Introduction
When Jeep unleashed the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, it didn’t just step into the high-performance SUV arena—it detonated a supercharged bomb right in the middle of it. Born from the DNA of the off-road-hardened Cherokee and injected with the heart of a Dodge Hellcat, the Trackhawk isn’t just another fast SUV. It’s a snarling, tire-shredding, pavement-devouring brute with a singular mission: to dominate everything in its path.
This is not a mild-mannered luxury cruiser. This is 707 horsepower of unapologetic American muscle, wrapped in a chassis that still bears the Jeep badge with pride. It can launch from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, tow your boat, haul your family, and smoke a sports car—all before lunch.
In a segment increasingly populated by polished European thoroughbreds, the Trackhawk plays the role of the wild card—the one that refuses to be tamed. It’s raw. It’s relentless. It’s outrageous. And it might just be the last of its kind.
Exterior Design: Aggression Meets Subtle Muscle
At first glance, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk doesn’t scream “super SUV”—and that’s part of its charm. Jeep has wisely chosen to keep the design restrained compared to flashier competitors like the Lamborghini Urus or Aston Martin DBX.
The subtle yet menacing cues are there if you know where to look:
- A lowered ride height compared to standard Cherokees
- Enlarged front air intakes for improved cooling
- A “Supercharged” badge on the doors
- Gloss black trim and quad exhaust tips hint at the beast within
The Trackhawk rides on massive 20-inch wheels wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero all-season or optional three-season tires. Red Brembo callipers peek through the spokes—another not-so-subtle reminder that this isn’t your typical family SUV.
Interior: Familiar, Functional, and Premium
Step inside the Trackhawk, and you’re greeted by a cabin that strikes a balance between rugged Jeep practicality and premium appointments. While it doesn’t boast the ultra-luxury feel of European competitors, it more than makes up for it with comfort, intuitive design, and a driver-focused layout.
Key highlights include:
- Nappa leather and suede sport seats with “Trackhawk” embossed logos
- Real metal accents and carbon-fiber trim
- A flat-bottom steering wheel with paddle shifters
- An 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system that remains one of the most user-friendly systems on the market
- A 7-inch customizable driver display that delivers performance metrics like 0-60 times, G-force readings, and boost pressure
Rear-seat space is generous, making this a genuinely usable family hauler. The 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space (68.3 with seats folded) also means it’s practical when you’re not hitting the drag strip.
Powertrain: Hellcat Heart, SUV Soul
Now, let’s talk about the pièce de résistance: the engine. Under the hood lies a 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V8, borrowed from the Dodge Charger and Challenger Hellcat. In the Trackhawk, it produces:
- 707 horsepower
- 645 lb-ft of torque
- 0-60 mph in just 3.5 seconds
- Top speed: 180 mph
This is not just impressive for an SUV—it’s mind-bending. At over 5,300 pounds, the fact that this machine can out-accelerate most sports cars is a testament to its engineering.
Power is sent to all four wheels via an 8-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission and an active on-demand four-wheel-drive system. The transmission delivers quick, crisp shifts and can adapt seamlessly between highway cruising and full-throttle launches.
The Trackhawk also features a performance-tuned all-wheel-drive system with a rear-biased torque split under hard acceleration. Jeep’s Selec-Track system allows drivers to switch between five drive modes: Auto, Sport, Track, Snow, and Tow. Each adjusts the torque split, transmission shifts, suspension firmness, and stability control to suit different driving conditions.
Driving Dynamics: A Beast That Can Dance
On the road, the Trackhawk is an experience like no other. The sensation of 707 horsepower propelling a full-size SUV is both absurd and addictive. Floor the throttle, and the supercharger screams as you’re pushed back into the seat. The Trackhawk rockets ahead with a fury few SUVs—or even sports cars—can match.
But what’s truly surprising is how composed it feels when the road gets twisty. The adaptive Bilstein dampers and stiffened suspension provide confident handling without the floatiness often associated with large SUVs. Body roll is well-controlled, and the steering, while not ultra-communicative, is precise enough to inspire confidence at high speeds.
The Trackhawk is also equipped with Brembo brakes (15.75-inch front rotors with six-piston calipers, 13.78-inch rear with four-piston callipers), which provide excellent stopping power. Whether you’re braking from highway speeds or scrubbing speed before a corner, the brakes deliver consistent, fade-free performance.
Off-Road? Technically Yes, But…
Let’s be honest—no one’s buying the Trackhawk for trail riding. Yes, it has Jeep’s Quadra-Trac on-demand 4WD system, and yes, it can technically handle rough terrain. But with its lower ride height, massive tires, and performance-oriented suspension, this is not the Jeep you take to Moab.
Still, for snow-covered roads or the occasional dirt path, it has more than enough capability. But its true playground is the tarmac—and the drag strip.
Technology and Infotainment: Solid and Intuitive
Jeep’s Uconnect system continues to be a standout in terms of usability. The 8.4-inch touchscreen is responsive, features sharp graphics, and supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system also includes Performance Pages, which provide a wealth of telemetry data—ideal for the enthusiast who wants to track everything from lap times to launch control stats.
A 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system is optional and delivers excellent sound quality. The cabin is well-insulated, although some supercharger whine and exhaust note always filter in—something enthusiasts will consider a bonus rather than a flaw.
Other tech features include:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Forward collision warning with active braking
- Lane departure warning
- Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
- Rear-seat dual-screen entertainment system (optional)
Fuel Economy: You Know What You Signed Up For
You don’t buy a 707-hp SUV expecting Prius-like economy. That said, the Trackhawk delivers predictably poor fuel economy:
- City: 11 mpg
- Highway: 17 mpg
- Combined: 13 mpg
The 24.6-gallon fuel tank means you’ll stop less often than you’d think, but keeping this beast fed isn’t cheap. If you drive it as intended, be prepared to visit the pump frequently.
Pricing and Value
The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk started at around $90,000 USD when new. Fully loaded with options, it can climb past $105,000. While that’s steep for a Jeep, consider what you’re getting: the performance of a $150K European super SUV in a more understated, uniquely American package.
On the used market, Trackhawks have held their value surprisingly well, and with Stellantis discontinuing the Hellcat engine due to emissions regulations, expect values to increase as it becomes a modern classic.
Competitors Comparison
Let’s compare the Trackhawk to a few notable rivals:
| Model | Power | 0-60 mph | Top Speed | Price (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep Trackhawk | 707 hp | 3.5 sec | 180 mph | $90,000 |
| Lamborghini Urus | 657 hp | 3.3 sec | 190 mph | $230,000 |
| BMW X5 M Competition | 617 hp | 3.7 sec | 177 mph | $123,000 |
| Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT | 650 hp | 3.1 sec | 186 mph | $196,000 |
| Dodge Durango Hellcat | 710 hp | 3.5 sec | 180 mph | $89,000 |
The Trackhawk offers insane performance for the money. Only the Dodge Durango Hellcat comes close in price-to-power ratio, but the Trackhawk’s more planted stance and sharper dynamics make it the better driver’s SUV.
Verdict: The Ultimate American Super SUV
The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is, without question, one of the most outrageous vehicles to ever wear the Jeep badge. It blends muscle car insanity with SUV practicality in a way that no other vehicle quite does. It’s loud, brash, heavy, and drinks fuel like a jet—yet it’s incredibly lovable.
Whether you’re a speed junkie, a Mopar enthusiast, or just someone who wants a high-powered sleeper SUV, the Trackhawk delivers on every front. It’s raw, it’s refined (in its own way), and it’s possibly the last of a dying breed.
Pros:
- Insane acceleration and power delivery
- Comfortable and well-appointed interior
- Everyday usability with supercar performance
- Subtle, sleeper-like exterior design
Cons:
- Poor fuel economy
- Expensive maintenance and insurance
- Lacks the badge prestige of European rivals
- Off-road ability compromised by road-focused tuning
Conclusion: A Last Hurrah of Unapologetic Performance
The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is not just a vehicle—it’s a monument to an era of unfiltered automotive audacity. In a time when the industry is shifting toward electrification and restraint, the Trackhawk doubles down on brute force, raw emotion, and visceral driving thrills. It’s a 707-horsepower middle finger to convention, cloaked in the body of a family SUV.
This isn’t the SUV for everyone—and it was never meant to be. It’s loud. It’s thirsty. It’s outrageous. But for those who crave the unique blend of muscle car madness and SUV versatility, there’s nothing else like it. It’s a Hellcat with a lift kit. A luxury cruiser with launch control. A sleeper that can annihilate supercars. It’s the SUV that rewrote the rulebook—and then shredded it for fun.
As the sun sets on internal combustion titans like this, the Trackhawk stands as one of the last true icons of American performance engineering. It doesn’t just deliver horsepower—it delivers heart-pounding, soul-stirring memories every time you hit the throttle.
