2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Review: Trackhawk
Content
- Is there anything interesting about its design? 9/10
- How practical is the interior space? 9/10
- Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 10/10
- What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 10/10
- How much fuel does it consume? 5/10
- What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 8/10
- How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 9/10
- What is it like to drive? 8/10
- Verdict
The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is a ridiculous proposal on paper.
Someone at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) seriously thought it would be a good idea to remove the Hellcat engine from Dodge models and put it in Jeep.
And not just a Jeep, but the Grand Cherokee, the largest family SUV currently sold by an American specialist.
Because, after all, what could be more sensible than a high-riding van with a drag-racing-inspired heart giving out downright stupid exits?
Rhetorical question aside, it's time to find out if it's better to leave the Trackhawk on paper. Read more.
| Jeep Grand Cherokee 2020: Trackhawk (4X4) | |
|---|---|
| Safety Rating | - |
| engine's type | 6.2L |
| fuel type | Premium unleaded gasoline |
| Fuel efficiency | 16.8l / 100km |
| Landing | 5 Places |
| Price from | $104,700 |
Is there anything interesting about its design? 9/10
The Trackhawk is unmistakable with anything other than the Grand Cherokee, which is a good thing because you can work with it.
Your eye is immediately drawn to a model-specific front fascia that improves aerodynamics and improves cooling, which is handy for a muscle car on stilts.
In addition, the familiar adaptive bi-xenon headlights and LED daytime running lights have been given dark bezels to enhance the visual experience, along with a darkened version of Jeep's signature seven-slot grille.
However, the star of the show up front is the sporty hood, which not only protrudes but has functional air vents. Needless to say, you'll want to get out of the way.
The Trackhawk cannot be confused with anything other than the Grand Cherokee.
On the side, sporty 20-inch Trackhawk alloy wheels (with 295/45 run-flat tires) fit into the frame with yellow Brembo brake calipers tucked away at the rear. And, of course, the obligatory badge.
The rear is a lesson in sophistication: the tinted LED taillights look business-like, but not quite as strong as the diffuser element, which houses four 102mm black chrome sports exhaust pipes.
Inside, the Trackhawk is the absolute best expression of the Grand Cherokee, with its flat-bottomed steering wheel, race-style front seats and sport pedals.
However, we're truly fascinated by the choice of materials, with Black Laguna leather with tungsten stitching covering the seats, armrests and door inserts in our test car, while red seat belts add a pop of color.
The rear is a lesson in subtlety, with blacked-out LED taillights that look business-like.
However, things only get better in our test car, with black Nappa leather covering the dash, center console, door shoulders and drawers. There is also a black suede headliner. Everything is very luxurious.
But fear not, the Trackhawk also recognizes its performance-focused nature, with carbon fiber and aluminum trim widely used throughout.
In terms of technology, the Trackhawk does a good job, with its 8.4-inch touchscreen equipped with the familiar FCA UConnect multimedia system, which is one of the best.
Even the 7.0-inch multifunction display sandwiched between the tachometer and speedometer is versatile. Yes, apart from the cheaper switchgear, there is nothing not to love here.
How practical is the interior space? 9/10
As a Grand Cherokee owner, you already know the Trackhawk will be very practical.
At 4846mm long (with a 2915mm wheelbase), 1954mm wide and 1749mm high, the Trackhawk is definitely a big SUV, and that's a good thing.
Cargo capacity is huge, a claimed 1028 liters (presumably up to the ceiling), but that can be increased to an even greater 1934 liters with the 60/40 rear seat folded down. In any case, the boot floor is completely flat and there isn't even a loading lip to wrestle with!
As a Grand Cherokee owner, you already know the Trackhawk will be very practical.
This, of course, facilitates the loading of bulky items, along with a high and wide boot opening. There are also four attachment points and six bag hooks. Everything is done very easily. Oh, and let's not forget a 12-volt outlet on hand.
Rear passengers also get plenty of room, with four inches of legroom available behind our 184cm driver's seat, while decent legroom and over an inch overhead are also offered. Yes, the panoramic sunroof does not greatly affect the latter.
And the low transmission tunnel means three adults won't be fighting for space, so the Trackhawk can actually seat five comfortably. It can also accommodate child seats with ease, as two ISOFIX attachment points and three top cable attachment points are available.
The Trackhawk is definitely a big SUV, and that's a good thing.
In the cockpit, storage options are fine, with the glove box and front compartment on the smaller side. Notably, the latter is partially occupied by two USB-A ports, an auxiliary input, and a 12V outlet.
They almost make up for it with a deep central storage compartment that features a shallow tray and another 12V outlet. We made the most of its versatility.
Meanwhile, a pair of illuminated cup holders sit to the left of the gear selector, and the front doors can hold one regular bottle. Their rear counterparts, however, can only take one small bottle each.
However, passengers in the back have another option as there are two more cup holders in the fold-down center armrest, so it's not all bad news on that front.
Rear passengers also have two USB-A ports at the rear of the center console, which are located below the center air vents. There are storage nets on both sides attached to the backs of the front seats.
Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 10/10
The Trackhawk starts at $134,900 plus travel expenses. Simply put, for the price, nothing compares to it. Absurdly, the $390,000 Lamborghini Urus is a reasonable comparison, while the $209,900 BMW M Competition is a little closer to home.
Standard equipment on the Trackhawk that hasn't been mentioned yet includes dusk sensors, rain sensors, power folding side mirrors, rear privacy glass, a power tailgate and a compact spare wheel.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on the Trackhawk.
Interior features satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, digital radio, 825W Harman/Kardon audio system with 19 speakers, keyless entry and start, eight-way power front seats with heating and cooling, heated steering wheel and a variable power speaker, heated rear seats (outboard) and dual-zone climate control.
Our test car is painted in the $895 Granite Crystal paintwork along with the $9950 Signature leather upholstery package we mentioned in the first section of this review.
What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 10/10
As the most powerful SUV sold in Australia, you'd expect the Trackhawk to have some impressive headline figures, so try 522kW at 6000rpm and 868Nm of torque at 4800rpm for the size.
Yes, these ridiculous results are produced by Trackhawk's supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8 engine, aptly dubbed the Hellcat.
As the most powerful SUV sold in Australia, the Trackhawk boasts impressive numbers.
The engine is mated to an eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission and Jeep's Quadra-Trac all-wheel drive system with a permanent single-speed transfer case.
With launch control enabled, the Trackhawk accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in an incredible 3.7 seconds, reaching a top speed of 289 km/h.
And maximum braking power? 2949kg, of course.
How much fuel does it consume? 5/10
The fuel consumption of the Trackhawk in combined cycle tests (ADR 81/02) is unsurprisingly high at 16.8 liters per 100 kilometers, while the claimed carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of 385 grams per kilometer are also low.
However, in our actual tests we averaged 22.6L/100km for 205km of highway driving, not city driving. Yes, that's not a typo; The Trackhawk loves to drink more than it should, so be prepared to pay the high price it takes to quench your thirst.
For reference, the Trackhawk's 91L fuel tank is rated for at least 98 octane gasoline. As we said, your wallet will hate you.
What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 8/10
The ANCAP gave the Grand Cherokee a maximum five-star safety rating in 2014, but that doesn't apply to the Trackhawk, which is why it has a few question marks hanging over it.
Either way, Trackhawk's advanced driver assistance systems extend to Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Hill Descent Control, Tire Pressure Monitoring, when parking, rear view camera and front and rear parking sensors. Yes, not much is missing here.
Other standard safety equipment includes seven airbags (dual front, side and side, plus driver's knees), anti-skid brakes (ABS), and conventional electronic stability and traction control systems.
Warranty and safety rating
Basic Warranty
5 years / 100,000 km
guarantee
How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 9/10
Like all Jeep models, the Trackhawk comes with a five-year, 100,000 km warranty, which falls short of Kia's standard of seven years and unlimited mileage. Interestingly, it also receives lifetime roadside assistance - provided it is serviced by an authorized Jeep technician.
The Trackhawk is covered by a five-year warranty or 100,000 km.
Speaking of which, Trackhawk service intervals are every 12 months or 12,000 km, whichever comes first. Limited price service is available for the first five services, with each visit costing $799.
Needless to say, despite the relatively short warranty and service intervals, this is a really good aftermarket package for a car of this level of performance.
What is it like to drive? 8/10
Even before we got behind the wheel of the Trackhawk, we knew it was going to be a monster in the straight, so we really wanted to know what it was like overall. Turns out he's good at a lot of things.
First, the electric power steering system is surprisingly straight forward and well-weighted, gradually getting heavier as you try its other two settings.
However, it's not exactly world-first in feel and requires way too many turns of the steering wheel to perform low-speed maneuvers like parking.
Secondly, the independent suspension (double-link front and multi-link rear axles with adaptive Bilstein shock absorbers) provides an incredibly comfortable ride on most types of road surfaces.
Hear us here. There's no denying its solid melody, which is especially noticeable on potholes, but it's more than suitable even for families. Of course, this quality starts to deteriorate when you set the dampers to sportier settings, but you don't need that.
Even before we got behind the wheel of the Trackhawk, we knew it was going to be a monster.
Of course, the whole point of this varying stiffness is in the excellent handling, because the Trackhawk has the word "track" in its name, so it should be able to corner well.
While having to manage a 2399kg bodyweight around corners sounds like a daunting task, the Trackhawk is actually quite tethered when pushed hard. However, the physics cannot be denied since body roll is a constant variable.
Either way, traction is ironically great thanks to the aforementioned all-wheel drive system, which is complemented by a frankly essential rear electronic limited slip differential (eLSD).
This setting gradually becomes more rearward as you explore its more aggressive settings, which makes handling interesting and therefore some oversteer jitters.
In general, cornering isn't really the Trackhawk's forte, but wild, straight-line acceleration certainly does. It's absolutely brutal out of line, ducking before (super)charging towards the horizon.
And the sound it makes. Oh, the noise is incredible. While the piercing howl from the engine bay is undeniable, so is the ferocious bark from the exhaust system. This combination is so good that your neighbors will hate you from the first day you own it.
In general, cornering is not very suitable for the Trackhawk.
At the same time, the Trackhawk can easily steer around town by simply stepping on the gas, a skill that doesn't take long to master. However, rev the engine above 2000 rpm and the supercharger will literally unleash hell.
Transmission is an almost perfect dance partner, relaxed and relatively slow by default, which actually fits well with the Jekyll and Hyde narrative.
However, circuitry and shift times can be markedly improved by choosing one of the two more aggressive settings. This ensures that the full potential of the Trackhawk is unlocked. And, of course, there are paddle shifters if you prefer to literally take matters into your own hands.
Considering how high the performance level is, you're hoping the Brembo braking package (400mm slotted front discs with six-piston calipers and 350mm ventilated rear rotors with four-piston stoppers) washes away speed with ease. The good news is that it is.
Verdict
To be honest, we didn't expect the Trackhawk to be such a complete package, knowing words couldn't describe its sheer off-trail brutality. That doesn't mean it's the best handler in its class, because it isn't, but it's a lot better than what we expected.
Then, of course, its Grand Cherokee heritage enters the frame, with clean styling and high practicality being the obvious hallmarks, so this combination delivers unrivaled bang for your buck. Count us! We are ready to get acquainted with the staff of our local gas station.
