Isbark.com

Trying to get north of 700 hp in your life is pretty tricky unless you’ve got an endless budget, though it is possible. American brands such as Ford and Dodge have made the feat possible thanks to cars like the Shelby Mustang GT500 and the Challenger Hellcat, the latter coming with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine. Earlier versions of these can be had for around $30,000 these days, though the lack of any rear doors means they aren’t best suited to families, in which case you might have to consider the four-door Charger Hellcat.

But what if you want the all-road ability of an SUV and the practicality of a station-wagon body, and you don’t want to forfeit the 700-hp performance? Well, you can still buy a brand-new Durango Hellcat to scratch that itch, but it will cost you close to six figures brand-new. Luckily, Dodge’s sibling company, Jeep, has a great alternative that offers that extra bit of practicality and a bargain-basement price nowadays, considering it’s been around since 2018, which ensures drivers can have their cake and eat it. And not at the cost of sinking your bank account, either. Except on gas, that is.

Some Warmer Grand Cherokees Preceded The Trackhawk

The modern Hemi engine has been around for some time, with Chrysler bringing it back in the early 2000s for use in models like the then-new Charger. Alongside use in performance cars like this and the Challenger, which arrived in 2007, it was also utilized in larger offerings like the Grand Cherokee. Different sizes of the engine found their way under the hood of these models, with the most popular being the naturally aspirated 5.7-liter unit included in the more powerful variants. While it brought extra grunt over and above the V6 engines available in lower-end versions, it didn’t exactly set your pants on fire as performance was concerned.

Related

Best Jeep Grand Cherokee Model Years For Reliability

Here is an overview exploring the best and worst Jeep Grand Cherokee model years for reliability and durability.

When it came to the fourth-generation version of the Grand Cherokee, called the WK2, Jeep elected to shake things up. For most of its life, the most powerful example was the SRT8, which was loaded with a 6.2-liter version of the NA Hemi. With 470 hp on tap, this was an SUV with claws. Following the success of the Challenger and Charger Hellcat models, though, which arrived in 2015 with a supercharged version of the 6.2-liter V8, an idea was hatched to allow the engine to spread its wings a little further.

Discussion

Is the higher price of the Jeep Wagoneer worth it compared to the Grand Cherokee?

The Wagoneer is over $20,000 more expensive than the three-row Grand Cherokee L. While that’s a lot, the Wagoneer is a much more luxurious SUV with superior third-row passenger space. And, while the Cherokee L has the much older Pentastar V6, the Wagoneer gets the new twin-turbo Hurricane six-cylinder. The Wagoneer feels and performs like the more expensive vehicle it is, but do you agree?

Jeep Decided To Sprinkle Some Extra Spice On Its Grand Cherokee

In 2018, the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk broke cover. As hinted by its name, this Grand Cherokee was no normal grocery-getter SUV. The 6.2-liter supercharged V8, which brought its full 707 hp to the party, was the headline act, though a range of other performance-enhancing gear joined it. When combined with the spacious five-seat cabin, which boasts cargo space of 68.3 cubic feet when the rear seats are lowered, the Trackhawk was a true multipurpose machine.

Grand Cherokee Trackhawks Can Be Had For A Fraction Of Their Original Cost

As a result of the gearing up in performance, Jeep didn’t give away the Trackhawk for pennies. They set owners back a shade over $87,000 when they first released, which is a fair chunk for a practical SUV. Luckily, thanks to depreciation, Grand Cherokee Trackhawks have plummeted in value in the years since. Even earlier 2018 examples are still thoroughly modern cars, but they can be had for around $50,000 if you don’t mind picking one up with higher-than-average miles on the clock.

Related

Jeep Grand Cherokee Generations: Everything You Need To Know In One Place

Despite a humble start, one of Jeep’s most recognizable nameplates morph into a luxurious off-roader in various body sizes for the 21st century.

According to Kelley Blue Book, 2018 Grand Cherokee Trackhawks with higher mileages are worth just over $54,000 in 2025. This is largely backed up by Classic.com, which collates auction listings of a range of cars from around the world. There are several Trackhawks around the $50,000 mark, with a white example being offered in April 2025. The clean and tidy car was sold through El Dorado Hills Motors, and was up for a shade under $60,000.

Related

Jeep Grand Cherokee Generations: Everything You Need To Know In One Place

Despite a humble start, one of Jeep’s most recognizable nameplates morph into a luxurious off-roader in various body sizes for the 21st century.

It had covered just over 82,000 miles during its life, and had been enjoyed by two owners, who had clearly looked after it. At nearly half its original cost, this and other similar Grand Cherokee Trackhawks represent an amazing bargain for family gearheads who want supercar levels of grunt in their life.

The Grand Cherokee Offers More Than Just Pace

For those concerned about everyday usability, the Grand Cherokee also comes with plenty of refinements that make it useful when family time arrives. The interior is wrapped in premium leather that can be had in a range of colors, with the cabin sporting large Trackhawk logos embedded in the front seats, which are heated and ventilated. To keep the kids toasty in the winter, the rear seats also come with heating functionality. A touchscreen infotainment system offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, while a powered tailgate is included to help load heavy shopping.

Enough Of That, Back To The Fast Stuff

Of course, the real reason you’re interested in a Trackhawk in particular is because of how it drives. The 707 hp provided by the supercharged Hemi isn’t just handy in a game of Top Trumps, it proves effective for getting the Grand Cherokee shifting. You’ll be able to hit 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds, and keep accelerating until you hit 180 mph. Its pace is partly enabled by a rapid-shift eight-speed automatic gearbox, which also comes with paddles mounted on the steering wheel for those who want more involvement in the driving experience.

The Trackhawks’ grunt is transferred to the road via a four-wheel-drive system, which can alter the amount of power sent to the front and rear axles. A range of driving modes are available, which alter the torque split front to rear. Up to 70% of the grunt can be sent rearward, with modes such as Snow allowing an equal 50/50 split to enhance traction in slippery conditions.

Related

Trailhawk Vs. Trackhawk: Which Is The Better Jeep Grand Cherokee?

It’s off-road ability up against a supercharged V8 producing 707 horsepower.

The Trackhawk Can Stop Well Too

Given the supercharged beast weighs in at just under 5,400 pounds, it also needed a beefy braking setup. Jeep obliged by gracing it with a Brembo system, which consists of six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers, that work ventilated discs. A Bilstein adaptive damping setup is also on hand to ensure the Trackhawk works in a variety of settings, be it on a smooth track or a rough off-road trail.

For those who need a practical SUV for everyday family life but also relish a cheeky blast on a twisty road, the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk fits the bill nicely.

The Grand Cherokee SRT8 Is A Good Option For Those With Smaller Budgets

If you reckon $50k is still a little too much for an SUV, then perhaps earlier SRT8 Grand Cherokees will be better suited. The SRT8 first turned up in 2006, on the third-gen WK Grand Cherokee. According to KBB, earlier specimens are worth around $10,000 today, which is a very small outlay for an SUV with a 420-hp 6.1-liter V8 under the hood. It may not be quite as dominant as the engine in the Trackhawks, but it’ll still get you to 60 mph in under five seconds. You’ll also get 4WD, as well as a Bilstein suspension setup.

You’ll also be treated to enough equipment to keep the family comfortable, like climate control and leather seats. The SRT8 was available with a wide range of options though, with features like dual-zone climate control, heated seats, and a panoramic sunroof all available at an extra cost. As a result, keep your eyes peeled for examples with these extras when hunting down your used hero. It may not come with the same performance prowess as its newer Trackhawk sibling, but the SRT8 offers a similar amount of thrill for a fraction of the price on the used market.

Sources: Jeep.