Jeep fans may have noticed a few glaring omissions when the company refreshed the Grand Cherokee for 2026. Alongside a refresh that deep-sixed the plug-in hybrid 4xe, the tweaked SUV also lost its rugged Trailhawk trim level, which was previously offered only as a PHEV. However, the automaker will rectify some of its wrongs with the impending arrival of the 2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, which it announced alongside a predictably shadowy teaser image of the upcoming off-roader, displaying little aside from its plainly visible hood graphics and bright red front tow hooks. From Michigan To Moab Jeep confirmed the new trim in the aftermath of the annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah, during which it revealed five interesting concepts and one seriously overbuilt XJ-generation Cherokee. But although the Trailhawk didn't make its debut among the red rocks of Southern Utah, the automaker promises we won't have to wait too much longer for the Grand Cherokee variant's arrival, which is coming later this year as a 2027 model. The one-year hiatus will likely bring some big changes to the WL-generation Trailhawk, which we expect will abandon its plug-in hybrid powertrain that has proved problematic for Stellantis.Stellantis North AmericaInstead, plan on the rugged Grand Cherokee receiving its more pleibian sibling's Hurricane 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, which produces a healthy 324 horsepower and 332 pound-feet. Although substantially down on the old plug-in's 375 hp and 470 lb-ft, the new engine should produce enough midrange grunt to ease the Trailhawk over large boulders and stumps, and the somewhat sluggish throttle response we experienced in the 2026 Grand Cherokee could actually be a benefit off-road, allowing drivers to meter in the precise amount of power to dispatch obstacles. Suspension Enhancements Are All But Guaranteed Although it's a marketing gimmick, Jeep takes the "Trail Rated" branding very seriously, only applying it to vehicles that have enough capability to tackle real off-road environments – not just graded dirt fire routes or snowy weather. That's why you don't see that little round badge on every SUV the company produces. Plan on the 2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk to follow in the footsteps of its immediate predecessor, with a standard Quadra-Drive II transfer case that has a 2.72:1 low-gear ratio and a limited-slip rear differential for improved low-speed control off-road. The newest Trail Rated Jeep should also get an air suspension with up to 11.2 inches of ground clearance, plus some robust underbody armor and the aforementioned hood decals and red tow hoops. We also hope Jeep will consider an available coil-spring lifted suspension for improved durability and articulation – perhaps at the expense of maximum ground clearance.JeepThe next-generation Trailhawk (which is expected to join an also-new Cherokee equivalent) should also benefit from the 2026 model's updated electronics, potentially via additional off-road drive modes over the standard Grand Cherokee's Rock and Mud/Sand settings. Although most hard-core Jeep fans will probably go for the Wrangler, it'd still be nice to see its midsize luxury SUV go even further afield with the Trailhawk model than before. It's too much to ask for the solid front and rear axles of previous Grand Cherokee generations, but we can still hope for a hardcore off-roader that leaves the Ford Explorer Tremor and Honda Passport TrailSport in the dust.Source: Jeep