For consumers whose thought of the adventurous afternoon features observe time rather then an off-road path, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT is really a high-performance SUV which will do exactly that. A six.4-liter V-8 pumps out 475 horsepower even though a ripsnorting exhaust take note announces the SRT's arrival and, more dramatically, its departure. When it's based on the standard Grand Cherokee, the SRT wears more aggressive bodywork and comes standard with a sport-tuned suspension and upgraded brakes. In translation, it loses none of the Grand Cherokee's practicality or cabin comfort, although the SRT's ride is far less compliant over potholes. If you're one for pure excess, Jeep offers the 707-hp Grand Cherokee Trackhawk (reviewed separately), but its even bigger price tag may be a turnoff .

What's New for 2022?

While Jeep has made no changes to the Grand Cherokee SRT for 2021, an all-new Grand Cherokee is expected for the 2022 model year. That means big changes should be coming for this high-performance variant.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

SRT

$72,490

0

$25k

$50k

$75k

$100k

$125k

The base SRT is practically perfect as it is. We'd add the high-performance brake package to make sure the SRT stops as well as it goes and the Trailer Tow Group for optimal towing ability.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Grand Cherokee SRT first won our hearts with its thunderous Hemi V-8 and impressive functionality. Although its naturally aspirated six.4-liter V-8 is mild compared with the Trackhawk's 707-hp supercharged V-8, it still has 475 horses and 470 lb-ft of torque. The SRT we tested ripped to 60 mph in only four.4 seconds—just 0.2 second slower than a Dodge Challenger T/A 392. While the pony car was quicker in other acceleration tests, the SRT SUV matched the coupe's hearty exhaust note and responsive throttle for powerful pulls around town. With a maximum tow rating of 7200 pounds, the SRT can haul more than just ass. This high-powered Jeep has a sport-tuned suspension with adaptive dampers. The setup is stiffer than that of regular Grand Cherokees for improved handling. However, the SRT was comfortable and quiet driving over smoother surfaces. It has standard 20-inch wheels, and our test vehicle wore the optional Pirelli P Zero summer tires versus the standard all-season rubber. Although the GC SRT specializes in straight-line speed, it goes around corners surprisingly well given its heft. Its powerful Brembo brakes also helped it stop from 70 mph in 168 feet, which equaled the Trackhawk and was better than rivals such as the Mercedes-AMG GLE43.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Those who care even a little bit about fuel economy should avoid the Grand Cherokee SRT. This gas guzzler has low EPA estimates and some of the worst real-world results among its competitors. Unsurprisingly, the SRT does have better EPA estimates than the 707-hp Trackhawk—but barely. No matter how you slice it, the SRT is one of the least efficient vehicles in this segment. It missed its 19-mpg highway estimate by 1 mpg during our real-world testing, and similar rivals were between 3 and 5 mpg better top car insurance companies.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The Grand Cherokee SRT's interior is dressed up with carbon-fiber trim and stitched together with leather surfaces and faux-suede accents. The cabin has ample passenger room and fancy standard features, but its build quality compares with cheaper Jeep models in lieu of upscale six-figure competitors. We also wish massaging seats and more personalization options were available on this expensive Grand Cherokee. Underneath its pumped-up appearance, this powerful Grand Cherokee has the same amount of cargo space and number of interior cubbies as its pedestrian counterpart. This means it should hold 11 carry-on bags behind the back seat, and up to 24 with the back seat folded. When it had impressive storage space under its cargo floor, the cabin's cubbies were otherwise disappointing.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The SRT-tuned Jeep has an excellent infotainment system—called Uconnect—with a full complement of standard features. Its attractive menus and user-friendly controls provide pleasant interactions, but the touchscreen responded more slowly to our inputs than similar infotainment rivals as well as popular smartphones.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)

The Grand Cherokee SRT has not been crash-tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Still, this hi-po Jeep features the Grand Cherokee's full suite of driver-assistance features as standard. Consumers will appreciate the adaptive cruise control, which works in stop-and-go traffic, and the self-parking assist that reduces anxiety when squeezing into tight spaces. Key safety features include:

 Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking

 Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist

 Standard blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert