2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee Engine Specs and Performance in NH

This page covers the engines, drivetrain, towing, and fuel economy of the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the two-row SUV that anchors the lineup. The big news for 2026 sits under the hood: a new 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo joins the familiar 3.6L Pentastar V6. For a side-by-side look at every grade and which engine each one carries, see our 2026 Grand Cherokee trims compared guide, and for the full model picture start at the Grand Cherokee research hub.

If you also want the three-row version, the powertrains carry over to the longer body; you can read how the two stack up on our Grand Cherokee versus Grand Cherokee L comparison. Whether you are commuting around Dover or planning a tow up to the White Mountains, here is what each engine delivers.

2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee parked on a New Hampshire road near Portsmouth

Images shown for illustration. Actual vehicle may vary in options, color, trim, and body style.

The 2026 Grand Cherokee Engine Lineup

The 2026 Grand Cherokee is gas-only and offers two engines, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Which one you get depends on the trim:

  • 3.6L Pentastar V6 (293 hp / 260 lb-ft) powers the entry Laredo and Laredo X.
  • 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo (324 hp / 332 lb-ft) is standard on the Laredo Altitude, Limited, Limited Reserve, and Summit.

If you specifically want the V6, you order a Laredo or Laredo X. Every grade above that uses the new turbo four. The trim-by-trim engine map, including the turbo-powered 85th Anniversary Edition package, is laid out in our trim levels breakdown.

Engine Specifications

3.6L Pentastar V6

The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 has powered the Grand Cherokee since 2011 and remains the standard engine on the two entry trims. It is a naturally aspirated, regular-gas V6 with a proven service record, which makes it a sensible pick for Laredo and Laredo X buyers around Somersworth and Dover who want dependable output without paying for the turbo.

  • Horsepower: 293 hp at 6,400 rpm
  • Torque: 260 lb-ft
  • Configuration: 3.6L naturally aspirated V6
  • Transmission: eight-speed automatic
  • Fuel: regular 87-octane unleaded
  • Availability: Laredo and Laredo X only

2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo

New for 2026, the 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo is the headline change to the Grand Cherokee. It produces 324 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, a gain of 31 hp and 72 lb-ft over the V6, from a smaller turbocharged four-cylinder that still runs on regular gas. Jeep credits the output to a Turbulent Jet Ignition (TJI) combustion system and a variable-geometry turbocharger, race-derived technology Stellantis adapted from the Formula 1-inspired Maserati Nettuno engine rather than from the larger Hurricane inline-six. It is one of the more power-dense engines in the segment, and it makes the upper trims noticeably quicker than the outgoing four-cylinder.

  • Horsepower: 324 hp at 6,000 rpm
  • Torque: 332 lb-ft
  • Configuration: 2.0L turbocharged inline-four
  • Transmission: Gen IV eight-speed automatic
  • Fuel: regular 87-octane unleaded
  • Availability: Laredo Altitude, Limited, Limited Reserve, and Summit

Transmission, 4x4, and Drivetrain

Both engines route through a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic, upgraded to Jeep's Gen IV unit for 2026. The four lower trims (Laredo, Laredo X, Laredo Altitude, and Limited) come in rear-wheel drive with four-wheel drive available, while the Limited Reserve and Summit are configured exclusively with four-wheel drive. Confirm the exact drivetrain on any specific vehicle before you buy.

On four-wheel-drive models, the Grand Cherokee offers Jeep's Quadra-Trac I system for confident all-weather traction and the more capable Quadra-Drive II, which adds a rear electronic limited-slip differential for tougher conditions. The available Selec-Terrain Traction Management System lets you dial in one of five drive modes (Auto, Sport, Rock, Snow, or Mud/Sand), and the available Quadra-Lift air suspension raises the body for trail clearance or lowers it at highway speed for better aerodynamics. That combination is part of why a Grand Cherokee handles a Greenland gravel road and an icy Newington on-ramp with the same composure.

Towing and Trailering Capability

2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee towing a boat trailer on a New Hampshire road

The 2026 Grand Cherokee tows up to 6,200 lbs when properly equipped, a rating Jeep calls best-in-class for the two-row midsize segment. Both the 3.6L Pentastar V6 and the 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo reach that same 6,200-lb maximum, so you are not forced into the turbo to pull a trailer. For comparison, several rivals in the class top out closer to 5,000 lbs.

That capacity covers most boats headed to Great Bay, mid-size campers, and utility or equipment trailers. As with any tow rating, the maximum assumes a properly equipped vehicle with the correct hitch and trailering hardware, and your usable capacity drops as you add passengers and cargo. If payload and interior volume matter to your trailering plans, our Grand Cherokee cargo and dimensions page has the numbers.

Fuel Economy and Driving Range

2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee driving through the White Mountains

The new turbo is both more powerful and more efficient than the V6 it replaces on the upper trims. EPA-estimated ratings by engine and drivetrain:

  • 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo, rear-wheel drive: 21 MPG city / 27 MPG highway / 23 MPG combined
  • 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo, four-wheel drive: 21 MPG city / 26 MPG highway / 23 MPG combined
  • 3.6L Pentastar V6, rear-wheel drive: 19 MPG city / 26 MPG highway / 22 MPG combined
  • V6 four-wheel-drive models rate a touch lower on the highway and combined cycles.

Both engines run on regular 87-octane unleaded and draw from a 23-gallon tank. Paired with the turbo's efficiency, Jeep estimates a best-in-class driving range of up to 529 miles on a single tank in rear-wheel-drive form, enough to cover a week of typical commuting and weekend trips between fill-ups. Actual mileage and range vary with conditions, load, and driving habits.

What's New Under the Hood for 2026

The 2026 refresh is mostly about the engine. Key powertrain changes versus the prior year:

  • The 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo (324 hp) replaces the older four-cylinder on the Laredo Altitude and above, adding power and efficiency.
  • The transmission steps up to Jeep's Gen IV eight-speed automatic.
  • The Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid was discontinued for 2026; the two-row lineup is now gas-only.
  • A V8 is no longer offered in this generation's two-row Grand Cherokee.

That makes the choice simpler than it used to be: a proven V6 on the value trims, or the strong new Hurricane Turbo on everything above. When you are ready to match an engine to a trim and a budget, view the current Grand Cherokee inventory or start a financing application online.

Engine and Performance FAQs

How much horsepower does the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?

The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee offers two gas engines. The 3.6L Pentastar V6 makes 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque and powers the Laredo and Laredo X. The 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo makes 324 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque and powers the Laredo Altitude, Limited, Limited Reserve, and Summit. Both pair with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Which 2026 Grand Cherokee trims get the turbo engine?

The new 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo is standard on the Laredo Altitude and every trim above it, including the Limited, Limited Reserve, and Summit. The 3.6L Pentastar V6 is reserved for the two entry trims, the Laredo and Laredo X. If you want the V6, you order a Laredo or Laredo X; every other 2026 Grand Cherokee uses the Hurricane Turbo.

What is the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee's gas mileage?

With the 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo, the 2026 Grand Cherokee earns an EPA-estimated 21 MPG city / 27 MPG highway / 23 MPG combined with rear-wheel drive, and 21 MPG city / 26 MPG highway / 23 MPG combined with four-wheel drive. With the 3.6L Pentastar V6, it earns an EPA-estimated 19 MPG city / 26 MPG highway / 22 MPG combined with rear-wheel drive. Every engine runs on regular 87-octane gas.

How much can the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee tow?

The 2026 Grand Cherokee is rated to tow up to 6,200 lbs when properly equipped, a figure Jeep calls best-in-class for the segment. Both the 3.6L Pentastar V6 and the 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo reach the same 6,200-lb maximum. Towing capacity depends on configuration, so confirm the rating for the exact vehicle you are considering.

Does the 2026 Grand Cherokee still offer the 4xe plug-in hybrid or a V8?

No. For 2026 the two-row Grand Cherokee is gas-only. Jeep discontinued the Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid for the 2026 model year, and the V8 is no longer part of this generation's two-row lineup. The 2026 engine choices are the 3.6L Pentastar V6 and the new 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo.

Explore the 2026 Grand Cherokee Lineup

Jeep Portsmouth stocks the 2026 Grand Cherokee with both engines at 2355 Lafayette Rd in Portsmouth, NH, an easy drive for shoppers across the Seacoast and from Rye, Newington, and Greenland. Call (603) 431-8900 to check which engine and drivetrain are on the lot, or search the live Grand Cherokee inventory to compare specific builds. To weigh the two-row against the longer model, see the two-row Grand Cherokee and three-row Grand Cherokee L pages.