It's been four years since Jeep had a punchy off-road version of the Cherokee in its lineup. We've seen a few videos circulating that show the latest model might not even be worthy of getting one. But if there's one thing Jeep knows, it's how to make an off-roader, and it has big plans for the KM-chassis Cherokee.That includes the return of Trailhawk, as the CarBuzz spies have just snapped a prototype testing in Michigan near the Stellantis R&D center. It looks like the Upland concept shown at the Easter Jeep Safari was our first teaser. This Prototype Has Two Different Trailhawk Badges new-jeep-cherokee-trailhawk-spy-photo-6The first real signs that this is a Trailhawk model are the scratches running down both sides. The off-road "pinstripes" are a detailer's worst nightmare, but also a clear sign that this Jeep has been thrashing down some narrow trails... and that Stellantis needs to head to its off-road test routes with a Bush Hog. The side sills have also taken a beating, but that's why they invented cladding.CarBuzz / Valnet Our next sign is the wheel and tire package. The Nexen Roadian all-terrain tires in 245/65R17 are roughly 30 inches in diameter, and on wheels one-inch smaller in diameter than any other Cherokee model we've seen so far. That's a chunky tire for handling rougher terrain and more sidewall for sucking down rocks and obstacles. The new wheel design is a hot one, too.The most definitive sign, though, is on the tailgate. That's clearly a Trailhawk badge on the back, and a solitary strip of tape isn't going to fool anyone. Jeep, we see what you're doing there.This tester also has new bumpers front and rear, even if the parts are hiding under at least two layers of camouflage and some dried mud. They're high and tight to allow for sharper approach and departure angles without tearing off the fancier parts on other versions of the SUV. Upland Concept Teased This Latest Jeep CarBuzz / Valnet In March, Jeep showed a concept that we think was our first look at this Trailhawk. The concept was called the Cherokee Upland, and it had some of the same upgrades: high-clearance bumpers, functional tow hooks, and all-terrain tires. Those tires were from Falken, and were 31.5's, but concept models can be more extreme. The official images were labeled "Jeep KM Trailhawk" so it doesn't take an astute detective to put all this together.The latest Cherokee uses a 1.6-liter turbo-four along with a 400-volt hybrid system. It makes a total of 210 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque and its all-wheel drive comes from Jeep's Active Drive I system. It's not exactly an off-road tour-de-force.Last time, the Cherokee Trailhawk got a full-time system called Active Drive Lock. It had a real 2.92:1 low range gear ratio and a mechanical locking rear differential. The new one will need an upgrade to something like that if Jeep dares put the Trailhawk name on it. Of course, Jeep could always leverage the badge and hope nobody notices, but the company has patented a low range for hybrids.Just like it's Wrangler sibling, this Trailhawk will be fighting against a Ford. We're referring to the Bronco Sport, and more specifically, the one with the new Sasquatch Package. It has skid plates, all-terrain tires, an off-road suspension tune, and a twin-clutch rear differential. Based on the concept's surprise appearance at the Easter Jeep Safari and this prototype not trying too hard to hide, we suspect the new Trailhawk will debut relatively soon as part of Jeep's product blitz this year. Stay tuned.new-jeep-cherokee-trailhawk-spy-photo-14