Jeep executive signals potential V8 return for Grand Cherokee.
5.7-litre Hemi previously enabled 7,200-pound towing capacity.
Stellantis continues offering V8 engines in Wrangler and Ram 1500.
A senior engineering executive at Jeep has suggested, more like teased, that the V8 may return to the Jeep Grand Cherokee. This signals another potential reversal after the automaker discontinued the Hemi option across the lineup.
Speaking in California, Joe Aljajawi, who led engineering for the updated WL-generation Grand Cherokee, responded “stay tuned” when asked about a possible V8 comeback. He added that the company is listening to customer feedback, and this, across the entire line-up.
Jeep removed the 5.7-litre Hemi V8 from the two-row WL74 Grand Cherokee in 2023. At that time, the three-row WL75 Grand Cherokee L retained the engine but pulled it the following year. For 2026, the refreshed Grand Cherokee has begun arriving at dealerships. Current engine options include the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 and a new turbocharged four-cylinder from the Hurricane family.
Other than lovely sounds, the 5.7-litre Hemi delivered serious towing abilities rated at a maximum 7,200 pounds in the Grand Cherokee. That figure exceeded the V6 rating by 1,000 pounds and surpassed the now-dead 4xe plug-in hybrid by 1,200 pounds.
Jeep Brings Back V8 in New Moab 392 as Anniversary Edition Wrangler
Looking at the Stellantis line-up and recent “adjustments”, the return of the Hemi to the Grand Cherokee seems more than simply plausible. Parent company Stellantis reinstated V8 power in several models, including the Jeep Wrangler with the 392, hopefully the Jeep Gladiator, and most significantly, the latest Ram 1500.
Stellantis has increasingly promoted its twin-turbocharged Hurricane inline-six engines as performance-oriented replacements for legacy V8s. Although both standard- and high-output variants outpower the 5.7-litre Hemi, customers prefer the V8. Interestingly, Jeep has not announced plans to install the Hurricane six-cylinder in the WL Grand Cherokee.
Source: The Drive
