What Is the Jeep Hurricane Engine? A Complete Guide to Jeep's New Turbo Lineup
Jeep's engine lineup looks different than it did just a few years ago. The 6.4L HEMI V8 is gone from the Grand Wagoneer, a brand-new turbocharged four-cylinder has landed in the Grand Cherokee, and the twin-turbo six-cylinder "Hurricane" name is showing up across more of the lineup every year. If you're cross-shopping a Wrangler, Gladiator, Grand Cherokee, or Grand Wagoneer at Baker Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Lowell, here's what the Hurricane engine actually is, where you'll find it, and how it compares to the engines it's replacing.
What is the Jeep Hurricane engine?
The Hurricane is Stellantis's modern turbocharged engine family, built to replace the naturally aspirated V6 and V8 engines that powered Jeep, Ram, and Dodge vehicles for years. It comes in two forms: the Hurricane Twin-Turbo, a 3.0L twin-turbocharged inline-six, and the newer Hurricane 4 Turbo, a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder. Both are designed to deliver more power and torque than the engines they replace, without stepping up to a bigger, thirstier V8.
The inline-six version has been on the road the longest, powering the Grand Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer L. The four-cylinder is new for the 2026 model year and made its debut in the Grand Cherokee, where it's built around Stellantis's turbulent jet ignition technology — a design that essentially uses a secondary combustion chamber to ignite the main cylinder more completely and efficiently.
Which 2026 Jeep models offer a Hurricane engine?
For 2026, two Jeep models offer a Hurricane engine: the Grand Cherokee, which offers the new 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo on most trims, and the Grand Wagoneer / Grand Wagoneer L, which comes standard with the 3.0L Hurricane Twin-Turbo inline-six. The Wrangler and Gladiator do not currently offer a Hurricane engine — more on what they do offer below.
| Model | Hurricane Engine | Output |
| Grand Cherokee | 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo | 324 hp / 332 lb-ft |
| Grand Wagoneer / Grand Wagoneer L | 3.0L Hurricane Twin-Turbo (Standard Output) | 420 hp / 468 lb-ft |
How does the Hurricane 4 compare to the Grand Cherokee's Pentastar V6?
The Hurricane 4 Turbo outproduces the 3.6L Pentastar V6 by roughly 30 horsepower and 70 lb-ft of torque, and it does it on regular fuel. For 2026, the base Laredo and Laredo X trims still come standard with the Pentastar V6 (293 hp / 260 lb-ft), while Laredo Altitude and every trim above it — Limited and Summit — come standard with the Hurricane 4. Both engines pair with an 8-speed automatic and can tow up to 6,200 lbs with the available Trailer Tow Package, so the real difference buyers feel is in everyday passing power and around-town response, not towing capability.
Worth noting: the Grand Cherokee's Hurricane 4 is not the same engine as the 2.0L turbo four-cylinder that's been available in the Wrangler for years. They share a displacement on paper, but they're different engines with different architectures — so "2.0 turbo" alone doesn't tell you which one a vehicle actually has.
Does the Wrangler or Gladiator have a Hurricane engine?
Not yet. The 2026 Wrangler offers three engines — a 3.6L Pentastar V6 (285 hp / 260 lb-ft, the only one available with a 6-speed manual), a 2.0L turbo four-cylinder (270 hp / 295 lb-ft), and the 6.4L HEMI V8 in the Moab 392 (470 hp / 470 lb-ft). The 2026 Gladiator sticks with the proven 3.6L Pentastar V6 (285 hp / 260 lb-ft) as its only gas engine. If you want Hurricane power today, the Grand Cherokee and Grand Wagoneer are where you'll find it.
For buyers cross-shopping the Wrangler's V6 against its turbo four, the decision usually comes down to preference rather than capability: the V6 is the only engine offered with a manual transmission and has the longer track record in this application, while the turbo four delivers its torque lower in the rev range and is paired exclusively with the automatic.
How does the Hurricane inline-six compare to the Grand Wagoneer's old HEMI V8?
The outgoing 6.4L HEMI V8 made 471 hp and 455 lb-ft. The 2026 Hurricane Twin-Turbo inline-six gives up roughly 50 horsepower but gains torque, at 420 hp and 468 lb-ft — and that torque arrives much earlier in the rev range, which is what a loaded full-size SUV actually leans on when towing or merging with a full cabin. Jeep also paired the 2026 engine with a new in-house 8-speed automatic transmission.
Which Jeep engine is right for you?
If you want the most engine for everyday driving in a Grand Cherokee, the Hurricane 4 is the better all-around choice over the Pentastar V6 once you're shopping Altitude trim and above. If you're hauling a camper or boat with a full-size SUV, the Grand Wagoneer's Hurricane inline-six delivers strong low-end torque without the fuel costs of the old V8. And if you're set on a Wrangler or Gladiator for West Michigan trail duty, the Pentastar V6 remains the most proven choice, with the turbo four as a fuel-conscious alternative and the 392 V8 for buyers who want maximum power.
Lowell-area drivers dealing with Michigan winters and backroads know that torque delivery and confident low-speed power matter as much as the horsepower number on the window sticker. Our team at Baker CDJR Lowell can walk you through which engine and trim combination lines up with how you actually drive, tow, and commute — and show you what's currently on our lot.
Ready to feel the difference for yourself? Stop by Baker Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Lowell to test drive a Hurricane-equipped Grand Cherokee or Grand Wagoneer, or to compare the Wrangler and Gladiator engine lineup in person. Our inventory changes often, so give us a call to check current availability before you make the trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Jeep Hurricane engine reliable?
The Hurricane Twin-Turbo inline-six has been in production the longest, powering the Grand Wagoneer since it replaced the HEMI V8. The Hurricane 4 Turbo is newer, debuting for the 2026 model year in the Grand Cherokee, so it has a shorter track record. Both are backed by Jeep's standard factory powertrain warranty.
Will the Wrangler get a Hurricane engine?
Not for the 2026 model year. The Wrangler continues with its Pentastar V6, existing 2.0L turbo four, and the 392 V8 in the Moab 392. Jeep has not confirmed a Hurricane-equipped Wrangler.
Does the Hurricane 4 require premium fuel?
No. The Grand Cherokee's Hurricane 4 Turbo is rated to make its 324 hp and 332 lb-ft on regular unleaded fuel.
Is the Hurricane engine more powerful than the HEMI V8 it replaced?
Not in horsepower — the Grand Wagoneer's standard-output Hurricane inline-six makes about 50 hp less than the outgoing 6.4L HEMI V8. It does produce more torque, though, and delivers it earlier in the rev range, which is what most towing and daily-driving situations actually call on.