2027 Jeep Cherokee Finally Gets Serious Off-Road Gear

The Trailhawk variant looks promising

The OG XJ Jeep Cherokee wasn’t lovable because of some red tow hooks and fancy tech. It defined its segment by being a useful family hauler that could also get pretty far into the woods. For the revived Cherokee, that’s a tough act to follow. The 2027 Trailhawk at least brings some of the equipment needed to make a case. Speaking of cases, it has a genuine two-speed transfer case. That’s a great start.

To be clear, the XJ wasn’t the first Cherokee. That name started with the larger Jeep SJ, but the smaller, boxy model introduced for 1984 is the one that set the bar. Its unibody construction also makes the idea that a proper Cherokee requires a separate frame a little funny. Jeep was doing things differently decades ago. Frankly, that’s what makes the 2027 Cherokee Trailhawk even more interesting. It sounds like a return to form without a return to body-on-frame.

Cherokee Trailhawk highlights

The biggest addition to the 2027 Cherokee lineup is the Trailhawk trim. It adds Jeep’s Active Drive II 4×4 system, an electronic locking rear axle, and a two-speed power transfer unit. That last piece provides a 2.92:1 low range and contributes to a 37.5:1 crawl ratio. In plain terms, it gives the Cherokee additional gearing for working slowly over difficult terrain. A 1-inch lift brings total clearance to 9 inches. Revised bumpers provide approach, breakover, and departure angles of 28.8, 21.9, and 31.8 degrees, respectively. 

Steel skid plates and battery protection provide some insurance underneath, while 245/65R17 Nexen Rodian ATX all-terrain tires handle contact with the ground. Jeep rates water fording at 24 inches. Having previously tested the 2026 Cherokee, I’d say these are great additions to an already nice package. Low range and a rear locker are things owners can put to work when a wheel loses traction or when the trail gets steep. Of course, we’ll need to test these things independently to see how well they work with the Cherokee’s general architecture, but we’d rather have them than not.

The Wrangler question

One tough part with the incoming 2027 Cherokee Trailhawk is the $44,625 starting price, which includes a $1,995 delivery and destination charge. For that price, you get a 210-horsepower turbocharged hybrid engine and an estimated 31 mpg combined. Production begins in late 2026 in Toluca Mexico, but you can order one right now. The question is whether or not you should when the Wrangler is also on the table.

If off-roading is your thing, the four-door 2026 Wrangler Sport S starts at $43,435. That’s $1,190 less than the Cherokee Trailhawk and yes, it includes destination though we don’t yet have 2027 pricing so that figure might slide around a little. That said, the most basic form of the Wrangler includes solid axles, low range, skid plates, and recovery hooks. For those who specifically want a rear locker, like in the Cherokee Trailhawk, there’s the Wrangler Willys starting at $46,935.

The 2027 Cherokee has an argument for being nicer inside than a Wrangler, but buyers should look at what they need rather than what they want or, one day, might use. Someone actually chasing difficult trails has good reason to shop the Wrangler. Those in need of a family SUV with useful crawling gear might find the Cherokee Trailhawk makes more sense. That second job is what helped make the XJ so appealing in the first place.

Source: www.carscoops.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.