2018 GRAND CHEROKEE JEEP

Even more power

STATUS: Considerably more power available with a new Trackhawk model; turbo-diesel engine option disappears – Now a quarter-century old, the five-passenger Grand Cherokee makes a significant performance move by borrowing the Dodge Challenger Hellcat’s supercharged V-8 that makes a ridiculous 707 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque and installing it in the all-wheeldrive Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. That model also gets a stouter eight-speed automatic transmission, differential and rear driveshaft plus beefed-up suspension components to handle the prodigious torque. If the Trackhawk’s $110,000 price tag is too dear, the much cheaper 475-horsepower SRT will still deliver plenty of thrills. Meanwhile, the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk is specifically designed for more extreme off-road traversing. It comes with standard 18-inch Goodyear Adventure increased suspension travel – up to 30 centimetres of ground clearance – thanks to a modified air-ride suspension. Skid plates and uphill and downhill control systems are also Trailhawk items. On the luxury side, the full-on Summit eclipses the next-in-line Overland with “Natural Plus” leather-covered seats, open-pore wood trim, fauxsuede headliner, dual-pane moonroof and an 825-watt 19-speaker Harmon Kardon surround-sound system. For the budget-minded, the V-6 Laredo receives new seat fabrics and a fresh set of 17-inch wheels. Note that Jeep appears to have suspended the availability of the 240-horsepower V-6 turbo-diesel for the time being.