and Chrysler Pacifica minivan. The company instead wants to focus on traditional hybrids, range-extended EVs, and battery-electric vehicles, such as the Jeep Recon. Turbulent Jet Ignition jeep-hurricane-4-combustion-benefitsBut, Stellantis is also committing to internal combustion, and this latest Hurricane 4 flies solo, packaged in non-hybrid form with no electric motors or bigger battery to help turn the wheels, although mild-hybrid start/stop is included.As old-school as this 324-horsepower engine might sound, it delivers some fairly unique technologies, such as the first high-volume application of Turbulent Jet Ignition that lights a small amount of fuel in a cup-like pre-chamber atop each cylinder. Jeep says the burning fuel expands and jets into the combustion chamber, triggering a faster and more complete burn of the air-fuel charge. The effect, engineers say, is like using a blow torch instead of a lighter, helping to improve efficiency without sacrificing power. 162 Horsepower Per Liter Assembled in a retooled plant in Dundee, Michigan, the Hurricane 4 employs a variable-geometry turbocharger for more boost at low rpm and to deliver more torque at launch and while cruising or accelerating. The torque rating is a stout 332 pound-feet, and 90 percent of peak torque is at hand from 2,600–5,600 rpm.These output levels might sound ho-hum in the age of battery-electric vehicles routinely topping 500 horsepower, and with full torque being available from a standstill.But this engine achieves a specific output of 162 horsepower per liter of displacement. Twenty years ago, a number like that would have been considered engineering wizardry. Also, the Miller cycle (often used in hybrids) reduces emissions by keeping the intake valves open longer, lowering combustion temperatures. Smooth, Quiet, Capable Tom Murphy | TopSpeed How does all this technology translate in the real world? Having driven the long-wheelbase Grand Cherokee L with the Hurricane 4, we can report that most Grand Cherokee customers will find the Hurricane engine to run smoothly and quietly and to be more than capable in propelling the 5,068-pound, three-row unibody SUV on flat highways or on mountain roads like we experienced last week in Southern California. Switch into Sport mode, and you'll notice the exhaust note nearly drops an octave.Count on the four-cylinder to feel even more robust in the shorter, lighter, standard-wheelbase Grand Cherokee. Stellantis claims a class-leading 6,200-pound tow rating, but we never had a chance to hitch a trailer to the Grand Cherokees we drove to see how refined the Hurricane is while towing. Much Riding On Hurricane 4 stellantis-hurricane-4-turbo-engine-pre-chamber-1Jeep is leaning heavily on the Hurricane for the Grand Cherokee: It's the only engine offered in five of the seven trim levels. The outdated 293-horsepower Pentastar V-6, which hasn't been significantly improved since 2016, is standard in the base Laredo and Laredo X (starting at $40,410, including destination charges).But every other Grand Cherokee and stretched Grand Cherokee L — from Laredo Altitude to Summit — gets only Hurricane 4 power. No pressure here, but the Grand Cherokee has been Jeep's No.1 seller in the U.S. since 2019, and the brand cannot afford a misstep. Sizing Up The Competition JeepThe Grand Cherokee competes with the Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, Nissan Pathfinder, and Toyota Grand Highlander. We've assembled some of these rivals in a chart to see how the Grand Cherokee with Hurricane 4 stacks up. Hybrids Offered Elsewhere Tom Murphy | TopSpeed The Grand Highlander and Kia Telluride are available as hybrids, and the Palisade offers a 287-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6. The Explorer also brings a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V-6 with 400 horsepower.Jeep engineers at last week's media event claimed the Grand Cherokee's 27 mpg on the highway with 2WD is the best ICE fuel economy in the segment. But the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander with FWD is EPA-rated at 28 mpg on the highway. 2025 v. 2026 Refresh 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Front 3.4-2The fifth-generation Grand Cherokee launched in 2021, so the Hurricane 4 is only part of this mid-cycle refresh. It might be hard to tell, but the updated seven-slot grille (pictured at right, above) joins a new headlight design, modified fascia, and other new trim while retaining the Grand Cherokee's familiar upright front end. New exterior colors are Steel Blue, Copper Shino, and Fathom Blue.2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee, rear 3/4Standard across all three trims is a new 12.3-inch infotainment screen joining an interior that remains fresh, stylish, and functional, while the Laredo Altitude trim adds standard active safety tech such as traffic sign recognition and intersection collision assist. We tested a fully loaded $72,770 Grand Cherokee L Summit (see gallery below) with the fetching Tupelo caramel interior, Palmero leather seats, and the $1,995 rear seat entertainment package. If Pentastar Phased Out, What Then? Stellantis But you don't have to spend that much for a Grand Cherokee. Beyond the base trims referenced earlier, the Laredo Altitude 4x2 starts at $45,850, including $1,995 destination charges from the Detroit assembly plant. Limited 4x2 pricing starts at $45,810, and Limited Altitude 4x2 at $48,405. Tack on $2,000 for 4x4 versions.Limited Reserve and Summit models are only available as 4x4, priced at $53,405 and $62,190, respectively. Add another $2,000 for these trims with three-row seating in Grand Cherokee L. If you still aren't sure whether a turbo4 will be enough for your Grand Cherokee, take a test drive. And you can hope the revived Hemi V8 finds its way underhood, or that the Hurricane 4 is paired with an electric motor or two in a high-output hybrid configuration — neither of which has been confirmed.2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee L door open