10 Things We Love About The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk

2022-06-25 01:31:20 By : Mr. Tim Su

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The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk muscle SUV can keep up with actual supercars on the straights.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is designed to be a mid-size SUV dated back to 1983 under the American Motors Corporation, which was later purchased by Chrysler in 1987. The Grand Cherokee became the first Chrysler-badged Jeep product.

From the beginning, the Grand Cherokee has always been a step ahead of its competition. They were able to perfectly combine luxuriousness and toughness, which was an odd combination at first. They were the first to offer a driver's side airbag in an SUV, which was a big deal back in the day. The technologies available at the time were also advanced for its time. Jumping into the present day, Jeep has decided to do something much crazier, and the result is the Trackhawk. So we are here to show you some of the features we love most about the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk.

First, let's talk about the engine. The Grand Cherokee has many engine options available for all kinds of consumers. But this specific model, the Trackhawk, comes with the 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V8 that pushes 707 HP & 645 lb-ft tq mated to a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission in all-wheel drive form. It is the same engine that is shared with the Challenger Hellcat and the Charger Hellcat.

This does not only make it Jeep's most powerful SUV, but it is one of the most powerful SUVs's in the world. With the amount of power, this SUV has definitely raised some questions about its balance and its capability during its release. While it cannot outrun supercars around the track, it can definitely get the best of some of them in a straight line.

Related: Here's Why The 2022 Grand Cherokee Is The Most Technologically Advanced Jeep

With all that power, comes a more tuned suspension. It is the suspension from the Grand Cherokee SRT, that they have further tuned to make it stiffer. The spring rates are 9% stiffer in the front, and 15% stiffer in the rear. They also re-tuned the Bilstein three-mode adaptive dampers and widened the front track by 1.3-inches, and 0.1-inches in the rear.

The car weighs about 5300 lbs, so the brakes also get a major upgrade to the 6-piston brake calipers that are exclusively painted in yellow. While the reviews don't state that it has the best stopping distance, it still performs well given the hefty numbers of the Trackhawk

Related: 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Costs, Facts, And Figures

Yes, the Grand Cherokee has a launch control which is perfect to set optimal quarter-mile times. This helps preload the torque reserve so when you let your foot off the brakes, you get instant torque upon acceleration. The launch control settings can be accessed either in the center console, or the application page on the uConnect 8.4 infotainment.

The launch control can be set to a low rpm, or a higher rpm depending on the conditions of the road, and what kind of pavement you are on. Ideally the more traction you can get, the higher rpm you can set your launch control to be in. Note that if you set the launch control at the max rpm setting, the brakes cannot hold the vehicle in position as there is just too much power.

Related: Here's How The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Compares With Its Rivals

One of the things we love about this beast is the different drive-modes it offers. It may be powerful in a straight line, but that is not the only thing it can be used for. The drive-mode helps the Trackhawk be a well-rounded everyday SUV. With a simple rotation of a dial, you can completely change how your car behaves and handle on the fly.

There are five different modes you can switch to in the Selec-Track system. There is Track mode, Sport mode, Auto mode, Snow mode, and Tow mode. All these different modes either change the power distribution, the stiffness of the suspension, or be able to tow up to 7,200 lbs.

Given that it is still a luxurious SUV, the comfort and amenities you get for the Trackhawk are definitely on par with its competition. You get all the safety features like the adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with active braking, lane-departure assist, a 19-speaker Harman Kardon.

The interior space is definitely on the spacious side and seats five large adults in comfort. The front legroom gets 40.3-inches, and the rear legroom gets 38.6-inches. The cargo space is also impressive, as it offers a roomy 36.3 cubic feet of trunk space with the seats upright, and 68.3 cubic feet with the 60-40 seat all folded down. This is more than you get in the BMW X5 M, and the Range Rover SVR.

With the Trackhawk, you get a quad-pipe exhaust that, by the way, is not fake. The note of the 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI is something you'll just fall in love with once you hear it. Even at an idle, it already sounds monstrous. Even with the stock exhaust system setup, it is obnoxiously loud, but just enough to pass emissions and noise limitations.

It will definitely make you want to step on the gas pedal hard every time you drive this thing. From inside the cabin, the sounds are muffled thanks to a quality-made sound deadening and insulation, but you can certainly still hear the supercharger whine very clearly.

The overall design of the Trackhawk is nothing too crazy. You still get a sleek modern design with hints of Jeep essence. The seven-slot Jeep grille is perfectly designed without being too overbearing. You get small hints of differences that it is the Trackhawk model.

The wider stance, larger air vents, a more aggressive hood, the wheels, and the exclusive brake caliper paint are the only few things that set this apart from other Grand Cherokee's. This design choice definitely keeps the Trackhawk a more grounded-looking SUV.

Another thing to love about the Trackhawk is the interior. The design is more on the sporty side with the D-shaped steering wheel, and Laguna Seca leather on firm bolstered seats that will hold you in place during cornering. You also get carbon-fiber trim, and aluminum pieces across the dashboard and the side panels.

As a standard feature, you get heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, steering mounted cruise control and infotainment controls, and paddle shifters that are made from aluminum.

The technology offered in the Trackhawk is something that is also kept up to date. The uConnect 8.4-inch system for the Trackhawk has the standard features that the uConnect has, and more. The standard uConnect helps you stay connected. It offers Apple car play and Android auto. You can also use this to access remote vehicle start, vehicle health report, and so on.

Exclusive on the SRT, and the Trackhawk is the performance page that helps you monitor the performance of your car in real-time. You can find out how much g-force you're creating, check fluid, pressure, and record performance stats like 0-60 times.

Overall, the Trackhawk, which you can purchase for around $90,000, definitely offers a serious bang for your buck. The value for what you get in its performance and features is definitely outstanding. The amount of features that comes with the vehicle is also relevant, while the others in the same class as this is easily two to three times its price.

If you look at it as a Jeep and compare it to other Grand Cherokees, the price may look like an overpriced Jeep. Look at what it offers as an everyday grocery-getter, together with the impressive numbers this car puts down on the track, it easily puts its competitors to shame, and then, the price can easily be justified.

Brent Briones is a car enthusiast, car photographer, and car shop owner from the Philippines, and is now a writer for Hotcars.com. He likes to share his knowledge and love for cars.