Engines and Performance
Two engines power the 2026 Grand Cherokee: a 293-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 and a new 324-horsepower 2.0-liter Hurricane turbo, both paired with an eight-speed automatic. Here is how they drive, what they return at the pump, and which one belongs in your driveway.
For 2026 the big powertrain news is the new 2.0-liter Hurricane turbocharged four-cylinder, which becomes the engine on the Laredo Altitude and every trim above it. It makes more power and more torque than the V6 while returning better fuel economy. The proven 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 carries on as the standard engine on the Laredo and Laredo X. There is no V8 in this generation of Grand Cherokee, and the 4xe plug-in hybrid was discontinued for 2026, so the two gas engines are the full story this year.
This page is the shared powertrain guide for both the two-row Grand Cherokee and the three-row Grand Cherokee L, which use the same engines. Fuel-economy figures below are EPA estimates published at fueleconomy.gov.
| Engine | Power | Torque | Trims |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L Pentastar V6 | 293 hp | 260 lb-ft | Laredo, Laredo X |
| 2.0L Hurricane turbo | 324 hp | 332 lb-ft | Altitude, Limited, Limited Reserve, Summit |
The 293-horsepower, 260-lb-ft V6 has powered the Grand Cherokee since 2011 and remains the standard engine on the Laredo and Laredo X. It runs on regular 87-octane fuel, delivers smooth, predictable power for daily driving, and tows up to the Grand Cherokee's 6,200-pound maximum when properly equipped. It is the value engine and a proven, low-maintenance choice.
New for 2026, the 2.0-liter Hurricane turbo makes 324 horsepower and 332 lb-ft, both higher than the V6, and does it with better fuel economy. It uses turbulent jet ignition, a pre-chamber design that lights a small charge to burn the main mixture faster and more completely, plus a variable-geometry turbocharger that builds boost at low rpm and a twin fuel-injection system. Jeep cites a power density of 162 horsepower per liter as segment-leading. In practice it feels stronger in stop-and-go traffic and when merging onto Route 24, and it carries the same 6,200-pound tow rating as the V6.
Both engines pair with a smooth eight-speed automatic; the Hurricane trims use an updated version tuned for the turbo's torque. Rear-wheel drive is standard on the Laredo, Laredo X, Laredo Altitude and Limited, with four-wheel drive about a $2,000 option; the Limited Reserve, Summit and 85th Anniversary Edition come four-wheel drive standard. Two systems are offered, Quadra-Trac I and the more capable Quadra-Drive II with a rear electronic limited-slip differential, alongside the five-mode Selec-Terrain traction system. Availability by trim is on the trims compared page.
| Trim | Engine | Standard drive |
|---|---|---|
| Laredo / Laredo X | 3.6L V6 | RWD (4x4 +$2,000) |
| Laredo Altitude / Limited | 2.0L turbo | RWD (4x4 +$2,000) |
| 85th Anniversary / Limited Reserve / Summit | 2.0L turbo | 4x4 standard |
The turbo is the efficiency leader as well as the power leader. EPA estimates for the two-row Grand Cherokee:
| Configuration | City / Hwy / Combined |
|---|---|
| V6, rear-wheel drive | 19 / 26 / 22 mpg |
| V6, four-wheel drive | 19 / 25 / 21 mpg |
| Turbo, rear-wheel drive | 21 / 27 / 23 mpg |
| Turbo, four-wheel drive | 21 / 26 / 23 mpg |
With the 23-gallon tank, Jeep estimates a best-in-class driving range near 529 miles for the rear-drive turbo. The Grand Cherokee L drops roughly one mpg combined versus these figures because of its added length and weight.
If you want the lowest purchase price and a proven, no-drama engine, the V6 on the Laredo or Laredo X is a smart buy. If you want stronger acceleration, better fuel economy and the newest technology, the Hurricane turbo, standard from the Altitude up, is the one to drive. Both tow the same 6,200 pounds, so towing alone does not decide it. Browse builds by engine in our Grand Cherokee inventory.
Premier Cape Cod stocks the Grand Cherokee with both engines and our factory-trained team can set you up with a test drive of each on the roads around Hyannis and the South Shore. Call (508) 815-5000 or schedule a test drive online.
Two: a 293-horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 on the Laredo and Laredo X, and a new 324-horsepower 2.0-liter Hurricane turbo on the Altitude and up. Both use an eight-speed automatic. There is no V8 and no plug-in hybrid for 2026.
It makes more power and more torque, 324 horsepower and 332 lb-ft versus 293 and 260, and returns better fuel economy. The V6 counters with a lower price and a long, proven track record. Both tow 6,200 pounds.
The rear-drive turbo is EPA-rated at 21/27/23 mpg and the rear-drive V6 at 19/26/22 mpg. Four-wheel drive costs the turbo about one mpg; for 2026 the V6 carries the same rating in either drivetrain. The Grand Cherokee L runs roughly one mpg lower than the two-row model.
No. Both engines run on regular 87-octane fuel. Jeep recommends premium for optimal turbo performance in hot weather or while towing, but it is not required.
With the 23-gallon tank, Jeep estimates a best-in-class driving range near 529 miles for the rear-drive turbo, which is a real advantage on longer New England road trips.
See the full lineup in person at Premier Cape Cod, or start your numbers online.
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