The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee has bid farewell to its optional 5.7-liter Hemi engine, hinting at what might signify the V8 engine’s nearing conclusion.
Introduced with the 5.7-liter variant for its 2022 model overhaul, the Grand Cherokee reportedly maintained this engine choice at the start of the 2023 model year before discreetly discontinuing it. The option has subsequently been eliminated from the Grand Cherokee’s configurator on Jeep’s official website. Furthermore, Jeep representatives confirmed to Motor Authority that the engine is no longer open for orders through dealers.
2023 Jeep® Grand Cherokee Overland
Although not the most potent engine option for the Grand Cherokee, as that accolade goes to the plug-in hybrid 4xe, it boasted the highest towing capacity at 7,200 pounds. In contrast, the PHEV manages only 6,000 pounds, making the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 the top choice for towing with a rating of 6,200 pounds. Speculations suggest that the discontinuation of the 5.7-liter is in favor of the new 3.0-liter, twin-turbo Hurricane inline six, a potential addition to the Grand Cherokee as indicated by Jeep CEO Christian Meunier in an interview with Car Expert. This new engine would outperform the phased-out V8 model, delivering 420 horsepower and 468 pound-feet of torque.
Despite its near two-decade existence, the 5.7-liter Hemi continues to be an available option across several Stellantis products, including the larger sibling of the Grand Cherokee, the three-row Grand Cherokee L. Nevertheless, this could denote the final chapter for the 5.7-liter in the Jeep lineup, with expectations of its discontinuation across multiple other Stellantis brands in the near future. The engine presently powers the Chrysler 300S and all Dodge R/T trims, all of which are projected to phase out within the next two years.
The 5.7-liter Hemi V8 mild hybrid assist, as used in the 2023 Ram 1500. Ram
The 5.7-liter engine continues to play a crucial role at Ram, powering the 1500 pickup truck, and being offered on all trims of the previous-generation 1500 Classic. Nonetheless, the older truck has yet to receive a release for the 2023 model year, hinting at a possible decline in its future and consequently that of the 5.7-liter engine. Stellantis is progressively embracing electrification with a robust hybridization strategy and plans for electric vehicles across all its major U.S. brands. While Dodge emphasizes the mantra “no replacement for displacement,” it’s evident that Stellantis believes kilowatt-hours will adequately substitute cubic inches.
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