The Jeep Cherokee returned last year for the 2026 model year, arriving at dealerships in January, but it was missing the Trail Rated trim. After the Cherokee Upland Concept hinted at a new Trailhawk, Stellantis today teased the return of the badge with a solitary image showing the front corner of the off-road-biased crossover. The announcement only stated that Jeep “continues to listen to customers and return capability to the core of the brand’s ethos,” with no reveal date confirmed. However, we expect to see a reveal before the end of 2026, with the vehicle likely to arrive for the 2027 model year.
What to Expect from the Cherokee Trailhawk
Stellantis
The teaser image of the Trailhawk shows a blacked-out front fascia (in place of body-color plastic) with red tow hooks, and we can expect a more aggressive approach angle than regular Cherokee variants. If there is to be more carryover from the Upland concept, 18-inch wheels with 32-inch all-terrain rubber are also likely, and we expect significant cladding around the body to create a more rugged appearance. Under the hood, the current Cherokee’s 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid powertrain will likely remain in place, delivering 210 horsepower and 230 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels through an e-CVT, but we expect additional drive modes with more off-road focus to be introduced. As a compact crossover, it won’t be quite as capable as the bigger Grand Cherokee Trailhawk that was recently launched, likely doing without a two-speed transfer case, but a rear diff lock may be included. For its target audience, that should be enough. Inside, we’ll likely see some changes in upholstery and coloring compared to the regular Cherokee, but nothing that will severely inflate the price. For the record, the 2026 Cherokee starts at $35,000.
Stellantis Is Making Changes
Jared Rosenholtz/Autoblog
The announcement of the upcoming Cherokee Trailhawk’s return highlights the fact that customers have been asking for changes, and Stellantis is listening. The conglomerate is investing $70 billion into its brands as part of the new Fastlane 2030 program, with Jeep, Ram, and Dodge being the biggest beneficiaries. These are the brands that helped Stellantis endure a tough 2025, so they’re being prioritized as Stellantis tries to gain a stronger foothold in the U.S. market. Expect a more clearly defined brand identity for each of these marques, and with thousands of new engineers at work, better quality. We’ll likely get more information on the new Cherokee Trailhawk within the next few weeks, so stay tuned.
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