Jeep Just Fixed Its Biggest Mistake – And SA Off-Roaders Will Love It

Remember when Jeep messed up and axed the Trailhawk? Well, they’ve had a serious jol and brought it – and the Overland – back, but with a twist that could actually make it *more* appealing to us in South Africa. For a minute there, it looked like Jeep had completely lost the plot, ditching two of their most capable trims. Now, thankfully, they've seen the light. ## So, What Happened With the Trailhawk in the First Place? Eish, it was a proper kak show. Jeep decided to go all-in on PHEVs (Plug-in Hybrids) and initially planned to only offer the off-road-focused Trailhawk with a plug-in powertrain. Then, Stellantis did a complete 180 and axed *all* their PHEV models in January. Just like that, the 2026 Trailhawk vanished. It left a lot of us feeling a bit beknop, because let's be real, navigating load shedding with a fancy PHEV isn’t exactly a lekker time. Now, thankfully, they’ve realised that not everyone wants to rely on Eskom to enjoy their off-road adventures. ## The Hurricane Engine: Is 324 Horsepower Enough to Tackle the Drakensberg? Okay, so the PHEV is gone. What are we getting instead? The new 2027 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk and Overland both pack the “Hurricane 4” – a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. This isn't some little putt-putt, bru. It pumps out a respectable 324 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. Is that enough to tackle the Drakensberg? Probably. It’s not a V8, sure, but it’s a decent amount of power. It’s paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, which should give you enough grunt for most situations. Remember, we're not talking about rock crawling through the Himalayas here – we're talking about weekend trips to Van Zylsrus or exploring the Baviaanskloof. It's a good balance of power and efficiency. ## Trailhawk: Back to Its Mud-Loving Roots Now we're talking. The Trailhawk is where things get interesting. Jeep says it’s been the more all-terrain-capable version of the Grand Cherokee since 2013, and the 2027 model looks set to continue that legacy. Here's the lekker stuff: * **Ground Clearance:** 11.4 inches – that’s enough to clear most obstacles you’ll encounter. * **Skid Plates:** Six steel skid plates protecting everything vital underneath. * **Tow Hooks:** Proper red tow hooks up front, just in case you get stuck. * **Tyres:** 31-inch Goodyear Territory all-terrain tyres. * **Drivetrain:** Quadra-Trac II 4x4 system with a two-speed transfer case. * **Rock Mode:** A dedicated "Rock" drive mode for serious off-roading. * **Camera:** Integrated camera projecting the trail ahead. Plus, it has an electronic limited-slip rear differential. This thing is built for getting dirty, and that’s exactly what we want. ## Overland: Luxury Meets Capability – But at What Cost? The Overland is the more… refined option. Think of it as the Trailhawk’s boujee cousin who prefers a weekend in Franschhoek to a mud run. It’s still capable, with the air suspension, Quadra-Trac II system, and hill-descent control, but it’s focused on comfort and luxury. You get nappa leather interiors, heated and ventilated seats, and "Overland" embossed on the seatbacks. The chrome tow hooks look lekker, but are they as useful as the Trailhawk’s red ones? Probably not. It rides on 21-inch wheels, which are nice to look at, but maybe not ideal for serious off-roading. It’s all about striking a balance between capability and comfort, but it’s definitely leaning towards the comfort side. ## What’s This Gonna Cost Me? (The Rands and Cents Rundown) Okay, let’s get to the important part: the money. Jeep hasn’t announced South African pricing yet, and with the Rand being a kak show these days, it’s hard to give an exact figure. But here's what we know from the US pricing: * **Overland:** Likely to cost a little over US$60,000. * **Trailhawk:** Expected to land somewhere in the US$50,000 range. Now, let’s do some (very rough) calculations. At a rate of, say, R18.50 to the US dollar (and that's a big *say*), that translates to roughly: * **Overland:** Around R1,110,000 * **Trailhawk:** Around R925,000 Remember, that’s before import duties, taxes, and the inevitable dealer markup. So, expect to pay more. A *lot* more. ## Will This Actually Work in South Africa? Load Shedding, Gravel Roads, and Everything In Between This is the big question, isn’t it? Will these Jeeps actually thrive in the uniquely South African environment? The Trailhawk, with its off-road focus, seems like a natural fit. It can handle gravel roads, potholes, and even a bit of mud without breaking a sweat. The Overland, with its added luxury, might be a bit more delicate, but it's still a capable vehicle. The lack of a PHEV is a *good* thing, honestly. No need to worry about finding a charging station when you're miles from civilization or during another bout of load shedding. The petrol engine is reliable and readily available. However, the price is a major concern. At over a million Rand, these Jeeps are firmly in the luxury category. ## So, Is It Worth Your Rands? The return of the Trailhawk and Overland is a win for Jeep fans in South Africa. The ditching of the PHEV powertrain is a smart move, and the Hurricane 4 engine offers a good balance of power and efficiency. The Trailhawk, in particular, is a seriously capable off-roader that’s well-suited to our terrain. However, the price is steep. Very steep. Whether it’s worth your Rands depends on your budget and your priorities. If you’re a serious off-road enthusiast who wants a luxurious and capable SUV, and you have the money, then the Trailhawk is definitely worth considering. But for most South Africans, it’s going to be a bit of a stretch. Now, if you're looking for something a little more affordable, but still capable, should you consider a used Land Cruiser? We’re diving deep into the world of pre-loved 4x4s next – and whether you can still get a proper adventure machine without breaking the bank.