The slow death of the V8 just accelerated, as this week Stellantis announced that two models formerly available with its 5.7-liter Hemi V8 will no longer offer this engine. Motor Authority confirmed that the 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L is no longer available with the 5.7-liter V8, leaving the 3.6-liter V6 as the only engine option.
A Jeep spokesperson said the engine was phased out mid-third quarter without any official announcement. There may be some V8-powered models sitting on dealer lots or in-transit, but they can no longer be ordered. Jeep already discontinued the V8 in the two-row Grand Cherokee for the 2023 model year, so this change to the Grand Cherokee L doesn’t come as a surprise.
Also on the chopping block this week is the Ram 1500 Classic, the last-generation full-size Ram that was sold alongside the new one as a budget alternative. Ram didn’t even post about the occasion on social media, but a Facebook account called The Real City of Roseville, MI Classic shared a picture of the final truck rolling off the assembly line at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant in Warren, Michigan. The Ram Classic offered a V6 or V8, but this Delmonico Red unit was sent off in style with the Hemi. If you want a V8 in a Ram from now on, you need to opt for an HD.
Replacing The V8
Jeep has almost entirely phased the V8 from its lineup, with the Wrangler Rubicon 392 remaining as the last vehicle to offer the 6.4-liter Hemi. The Dodge Durango is now the last vehicle in the Stellantis lineup to use the 5.7-liter Hemi V8, but its days are likely numbered as well.
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The V8 has mostly been replaced by the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged Hurricane inline-six, which produces up to 540 horsepower in High Output form. Rumors suggest Jeep will actually replace the Grand Cherokee’s V6 with a four-cylinder, which will be offered alongside the hybrid 4xe in the two-row version. It’s unclear if the Grand Cherokee is set to receive the Hurricane.
The Six-Cylinder Era Begins
The Ram Classic’s demise was expected, but it’s still a major shakeup for the truck brand. This fourth-generation pickup went into production way back in 2009 as the Dodge Ram, back before trucks were spun off into their own brand. Even when it was replaced by the fifth-generation Ram 1500 in 2019, it was rebadged as the Classic and sold alongside the new one. Chevrolet did something similar with the Silverado 1500, but that only lasted a single year, not five.
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Buyers could pick up a 2024 Ram 1500 Classic Tradesman for as little as $38,705 before destination. For comparison, the 2025 Ram 1500 is only a bit more expensive at $40,275. It’s unclear if the Classic was discontinued due to slow sales or if Ram has just finally determined it was time to put it to pasture, but the 1500 lineup will now consist purely of six-cylinder engines, the Pentastar and the Hurricane.
