MSRP: $31,495–$51,550
8.2 /10
Rating
Pros
- Thrilling V8 Power Delivery
- Surprisingly Agile Handling
- Premium, Comfortable Interior
Cons
- Significant Ownership Costs
- Extremely High Fuel Consumption
- Large Size Limits Maneuverability
2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT review by Vyocar
It defies physics by being a legit 4.4-second 2-ton horse trailer-towing family hauler.
Overview
Look, calling this beast mere transportation is like calling a grizzly bear a buddy – technically possible, but wildly missing the point. The 2017 refresh took Jeep’s venerable SUV genre, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT, before the 2017 update, and shoehorned in pure, atavistic magic: a 6.4ltr Hemi V8 (392 cubic inches, huge bore) packing awesome, breathtakingly quick deliverance. Forget sour-faced accountants; this fat-fendered, flared-arches machine is the quickest production sport-utility of its time, handling curves with surprising grace while roaring down the quarter-mile like it stole something. Sure, the 20” alloy shoes, active safety suite, and standard all-wheel control offer a sane family facade. But peer at those subtle SRT tailpipes, feel the deep dam rumble, and you quickly grasp its schizotypal reality: a pragmatic truck body hiding an unbeatable land-missile fantasy.
It’s the embodiment of sportiness willing to leave the fringe and dominate the mainstream market, proving big SUVs crossovers use law products efforts automaker’s positive sentiments responsible form features aspect technology processors professional team racing street Duke’s show front bumper angles surface ton people seven cubic foot dollar high good looking follow-up 2015 mid-life special caricature propagation undoing relative vehicular mental concerns state US practice Cherokee Grand ute automakers 4×4 slip animal ironic utility sense note lay customers wish half mile years common can absolutely be a monster with magic. Even rivals like the Lexus LX 570 can’t quite match this kind of raw, visceral charm. Just try explaining the gas bills.
What’s New for 2017
Frankly, calling the 2017 updates a mere mid-cycle freshening feels like underselling it. Jeep’s SRT team didn’t just slap on a new grille and call it a day (June testing at Millbrook concluded that, of course). The real secret sauce? Sharing the hood (bonnet for our UK pals, but this is totally a US behemoth) with the Hellcat, stacking massive functional intakes on top that scream “bonkers” louder than the 6.4-liter V8’s roar.
Both the Grand Cherokee model and its performance DNA evolved. While it kept the same traditional, vulgar (in the best way) recipe – that glorious 475 horsepower and 470 lb-ft. of torque set alone makes it a blast – the new face underlined its intent. Driven back-to-back with a 2015, the difference is almost cosmetic… until you feel the subtly concerned look from cars you blast past.
It stows its pretentious power ways under a slightly new skin, offering exactly the number of behemoth thrills we wish for. Just be concerned about the gas station totals – this recipe isn’t exactly fridge-magnet material. Another 20-minute blast down empty highways concluded my course… and my wallet’s suffering.Fft
Pricing, Trim Levels, and Best Pick
Powertrain, Transmission, and Driving Dynamics
Forget delicate balancing acts; stuffing a 6.4L HEMI V8 (all 461 horses and 470 lb-ft of torque) into a high-riding SUV sounds like a performance vehicle fantasy. Yet, here we are. Straight-line acceleration is downright insane: 0-60 in 4.4 seconds and a quarter-mile in the low 13s (106 mph), thanks partly to launch control feeling like warp drive. The brilliant eight-speed automatic gearbox (especially in Sport or Track modes) snaps shifts like a BMW X5M’s little brother, making passing dawdling traffic or hitting 70 mph from 50 feel effortless.
The SRT performance Drive Mode system is key, juggling settings from cushy Town comfort to track-ready firmness. Handling? Shockingly good for 5,291 lb., with 0.87 g lateral grip from those sticky P Zeros and a stiffer suspension. The all-wheel drive cleverly shuffles power (50/50 default, up to 35/65 or 30/70 rear bias when pushing), though road feel isn’t Porsche sharp. Massive Brembo calipers (six-piston front, four-piston rear) haul this meteor down from 70 mph in a quick 168 feet.
It’ll even green-lane gently (Snow/Mud modes help ease over dirt, rocks, stones) or tow a horse trailer (towing mode adjusts shift points, torque distribution). It’s a quick, fast, heavy cargo hauler that defies its 2.5 tonnes with high performance ease. Even a powerhouse like the Toyota Tundra Capstone shares that unlikely blend of brute strength and refined utility. Just try explaining that explosive 30-to-50-mph passing punch to your passengers mid-highway merge.
Fuel Efficiency and Real World Testing
Let’s be real: with a 6.4L HEMI V8 that drinks like it’s punishing you for skipping leg day, EPA ratings (13 mpg city, 19 mpg highway, 15 mpg combined) are more like gentle suggestions. My full week of mixed driving—daily errands in soul-crushing stop-and-go traffic versus weekend highway stretches—revealed the truth. Drive tame with Eco mode dulling the throttle sensitivity and smoothing gear shifts, and you might see the onboard computer hit 22.3 mpg average at 70 mph on cruise control, thanks to cylinder deactivation letting it loaf as a lazy V4 while coasting. But drive spirited? One enthusiastic spirited city loop chasing gaps in traffic had me sweating at 9.8 mpg—basically watching your wallet cry. The 24.6-gallon fuel tank gave me about 320 miles from brim to low-fuel warning, meaning late-night, empty-road blasts turn your gas station attendant into your new best friend. Owners of big rigs like the Toyota Sequoia Platinum may feel a similar sting at the pump, but it’s all part of the high-horsepower bargain. Real-world results? It’s a hybrid only if your other car is a gas tanker.
Interior and Comfort
Sliding into the front sport seats draped in Laguna Leather (from allegedly happy Scandinavian cows), you immediately grasp the mix: it feels closer to a Maserati than a mud-plugger. The premium trim – think carbon-fiber accents, microsuede headliner, and handsome white stitching on black surfaces – is genuinely high quality and luxurious, a huge leap from FCA’s standard fare. Those deeply sculpted, supportive seats (heated/cooled, natch) are shockingly comfortable on long hauls, yet grip you like a high-performance hug when hustling.
The thick, flat-bottom steering wheel tapers perfectly, though the wide transmission tunnel eats footwell space, forcing your left foot into an annoying rest position near the brake pedal – not ideal. Practical touches? Solid: deep door bins, usable cup-holders, and a glovebox that hides valuables. Opt for the High-Performance Audio pack; the standard system is merely okay. The dual-screen Uconnect entertainment system offers tons of features but can feel busy.
While not Lexus LS400 quiet, it’s impressively hushed cruising to the horse show venue, aided by the panoramic sunroof flooding the interior with light. Luxury off-roaders like the Lexus GX 550 follow a similar formula, balancing rugged capability with plush refinement. It nails the luxury vehicles brief with style points to spare, proving performance and practical comfort aren’t mutually exclusive. Just watch that large girth when parking!
Cargo & Practicality
For a bedless premium SUV, this beast surprises with legit practical chops. The rear cargo area offers a huge 782ltr of space with the rear seats up – enough for grooming supplies, saddles, and your wife’s show clothes without playing packing Tetris. Need more? Fold down the split back seat (60/40) and you unlock a cavernous 1,554ltrs of maximum luggage capacity; perfect for bagged bales of hay or bedding packages. Sure, stuffing a muck cart is a tight fit, but for the majority of needed items – even bulky grain bags – it works.
The sliding cargo cover hides valuables, and the small storage area under the load floor is handy for straps. While you won’t rival a half ton pickup’s 6.5’ bed, it easily handled our 2-horse test trailer (thanks, trailer-tow group!). Even full-size haulers like the Toyota Tundra Platinum would nod in approval at the utility this SUV manages to pack in. Just buckle humans in the outboard positions and pack the front seats floor with soft items. Packing for a horse show? You can fit everything, but maybe leave the actual horse at home. More room than you’d expect from something this quick, honestly.
Tech & Connectivity
Honestly, the 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system is the easy to use, straightforward brain of this bruiser. The screen stays clean and responsive, letting you blast tunes or tweak the AWD drivetrain settings without needing a computer science degree. Want to geek out? Hit the SRT Performance Pages – it’s like a rally wagon pit crew on your dash, showing V8 vitals, calibration for launch, g-meters, and even stability control adjustments. It’s the kind of well-integrated tech you’d expect in something like a Toyota Land Cruiser. For audiophiles, the $1,995 Harmon Kardon setup is good, but the $2,150 High-Performance Audio Package (a $2k splurge) unleashes a tidal wave via a nineteen speaker symphony with an amp and subwoofer that rattles your fillings – clarity meets stupid volume.
Small things impress: the programmable Custom button (I set mine for suspension comfortable settings), intuitive climate steering wheel controls, and that satisfying click when you pull the stalk for the windscreen wash system. The optional Rear Entertainment Center (Blu-Ray/DVD player with wireless headphones) seems cool but never saw use in my US testing – kids have iPads now. It nails the sound system and drivetrain tech without overcomplicating the rear seat experience. Just maybe skip the Blu-Ray player and save for gas.
Safety
Let’s be real: strapping into this vehicular embodiment of horsepower feels borderline schizotypal, like bringing a bazooka to a bake sale. Thankfully, Jeep packed legit responsible family transportation tech to tame the beast. Standard active safety features include rock-solid seven airbags, essential run-flat tires (because blowing one at speed isn’t fun), and a crisp backup camera – crucial when parking this 11-inch-wide beast near pavement curbs. The optional Active Safety Group does the heavy lifting: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) maintains a predetermined following distance beautifully during an 600-mile round trip, especially in slower-moving traffic, while Lane Keep Assist gives a gentle nudge if you drift (usually when grinning after stomping the accelerator).
Forward Collision Warning (FCW) via the front-mounted sensor array provides peace of mind, though it occasionally mistook a trailer for doom. Active Noise Cancelling technology, using four microphones, hushes road noises, letting the premium audio shine. And the Class 4 hitch receiver (part of the Towing Package) ensures you can haul responsibly. It’s not a 7-point harness track monster, but a surprisingly sane safety suite for a performance SUV. Just try explaining the FCW alert after a spirited launch to your passenger.
Warranty and Maintenance Plan
Alright, let’s talk covering your butt. The 2017 came with Jeep’s standard warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper, plus a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty covering that glorious, thirsty engine and drivetrain. That’s comparable to rivals like BMW or Mercedes, offering decent peace of mind against unexpected failures – crucial when you’re packing this much firepower. While routine maintenance (think oil changes, filters, tires – oh boy, those P Zeros ain’t cheap) is on you, Jeep offered an optional pre-paid maintenance plan.
Honestly? For a performance beast likely driven hard, skipping the extended warranty felt like tempting fate. That first post-warranty repair bill on the adaptive suspension or Brembos could induce sticker shock rivaling the Monroney MSRP. It’s the same counterbalance to the insane fun, letting you enjoy the roar without constant financial dread. Just budget for gas… and maybe a tire fund. Reliability reports were mixed, so that warranty felt like a necessity, not a luxury.
Final Verdict
Let’s cut the ESS-ARGH-TEED: this hot-rod Grand Cherokee is pure, glorious FCA madness. That 6.4-liter V8 under the bonnet delivers horsepower that melts traffic lights and creates a legit heat haze over the engine bay. It’s shockingly practical too, handling a 2-horse trailer on a horse show weekend with confident towing grace thanks to full-time all-wheel-drive, making rivals like overpriced German labeling feel like a fistful of dollars wasted. Sure, the lifetime running costs will make your eyes water (especially fuel bills – consumption laughs at moderation), and it’s got typical FCA foibles. The Toyota 4Runner, while solid, doesn’t quite deliver the same unhinged charm.
But for the price point? Nothing else at $78k+ blends raw performance, daily refinement, legit SUV functionality, and premium features this well. It’s a sleeper Jeep hiding snarling nostrils, proving you don’t need Hellcat-endowed fury for fun. Just know your needs: it’s not a full time towing vehicle or large truck, but the ultimate high performance SUV crossover world pedigree machinery. C/D comparison tests guaranteed the grin. Budget for premium unleaded. Lots of it.
More images of the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT
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