Left foot on the brake, right foot on the gas, and the crossover is still creeping backward off the ledge an inch at a time.
That is what a steep, loose climb feels like in a vehicle that is geared too tall. The engine has to spin up before anything happens, so the tires either do nothing or do too much. You end up holding the brake against the throttle to keep the speed down, which cooks the brakes, the clutches in the all-wheel-drive unit and your nerves at the same time. Your buddy in the Wrangler idles past in low range, one foot resting on the pedal.
Crawl ratio is the number that explains the difference. Multiply every gear reduction between the engine and the tires in the lowest gear the vehicle has, and you get it. At 37.5:1, the crankshaft turns 37.5 times for every one turn of the wheel. Higher is slower and calmer. Lower is faster and jumpier.
Jeep just put that number on the spec sheet of a 31 mpg compact hybrid. Here is what it actually buys you, what it doesn't, and why the most interesting comparison is with a Cherokee you can't buy anymore.
Why the Cherokee Trailhawk Crawl Ratio Matters This Month
Jeep revealed the 2027 Cherokee Trailhawk on September 30, 2026, with orders open in the U.S. that day at $44,625 including a $1,995 destination charge, according to Jeep's U.S. release. Production starts later this year at Toluca, Mexico. On October 16, Jeep Canada's "What's New for 2027" release repeated the drivetrain numbers and added one line: the Trailhawk is flat-tow capable.
That puts deposits on the table months before anyone outside Jeep has tested one. As of October 16, 2026, we found no published first drive or instrumented test. So the spec sheet is all any buyer has right now, and the crawl ratio is the headline number on it. It deserves more than a copy and paste.
The Honest Truth: Best in Class, but a Third Short of the Old Trailhawk
Jeep calls the Cherokee Trailhawk's two-speed power transfer unit, "with a 2.92 low range ratio and 37.5:1 crawl ratio," class-exclusive, and inside today's class that holds up. None of the rivals we checked lists a low range at all.
Now go back twelve years. When Jeep launched the 2014 Cherokee Trailhawk, its own U.S. driveline release quoted a crawl ratio of 56:1 with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder and 47.8:1 with the 3.2-liter V6. Same 2.92:1 low range. The difference came from the nine-speed automatic's deep 4.71:1 first gear sitting in front of it.
Our math from Jeep's published figures: the 2027 Trailhawk's 37.5:1 is about 33 percent lower than the 2014 four-cylinder and about 22 percent lower than the 2014 V6. "Best in class" is true. The class just got easier to win once the old Cherokee left it.
There's a second number hiding in Jeep's two figures. Divide 37.5 by 2.92 and you get about 12.8:1. That is the overall reduction the Trailhawk would have in high range, before the low range does its work. Inference: this assumes Jeep calculated 37.5:1 the usual way, as low range times the lowest overall drive ratio. The Cherokee's hybrid uses an electrically variable transmission, a type of CVT, according to ( Jalopnik's Trailhawk reveal coverage and U.S. News' 2026 Cherokee first drive), which has no fixed first gear, so treat 12.8:1 as an estimate until Jeep publishes the ratio itself.
Inference: if that estimate holds, 12.8:1 is taller than the 18:1 Ford published for the 2021 Bronco Sport Badlands in first gear, so in normal 4x4 driving the Cherokee would be geared more like a commuter. Low range is not a nice extra on this vehicle. It is the whole reason the Trailhawk's crawl number beats anything in our comparison.
How the Cherokee Trailhawk Crawl Ratio Feels on the Trail
A ratio is abstract, so here it is in miles per hour. Our math, ignoring tire slip and squish: at 1,000 rpm going into the gearbox, a Cherokee Trailhawk in low range on its 245/65R17 tires (about 29.5 inches tall) rolls at about 2.3 mph.
A Bronco Sport Badlands in first gear on Sasquatch 235/65R17s (about 29.0 inches) rolls at about 4.8 mph at the same input speed. That uses Ford's own launch spec sheet gearing: a 4.69:1 first gear and a 3.81:1 final drive, which multiply to Ford's published 18:1.
Same input, roughly half the speed. On a rock step, that difference decides whether you feather the throttle or ride the brake.
Two caveats keep this honest. First, a hybrid's electric motor can make torque at very low speeds, so the Cherokee's real low-speed behavior depends on software Jeep hasn't detailed. Second, Ford backs the Badlands with Trail Control and Trail 1-Pedal Drive, which manage speed for you. Gearing is the hardware answer. Those systems are the software answer. Jeep's own release puts its hardware pitch plainly: climbing steep, loose, rocky ground "without the driver needing to ride the brakes."
The Rest of the Cherokee Trailhawk Hardware, Translated
The crawl ratio comes with real parts behind it, per Jeep's U.S. release:
- Electronic locking rear axle, per Jeep. The Bronco Sport answers with a twin-clutch rear drive unit that Ford says includes a locking rear differential. The Forester Wilderness and Tucson XRT Pro list neither.
- 9.0 inches of ground clearance with a 1-inch lift. Good, not class-leading: the 2026 Forester Wilderness sits at 9.3 inches per Subaru.
- 28.8 / 21.9 / 31.8 degrees approach, breakover and departure. The Forester Wilderness is 23.5 / 21 / 25.5. That front-end advantage is real on a steep entry into a wash.
- 24-inch fording rating, which Jeep says no rival offers.
- 245/65R17 Nexen Roadian ATX all-terrains on 17-inch wheels. At about 29.5 inches, they're half an inch taller than the Bronco Sport's 29-inch Sasquatch tires (our math from both tire sizes).
- Steel skid plates for the front axle, wiring and fuel tank, plus a plate for the hybrid battery.
- 3,500 lb towing with the optional Trailering Package. The Forester Wilderness also tows 3,500 lb. Ford.com lists 2,700 lb for the Badlands.
Jeep also says the lift and retuned springs and dampers raise the Ramp Travel Index by 45 points over other Cherokees. Ramp Travel Index measures how far a vehicle can drive one wheel up a ramp before another wheel lifts. A 45-point gain sounds big, but Jeep didn't publish the actual score, so there's no way to compare it to anything yet.
Cherokee Trailhawk vs Bronco Sport Badlands vs Forester Wilderness vs Tucson XRT Pro
| Spec | 2027 Cherokee Trailhawk | 2026 Bronco Sport Badlands | 2026 Forester Wilderness | 2027 Tucson XRT Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crawl ratio | 37.5:1 | 18:1 (Ford, 2021 launch figure) | Not published | Not published |
| Low range | Yes, 2.92:1 | No | No | None listed |
| Rear locker | Electronic locking rear axle | Twin-clutch rear unit with Rear Differential Lock function | None listed | None listed |
| Ground clearance | 9.0 in | 8.1 in for the 2.0L (Ford.com, 2026); Sasquatch adds 0.4 in ride height (Ford, 2025) | 9.3 in | 8.3 in (210 mm) |
| Approach / breakover / departure | 28.8 / 21.9 / 31.8 deg | Not on Ford.com spec page | 23.5 / 21 / 25.5 deg | Not published |
| Stock tires | 245/65R17 A/T | 225/65R17 A/T; 235/65R17 with Sasquatch | 235 mm A/T, 17 in | A/T, size not published |
| Max towing | 3,500 lb with Trailering Package | 2,700 lb | 3,500 lb | Up to 3,000 lb (Tucson hybrid, North America) |
| Powertrain | 1.6L turbo hybrid, 210 hp, eCVT | 2.0L EcoBoost, 250 hp, 8-speed auto | 2.5L boxer, 180 hp, CVT | Hybrid, specs not final |
Sources for each figure are listed below. The Tucson XRT Pro numbers come from Hyundai's October 1, 2026 global reveal; U.S. specs are not final. Forester pricing is Subaru's 2027 price, September 17, 2026.
Honest Warts
The price gap is real. At $44,625 with destination, the Trailhawk costs $3,655 more than a 2027 Forester Wilderness at $40,970 with destination ($39,495 MSRP plus $1,475), our math from Jeep's and Subaru's 2027 pricing release. That buys low range, a locker and better angles. The 2027 Wilderness now has a heated steering wheel and a power rear gate too, so the Jeep's extra comfort content is mostly memory seating, part of the Overland-trim content Jeep bundles into the Trailhawk. The 2026 Bronco Sport Badlands starts at $39,260 including $1,995 destination ($37,265 MSRP on Ford.com as of October 16, 2026, without the Sasquatch package), $5,365 less than the Trailhawk (our math).
The Subaru sits higher. If your trails are rutted two-tracks where the high center is the problem, 9.3 inches beats 9.0. The Jeep wins when the problem is a steep step, a loose climb or a sharp entry angle.
Payload and roof load are unknowns. Jeep hasn't published either. Subaru rates the Forester Wilderness roof rails at 800 lb static and 176 lb dynamic. Before you plan a rooftop tent on the Cherokee, wait for the door-jamb payload sticker and the owner's manual roof rating. Our roof load capacity guide walks through that math.
It's still a unibody crossover with independent suspension. A crawl ratio controls speed. It doesn't add articulation. Expect the Cherokee to lean on its locker and traction control in spots where a solid-axle Wrangler would simply keep its tires on the ground.
Nobody has driven it on dirt yet. Every capability number in this article comes from the makers' spec sheets. NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2027 Cherokee as of October 16, 2026, but the Cherokee was all-new for 2026, and the 2026 Cherokee has four. One is 26V223, for a brake control module that can lose anti-lock brakes and stability control. FCA's safety recall report limits it to 241 Cherokees built December 4 to 27, 2025, and dealers fix it with a software recalibration. Some 2021 to 2026 Bronco Sports, 2,296 in two narrow build groups, have a do-not-drive recall, 26V340, for front lower control arm ball joints that may have been installed or repaired incorrectly at the plant. Ford's report covers Bronco Sports built March 11, 2020, to April 28, 2026: ones built before June 1, 2025, that were unsold or under three months in service on May 18, 2026, plus later builds that went through in-plant repair of the joint. Dealers inspect and repair both sides free, at your location or after a tow. The 2026 Forester has three campaigns. Run any VIN you're shopping through NHTSA's recall lookup.
Who Should Buy the Cherokee Trailhawk, and Who Should Not
Buy it if your weekends include steep, loose climbs, rocky washes or slickrock, and your weekdays include a commute where 31 mpg combined (Jeep's estimate) matters. Of the four here, it is the only one geared to crawl. Inference: it could also suit RV owners who want a flat-towable toad with a real low range, since Jeep says it is flat-tow capable. Confirm the procedure in the owner's manual before you buy a tow bar.
Skip it if your off-roading is forest roads, washboard and snow. A Forester Wilderness has more clearance for less money, and you'll rarely use low range. Skip it too if you want to go bigger later. Jeep hasn't said what fits beyond the stock 245/65R17s, so don't buy one counting on bigger tires.
Look at a Bronco Sport Badlands if you want Ford's trail software and accessory-ready bumpers, and you can live with 18:1 gearing.
The 2027 Cherokee Trailhawk's 37.5:1 crawl ratio is real, about double the 18:1 Ford published for the Bronco Sport Badlands at its 2021 launch, and paired with an electronic locking rear axle. Without low range, by our estimate, it would be geared like a commuter, and its crawl ratio is still about a third short of the 2014 Trailhawk's 56:1. If you climb steep, loose rock, it's the one to wait for. If you mostly need clearance, the Forester Wilderness is cheaper and sits higher.
Internal Links
- 4 High vs 4 Low: When to Use Each and How Fast to Go
- Roof Load Capacity and Rooftop Tents
- Gear Ratio Calculator
Sources
- Jeep U.S. release, "2027 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk: Off-Road Prowess, Adventure, and Efficiency All Come Standard," September 30, 2026 (U.S. price $44,625 including $1,995 destination; orders open): https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-jeep-cherokee-trailhawk-off-road-prowess-adventure-and-efficiency-all-come-standard-302893832.html
- Stellantis Media Canada, Cherokee Trailhawk release, September 30, 2026 (Canadian version, C$ pricing; not used for U.S. figures; 2.92 low range, 37.5:1, 9.0 in, angles, 24 in fording, 245/65R17, skid plates, RTI claim, packages): https://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com/newsrelease.do?id=28043&mid=1
- Stellantis Media Canada, "What's New for 2027: Jeep Cherokee," October 16, 2026 (Rock Mode, flat-tow capable): https://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com/newsrelease.do?id=28105&mid=1
- Jalopnik, Cherokee Trailhawk reveal (electrically variable transmission, 230 lb-ft, 33/29/31 mpg): https://www.jalopnik.com/2274308/2027-jeep-cherokee-trailhawk-official-off-road-specs/
- Motor1, Cherokee Trailhawk reveal (U.S. price, production, packages): https://www.motor1.com/news/810311/2027-jeep-cherokee-trailhawk-details-specs-horsepower/
- Chrysler Group U.S. driveline release for model year 2014, id=14494 (56:1 with 2.4L, 47.8:1 with 3.2L, 2.92:1 low range, nine-speed ratios, 4.71 first gear): https://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com/newsrelease.do?id=14494
- Ford Bronco Sport launch tech specs (2021 launch figures: 18:1 crawl ratio, 4.69 first gear, 3.81 final drive): https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/attachments/21my-broncosport-tech-specs-pdf.17380/
- Ford.com, 2026 Bronco Sport Badlands (225/65R17 and 235/65R17 tires, 2,700 lb towing, 2.0L): https://www.ford.com/suvs/bronco-sport/models/badlands/
- Ford, Bronco Sport twin-clutch rear drive unit with Rear Differential Lock: https://www.ford.com/support/how-tos/more-vehicle-topics/engine-and-transmission/ford-bronco-sport-4x4-capability-brains-on-the-terrain/
- Ford From The Road, 2025 Bronco Sport Sasquatch (29-inch 235/65R17 tires, 0.4 in more ride height than Badlands, locking rear differential, Trail 1-Pedal Drive): https://www.fromtheroad.ford.com/us/en/articles/2024/new-bronco-sport-gets-big-off-road-boost--sasquatch-capability-
- Subaru of America, 2026 Forester Wilderness debut, February 6, 2025 (9.3 in, 23.5/21/25.5 deg, 3,500 lb, roof rails 800 lb static and 176 lb dynamic): https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/subaru-debuts-new-2026-forester-wilderness-suv-with-increased-capability-trail-ready-performance-and-refinements-302369498.html
- Subaru of America, 2026 Forester pricing, August 28, 2025 (Wilderness $38,385 MSRP, $1,450 destination, 235 mm A/T tires): https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/subaru-announces-pricing-on-2026-subaru-forester-suv-302541117.html
- Subaru.com, 2026 Forester Wilderness features (40 percent grade claim): https://www.subaru.com/vehicles/forester/wilderness/2026/features.html
- Hyundai Motor Company, all-new Tucson reveal, October 1, 2026 (XRT Pro 210 mm clearance, North America hybrid towing up to 3,000 lb): https://www.hyundai.com/worldwide/en/newsroom/detail/0000001280
- NHTSA recall data for the 2027 and 2026 Cherokee, 2026 Bronco Sport and 2026 Forester, checked October 16, 2026: https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls
- FCA US Part 573 Safety Recall Report 26V223 (FCA 29D), April 9, 2026 (241 vehicles, built Dec 4 to Dec 27, 2025, BSCM software recalibration): https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V223-8379.pdf
- Ford Part 573 Safety Recall Report 26V340 (Ford 26S36), May 27, 2026 (2,296 Bronco Sports built Mar 11, 2020 to Apr 28, 2026; do not drive; inspect and repair): https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2026/RCLRPT-26V340-0609.pdf
- Ford.com, 2026 Bronco Sport lineup (Badlands starting at $37,265 MSRP, checked October 16, 2026): https://www.ford.com/suvs/bronco-sport/
- Valor Ford (dealer), 2026 Bronco Sport Badlands review (corroborates $37,265 MSRP plus $1,995 destination, $39,260): https://www.valorford.com/blog/2026-ford-bronco-sport-badlands-trail-ready-compact-suv-review
- U.S. News, 2026 Jeep Cherokee first drive (two-mode electronically variable transmission): https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/advice/2026-jeep-cherokee-first-drive
- Subaru of America, 2027 Forester pricing, September 17, 2026 (Wilderness $39,495 MSRP): https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/subaru-focuses-on-affordability-with-2027-subaru-forester-pricing-adds-new-2027-forester-wilderness-hybrid-302881492.html