2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk | First Drive

Awesome.
Good luck man!

How is the AWD in the snow? Is it 4X4 or awd?
The ultimate DD is right bro. Especially if you live in an area that gets snow. It's like driving a Hellcat year round! lol

 

Hell...I’m in North Florida. We got maybe ten snow flakes last year for the first time in nearly 30 years and thought the world was coming to an end.

I’m not 100% if they call it four wheel drive or all wheel drive but it behaves more like all wheel drive. It’s always putting power to all 4 wheels but apparently can vary the amount of power side to side and front to rear.

Edit - apparently it’s called quadra drive II and coupled with the air suspension (which we have) is pretty ridiculous.

Haven’t had the opportunity to mess with snow but it is amazing in mud and sand...

https://www.jeep.com/4x4.html

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lol
Thanks for the info man. I didn't even look to see what state you were in. Sorry for the stupid question. lol

 

The Grand Cherokees are going to be AWD. There is no way (from the factory) to put the car into 2x4 or 4x4--it only allows option of varying the torque output between the front and rear.

I did have the opportunity to ride through heavy snow in my buddy's 2014 JCG Overland while in WV. We drove slowly into a 24" bank of snow, and then let it eat. The damn thing threw snow in all directions from every wheel and plowed right on though. It did manage to rip off the lower air dam, but the JCG went through a 10' long swath of 2' deep snow with absolutely no issues. I didn't think it was possible, which is what led to the experiment.

Now, the SRT is not going to plow through snow that deep with it's lower front bumper and overall lower ride height, but the AWD system is very similar between the SRT and other JCGs.

 

I kind of thought so. I've seen some videos of them going through some serious snow. I learned something new, I always thought they were 4X4 and the SRT was awd. Good to know. I know the Trackhawk is awd as well. I bet that "snow" mode helps out a lot!
Just getting info as much as I can as I am kind of interested in the Trackhawk as my daily driver, and as you know, we get some snow here in the Northeast.
I appreciate the reply man. Thanks!

 

You're going to be very hard-pressed to find an AWD system as capable and advanced as the one in JGCs. That goes for SUVs in any price range.

 

Hot dammmnnn!
So nice. I would love to either get one in in this color, Velvet Red or in the Redline Pearl 2.

 

Due to some recent news regarding hardware installs in my wife's uterus and our family business changing ownership, we have had to rethink our plans...

We have 2 German Shepherds and now a baby on the way. We travel with the dogs several times a year. We need a bigger SUV. Etc... Also I to get something more normal for work since it isn't our business anymore.

Long story short, I couldn't do it. (annnnnnnd....the Z06 is gone.)

We bought a new 2018 Volvo XC90 T8 with all the substantial options. Couldn't be more impressed with it. I got a little used sedan for work. F80M.

My newly semi-retired dad swooped in and bought the Trackhawk. I still get to drive it...just not as a daily. Funny how things work out. I've had 3 GC SRTs. They've been the best dd's of anything I've owned. I wanted this bad...but looks like we are starting a family. I am very excited.

 

Did you consider the Durango SRT? Or were you set on spending $100K on the SUV? The Mercedes GL or Audi Q7 didn't interest you?

 

Actually considered all of them.

The Durango is nice but not special like the trackhawk would have been, to me anyway. Wife was 100% no anyway so easy decision.

GL is nice. Too much $. The 550 starts at 95k or so and options add from there. The 63 would have been a nice ride but $148k is a little steep. Ha

Audi...not my thing. Super nice. But 333 HP is not enough for what should be a bad ass German SUV.

The Volvo is as luxurious as any of the above and loaded with techy stuff. 400hp hybrid. You can sip gas and use battery or waste both surprising people at stoplights. It’s no sport machine but quick for a 7 seat 6000 pound suv. It will drive itself down the highway, has a phenomenal sound system, and super safe. The exterior and interior look beautiful. The interior is the most impressive to me. Subjective, of course.

You’re question about $...I wasn’t set on spending anything. But, I had budgeted for the Trackhawk. I came in under that for the Volvo. Plus get 5k back in taxes.

 

Cool. Congrats on the XC90. They're super nice. I considered one, but spec'd the way I'd want it (Inscription), it costs way more than I'd want to spend on a Volvo. Then add in all that weight with "just" 400HP, and I just couldn't bring myself to do it. That's a major factor that keeps me away from the Grand Cherokee. How the heck does a GC weigh more than a freakin' Durango?!? Thank goodness for the Trackhawk, which itself is still 200 lbs heavier than a Durango SRT.

Moot point, but on the slowness of the Q7, a tune-only from APR or STaSiS would help remedy that.

 

Congrats on starting the family man. Awesome.
Sorry to hear about the Z06. German Shepherds are one of my favorite breeds. Awesome man. Good luck with everything.
What color and options did your dad go with? Have any photos or opinion on it?

 

Thanks. Changes a lot of stuff. Z06 was incredible but im not missing it. The Jeep was to be my company car. That isn’t a possibility with the new organization. So we did what would be best.

It’s black with black interior. Didn’t get the full leather. Black wheels, sunroof, HK sound, tow package. I’m glad he took it. This would be the 3rd vehicle in a row i ordered and didn’t buy. Out of goodwill already with them anyway.

I posted pics a few days ago in this thread.

View attachment 1453098

 

Well,....she is a beast! Wow!
Disregard the moron kids. If you want to see how fast it is from outside the vehicle, go to the 3 minute mark.

 

Whatever you do,.........don't go onto the Hellcat forum and talk anything bad about any FCA product, especially if it is true, because they will shut the thread down. I'm talking mostly the Trackhawk threads and I am reading and gathering info beforehand.
I don't understand that. What's the purpose of the forum then? Isn't it to spread knowledge, good or bad, and info about the cars/trucks that one might be interested in?
Unbelievable over there. @ZYBORG was correct, they really are a bunch of pussies over there. Even the guys on the Jeep forum are ripping them.

 

This happened today. Monkey on my back... had to.




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hell yea man!, congrats! now do a pulley tune and e85 and post some vids! LOL

 

Congrats man. Awesome vehicle.
Not only does it look great inside and out, but it will beat just about anything that pulls up next to it 0-60 and the quarter mile time is pretty nasty for a sport utility vehicle. And you can drive it all year round. Awesome.

 

Heard there will be some great deals coming or already out there.
Sweet ride man, might be my Hellcat Charger replacement DD.
-J

 

My man. Welcome to the club!