Although not new to the Grand Cherokee lineup, the 2017 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk is the first iteration to actually have earned the Trailhawk name and Trail Rated badge on its left front fender. The new Grand Cherokee Trailhawk is the product of Jeep's off-road know-how, resulting in an incredibly capable off-roader at a relatively budget-friendly price.
The Grand Cherokee Trailhawk is well-equipped for off-road adventure; standard features include a Jeep's Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case, an electronic rear limited-slip differential, and a specially tuned Quadra-Lift air suspension. The Trailhawk's air suspension, an untraditional choice for rock crawling, was tuned to offer up improved articulation and suspension travel compared to standard versions of the air suspension.
Ground clearance does improve all of 0.4 inch with the air suspension in its highest setting, thanks to 18-inch wheels wrapped in a beefy set of Goodyear All-Terrain Adventure tires.
Other additions to the 2017 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk include the requisite skidplates, red tow hooks, and a black "anti-glare" hood decal. 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 produces 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque.
The V-8 paired with an eight-speed automatic (standard on all Grand Cherokees) offers up plenty of grunt on-road despite the extra rotational mass of the knobby off-road tires. Steering remains light and linear. Despite the Trailhawk-specific air suspension tuning, the Jeep rides well on pavement, making it an exceptional long-distance cruiser.