Jeep May Bring Back Hemi V8 Engine in Grand Cherokee

Amid Stellantis’ push toward electrification and new powertrains, Jeep is considering responding to consumer demand for larger-displacement engines. According to Joe Aljajawil, the engineer overseeing the mid-cycle refresh of the Grand Cherokee, the brand is “listening” to customer calls for the return of the V8 and hinted, “Stay tuned for more news.” The fifth-generation Grand Cherokee WL was initially offered with a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine producing 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. However, this engine was discontinued for two-row models in 2023 and phased out of three-row variants in 2024. The 2026 model year debuts with Stellantis’ all-new Hurricane 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine (324 hp), while only the base trim retains the Pentastar V6. Although the new four-cylinder’s output approaches that of the older V8, some buyers still hold firm to the belief that “eight cylinders are a matter of faith”—a sentiment that could prompt Jeep to reintroduce a V8 option.