Stellantis's Hurricane turbo four doesn't match the force of its namesake. The Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit's handsome face pairs with a lavish cabin full of leather and wood. But a new engine and a clunky ride mar this SUV's sparkle.
While a 293-hp 3.6-liter V-6 still powers the lower trims of the Grand Cherokee, the biggest change of the 2026 model refresh is that a new 324-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four, dubbed Hurricane 4 Turbo, is found in the more premium versions. This engine is a version of the turbocharged 2.0-liter found in Alfas and Wranglers. It has two injectors (port and direct), two spark plugs per cylinder, and a variable-geometry turbocharger. It also features novel prechamber ignition, technology that clattered to life in the Maserati MC20, with the promise of more complete combustion. All of this is Jeep's attempt to gain substantial power and better fuel economy.
The engine feels punchy enough once you get going, but it requires prodigious boost (34.8 psi peak) to produce max power. It takes time for the boost to build, and until it does, the little engine feels overburdened by the Jeep's 4881 pounds.
View Price on AmazonGive the Jeep the cane, and it will move to 60 mph in a respectable 6.3 seconds, 1.1 seconds ahead of the V-6 Grand Cherokee. But our real-world 5-to-60-mph time of 7.6 seconds is a better indicator of how hard the Hurricane blows. There is an upside at the pump: The 2.0-liter returned 26 mpg at 75 mph versus the V-6's 22 mpg.
The slothful turbo four is less noticeable on the highway, where the Summit's beautiful interior, massaging front seats, and 19-speaker McIntosh stereo shine. Just try to avoid using the haptic climate controls, unless your fetish is frustration.
Aside from the lack of giddyap, the Jeep handles well for its size, but firm air springs crash over potholes on the SUV's 21-inch wheels. The brake pedal, meanwhile, is annoyingly grabby in traffic.
Jeep's hands-free driver-assistance system is optional on the Summit. It works but is hesitant in corners and inspires less confidence than similar tech from GM, Ford, and Tesla.
At an as-tested $66,585, the Grand Cherokee Summit boasts a luxurious interior and a long list of features, but despite the fuel-economy benefit, the engine requires too much effort to extract meaningful performance. But if you can overlook the powertrain's weaknesses, the Jeep is a well-appointed, spacious family hauler.
Source: caranddriver.com
