Overview
Forget the trails, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is built to conquer the drag strip and the open road. With a 707-hp supercharged Hellcat V-8 under its hood, it is the most powerful and most expensive Jeep ever, yet also one that can run with the world's premiere performance SUVs. While it gives up a little composure and agility to its more expensive peers, it is a go-fast bargain that still can tow up to 7200 pounds, cart a family of five around town in comfort, and plaster a childish grin across your face every time you mash the accelerator.
What's New for 2020?
Unchanged since its debut as a 2018 model, the 2020 Trackhawk Jeep Grand Cherokee receives the slightest of updates: a new yellow Trackhawk badge on its liftgate, a single-pane sunroof becomes standard equipment, and a few additional options grace the order sheet, including new 20-inch wheels, a two-tone black-gray premium leather interior, and an upgraded exterior lighting package.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
- Trackhawk: $88,395
Despite costing nearly $19K more than the 475-hp SRT Grand Cherokee, the Trackhawk earns its worth by being not only one of the quickest SUVs on sale, but one that can humble far more expensive rivals in a straight line, including the $131,450 Porsche Cayenne Turbo. While most of its options are mere tinsel, opting for the Jeep's Pirelli P Zero summer tires and the towing package fully unlock all of the Trackhawk's capabilities.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Trackhawk is the hottest thing ever to wear a Jeep badge. Its Hellcat engine has mind-blowing acceleration and a soundtrack that raises a metaphorical middle finger to local noise ordinances. Its 707 horsepower is identical to its Hellcat Challenger and Charger siblings, but its more restrictive exhaust system decreases torque by 5 lb-ft (645 total). The difference is negligible, and the Trackhawk's all-wheel-drive traction allowed the Jeep to virtually teleport from zero to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. The 'Hawk's throttle was so responsive that we didn't dare mat the pedal around town. Its instantaneous nature was saved for long straightaways that quickly felt short.
While the BMW X5 M and the Mercedes-AMG GLE63 S have even higher cornering limits, the Trackhawk still has respectable, stable handling that can be exploited on twisty back roads and highway ramps—and it wouldn't be totally out of its element on a racetrack. The electrically assisted steering system felt quick enough, but the thick-rimmed wheel didn't relay as much road information as we'd like. Its Brembo brake calipers (six-piston front and four-piston rear) hauled the Trackhawk down from 70 mph in 168 feet. While its brake pedal felt firm and responsive during daily use, that distance is merely average among similar high-performance crossovers.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Do you care a lot about fuel economy? Then don't invest in the Trackhawk. Its insatiable thirst for fuel is made obvious by its low EPA estimates and unspectacular results in our real-world testing. The 707-hp beast has worse government ratings than the Grand Cherokee SRT, which is no surprise. Still, both versions were the least efficient vehicles compared with similar alternatives. The Trackhawk matched its 17-mpg highway estimate on our 200-mile test circuit. Too bad its competitors were between 3 and 5 mpg better.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
If the Trackhawk's extroverted exterior wasn't proof enough, its racy interior further proves that this Jeep prefers racetracks and twisty roads to rocky trails. Inside, its ample passenger accommodations are highlighted by front seats that comfort and support, especially when tracking the 'Hawk. Although the smooth leather on top of the dashboard and door panels made up for luxurious touches compared with the rubberized material used on cheaper Grands, the carryover switchgear and inconsistent panel gaps remind us that true luxury is reserved for premium-brand alternatives.
Its aggressive bodywork and powertrain set your heart to pounding, but it also inherits the cargo space and interior cubby storage from the regular Grand Cherokee range. This means similar carry-on capacity and the same limited number of places to secure small items so they don't go ballistic when the driver decides to drop the hammer and defy the laws of physics.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Every Hellcat-powered Grand Cherokee has an 8.4-inch touchscreen that blends into the dash. The infotainment system—called Uconnect—includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G LTE mobile Wi-Fi as standard.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The Trackhawk has not been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Meanwhile, this ferocious SUV is fitted with an array of standard driver-assistance features such as automatic high-beams, lane-departure warning, and self-parking assist. While this technology adds convenience and protection, it doesn't make the high-priced family hauler any cheaper. Key safety features include:
- Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
- Standard adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology
- Standard blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Jeep has a shorter limited warranty compared with its competitors, but it provides the best powertrain protection. The Jeep Wave ownership program is standard on the Trackhawk, which includes two complimentary oil-change and tire-rotation services from the dealer per year for the first two years.
- Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
- Two years of complimentary scheduled maintenance are included
