Image Credit: Stellantis / Jeep.The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk is back for 2027, bringing serious off-road hardware with it after disappearing during the SUV's 2026 refresh. Unfortunately for anyone hoping its return would also mean an aggressively priced alternative to the usual rugged SUVs, Jeep has other ideas.The returning Trailhawk starts at $53,000 before destination, placing it above several notable competitors. For comparison, the 2026 Ford Explorer Tremor starts at $49,460, while the body-on-frame Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road starts at $50,290.For context, the previous Grand Cherokee Trailhawk was offered exclusively as a 4xe plug-in hybrid, and the 2025 model carried a substantially steeper $66,185 starting price.AdvertisementAdvertisementDropping the plug-in powertrain has therefore knocked more than $13,000 off the Trailhawk's entry price. Even so, $53,000 is serious money for a two-row Grand Cherokee, particularly when some highly capable alternatives start several thousand dollars lower.The Trailhawk Still Gets Serious Off-Road HardwareImage Credit: Stellantis / Jeep.At least Jeep hasn't turned the Trailhawk into an appearance package. The 2027 model comes standard with a two-speed transfer case featuring a 2.72:1 low range, an electronic limited-slip rear differential, skid plates, and air suspension.It also rolls on 30.5-inch tires and benefits from the extra clearance provided by its suspension setup. Jeep claims the combination gives the Trailhawk best-in-class ground clearance along with class-leading approach, departure, and breakover angles.That equipment distinguishes it from the newly introduced Grand Cherokee Upland, which starts at $47,995. The Upland borrows some of the Trailhawk's visual attitude with 18-inch wheels, 265/60 all-terrain tires, tow hooks, gray exterior accents, and a more aggressive front fascia, but it isn't positioned as the same full-fat off-road package.No More 4xe For The TrailhawkImage Credit: Stellantis / Jeep.The biggest mechanical change is under the hood. With the 4xe plug-in hybrid gone from Jeep's U.S. lineup, the Trailhawk now uses Stellantis' new Hurricane 4 engine.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder produces 324 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, substantial numbers from an engine of its size. It also runs as much as 35 psi of boost, helping it produce considerably more torque than the naturally aspirated Pentastar V6.That familiar 3.6-liter V6 remains available in the entry-level Laredo and Laredo X, where it makes 293 hp and 260 lb-ft. Both engines are rated to tow as much as 6,200 pounds in the Grand Cherokee.Fuel economy isn't necessarily a knockout victory for the smaller engine, however. Four-wheel-drive Hurricane 4 models are EPA-rated at 20 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined.The Competition Makes $53,000 Look SteepThe Trailhawk's pricing becomes particularly interesting once you start shopping outside Jeep dealerships. A 2026 Ford Explorer Tremor undercuts it by $3,540, despite offering three-row practicality alongside its own collection of off-road upgrades.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe 2026 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road is also cheaper, starting $2,710 below the Jeep. Unlike the unibody Grand Cherokee, the 4Runner uses a traditional body-on-frame platform and has an established reputation as a serious off-roader.There is an important caveat to those comparisons: Ford and Toyota have not necessarily finalized equivalent 2027 pricing, so their prices could increase for the new model year. Comparing 2027 pricing directly will provide a better picture once those figures arrive.Jeep also has the advantage of positioning the Grand Cherokee as a more premium everyday SUV than many traditional off-roaders. Buyers wanting to lean even further toward luxury can choose the returning 2027 Overland, which starts at $55,900 before destination.The Trailhawk Has To Justify Its PremiumImage Credit: Stellantis / Jeep.A $53,000 Trailhawk isn't outrageous in today's SUV market, especially considering the equipment underneath it. The tougher question is whether buyers will consider its combination of refinement and genuine trail capability worth paying extra for.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe departure of the expensive 4xe certainly makes the Trailhawk easier to justify than before. Cutting the starting price from more than $66,000 to $53,000 is significant, even if buyers lose the plug-in hybrid system in the process.Still, Ford and Toyota offer compelling alternatives for less money, and the new Hurricane 4 will have to prove that downsizing to four cylinders hasn't compromised the Grand Cherokee experience. Order books for the 2027 Trailhawk are already open, with deliveries expected to begin later this year.Would you pay $53,000 for the new Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, or would you rather have a 4Runner TRD Off-Road or Explorer Tremor? Let us know in the comments.If you want more stories like this, follow Guessing Headlights on Yahoo so you don't miss what's coming next.