If you’re offended by the concept of a 707 horsepower SUV, then you should probably just stop reading right now. In our age of instantaneous outrage, it’s easy to see how from certain quarters the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk could appear as yet another missive intended to inflame the passions of those who have already decided that high-po people movers represent the height of excess in an era where emissions and efficiency are increasingly under the microscope.
There was never really any doubt that the Trackhawk would happen, as it was only a matter of time before FCA elected to implement the next step in its master plan to keep its fleet of older platform offerings interesting via the injection of absurd amounts of horsepower. Out of all of the brands under the Fiat-Chrysler stable, Jeep has by far the greatest global reach and certainly the most bankable badge, which means that introducing a second flavor of high performance Grand Cherokee made sense to both bean counters and marketing execs alike.
It also helps that the vehicle is astoundingly capable when executing its dual-prong mission of both hauling groceries and kicking sand in the face of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo in the next lane. The 707 horsepower and 645 lb-ft of torque available from the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk’s 6.2-liter supercharged V8 arrive without delay with the accelerator floored, with delivery even more violent when accessed via the launch control system’s ‘torque reserve’ feature thanks to its ability to build boost from a standing start.
Look past the SUV’s 3.5 second explosion to 60-mph, however, and you’ll be equally impressed by its docility during the daily drive. The Trackhawk’s personality is astoundingly similar to the Grand Cherokee SRT, the ‘other’ race-ready SUV in the Jeep portfolio, which is to say that you can easily insulate yourself from the vehicle’s more explosive aspects. Driven normally, there’s little aside from a horrendously expensive fuel bill and somewhat more ostentatious styling to remind you of the fact that you’re sitting on enough power to tap in for a Saturn V rocket on an upcoming moon mission.
This is the real key to the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk’s success. Although the 180-mph top speed, six-piston Brembo brakes, adjustable adaptive suspension system, and surprisingly planted cornering capability were all put to the test on the track at Club Motorsports in Tamworth, New Hampshire, it’s clear that few, if any owners will flog their SUVs in a similar manner (should they be able to find a lapping club that welcomes 5,500 lbs of top-heavy steel in the first place).
The one remaining unknown for the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk seems to be whether those who clamored for so long for a Hellcat SUV will be willing to pay for their medicine now that it’s been prescribed to them. The Trackhawk’s base price is a heady $85,000, but delve into the options sheet in order to build a more comfortable or decadent example of the truck and you’re suddenly looking at over $100,000 to park a Jeep in your driveway.
Although that number represents a sizeable discount versus what it would cost to own a less-mighty monster wearing a BMW M or Mercedes-AMG badge, this six-figure sales price is ostensibly what scared the company away from pursuing its three-row Grand Wagoneer luxury ‘ute just a few short years ago.
