Quick Facts:
- Cherokee Trailhawk price: $44,625 to start, including a $1,995 destination charge.
- Vehicle: 2027 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk, a Trail Rated compact hybrid SUV.
- Powertrain: 1.6L turbo hybrid with 210 hp and an estimated 31 mpg combined.
- 4×4 hardware: Two-speed power transfer unit (PTU), 37.5:1 crawl ratio and an electronic locking rear axle.
- Clearance: 9.0 in with a 1-inch lift, plus a 24-inch water fording rating.
- Tires: 245/65R17 Nexen Roadian ATX all-terrain tires.
- Timing: Orders open now, with production starting later this year at the Toluca Assembly Complex.
- Best for: Compact SUV shoppers who want real low range with hybrid mpg.
6 min read
In This Article
- Overview
- Cherokee Trailhawk Price and Order Timing
- Cherokee Trailhawk Specs and the Two-Speed PTU
- Cherokee Trailhawk Ground Clearance and Angles
- Cherokee Trailhawk Price vs. Ford Bronco Sport
- Cherokee Trailhawk Hybrid Power, Tires and Skid Plates
- What This Means for You
- Final Thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions
Overview
The Cherokee Trailhawk price starts at $44,625 for 2027, and Jeep opened orders on September 30. Jeep includes a $1,995 destination charge in the figure, so the sticker before shipping is $42,630. According to the Stellantis press release, production starts later this year.
Our earlier teaser coverage expected roughly $50,000 and found no word on low range. However, Jeep has now answered both. The price is lower, and Jeep fits a two-speed power transfer unit. Jeep also tested the SUV at Sand Hollow on slickrock and sand, then in Moab for articulation and traction.
I have owned five Jeeps, including two Grand Cherokee Overlands, so I read Trail Rated badges with care. This one earns attention because the hardware is specific and measurable. Below, I weigh the hardware against the Bronco Sport and say who should order now.
Jeep tested this SUV on sand at Sand Hollow, so plan for soft sand of your own. These are general trail products, not Jeep accessories. The MAXTRAX MKII recovery boards add grip under a spinning tire. Use the Rhino USA Recovery Tow Strap for a pull and the Rhino USA Folding Survival Shovel to dig.
Recovery gear for a first soft-sand day
Cherokee Trailhawk Price and Order Timing
Jeep lists $44,625 as the starting price, destination included. Expect the window sticker to rise after you add options.
Three option packages are available. Sun and Sound adds a dual-pane sunroof and a premium Alpine audio system. A trailering package supports a 3,500 lb towing rating. The Advanced Pro Tech Group adds ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, camera washers and a 360-degree camera. Standard equipment already includes heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, LED headlamps, fog lamps and a foot-activated power liftgate.
The release does not list option prices or a delivery date. Instead, Jeep gives only a production window: later this year at the Toluca Assembly Complex. Ask your dealer for an allocation timeline before you place a deposit.
Cherokee Trailhawk Specs and the Two-Speed PTU
Now for what the money buys. Jeep Active Drive II is the 4×4 system, and Jeep calls its two-speed power transfer unit class-exclusive. The unit has a 2.92 low-range ratio, which produces a 37.5:1 crawl ratio. Lock Mode and an electronic locking rear axle also come with the 4×4 system.
The Cherokee Trailhawk crawl ratio matters because a lower gear multiplies wheel torque at walking speed. As a result, Jeep says you climb steep, loose or rocky ground without riding the brakes. For the math, see how crawl ratio works.
Five Selec-Terrain modes appear in the Cherokee Trailhawk specs: Auto, Sport, Snow, Sand/Mud and Rock.
Cherokee Trailhawk Ground Clearance and Angles
The Cherokee Trailhawk ground clearance is 9.0 in, helped by a 1-inch suspension lift. Jeep also quotes a 28.8-degree approach angle, a 31.8-degree departure angle and a 21.9-degree ramp breakover angle.
The lift and tuned springs and dampers add a 45-point Ramp Travel Index gain over other Cherokee models. This index measures axle articulation. In addition, Jeep calls the 24-inch water fording rating unique in its class. Ford lists the Bronco Sport at up to 23.6 in.
Cherokee Trailhawk Price vs. Ford Bronco Sport
A close rival on paper is the Ford Bronco Sport, so here is how the published numbers compare.
| Measure | 2027 Cherokee Trailhawk | Ford Bronco Sport (Ford’s listed maximums) |
|---|---|---|
| Ground clearance | 9.0 in | Up to 8.8 in |
| Approach angle | 28.8 degrees | Up to 30.4 degrees |
| Departure angle | 31.8 degrees | Up to 33.1 degrees |
| Water fording | 24 in | Up to 23.6 in |
| Low-range gear | Yes, 37.5:1 crawl ratio | None listed |
On angles, the Bronco Sport is ahead, while the Cherokee Trailhawk leads on clearance and gearing. Put simply, the real gap is the low-range gear, not the geometry.
Ford lists the 2026 Bronco Sport Badlands from $37,265 MSRP, which excludes its $1,995 destination charge. With destination, the total is $39,260 against Jeep’s $44,625. Ford starts lower, and the gap is $5,365 on either basis.
Cherokee Trailhawk Hybrid Power, Tires and Skid Plates
Beyond price and angles, there is the powertrain. Power comes from a 1.6L turbo hybrid with 210 hp and an estimated 31 mpg combined, according to Jeep. The Cherokee Trailhawk hybrid also carries a protection plate for its battery.
Standard steel skid plates protect the front axle, wiring and fuel tank. For plate basics, see our guide to skid plates and underbody armor. Red tow hooks also sit at the front and rear.
The SUV rides on 17-inch wheels with 245/65R17 Nexen Roadian ATX all-terrain tires. Since tires decide traction first, read our look at crossover all-terrain tire options before you replace them.
Airing down the 245/65R17 tires is a standard first step on sand. None of these products is a Jeep accessory. Staun Tyre Deflators drop pressure to a set level. Check the result with the JACO ElitePro Digital Tire Pressure Gauge. Refill with the VIAIR 400P compressor, rated for 35 inch tires, well above the roughly 29.5 inch size of these tires.
Air-down gear for 245/65R17 all-terrain tires
What This Means for You
If you want a compact hybrid with low range, the Cherokee Trailhawk crawl ratio of 37.5:1 is the number to weigh against other small SUVs. Notably, the Bronco Sport lists no low range, so it has no crawl ratio to compare. Jeep’s Compass lists a 20:1 crawl ratio with available low range, so ask for the gearing on any other rival.
Order now only if the price and the two-speed hardware already fit your plan. First, I have not seen independent trail tests yet, and Jeep has published no delivery date or option prices. Waiting for first drives costs you little. Budget for $44,625 plus options if you order.
Shoppers who need more room should look at the 2027 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, which lists 324 hp and 11.4 in of maximum clearance.
Final Thoughts
For me, the two-speed transfer unit is the headline. A badge is easy to print, but a 37.5:1 crawl ratio, skid plates, a locking rear axle and all-terrain tires are parts you check on the spec sheet. After five Jeeps, I still love the brand. Against the Bronco Sport, which lists no low range, the Cherokee Trailhawk price looks fair on paper.
The trade-offs are plain. However, independent trail results are missing, and the Bronco Sport still beats the Cherokee Trailhawk on approach and departure angles, by Ford’s listed maximums. Ford’s Badlands also starts $5,365 lower on price. A hybrid compact is not a Wrangler either, so keep your expectations honest on deep ruts and big rocks.
Watch for first trail tests and owner reports once production starts, then decide. If the two-speed hardware is what you want, put this compact hybrid on your shortlist. Drive the Bronco Sport while you wait, then judge the gap yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the 2027 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk cost?
The 2027 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk starts at $44,625, including a $1,995 destination charge. Before destination, the price is $42,630. Jeep has not listed option prices.
Does the 2027 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk have low range?
Yes. The 2027 Cherokee Trailhawk has a two-speed power transfer unit with a 2.92 low-range ratio and a 37.5:1 crawl ratio.
Is the 2027 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk a hybrid?
Yes. It uses a 1.6L turbo hybrid with 210 hp, and Jeep estimates 31 mpg combined.
When does the 2027 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk go on sale?
Orders open now, and production starts later this year at the Toluca Assembly Complex. Jeep gave no delivery date in its release.
Is the Cherokee Trailhawk the same as the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk?
No. The Grand Cherokee Trailhawk uses a 2.0L turbo engine with 324 hp and lists 11.4 in of maximum clearance. By contrast, the Cherokee Trailhawk is the smaller hybrid with 9.0 in of clearance.
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