Jeep has very quietly discontinued the optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 for the Grand Cherokee two-row model, meaning the only optional powertrain is now the 4xe plug-in hybrid's turbocharged 2.0-liter engine paired to an electric motor. The base 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 remains. Motor Authority was the first to spot the change on the online configurator.
As of this writing, Jeep has not made a formal announcement, but the news hardly comes as a surprise. Jeep hinted a few months ago that the V8 was living on borrowed time for the two-row Grand Cherokee. Our experience driving the latest Grand Cherokee was overall very positive, though we noted the base V6 was not quite powerful enough (but still very doable) and that the 4xe's powertrain is not necessarily worth the hefty price premium.
As a reminder, the 5.7 V8 produces a total of 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque, whereas the 4xe offers up to 375 hp and 470 lb-ft. Despite being more powerful, we noted this powertrain's rough power delivery when compared to the smooth Hemi. The tradeoff is far better fuel economy, 17/14/22 city/highway/combined versus an EPA-estimated 25 miles of all-electric range and 56 MPGe rating, and 23 mpg once the range is depleted.
The Hemi was previously a $3,295 option while the PHEV powertrain costs anywhere from $8,000 to $11,000 more than the equivalent V6 with four-wheel-drive. The V8 was only available on the Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve models.
But what about the V8's future for the Grand Cherokee L three-row SUV? It remains an option for now, but likely not for much longer. Jeep vice president Jim Morrison made clear over a year ago that future Grand Cherokee variants won't have eight-cylinders resting under the hood, including a possible Trackhawk successor. It's too soon to know whether the 4xe powertrain will be upgraded in some way, though that's probably the most likely scenario.
Last summer, the off-road brand trademarked the name "Jeep Xtreme Performance." Of course, Jeep refused to comment but it does sound like something interesting is on the way, sans V8.