The Jeep Grand Cherokee may soon offer a V8 engine again, but Australian buyers won’t benefit from the change. Despite strong demand in North America, where regulations have eased, the return of the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 is unlikely to extend to markets like Australia, where the model was discontinued in 2025.
The V8’s Re-emergence in the US
Stellantis, Jeep’s parent company, is shifting focus back to the US market, where V8 engines are experiencing renewed popularity. Ram, another Stellantis brand, has already reintroduced the V8 to its 1500 pickup, with production expected to exceed 100,000 units in 2026. This increase is driven by customer demand, even though more efficient six-cylinder engines are available.
Joe Aljajawi, an engineer at Jeep, hinted at the V8’s return, stating that “we are listening to you, and then stay tuned for more.” This suggests the decision is already underway.
Why Australia Misses Out
The Grand Cherokee was once Australia’s top-selling large SUV, but its popularity waned in recent years. Sales peaked in 2014 with 16,582 units before steadily declining to just 673 in 2025. This drop coincided with the discontinuation of right-hand drive production and the shift away from V8 engines in favor of smaller, more efficient options.
The V8 was never widely adopted in Australia, with diesel V6s accounting for the majority of sales (57%) and the remaining 43% split between petrol V6 and V8 models. While Jeep Australia cited “local market dynamics” as the reason for pausing the model, the reality is that right-hand drive production has ended, making a return impossible.
Diesel and Future Prospects
Stellantis is also reversing its move away from diesel in Europe, but a diesel Grand Cherokee is also unlikely. The 3.0-liter ‘EcoDiesel’ V6 used in previous models is no longer produced, and diesel sales remain niche in the US market.
The only confirmed launch for Australia is the new-generation Compass, arriving later this year. Overall Jeep sales in Australia have plummeted from a high of 30,408 in 2014 to just 1,682 in 2025, highlighting the brand’s struggles in the region.
The revival of the V8 Grand Cherokee is a clear signal that American consumer preference continues to matter more than the needs of smaller markets like Australia, which has already seen the model discontinued.
