Jeep has released a new teaser video showing the 2027 Cherokee Trailhawk undergoing engineering development in what appears to be Moab, Utah. The off-road-focused small SUV remains based on a unibody platform shared with the Dodge Charger, but the latest footage reveals new styling details and several engineering features aimed at improving its trail capability.
Trailhawk Styling Details Emerge
The Cherokee Trailhawk has previously appeared in illustrations and heavily camouflaged prototypes. In the latest video, most vehicles remain covered in black camouflage around the front and rear bumpers, but one brief shot provides a look at the Trailhawk-specific front fascia.
The design appears intended to provide a better approach angle than the other Cherokee models. The video also offers a glimpse underneath the crossover, revealing a skid plate protecting the radiator and front transaxle.
The Trailhawk will also feature the trim’s signature red tow hooks, as previously suggested by the SUV’s first teaser. All-terrain tires are also visible in the video.
Another Trailhawk-specific feature is a unique wheel design. Unlike the wheels used on the larger Grand Cherokee or smaller Compass off-road trims, the Cherokee Trailhawk’s wheels feature an unusual five-hole design that resembles a style associated with 1990s Lamborghini models.
Engineering Focuses on Off-Road Capability
The 2027 Cherokee Trailhawk is based on the STLA Large platform, a unibody chassis also shared with the Wagoneer S and Recon EVs. The engineering video nevertheless shows the small crossover using several systems designed to maintain momentum when terrain becomes challenging.
During one hill climb, the Cherokee briefly lifted one of its front wheels. Power was immediately shifted to the other tires, allowing the vehicle to maintain forward momentum.
Combined with increased ground clearance, that programming could give the Cherokee Trailhawk useful off-road capability.
Prototype Reveals Potential Compromises
The prototype footage also highlights some potential limitations. A downpipe and catalytic converter appear to extend from the undercarriage, and there does not appear to be an obvious way to reroute the exhaust to address the resulting clearance concern.
The platform may also lack enough suspension travel to keep all four wheels on the ground when traversing obstacles. As a result, the transfer case and traction-control programming would need to help maintain forward movement when a tire lifts off the ground.
More 2027 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk Details Coming
The 2027 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk prototypes shown in the video appear close to their premiere. Jeep has said that more details are coming in the “near future.”
Rugged crossovers such as the Subaru Outback Wilderness, Nissan Pathfinder Rock Creek and Honda CR-V TrailSport are popular with consumers, while Jeep was among the first to pursue the formula with the 2014 Cherokee Trailhawk.
The current KM-generation Cherokee is described as much nicer to drive on-road than its predecessor, setting the stage for the upcoming Trailhawk version as Jeep continues its engineering development.
