Jeep has finally returned the Trailhawk name to the vehicle it first appeared on; the Grand Cherokee. The biggest of Jeep’s Trailhawks represents a brand alignment more than an industry innovation; but it’s certainly one badass looking alignment. 

“Trailhawk” is a branding tool, used by Jeep to callout the most capable versions of their already capable vehicle lineup. The Grand Cherokee Trailhawk didn’t bring with it some new piece of offroad hardware, or technical wizardry; it’s basically a conglomerate of already available options with the addition of a unique version of the Quadra-Lift air suspension – developed for Trailhawk – that offers improved articulation and total suspension travel.

When it comes to the actual off road gear, the Trailhawk includes Jeep’s Quadra-Drive II 4×4 system with rear Electronic Limited Slip Differential (ELSD), Selec-Speed Control with Hill Ascent Control, red tow hooks, and skid plates. (Quadra-Drive II and all of these features, minus the red paint, are currently available with the Off-Road Adventure II package.)

The Trailhawk will come standard with Goodyear Adventure off-road tires with Kevlar wrapped around the standard 18″ or optional 20″ wheels. As someone who would actually take this Jeep off-road, I’d stick with the 18s for added tire sidewall, but the 20″ design is arguably nicer.

Grand Cherokee Trailhawk’s exterior follows suit of other Trailhawk models with the lack of chrome replaced with black and red accents.

Trailhawk’s interior starts with the addition of SRT style performance seats, a Trailhawk badge on the Jeep steering wheel, and red accent stitching on the seats, doors and console. A standard 8.4-inch Uconnect touch screen includes updated off-road pages showing wheel articulation and other vehicle 4×4 capability features, such as suspension height and 4×4 and Selec-Terrain modes.

I’m expecting the Trailhawk to sit where the current Limited 75th Anniversary model sits in the lineup (between Limited and Overland). Only Jeep can give us that final info, as well as how much this off road princess will cost.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk will be available in Redline Red, Billet Silver, Bright White, Rhino, Granite Crystal, Velvet Red and Diamond Black Crystal exterior paints and will hit dealers later this year.