Jeep may revive the Hemi V8 in the 2026 Grand Cherokee due to demand and weak Ram truck sales without a V8.

Jeep may bring back the Hemi V8 engine in the 2026 Grand Cherokee, following customer demand and a strategic shift under new Stellantis leadership, according to a senior engineer. The V8 was removed in 2023 and 2024 from the Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L as part of Stellantis’ broader move away from large gasoline engines, but declining sales of Ram trucks without a V8 option prompted a reconsideration. While the current 2.0L four-cylinder engine delivers strong power, it lags behind the old V8 in towing capacity. Jeep has not confirmed the return, but hints from executives suggest a revival of the iconic engine, possibly extending to other models like the Gladiator. The move reflects a broader industry trend to balance electrification with consumer preference for high-performance gasoline engines.