The Grand Cherokee SRT is coming back. Stellantis made it official in May 2026 during its Investor Day presentation, announcing that a new Grand Cherokee SRT would be among three new Jeep performance models arriving before 2030. For SRT enthusiasts who have been waiting since the WL replaced the WK2 in 2022 without an SRT variant, this is the news they have been watching for.
Here is everything that is confirmed — and what remains unknown.
What Is Officially Confirmed
Stellantis confirmed in May 2026 that Jeep will bring three new performance models to market by 2030. One of those models is a new Grand Cherokee SRT. This announcement came as part of the company’s FaSTLAne 2030 strategic plan, which identified Jeep and Ram as priority brands for investment and growth.
The current WL Grand Cherokee received a mid-cycle facelift for the 2026 model year. Industry analysts and Jeep forums widely expect the new SRT to be based on that updated WL platform rather than waiting for a full sixth-generation redesign — which would push the timeline significantly further out.
What Engine Will It Use?
No engine has been officially confirmed for the new Grand Cherokee SRT. However, there are strong signals pointing in one direction: the 6.4-liter HEMI V8.
As of 2026, the 6.4-liter HEMI is still in active production and is being used in the Jeep Wrangler 392. Stellantis would not need to develop a new engine — they would simply need to drop a proven powerplant into a platform that originally hosted the same engine. The original WK2 Grand Cherokee SRT made 475 horsepower from the 6.4-liter, and there is no reason that number would go down in a new version.
A Trackhawk-level supercharged variant is possible but not confirmed. Given that Stellantis just revived the SRT TRX with 777 horsepower and returned the Durango SRT Hellcat, the appetite for high-horsepower HEMI vehicles is clearly still there.
Why the Grand Cherokee Lost Its SRT in the First Place
When Jeep launched the fifth-generation WL Grand Cherokee in 2021 and 2022, it arrived without an SRT variant. The WK2 Grand Cherokee SRT — and the Trackhawk — were discontinued alongside the WK2 platform. Jeep’s stated reasoning at the time centered on the transition to the new platform and a temporary shift toward electrified powertrains.
But the market pushed back. WK2 Grand Cherokee SRT values on the used market held strong precisely because there was nothing to replace them. Enthusiasts who wanted a naturally aspirated 475-horsepower V8 SUV with SRT tuning had exactly one option: buy a used one. That demand gap is exactly what the new SRT announcement is designed to fill.
What the SRT Community Is Hoping For
Based on forums, Facebook groups, and conversations in the SRT community, here is what enthusiasts most want from the new Grand Cherokee SRT:
- The 6.4-liter HEMI V8 — naturally aspirated, high-revving, unmistakable
- SRT-tuned adaptive suspension — not a standard suspension with an SRT badge
- Launch Control as standard — not an option
- Brembo brakes — a non-negotiable for serious SRT buyers
- Proper SRT interior treatment — red seat belts, performance gauges, SRT-specific displays
- A price point under $90,000 — the Trackhawk got expensive; the SRT was always the value play
Timeline Expectations
Stellantis said “by 2030” which is a wide window. Given that the WL was just facelifted for 2026, a 2027 or 2028 model year SRT is the most realistic target if Jeep wants to use the updated platform. A 2029 launch is possible but would leave the segment gap open for three more years.
We will update this article as official details emerge. What we know for certain: the Grand Cherokee SRT is coming back. The SRT badge is not being retired — it is being expanded. And for the enthusiasts who have been waiting, that is enough for now.
Own a current Grand Cherokee SRT WK2 or WL? Try our free AI Diagnostic Tool for real answers to your SRT questions.
The WL Grand Cherokee vs the WK2 SRT — Why Buyers Had to Wait
When Jeep launched the WL Grand Cherokee in 2021, they made a deliberate decision to separate the new generation from the SRT performance legacy. The WL arrived with turbocharged four-cylinder and V6 options, a 4xe plug-in hybrid, and strong luxury credentials — but nothing with the 6.4-liter HEMI V8 or SRT tuning. Jeep’s public reasoning centered on the transition to the new platform and electrification goals. The real reason was simpler: developing an SRT variant takes time and engineering resources, and Jeep chose to prioritize the volume launch. Three years later, the SRT announcement confirms that the work has been underway behind the scenes.
What SRT Engineering Actually Means
The SRT badge is not just a trim level — it is an engineering commitment. Street and Racing Technology is an actual department within Stellantis with dedicated engineers, a specific development process, and standards that go beyond what a standard performance package delivers. SRT vehicles get purpose-built suspension tuning, SRT-specific brake calibration, unique powertrain programming, and interior treatments that distinguish them from lesser trims. When Stellantis says a new Grand Cherokee SRT is coming, they mean an SRT-engineered vehicle — not a badge on a standard Grand Cherokee with a sport package.
Buying a WK2 SRT While Waiting for the WL SRT
For buyers who want a Grand Cherokee SRT right now and cannot wait for the WL version, the WK2 used market remains healthy. A clean 2018-2021 WK2 Grand Cherokee SRT with under 60,000 miles and complete service history represents strong value — you get proven SRT performance, a commodity that is no longer being manufactured, and a vehicle that will likely hold its value as the new SRT arrives and reminds the market of what the nameplate means. The risk is the typical used car risk: unknown ownership history, deferred maintenance, and the mechanical wear that comes with a high-performance vehicle that may have been driven hard. Pre-purchase inspection from an SRT-knowledgeable shop is strongly recommended.
About the Author
Azriel Wilkinson is a United States Air Force veteran with 7 years of aircraft maintenance experience and a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT owner based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He founded The SRT Garage to provide honest, experience-based information for SRT enthusiasts who want real answers — not recycled specs. Learn more about The SRT Garage.
About The SRT Garage
The SRT Garage is written by a United States Air Force veteran with 7 years of aircraft maintenance experience and a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT owner based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This site exists to provide honest, experience-based information for SRT enthusiasts who want real answers — not recycled specs. Learn more.