2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Review: All Guns Blazing
There was a time in the early 2000s where it seemed that everyone was convinced of the death of big gas-guzzling cars, but fast forward to 2020, and things don't look so bad: sure we have electric cars that will sprint to sixty as fast as some Formula One cars, but we also have 707-horsepower Jeep Grand Cherokees. What a time to be alive. The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is a breath of octane-tinged air in a market that's already filled with insanely fast SUVs such as the BMW X5 M and Porsche Cayenne Turbo. Still, the Trackhawk, unlike its peers, shies away from a more mature look and comes in guns blazing with an exterior design like something out of a Marvel comic book. With a starting price of over $86,000, the Trackhawk might be expensive for a Jeep, but that price pales in comparison to European rivals such as the supercharged V8 Range Rover Sport, and the Jeep has far more personality. Get in, strap up, and enjoy the feeling of pure freedom.
What's the Price of the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk?
One thing is certain; you're going to have to pay for the privilege of driving the fastest Jeep Grand Cherokee ever made. The not-so-slow, and rather plush Grand Cherokee SRT starts at a serious $68,395, excluding tax, registration, and a destination fee of $1,495, but to get behind the wheel of the Trackhawk, you'll have to find an extra $18,505 for a grand total of $86,900. That's a hard pill to swallow, especially when you consider the fact that no options have been added yet. On the other hand, it will cost you an eye-watering $105,100 to drive away in a 2020 BMW X5 M or $114,500 for a Range Rover Sport Supercharged V8 SVR.
2020 Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Exterior
Dimensions
| Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 189.3 in | 114.8 in | 67.9 in | 76.5 in | 65.7 in | 64.8 in | 5,356.0 lbs |
2020 Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
Something this big is naturally limited by the laws of physics to not move as fast as, say a Ferrari 488, but the team over at Jeep has sure made a heroic effort to get it close. The 2020 Trackhawk competes with other dedicated performance SUVs such as the BMW X5 M and the blistering Mercedes-AMG GLE63 S, both of which are brutally fast in a straight line, but also convinced in the bends, so can the Trackhawk keep up through the twisties? The answer is yes, and no. While the Trackhawks tauter suspension and chassis setup give it vastly more on-road capability than its more off-road focused siblings, it can't match its German rivals for precision. Instead, the Trackhawk delivers stable and predictable handling that can be enjoyed on twisty roads and on track, but without the level of feedback and pointiness of the Merc or BMW. The electrically assisted steering is quick enough to get the big Jeep facing in the right direction, but lacks feel, and even in its most sporty setting still feels more SUV than sports car. Judging by a recent incident in South Africa where a Trackhawk lost control on an actual track, we'd say stick to the road. One element that stands out is the Brembo brake system that offers excellent feel and massive stopping power.
2020 Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Interior
2020 Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
| Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Years / 36,000 Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles | 5 Years / Unlimited Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
| Overall Rating | Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | Side Crash Rating | Rollover Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Verdict: Is the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk A Good SUV?
It becomes difficult to judge a car when it starts to blur the lines between high-performance muscle car, accomplished cruiser, and practical daily driver. The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk excels in all those fields, and we appreciate its jack-of-all-trades approach to performance SUV motoring. The exterior styling is brilliant and doesn't try in the slightest to disguise the Trackhawks performance ambitions. Under the hood, that Hellcat-sourced supercharged V8 does more than talk, it rips up the road like little else, and is the crowning feature of this car. On the road, it feels comfortable enough for long-distance cruising but doesn't feel out of place on the track, despite not being as sharp as its German rivals. The interior is sporty and flush with premium materials and features. The Trackhawk is a Grand Cherokee at the end of the day, which means you get ample interior and trunk space, which is a boon for those with daily driving in mind. On paper, this car might seem ridiculous, and trust us, it is, but beneath its wild facade lies a practical workhouse that can still get the job done.
What Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Model Should I Buy?
Since there is only one model on offer, the choice is made simple; however, there is always the options list to turn to for some added individuality. If we were the ones doing the buying, we'd spec it as follows: the exterior of our Trackhawk would be plastered in Velvet Red Pearl Coat, and we'd also get the 20-inch Titanium alloy wheels. Keeping with the sporty feel of the exterior, we'd get the roof painted black. Inside we'd get the Laguna performance seats in black and add the panoramic sunroof. The $2,095 Harman Kardon sound system would also make its way inside. With all that said and done, our Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk would end up costing us a serious $96,775.
2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Comparisons
2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk vs Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT
As far as fast Jeeps go, the SRT sits right below the Trackhawk. Beneath the bulging hood of the SRT lies a 6.4-liter V8 engine that spits 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque in the face of hot hatchbacks. With all that power, the SRT will leap to sixty in only 4.3 seconds. That's a far way off the Trackhawk's 3.5 seconds, but it is still blistering for a midsize SUV. The SRT is more fuel-efficient than the Hawk, but not by much, and it is just as fun to drive around town, although it doesn't have the same impact when you mash the accelerator. The SRT is also less composed on the limit and is best thought of as a fast cruiser than a fast road car. The interior layout is obviously similar in design, but the material options are more limited. Cargo space is also a match with the Trackhawk. We like the SRT's impressive off-road capability and above-average towing capability, but we thought that some interior materials felt cheaper. The SRT offers a more balanced overall, especially considering its off-road capability, and should be easier to live with than the Trackhawk, and at a discounted price. For that reason, we'd get the SRT.
2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk vs Lamborghini Urus
Millions around the world spat out their single-shot espressos in disgust when they first heard that Italian supercar legends Lamborghini were to build an SUV. Sure they made a Hummer-looking thing way back when, but that was a once-off thing right? Since then, emotions have calmed, and some have actually garnered a certain affection for what is now known as the Urus. This crossover SUV monstrosity is powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 producing a considerable 641 hp and 626 lb-ft of torque and will, according to independent testing, dip below the three-second zero to sixty mark when the launch is perfectly nailed. That's insane. We are impressed with the fact that it can actually do the offroad thing, plus the fact that you get to experience a seriously quick Lamborghini with three other people. The interior is a stunning display of Italian flair and German-built quality, but the exterior styling is debatable. You don't get the same interior space as in the Jeep, and on top of it all, you're going to be paying well over $100k more for the Urus. The price tag alone makes the Trackhawk the winner here.