2019 Jeep Trackhawk: a six-figure mystery
A close friend often observes unique cars, shakes his head, and says: “Well, if no one bought them, they wouldn’t make them.” The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is a recent addition to his umbrella of automotive disbelief.
Is there a market for a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 from the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat with 707 horsepower? Is there a public demand for a four-wheel drive sport utility vehicle that accelerates from 0-60 miles per hour in 3.5 seconds?
The Trackhawk is among the fastest SUVS. Accelerate with gusto and the engine is loud and proud. The power is more than enough to provide self-induced chiropractic adjustments.
The second-year vehicle’s place in the industry contradicts every concern for an improved environment, “green” initiatives and fuel efficiency. The Trackhawk has estimated gas mileages average of 11 miles per gallon in city driving, 17 miles per gallon on the freeway. The combined 13 miles per gallon combined is the lowest in the truck family. Only the Bugatti Chiron, Lamborghini Aventador, both supercars, and Bentley Mulsanne, a luxury sedan, have worse fuel efficiencies.
With a healthy set of options included, the Trailhawk costs $100,215. The midsized SUV is the most expensive vehicle Jeep has made. It’s a niche of a niche market; Only about 7,500 of Jeep’s showcase vehicle were manufactured globally in 2018.
Still, the public’s desire for such vehicular bravado much exist. The Trailhawk has several competitors, notably the Lamborghini Urus, billed as the world’s first Super SUV, and the third-generation Porsche Cayenne GTS.
The Urus has an MSRP $200,000 and has a combined average of 14 miles per gallon. The equivalent Cayenne GTS trim has an MSRP of $124,600
and has a combined average of 20 miles per gallon.
As the newbie of the trio, the Trackhawk is available in one trim. In addition to its monstrous engine parameters, the Jeep flagship has four-wheel drive, an eight-speed automatic transmission and can tow 7,200 pounds.
Standard safety, technology and comfort features abound.
The Active Safety options group includes braking assist, rain-sensing windshield wipers, lane-departure warnings, parallel and perpendicular parking assist, full-speed forward-collision warnings, adaptive cruise control and rear cross-traffic alerts. Advanced multistage airbags, blind-spot monitors, hill-start assist, parking-distance monitors, a backup camera, trailer sway control and an anti-theft system are also in the mix.
Also standard: an 8.4-inch screen that includes navigation, Siriusxm radio, Alpine premium nine-speaker audio, Siriusxm Radio, SRT Performance settings and two 12-volt power outlets. A Harman Kardon 19-speaker high-performance audio is available.
Nappa leather and suede performance seats and a leather-wrapped performance steering wheel highlight comfort features. For its segment, the Trailhawk is luxurious. The rear seat reclines and front and back climate controls work well and provide another quality often reserved for luxury sedans.
It all complements the Trackhawk’s spacious seating and overall pleasing interior. Easy steering, a surprisingly small turning radius and responsive brakes add to the SUV’S overall appeal. Beyond the wicked horsepower, comfort is the Trackhwack’s best quality.
When the 60/40-split rear seats are folded, the Jeep has spacious feel. And as a cargo hauler, the Trailhawk has 36.3 cubic feet, an above-average capacity for the segment.
Jeep once was known for its utilitarian qualities. Former military vehicles make reputable and rugged off-road chariots. But the manufacturer now offers a six-figure vehicle. Really?
There must be some reason to power down trails, go deep into woods or even to a getaway campground in a Jeep with race car speed. But it’s hard to fathom. And why would anyone spend $100,000 to do so?