The Jeep Grand Cherokee may be getting the engine many enthusiasts have been waiting for. According to a new report from MoparInsiders, Jeep is expected to add the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six to the Grand Cherokee lineup for the 2028 model year. If the report proves accurate, the move would give Jeep’s popular midsize SUV a meaningful performance upgrade over both the familiar Pentastar V6 and the newer Hurricane 4 Turbo introduced for 2026.
The reported plan calls for the standard-output version of the Hurricane six rather than the more aggressive high-output configuration. In other Stellantis applications, that engine produces around 420 horsepower and 468 lb-ft of torque, which would give the Grand Cherokee considerably more muscle than its current powertrains. For comparison, the 2026 Hurricane 4 Turbo makes 324 horsepower and 332 lb-ft, while the long-running 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 produces 293 horsepower. Even the discontinued 5.7-liter Hemi V8, once a favorite among Grand Cherokee buyers, made 360 horsepower and 390 lb-ft.
More torque could also make the Grand Cherokee a stronger tow vehicle. Current Hurricane four-cylinder models top out at a 6,200-pound tow rating, so the inline-six could create some additional breathing room for owners who regularly pull boats, trailers, or recreational equipment. Just as important, the six-cylinder configuration should provide smoother power delivery than the turbocharged four-cylinder, something that matters in a vehicle positioned as both a capable SUV and a premium family hauler.
A regular-production V8 Grand Cherokee still appears unlikely. Stellantis executive Tim Kuniskis has previously indicated that bringing the 5.7-liter Hemi back to the mainstream Grand Cherokee lineup would not make much sense as the company works to create clearer separation between Jeep and Dodge products. That does not mean V8 power is completely off the table, however. Jeep has already confirmed that another Grand Cherokee SRT is in the works, leaving open the possibility that a V8 could return in a more focused, high-performance version rather than across the broader lineup.
There is also some physical evidence that Jeep has been experimenting with six-cylinder Grand Cherokees. Earlier in 2026, the company showed a Grand Cherokee prototype fitted with a modified high-output Hurricane inline-six and its eBoost Air system, a setup designed to reduce turbo lag and potentially support output approaching 640 horsepower. That extreme configuration is not expected for the standard 2028 Grand Cherokee, but it did demonstrate that the Hurricane six can be packaged in the current platform. For now, the reported 420-horsepower version sounds like the more realistic addition, and if MoparInsiders’ sourcing is correct, it could give the Grand Cherokee exactly the kind of strong, refined performance option its lineup has been missing.
Mike Floyd is a finance executive by trade and a car enthusiast at heart. As a CFO with a keen eye for detail and strategy, Mike brings his analytical mindset to the automotive world, uncovering fresh insights and unique perspectives that go beyond the surface. His passion for cars—especially his favorite, the Porsche 911, fuels his contributions to Automotive Addicts, where he blends a love for performance and design with his professional precision. Whether he’s breaking down industry trends or spotlighting emerging innovations, Mike helps keep the site both sharp and forward-thinking.
