In 2011, the first Jeep Grand Cherokee models arrived with the latest, cutting‑edge new Pentastar V6 engine. The high-tech engine cutaways glistened from the glossy pages of the sales brochure. Dual overhead camshafts with chain drive. A variable intake system. All-aluminum construction. This was the V6 engine of the future.
Representing a transformative leap, it was built to be affordable, powerful, efficient, and produced at an enormous scale. Very importantly, the Pentastar would also fully replace a garbled, inefficient array of long-dated V6 engines at multiple displacements with a singular alternative to benefit the balance sheets of customer and automaker alike.
2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee TrailhawkStellantis
As regulations, shopper expectations, and competitive forces evolved, a new, next‑generation mainstream engine was needed. Today, 1a decade and a half after the 2011 Grand Cherokee debuted the first Pentastar V6s, the model is once again bringing the first copies of a next-generation powerplant to showroom floors, this time, with four cylinders.
As the Pentastar V6 approaches the end of its run, the cost-effective new mainstream replacement is being phased in. It’s called the Hurricane 4 Turbo TJI, and we’re digging into the implications of the switch to a new four-cylinder turbo engine as the Grand Cherokee’s new focus, and the sole powerplant for the 2027 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk.
Why a Four‑Cylinder Now Works at the Top of the Line
2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee TrailhawkStellantis
For ages, automakers couldn’t quite convince shoppers that a four‑cylinder belonged in a top‑of‑the‑line model. About two decades ago, cars like the Cadillac CTS, Infiniti G25, and Lexus IS 250 rolled out small‑displacement fuel‑saver V6 options because shoppers wanted thriftier alternatives but didn’t yet associate four‑cylinders with high‑end applications. Much has changed since then, and modern engines have access to engineering and technologies light years ahead of those predecessors.
“The Hurricane 4 Turbo marks the industry’s first high-volume application of Turbulent Jet Ignition technology to improve power and boost efficiency. The innovative system ignites a small amount of fuel in a cup-like pre-chamber atop each cylinder. The burning fuel expands and jets into the combustion chamber, triggering a faster and more complete burn of the air-fuel charge. With this technology, engineers accomplished a more efficient, cleaner combustion. This allows the Grand Cherokee to boast improved fuel economy while never sacrificing power.” – Stellantis
Today, the market knows that even high-end applications can do some very awesome things with four-cylinder power, so the timing was right for Stellantis to use their hot-new four-pot as the sole motivator of the top-dog Grand Cherokee Trailhawk for 2027.
Real‑World Benefits: Response, Refinement, and Efficiency
2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee TrailhawkStellantis
From the driver’s seat, expect the Hurricane 4 Turbo to deliver a big jump in overall response and refinement versus the Pentastar, as well as a major boost to low‑rpm pulling power that’s easy to appreciate in virtually any situation, especially with a trailer in tow. In off‑road settings where the engine will be challenged to maintain vehicle momentum against steep grades or ruts, the Hurricane 4 Turbo can supply the required steady flow of forward thrust from far fewer revs than the Pentastar, helping reduce noise levels and improve refinement.
Pentastar V6
Hurricane Turbo 4
Engine
3.6-Liter Pentastar V-6 (launched 2011, WK2 Grand Cherokee)
2.0-Liter Hurricane Turbo 4 (launched 2026, 2026 Grand Cherokee)
Type & Description
60-degree V-type, liquid-cooled
Inline 4-cyl, turbocharged, liquid-cooled
Bore × Stroke
3.78 × 3.27 in
3.31 × 3.54 in
Valve System
DOHC, 24 valves, hydraulic roller rockers
DOHC, 16 valves, hydraulic roller rockers
Fuel Injection
Sequential multiport, electronic, returnless
Direct + port fuel injection
Construction
Aluminum deep-skirt block; aluminum heads
Cast-aluminum block; plasma-spray bores; forged crank & rods; aluminum pistons
Compression Ratio
11.3:1
12.0:1
Power
293 hp @ 6,400 rpm
324 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque
260 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
332 lb-ft @ 3,000–4,500 rpm
Max Engine Speed
6,700 rpm (limited)
6,500 rpm (limited)
Transmission
8-speed automatic
8-speed automatic
Fuel Requirement
87 octane (R+M)/2
87 octane (R+M)/2
Oil Capacity
5.0 qt (4.7 L)
5.0 qt (4.7 L)
Coolant Capacity
14.0 qt (13.25 L)
10.4 qt (10 L)
EPA Annual Fuel Cost
$2,850
$2,850
Assembly Plant
Saltillo South Engine Plant, Mexico
Dundee Engine Plant, Michigan
Pentastar engineStellantis
In situations where you’re crawling, you’ll be covering more ground with less shifting and less noise. The turbocharger system uses an internal array of adjustable vanes to “shape” the flow of exhaust into the turbocharger actively, keeping a generous supply of torque at the tips of the driver’s toes, even at low revs while the engine is still quiet.
Related
Hurricane Straight Six Standard vs. High Output: What’s The Difference?
Let’s dive into the specs, features, and hardware that differentiate these two very similar engines.
What Makes A 2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk Special?
- Quadra-Trac II 4×4 system with two-speed transfer case
- Selec-Terrain traction control system with Rock mode
- Quadra-Lift air suspension system with electronic semi-active damping
- Rear electronic limited-slip differential
- 30.5-inch Goodyear Territory All-Terrain tires
- Integrated TrailCam off-road camera with dynamic tire path and rear camera washer
- Six high-strength steel skid plates to protect the engine, transmission, transfer case, suspension components and the fuel tank
Stellantis Hurricane 4 EngineStellantis
Despite the big torque advantage of the four‑cylinder turbo engine, both engines are effectively tied when it comes to combined MPGs and annual fuel costs. Put simply, upgrading from a V6 to a four‑cylinder turbo Grand Cherokee gets you 11 percent more power and 28 percent more torque from the same amount of your fuel dollars. It’s a free torque upgrade at the pumps.
Despite running a high‑performance turbocharger system at high boost levels, the Hurricane 4 Turbo engine is a volume powerplant, and makes its advertised power figures on regular‑grade gas.
2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee TrailhawkStellantis
The turbocharger is only part of the equation when it comes to this engine’s big power figures, responsiveness, and spectacular 162-horsepower-per-liter output. Another is the Turbulent Jet Ignition (TJI) system, which allows the engine to ignite fuel within the cylinders via a conventional spark plug, or a 360-degree flame-jet provided courtesy of the pre-chamber assembly. As the turbocharger adapts to the driving conditions, so too does the engine’s currently deployed blend of conventional and jetted ignition. This allows the engine to control the speed of the combustion process more precisely, unlocking efficiency superpowers in the process.
Off‑Roaders Will Love The Free Torque At The Pumps
2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee TrailhawkStellantis
The full spec sheets of each engine are shown below for the gearheads, but direct your attention towards some interesting numbers and metrics. By the way, if you’re looking for a full, detailed technical overview of what’s inside the Hurricane 4 Turbo Engine and how its game‑changing pre‑chamber TJI system works, be sure to give this a read.
2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee TrailhawkStellantis
First, note the horsepower gain. From 293 Pentastar ponies, the Hurricane 4 Turbo bumps output to 324 hp, a gain of 31 hp, or 11 percent. The torque output gain is even more impressive. Thanks in part to an advanced variable‑geometry turbocharger and the TJI system, the Hurricane 4 Turbo makes 332 lb‑ft from 3,000 rpm, compared to 260 lb‑ft from the Pentastar.
Base Trim Engine
Pentastar 3.6L ICE
Base Trim Transmission
TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
293 HP @6400 RPM
Base Trim Torque
257 lb.-ft. @ 4000 RPM
Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
19/26/22 MPG
Base Trim Battery Type
Lead acid battery
That’s 28 percent more torque (72 lb‑ft) available from the Hurricane 4 Turbo, a thousand revs earlier and across a wider span than the V6.
If you’re wondering, on output alone, the Hurricane 4 Turbo lands between the old Pentastar V6 and the 5.7 Hemi V8, with horsepower closer to the Pentastar and torque closer to the Hemi.
It’s The Perfect Time To Buy A Grand Cherokee With Pentastar Power, Too
A close-up shot of the new Pentastar V-6 engine on the 2012 Jeep Wrangler rangeJeep
Stellantis got a lot of miles out of the Pentastar V6. It had some early teething issues –as many new powerplants do – but years of production improvements have made most of its modern production a safe and solid bet with maintenance and repair costs that are predictable and easy to account for. For many shoppers, the biggest question around the new Hurricane 4 Turbo engine will be the long-term ownership story.
The Hurricane 4 Turbo engine is a clean-sheet new design, just like the Pentastar V6 of 2011 before it. Today, that clean-sheet design incorporates more complex componentry, including a dual fuel-injection system, variable-geometry turbocharger, and liquid-to-air intercooling. There’s also the pre-chamber Turbulent Jet Ignition (TJI) system, complete with its very own extra fuel injector and spark plug within, to ignite the pre-chamber when required.
These new advances all evolve the new-generation turbo, direct-injected four-cylinder engines that the Pentastar V6 held off against for years, but they bring unknowns along for the ride, too – with new maintenance profiles, new service procedures, and yet-unknown best practices for long-term durability.
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee Maroon Front Angle Parked on Boulders in DesertStellantis
For long-haul shoppers who lean towards simpler and more time-tested powerplants, it’s a great time to buy a Grand Cherokee with Pentastar V6 power, too. Consider a one- to three-year-old model for considerable savings after the original owner took the up-front depreciation hit and footed the bill for those pesky delivery charges.
You’ll have little trouble finding plenty of options between $30,000 and $50,000, with plenty of warranty coverage remaining. Go this route, and you’ll be missing out on some power, torque and innovative new technologies of the Hurricane 4 Turbo, though the Pentastar’s track record and simplicity will likely make it a popular choice for years to come.
Sources: Stellantis, EPA
