Why is the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk So Expensive?

"You get what you pay for," is a cliche almost as old as the dawn of time itself. While most of the time this is true, there is the rare occasion that this isn't always the case. Now, does this apply to the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk as well? At the starting price tag well of $87,870 USD mark, the answer to that question depends on entirely how much a buyer is willing to pay for something they're looking for in a vehicle. While this may seem rather steep among some American motorists, it becomes much higher when import taxes and other fees become involved should anybody not living on US soil want one. However, as expensive as the Trackhawk seems to be, Jeep's three-row Grand Wagoneer SUV is priced even higher, starting at $90,070 USD. The Trackhawk features a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 SUV that outputs 707 horsepower and 645 lb-ft torque, making it one of the most powerful machines of its kind ever built. In 3.5 seconds, it can reach from 0-60 mph before maxing out at 180 miles per hour on the speedometer.

According to Reviews

Starting with the YouTube review from Raiti's Rides, this is the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, which covers all the pros and cons found based on their test driving experience. Do they think this SUV is worth the hefty price? By the end of their review, apparently so. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has given the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk a perfect five-star rating overall, along with a five-star side crash rating. At four stars out of five is the front barrier crash rating and the rollover rating.

According to Car Buzz, the 2021 lineup of the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk deserves a perfect ten in exterior design, performance, and infotainment with its features. It gets a nine out of ten on its interior and cargo features, as well as in reliability. As for safety and value, and eight of ten is good enough to suggest the 2021 Trackhawk may not seem so overly priced after all. Mind you, the fuel economy sitting at an average score may prove to be the real expense in the long run. The only downfall Car Buzz points out is the lack of any significant changes since the 2018 introduction of the Trackhawk series. Despite the lack of changes, Car Buzz seems disappointed in, the 2021 model of the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is no slouch. Anything but subtle is the contouring and ventilation of this SUV's hood, along with the honeycomb grille, LED lights, and sporty front bumper. The 20-inch set of wheels is standard, as is the boasting of its roof-mounted rear spoiler, LED brake lights, and faux diffuser that houses a quad-exit exhaust layout. Throughout the body of the Trackhawk, is a glossy array of black accents and badging.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk's SUV features are nothing unusual in its mid-sized frame as it measures 189.3 inches long, including a wheelbase of 114.8 inches. The width is 76.5 inches and is 67.9-70 inches in height when measuring in the roof rail and antenna. Between the sporty suspension and low-profile tires, the ability this SUV has to stay on the road is exemplary. However, should an off-road excursion come to mind, this is a Jeep and does feature in its trail-biased driving modes that have an 8.1-inch ground clearance in measurement. The hefty curb weight starts at 5,356 pounds, thanks to its big engine and four-wheel-drive system. Because of Trackhawk's power, the necessity to use a 4WD to handle drifting, as well as provide better acceleration and overall maneuverability. A vehicle this powerful needs to have equal power disbursement and that's exactly what this SUV has. The Trackhawk's ability to handle less than ideal road conditions does exactly what every vehicle should be able to do. It also has a towing capacity of 7,200 pounds, but watch the fuel gauge as this SUV's EPA ratings show an 11 miles-per-gallon in city driving, 17 miles-per-gallon on the highway, and 15 miles per gallon combined. The 24.6-gallon tank allows up to 320 miles of travel range before it's time to fuel up again. The interior does seem to be a bit dated, especially when you compare the 2021 Trackhawk to most of its competitors. Aside from the standard features that typically come with quality-built SUVs, the spacing within the cabin is reasonable enough, as is the 10-speaker surround sound system. However, the reputation of Jeep tends to lean more on overall performance than attempting to make a fashion statement. Practicality reigns supreme, which has always seemed to be Jeep's primary objective ever since they started making vehicles in 1943.

• Engine - 6.2L Supercharged V8 Gas
• 707 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
• Torque - 645 lb-ft @ 4,800 rpm
• Transmission - 8-speed Automatic
• Drivetrain - 4 Wheel Drive
• Steering Type - Rack-Pinion
• Turning Diameter - 38 feet
• Front Suspension - Short and Long Arm
• Rear Suspension - Multi-Link
• Wheels Type - Aluminum
• Front Wheel Size - 20" x 10"
• Rear Wheel Size - 20" x 10"
• Front Tire - P295/45WR20
• Rear Tire - P295/45/WR20
• Combined Fuel Economy - 13 mpg
• City Fuel Economy - 11 mpg
• Highway Fuel Economy - 17 mpg
• Fuel Tank Capacity - 24.6 gallons
• Cruising Range City - 270.6 miles
• Cruising Range Highway - 418.2 miles
• Length: 189.3 inches (480.22 centimeters)
• Width: 76.5 inches (194.31 centimeters)
• Height: 67.9 inches (172.47 centimeters)
• Wheelbase: 114.8 inches (291.59 centimeters)
• Front Width: 65.7 inches (166.88 centimeters)
• Rear Width: 64.8 inches (167.13 centimeters)
• Curb Weight: 5.356 pounds (2429.44 kilograms)
• Seating Capacity: 5 Passenger
• Front Leg Room: 40.3 inches
• Rear Leg Room: 38.6 inches
• Front Head Room: 39.9 inches
• Rear Head Room: 39.2 inches

In the End

While it seems like the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk seems so expensive, when you compare it to some of the company's top rivals who are also in the SUV business, they're really more of a bargain. They're less expensive and more powerful compared to Porsche Cayenne Turbo, which starts at $129,000 USD, and the BMW X5 M that starts at $105,900 USD. However, should one invest extra money to make the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk even more performant than it is already, the price catapults from its $90,070 USD base to at least $105,000 USD.