The automaker confirmed that the Cherokee would get an off-road variant that should add capability to the hybridized, small-midsize crossover, putting it in contention with the likes of the gas-electric Toyota RAV4 Woodland and Honda CR-V TrailSport – though hopefully with more off-road chops given its Jeep parentage.
Fleshing Out The Lineup
The Trailhawk name isn't new to the Cherokee, having first debuted on the previous-generation "KL" model for the 2014 model year. Plan on the current "KM" model to get a similar set of upgrades as its predecessor, which received a 1-inch ride height increase, all-terrain tires, and some underbody protection. And as is plainly visible in Jeep's teaser image, the 2027 Cherokee Trailhawk will also get the red towhooks that have become a signature of the off-road trim level, as well as a revised front fascia that should provide a little more visual aggression to go along with a hopefully-improved approach angle.
The Trailhawk should also come with a "Trail Rated" badge on the exterior (like the one on the Compass, seen above), and we suspect Jeep may upgrade the Cherokee's all-wheel-drive system to justify it. The current SUV comes standard with Active Drive I, a full-time system with a 4x2 disconnect mode that incorporates a power transfer unit from the hybrid transmission to the driveshaft. However, for the Trailhawk, we bet Jeep will also include a locking-type center differential and a limited-slip unit on the rear axle, which should improve traction when clambering over loose surfaces or traversing large obstacles.
We also hope to see some powertrain updates. The Cherokee currently makes use of a turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four with a power-split hybrid transmission, which makes a respectable 210 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque. However, given the heavier all-terrain tires and less aerodynamic bodywork that we expect for the new Trailhawk, we hope Jeep sees fit to upgrade the two-motor gearbox or the engine to put it closer to 240 hp or so. Jeep may also add a selectable ultra-low ratio to the power takeoff, giving the SUV lower gearing for more challenging situations.
The History Of Trailhawk
The Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk arrived at the same time as the rest of the KL family, and it quickly became one of the more popular trim levels thanks to its rugged personality and improved styling (although the insectoid twin-headlamp front end still proved divisive enough to be redesigned for the 2019 model year). It also offered an optional 3.2-liter Pentastar V6 with 271 hp, making it the most powerful small crossover until Toyota introduced the 302-hp RAV4 Prime showed up in 2021.
Following the 2014 Cherokee Trailhawk, the 2015 Jeep Renegade and 2017 Compass followed suit with off-road models of their own, one-upping their bigger sibling with an all-wheel-drive system that offered a low-range gearset with a 20:1 crawl ratio, although in essence, the function merely locked the nine-speed transmission in first gear instead of second gear, which it normally used when accelerating from a stop.
Currently, the only Trailhawk-branded model in Jeep's lineup is the 2026 Compass, which features most of the same upgrades as its 2016 counterpart (although a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine is now standard, making 200 hp and 221 lb-ft). Alongside the recently revealed Grand Cherokee Trailhawk (which should arrive at dealers by this autumn) and the teased Cherokee Trailhawk (which should arrive sometime at the end of the year), the off-road familiy will grow to three in total.
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