Skip to main content

Jeep Unveils 2017 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, Summit

img280676973 1458151100415 jpg 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk | Manufacturer image

CARS.COM — Jeep’s original plan for the 2016 New York International Auto Show was to show off an all-new SUV, but when we got late word that the plans had changed, we wondered what Fiat Chrysler Automobiles would show in its place. Wonder no more Jeep unveiled two new trim levels of its popular Grand Cherokee SUV. Making their debuts are the new Grand Cherokee Trailhawk and Grand Cherokee Summit.

More 2016 New York Auto Show Coverage

2017 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk

The Grand Cherokee Trailhawk first appeared as a concept car for the 2012 Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah, one of Jeep’s favorite places to try out new ideas. The Trailhawk name typically accompanies off-road-capable goodies, and the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk is no exception. It comes with the most capable Quadra-Drive II 4×4 system and includes an electronic limited-slip rear differential. The suspension is a special version of the Grand Cherokee’s Quadra-Lift air suspension that features additional travel and improved wheel articulation for off-road obstacles. Hill Ascent Control and Selec-Speed Control electronic speed controls also are included.

The Trailhawk wears the front fascia and seven-slot grille that made its debut on the 2016 75th Anniversary Edition model, as well as a special flat-black appliqu‚ for the hood. Like the smaller Renegade and Cherokee Trailhawk models, the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk gets front and rear red tow hooks. It also has 18-inch or optional 20-inch wheels with Kevlar-reinforced off-road tires, Trailhawk and Trail Rated badges in red, and gray mirrors and roof-rack accents. Skid plates are standard, and for added underbody protection, you can get some Mopar rock rails.

On the inside, you won’t want to be too muddy when you slide into the black leather and suede performance seats. Piano black and gunmetal-finish trim replaces wood, and red stitching is on the seats, doors and console. The 8.4-inch Uconnect touch-screen features special 4×4 performance pages and is standard.

img284371057 1458151106855 jpg img280676973 1458151100415 jpg img281600494 1458151103595 jpg img282524015 1458151104978 jpg img283447536 1458151105555 jpg img285294578 1458151107659 jpg img286218099 1458151108508 jpg img287141620 1458151109114 jpg img288065141 1458151110137 jpg img111105769 1458151110422 jpg img112029290 1458151110819 jpg img112952811 1458151111448 jpg img113876332 1458151112112 jpg img114799853 1458151112608 jpg img115723374 1458151113291 jpg img116646895 1458151113889 jpg img117570416 1458151114525 jpg img118493937 1458151115111 jpg img119417458 1458151115612 jpg img139734920 1458151116241 jpg img140658441 1458151117036 jpg img141581962 1458151117571 jpg img142505483 1458151117912 jpg img143429004 1458151118160 jpg img144352525 1458151118460 jpg img284371057 1458151106855 jpg img280676973 1458151100415 jpg img281600494 1458151103595 jpg img282524015 1458151104978 jpg img283447536 1458151105555 jpg img285294578 1458151107659 jpg img286218099 1458151108508 jpg img287141620 1458151109114 jpg img288065141 1458151110137 jpg img111105769 1458151110422 jpg img112029290 1458151110819 jpg img112952811 1458151111448 jpg img113876332 1458151112112 jpg img114799853 1458151112608 jpg img115723374 1458151113291 jpg img116646895 1458151113889 jpg img117570416 1458151114525 jpg img118493937 1458151115111 jpg img119417458 1458151115612 jpg img139734920 1458151116241 jpg img140658441 1458151117036 jpg img141581962 1458151117571 jpg img142505483 1458151117912 jpg img143429004 1458151118160 jpg img144352525 1458151118460 jpg

2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit

The Summit is the most luxurious Grand Cherokee (but not the most expensive, that’s the fire-breathing SRT model). Jeep is updating the Summit for the 2017 model year with a new front fascia and LED headlamps, new 20-inch polished wheels and a new leather-lined interior.

The Laguna leather interior in Indigo and Ski Gray is one of four optional color schemes (the others are Black, Brown and Dark Sienna Brown), and it is the most dramatic. Nappa leather covers the dashboard, center console and door panels, while Laguna leather covers the seats. A suede headliner, lighted door sills and acoustic glass are standard. Berber carpet mats, active noise cancellation and a Harmon/Kardon 19-speaker stereo also are standard.

Frankly, just about everything is standard on the Summit model, including the Quadra-Drive II 4×4 system with electronic limited-slip differential and air suspension. All of the luxury goodies are included as well, including auto-folding mirrors and headlamp washers. You get electronic safety minders too, such as blind spot, forward collision and lane departure warnings; adaptive cruise control; and automatic parallel and perpendicular parking systems.

Both trim levels will arrive in dealer showrooms late this summer.

img 2134683203 1458151200854 jpg img 2133759682 1458151201739 jpg img 2132836161 1458151202398 jpg img 2131912640 1458151202851 jpg img 2130989119 1458151203537 jpg img 2130065598 1458151203913 jpg img 2129142077 1458151204295 jpg img 2128218556 1458151204665 jpg img 2127295035 1458151205336 jpg img 1750615655 1458151205846 jpg img 1749692134 1458151206397 jpg img 1748768613 1458151206815 jpg img 1747845092 1458151207503 jpg img 1746921571 1458151207981 jpg img 1745998050 1458151208547 jpg img 1745074529 1458151208984 jpg img 1744151008 1458151209246 jpg img 1743227487 1458151209564 jpg img 1742303966 1458151209896 jpg img 1721986504 1458151210454 jpg img 2134683203 1458151200854 jpg img 2133759682 1458151201739 jpg img 2132836161 1458151202398 jpg img 2131912640 1458151202851 jpg img 2130989119 1458151203537 jpg img 2130065598 1458151203913 jpg img 2129142077 1458151204295 jpg img 2128218556 1458151204665 jpg img 2127295035 1458151205336 jpg img 1750615655 1458151205846 jpg img 1749692134 1458151206397 jpg img 1748768613 1458151206815 jpg img 1747845092 1458151207503 jpg img 1746921571 1458151207981 jpg img 1745998050 1458151208547 jpg img 1745074529 1458151208984 jpg img 1744151008 1458151209246 jpg img 1743227487 1458151209564 jpg img 1742303966 1458151209896 jpg img 1721986504 1458151210454 jpg
Detroit Bureau Chief
Aaron Bragman

Detroit Bureau Chief Aaron Bragman has had over 25 years of experience in the auto industry as a journalist, analyst, purchasing agent and program manager. Bragman grew up around his father’s classic Triumph sports cars (which were all sold and gone when he turned 16, much to his frustration) and comes from a Detroit family where cars put food on tables as much as smiles on faces. Today, he’s a member of the Automotive Press Association and the Midwest Automotive Media Association. His pronouns are he/him, but his adjectives are fat/sassy.

Featured stories

volkswagen id buzz pro s plus 2025 08 interior cargo jpg
toyota toyota corolla gr 2025 01 exterior front angle silver scaled jpg
nissan leaf 2026 01 exterior front angle jpg