Jeep’s Best-Selling SUV Gets a Fresh Look and Powerful Formula 1 Engine Technology

The facelifted Grand Cherokee arrives with its most advanced internal combustion engine yet.

Front view of a gold Jeep SUV with LED headlights and black grille in a studio setting.

Published 3 hours ago

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Jeep just officially pulled the wraps off its updated best-selling SUV, the Grand Cherokee, and along with it comes a wide range of upgrades. As promised earlier this year by CEO Bob Broderdorf, the Auburn Hills automaker is rolling out a facelifted model.

Launched in 2021, the current “WL” Grand Cherokee arrived following the huge success of the WK2 before it. Not only did the WL introduce more rugged and masculine styling.

The WL also moved the SUV upmarket, with some of the upper trims reaching deep into luxury territory.

The latest midcycle refresh builds upon that success. But more so, it introduces a couple of firsts for both Jeep and the Grand Cherokee.

A gas-only four-cylinder first

Silver Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV kicking up dust on a dry grassy field with trees in the background. — The 2026 Grand Cherokee distinguishes itself from the first model with new headlights, front fascia and grille designs.

For the first time ever, the Grand Cherokee gets gas-only four-cylinder power. We make the distinction of “gas-only” power as the WL isn’t the first-ever Grand Cherokee to get four-cylinder power in general.

That title goes to the gas-electric Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid, which utilizes a four-cylinder for its internal combustion component. Rather, the updated Grand Cherokee is the first to get a four-cylinder engine without any help from electric motors.

Silver SUV with black roof splashing through a shallow river surrounded by green trees. — Jeep simplified the trim levels for the 2026 Grand Cherokee to make shopping easier for buyers.

That new turbo four is Stellantis’ latest “GME T4 EVO.” It’s based on the same four-pot that debuted during the Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles era in 2016.

Initially called the GME T4, the “Hurricane EVO” version is essentially the most up-to-date variant. The original GME T4 powered and still powers a wide range of FCA-portfolio automobiles.

White Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe SUV with black roof and tinted windows in a studio setting. — The standard Grand Cherokee is the first to get non-hybrid four-cylinder power.

Such includes the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio, to the current Tonale, the Maserati Ghibli Hybrid and Levante Hybrid, the Maserati Grecale, the latest Wrangler, the Compass and more.

The GME T4 EVO in the latest Grand Cherokee, however, not only features technological advancements. It also features a Formula 1-sourced trick up its sleeve.

Bringing F1 tech to the street

Engine bay of a red car showing black plastic engine cover, air intake, coolant reservoir, and battery. — The Grand Cherokee’s new gas-only turbo-four is an updated version of the one found throughout Alfa Romeo’s lineup.

Ported over from Maserati’s F1 racing team, Stellantis engineers introduced a new head design with a unique feature embedded inside. It features a new small prechamber for the fuel injection system.

Colloquially called “Turbulent Jet Ignition,” it consists of a separate “cup-like prechamber” that sits above each of the four cylinders. As part of the first stage of the fuel delivery system, a very small amount of fuel is first injected into the prechamber.

Then, as the initial fuel spray combusts in the prechamber, the intake valve opens to channel the flame into the main cylinder, where more fuel is injected to complete the main combustion cycle.

Said prechamber apparently allows the fuel to atomize and expand before being injected a second time into the cylinder. The result is a more complete and efficient burn than ever before and more accurate achievement of the proper 14.7:1 stoichiometric ratio of air-to-fuel.

Basically, all this witchcraft translates to more power and better fuel efficiency.

More power than you think

Silver Jeep SUV with black roof driving on wet beach at sunset with rocky cliffs in background. — The Grand Cherokee Summit, pictured here, remains as the model’s top-spec trim.

A 2.0-liter turbo-four may seem like an underwhelming choice for such a sizeable SUV. But the Hurricane 4 actually punches out a respectable 324 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque.

That sort of power density from such a small engine comes thanks to that Turbulent Jet Ignition system.

Bronze Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV with black roof and wheels in a studio setting. — Although largely unchanged, the updated Grand Cherokee benefits from revisions both inside and out.

Stellantis didn’t specify acceleration test figures. But it claims the Jeep Grand Cherokee now offers best-in-class driving range of up to 506 miles on a single tank.

Towing isn’t sacrificed either. Even when equipped with the forced-induced four-pot, the Grand Cherokee can tow up to 6,200 pounds — another best-in-class claim.

Simplified trims, sophisticated looks

Bronze Jeep SUV with black roof and tinted rear windows in a studio setting. — The Grand Cherokee doesn’t mess with success and keeps the changes rather limited.

In addition to a new engine option, no midcycle refresh isn’t complete without design updates. This time around, Jeep reduced the trim levels to just three options: base Laredo, midgrade Limited and top-spec Summit.

Although Grand Cherokee’s product managers did implement some visual upgrades, they’re largely relegated to the front end. Such includes new headlight designs, a more refined signature seven-slot grille, and new colors both inside and out.

Jeep vehicle interior with black leather steering wheel, wood trim, tan quilted leather seats, and digital touchscreen display. — Many will find the upper tiers of the Grand Cherokee very luxurious.

Pricing hasn’t been confirmed. But Jeep did notify us that those figures will arrive near the end of the year.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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