Jeep wants $44,625 for the 2027 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk, and dealers are taking orders now. That’s $7,500 more than the base Cherokee, according to Jeep’s October 16, 2026 pricing release, and it buys a piece of hardware Jeep says no rival compact SUV offers: a two-speed transfer unit with a real low range.
Here’s our take. The Trailhawk is the most capable compact SUV you can order this fall, but it only earns its premium if you’ll drive somewhere that needs low range. For snow and gravel, a cheaper Cherokee or a rival does the job and burns less fuel.
Quick answer: The 2027 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk starts at $44,625 including destination. It pairs a 210-hp 1.6-liter turbo hybrid with a two-speed transfer unit, a locking rear axle, 9.0 inches of ground clearance and a 24-inch water-fording rating. Jeep estimates 31 mpg combined. Orders are open now, and production starts later in 2026.
What does the 2027 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk add?
The headline part is the two-speed power transfer unit. In Rock mode it adds a 2.92:1 low-range gear, which multiplies the hybrid’s torque before it reaches the wheels and gives a 37.5:1 crawl ratio. That lets the Cherokee creep down a rocky ledge at walking pace on engine braking, instead of you feathering the brake pedal the whole way.
The electronic locking rear axle fixes the other classic trail problem. An open differential sends torque to the wheel with the least grip, so a rear tire hanging in the air just spins. Lock the axle and both rear wheels turn together.
A 1-inch lift brings ground clearance to 9.0 inches. New bumpers give approach, breakover and departure angles of 28.8, 21.9 and 31.8 degrees, and Jeep claims all three are best in class. It’s also the only SUV in its class rated to ford 24 inches of water, per Jeep’s September 30 Trailhawk announcement. Jeep brand CEO Branden Coté called it “the real deal” in that release.
Steel skid plates cover the front axle, wiring and fuel tank, and a separate plate guards the hybrid battery. Tires are 245/65R17 Nexen Rodian ATX all-terrains on 17-inch wheels. The smaller wheel is deliberate: a taller sidewall gives more rubber to flex over a sharp rock before the edge reaches the rim.
How much fuel does the off-road hardware cost you?
Six mpg. Jeep estimates the Trailhawk at 31 mpg combined, while its most efficient 2027 Cherokee is rated at up to 37 mpg combined and 39 mpg city. Drive 15,000 miles a year and that gap works out to about 78 extra gallons.
Jeep doesn’t explain the difference. Our read is that the knobbier tires and taller ride height add drag, and the 4×4 hardware adds weight. These are Jeep’s own estimates, and production hasn’t started, so independent fuel economy testing isn’t possible yet.
Cherokee Trailhawk vs Bronco Sport Badlands and Forester Wilderness
The obvious rivals are Ford’s Bronco Sport Badlands and Subaru’s Forester Wilderness. Both are 2026 models, so their prices may move when 2027 versions arrive.
| Model | Price before destination | Ground clearance | Low-range gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk | $42,630 | 9.0 in | Yes, 2.92:1 |
| 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness | $38,385 | 9.3 in | No |
| 2026 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands | $37,265 | Not listed by Ford | No, per Jeep’s class claim |
Before destination, the Jeep costs $5,365 more than the Ford and $4,245 more than the Subaru. Destination fees differ as well: Jeep charges $1,995 and Subaru $1,450, so at the dealer the gap to the Forester grows to $4,790, according to Subaru’s 2026 Forester pricing release.
One number surprises people. The Forester Wilderness has more ground clearance, 9.3 inches against the Jeep’s 9.0. What it lacks is a low-range gear or a locker: Subaru’s X-Mode with hill descent control manages wheelspin with the brakes and throttle, which works on loose gravel and snow but has less to give on a steep rock step. If you’re cross-shopping Subaru, our look at the 2026 Subaru Outback’s new Wilderness variant covers the bigger wagon.
The Bronco Sport Badlands is the price leader at $37,265 before destination, according to Ford.com on October 19, 2026. For where it sits in the wider range, see our guide to the Ford models worth considering.
Who should buy the Trailhawk, and who shouldn’t?
Don’t buy low range for winter. Grip on snow and ice comes from tires and a good AWD system, not from gearing, and an all-terrain tire is a compromise on ice next to a dedicated winter tire. If your hardest drive is an unplowed street, a Cherokee Limited on winter tires is the better use of $7,500.
Check the towing details at the order desk. Jeep’s 3,500-pound rating comes with the optional Trailering Package on the Trailhawk, so a base Trailhawk isn’t set up to pull a small camper. Jeep also lists the Trailhawk as flat-tow capable, which matters if you travel with a motorhome. We haven’t seen Jeep’s published flat-tow procedure for the Cherokee yet, so get it from the dealer before you buy a tow bar.
If fuel economy matters more to you than crawl ratio, compare it with Toyota’s latest hybrids and SUVs before you order. If you need three rows instead, Stellantis also sells the Dodge Durango.
The Trailhawk makes sense for owners who’ll actually reach rocky trails or deep water crossings. For them, the 2027 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk is the only compact SUV in its class with a 2.92:1 low range, by Jeep’s count, and that gear is what the $7,500 buys. If you’ll never select Rock mode, you’re paying for red tow hooks.
Common questions about the 2027 Cherokee Trailhawk
How much is the 2027 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk?
The 2027 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk starts at $44,625, including Jeep’s $1,995 destination charge. That’s $7,500 more than the entry-level 2027 Cherokee at $37,125. Jeep sells three option packages on the Trailhawk, Sun and Sound, Trailering and the Advanced Pro Tech Group, so a fully loaded example will cost more than the starting price.
Is the 2027 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk a hybrid?
Yes. Every 2027 Cherokee uses a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid, and in the Trailhawk it makes 210 horsepower. Jeep estimates the Trailhawk at 31 mpg combined, below the 37 mpg combined it quotes for the most efficient Cherokee. It’s a conventional hybrid, not a plug-in, so there’s nothing to charge.
When can you buy a 2027 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk?
Orders are open now through Jeep dealers. Jeep says production starts later in 2026 at its Toluca Assembly Complex in Mexico, so deliveries follow that. Jeep hasn’t published a delivery date, so ask your dealer for an estimated build week in writing before you put down a deposit.