October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsSlow PC?RecommendedPC slow today? Run a repair scan before it gets worseResolve common Windows issues and optimize system performance.Scan NowOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
CarCodyAdvertise
Service recordThe Garage

2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee First Drive: Fueled by a Hurricane, but Is It Enough?

Jeep’s 2026 Grand Cherokee Hurricane 4 brings 324 hp, but first-drive reviewers found lag off the line and stronger power once the turbo builds boost.
Entry218 Date Time4 min MechanicCarCody Team
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Jeep’s new 2.0-liter Hurricane 4 Turbo makes a manufacturer-claimed 324 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, and first-drive reviewers found it strong once moving. The catch is response from a stop: several reviewers noticed turbo lag before the power arrived. For everyday passing and cruising, the engine appears capable; whether it feels satisfying in a large Grand Cherokee depends on how much you value immediate low-speed response and whether a turbo four suits you better than a V6.

What changed for 2026?

The 2026 Grand Cherokee is a refresh, not an all-new generation, according to Edmunds. Its headline mechanical change is the 2.0-liter Hurricane 4 Turbo. Jeep and Stellantis advertise 324 hp and 332 lb-ft, and Stellantis says the engine uses Turbulent Jet Ignition. Those are manufacturer specifications, not independent output measurements. See Jeep’s current model page and Stellantis’s October 28, 2025 launch release.

The Hurricane 4 is not described as standard across every trim. The Drive and Edmunds report that Laredo and Laredo X retain the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, with the Hurricane 4 appearing higher in the range. Check current ordering information for the exact trim and drivetrain you are considering; availability can vary by configuration.

How does it feel in a heavy SUV?

The first-drive accounts converge on a split personality: a delay at low speed, then strong acceleration as boost builds. The Drive called the engine exceptionally quick but somewhat laggy, describing a pause before brisk acceleration. Edmunds also found it lazy from a dead stop, but punchier at freeway and canyon speeds. MotorTrend similarly noted initial lag followed by a strong build of torque.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Sale
LASFIT Floor Mats for Jeep Grand Cherokee WL 2022-2026 2027 5-Seat
  • LASFIT LINERS - Compatible for Jeep Grand Cherokee WL 2022-2027 5-Seat, Include 4xe, NOT for Jeep Grand Cherokee L and WK.
  • 【Custom Fit for Your Vehicle】 Precision-engineered for a perfect fit, these floor mats are designed to match your vehicle’s contours, ensuring full coverage without curling or shifting. ✔ Stay securely in place for a safer driving experience
  • 【Non-Slip & Safety Design】 Built with an anti-slip textured surface and stable backing, the mats stay firmly in position even during sudden braking. ✔ Enhances driving safety by preventing unwanted movement
  • 【All-Weather Protection】 Made from premium TPE material, these mats withstand snow, rain, mud, and extreme temperatures without cracking or deforming. ✔ Reliable protection in every season
  • 【Durable & Easy to Clean】 Crafted for long-term use, the heavy-duty material is wear-resistant and easy to maintain—just rinse with water to restore like new. ✔ Save time on cleaning and keep your car interior fresh

Pulling away from a stop

If you expect an immediate surge when you press the accelerator, the Hurricane 4 may feel hesitant at first. That initial response is the most consistent criticism across the short drives. It matters most in stop-and-go traffic, when merging from a short ramp, or when asking for a quick gap in urban driving.

Passing and building speed

Once the turbo is working, reviewers describe substantially more satisfying acceleration. That makes the engine’s claimed output more convincing at road speed than its first few moments off the line. The available reports are impressions from brief drives, not instrumented acceleration tests, so they establish how the engine felt to those drivers rather than a measured performance advantage.

What the first-drive evidence can—and cannot—tell you

The Drive’s Caleb Jacobs tested a Summit on a short route through the rain-soaked Santa Monica Mountains, with the assignment focused on evaluating the engine. Its specification table lists a 4,784-pound curb weight and 4WD, along with the Hurricane 4’s advertised output. Jacobs did not tow. The Drive also disclosed that Jeep provided the vehicle, travel, and accommodations. MotorTrend and Edmunds offer additional first-drive impressions, but none of these accounts establishes long-term ownership performance or durability.

Jeep’s chief engineer for the Hurricane 4, Ashish Dubey, told The Drive: “On Hurricane 6 H.O., they have a stiffer crankshaft, larger main bearings, and larger rod bearings. We applied all those learnings on Hurricane 4.” That describes engineering lessons applied to the design; it is not proof of reliability over time. The Drive explicitly notes that durability remains to be seen. Read the full The Drive first-drive review for the route, vehicle specification, and full impressions.

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

What do the fuel-economy and range numbers mean?

The figures available for the Hurricane 4 are not all the same kind of claim, so they should not be treated as one verified result.

Figure Source and qualification
19 mpg city / 26 highway / 22 combined The Drive’s February 2026 review lists these EPA figures for its tested Hurricane 4 configuration.
23 mpg combined; 529-mile range Jeep’s current 2026 model page advertises these figures. They are manufacturer claims; check the page’s disclosures and the exact vehicle configuration.
506-mile range Stellantis’s October 28, 2025 launch release gave this as an estimated range. It differs from Jeep’s current 529-mile figure.

Because the sources give different range claims and the available configuration details are not identical, do not assume a particular owner will achieve either range figure. Confirm the EPA label and drivetrain for the vehicle you are shopping for.

Rank #2
Sale
Plasticolor 001668R01 Jeep Weatherpro 4 Piece Floor Mats Set, Floor Mats, One Size, Black
  • Universal fit product, designed to fit MOST vehicles. Each front floor mat measures approximately 17 1/2” wide X 27” tall. Each rear floor mat measures approximately 17 1/2” wide X 12.75“ tall.
  • Easy to clean with soap and water
  • Made of durable, long lasting, flexible material
  • Sold as 1 left and right front mat and 2 rear mats
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Which other details vary by trim?

Equipment differs across the lineup. Jeep highlights a 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 NAV display, but Edmunds reports that base models retain an 8.4-inch screen and upgraded models receive the 12.3-inch display. Jeep describes Hands-Free Active Driving Assist as available, not standard on every Grand Cherokee. Compare the equipment list for the specific trim rather than assuming the larger screen or driver-assistance feature is included.

Jeep advertises towing capacity of up to 6,200 pounds. That is a maximum manufacturer claim, not a result demonstrated in The Drive’s first drive; Jacobs did not tow. Check the owner’s information and vehicle configuration for the applicable rating before choosing a Grand Cherokee for a trailer.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Prices also depend on trim and date. Edmunds reported a $40,410 starting price in its February 25, 2026 review; that dated figure should not be read as a current transaction price. The Drive’s tested Summit was listed at $62,190 as configured in its February 2026 review.

Is the Hurricane 4 enough for you?

The first-drive verdict is qualified: the Hurricane 4 seems capable of strong midrange and passing power, but its response from a stop may not satisfy drivers who want immediate acceleration. It is worth considering if you spend more time cruising or accelerating at road speed than darting into gaps from a standstill, and if you are comfortable with a turbocharged four-cylinder in a large SUV. A test drive that includes both stop-and-go traffic and a safe highway merge is the best way to judge whether the lag bothers you.

If you tow regularly, want a decisive answer about long-term reliability, or are choosing between the V6 and Hurricane 4, the first-drive evidence does not settle those questions. Compare the exact trim, powertrain, and equipment you can buy, and treat the published towing figure as a rating to verify for that configuration—not as proof of how the vehicle behaves under load.

Quick Recap

SaleBestseller No. 2
Plasticolor 001668R01 Jeep Weatherpro 4 Piece Floor Mats Set, Floor Mats, One Size, Black
Plasticolor 001668R01 Jeep Weatherpro 4 Piece Floor Mats Set, Floor Mats, One Size, Black
Easy to clean with soap and water; Made of durable, long lasting, flexible material; Sold as 1 left and right front mat and 2 rear mats
$49.99

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from the Garage

  1. Entry001Date09 OCT 26Time3 minWhich Brake Pad Should You Buy From RockAuto or Elsewhere?Section: Blog
  2. Entry002Date09 OCT 26Time5 minThe Pros and Cons of Touchless Car Wash SystemsSection: Blog
  3. Entry003Date09 OCT 26Time3 minCan a Trickle Charger or Battery Tender Properly Charge a Car Battery?Section: Blog

Thanks for visiting Carcody

Carcody.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.co

Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.