2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Review: Old But Gold

When it comes to building fast machines that have no right being so explosive, few are as ridiculous as the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. Built by the same group of people who brought us the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, this SUV proudly built in the US is one of the most insanely quick machines on the planet. It's expensive for something with a badge as "common" as Jeep, with a base price approaching $90,000, but when you consider that German rivals cost more and come with far less power - vehicles like the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and BMW X5 M - the HEMI-powered Trackhawk is something of a bargain. A 6.2-liter supercharged V8 generates a ridiculous 707 horsepower and 645 lb-ft of torque, split between both front and rear axles with the assistance of an eight-speed automatic transmission. As cool as excess can be, is it worth spending so much on a Jeep? And can something with a Jeep badge provide the same thrills as something from a German marque?

What's the Price of the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk?

Separate from other models, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk has a price that makes it the most expensive of its kind. It's currently on sale for $87,650 before a $1,495 destination charge. This means pricing has increased slightly from last year's identical model. However, if you add all the options you can cram into it, you'll end up with a fully loaded model with a cost of over $105,000 including destination.

Handling and Driving Impressions

Unsurprisingly for a performance SUV with more power than any of its direct rivals that is still cheaper than the competition, the Trackhawk is a bit of a one-trick pony. Sure, the suspension has been refined and stiffened to improve handling ability, but there is no way that the 4WD system, the steering setup, or even the adaptive suspension of this Jeep can compete with what German counterparts offer. Nevertheless, the Trackhawk's handling ability is not atrocious and is still fairly impressive for something of this size. We'd still not recommend it as a Laguna Seca regular, but it's fun. You can tell that this car was meant for road use though, with overly light steering to aid parking and to help make the bulky SUV feel less lardy than it really is. Big weight needs big stopping power to keep things safe, so Brembo brakes are fitted as standard and do an excellent job of bringing you to a halt. They're not overly grabby either and can be used in traffic with nonchalance, which means that you won't have to worry about spilling your jumbo soda if someone cuts in front of you. In terms of comfort, the adaptive suspension does a decent job of managing small and medium bumps but still isn't quite refined enough to ensure flat cornering. Off-road, Snow mode helps regulate the power to keep you moving, but a Trailhawk will be much more capable on slippery surfaces. There's also a Valet mode, helping keep your $90,000 SUV out of the bushes when a third party gets behind the wheel.

Verdict: Is the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk A Good SUV?

Depending on the perspective from which you view the Trackhawk, it's either a performance bargain or an overpriced Jeep. With 707 horsepower being transferred to all four wheels providing one with the ability to easily reposition your internal organs and embarrass sleepy sports car owners, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk's asking price of under 90 grand seems like a giveaway. However, if you review it as a normal Jeep with impressive specs - which is what it will be on the road 90 percent of the time - then it's MSRP seems a little ridiculous, especially when you consider that the interior is very dated and you don't even get real leather as standard. Ultimately, one needs to remember that this is still a spacious, practical, comfortable, and family-oriented SUV that just so happens to be capable of under 12 seconds on the quarter-mile. If you look at it as a Jeep that comes with everything, looks special, and produces more power than almost anything else with four doors, then it can definitely be justified. This car is just a caricature of itself, something that we would never have dreamed of from an OEM 10 years ago. For that, we should be thankful and enjoy it to the full before AI and autonomous mobility with electric propulsion take all the fun out of it. Just be sure to budget extra for your monthly gas consumption.

What Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Model Should I Buy?

There's only one trim on offer for the Trackhawk so your choice here comes down to what options are worth including. Considering that this is an almost fully loaded model as standard, and considering that the idea behind the Trackhawk is to offer a performance bargain, we'd avoid tacking on anything. The interior could do with some higher quality materials, but the addition of leather upholstery in a cabin that will remain rather plasticky is a waste of money. We'd splash out on some vibrant paint for $245, but further than that, the regular car is good enough.

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Comparisons

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk vs Dodge Durango SRT

Being a part of a corporation like FCA is what has made a vehicle as ridiculous as the Trackhawk possible. If some engineer had suggested a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 Grand Cherokee with over 700 hp before the Hellcat engine was brought into the world, he would have been condemned to a dark corner. However, as much as being part of FCA has made this vehicle possible, it's also opened the door for internal competition in the form of the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat. It uses the same engine and gearbox but with 710 hp, making it the most powerful production SUV. However, the Durango is cheaper with a base price of $80,995 and is more practical for large families with its three-row configuration. This model also gets the availability of a bigger infotainment display with more modern features. In addition, the interior looks more modern. Overall, the Trackhawk will be a little more capable off-road, but for those who don't care about looks or adventuring off the beaten path, the Durango is definitely the better option.

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk vs BMW X5 M

When it comes to fast SUVs, nobody makes them feel more like sports cars than the Germans. The BMW X5 M is one of the best on the market and has a very clever all-wheel-drive system, an even better eight-speed auto than the Trackhawk, and a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 that generates up to 617 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque with the Competition Package. That's a lot less than the Jeep, but in this guise the BMW accelerates almost as quickly, getting to 60 mph just two tenths behind the Trackhawk. Top speed is also comparable, with 177 mph possible. However, while the Trackhawk seems like the obvious choice with a base price well below the X5 M's $105,100, the Bimmer can handle corners brilliantly, is built solidly, and has a truly stunning interior loaded with high-quality materials. In addition, there's no doubt that the BMW badge carries a lot more weight, whether you're in the USA or elsewhere. As a package, the X5 M is far better, but if all you want is accessible acceleration at a relatively affordable price, then the Jeep is the one for you.