Jeep Grand Cherokee is with us very long time, and we are thankful for it. What’s more interesting is that Jeep is doing everything it can to keep it in our lives as long as possible. They keep updating and refreshing it until its replacement officially comes out. This is something that is applied to the range topping monster the Grand Cherokee SRT but what is even greater is that they tend to keep the updates on the outside, not touching the engine department. Thank you Jeep!
The SRT trim of the 2017 Grand Cherokee feels somehow more forced than before, and it somehow lost its soul. Although it received a front end rejuvenation which includes new front fascia, new grille, and fog lamps, it is somehow less distinct than before, and it all starts with the toning down of the Jeep’s iconic grill that now looks like a very skinny dark graphic which joins two dark headlights. The lower intakes on the bumper are bigger and now resemble a lot to those found on the Dodge Charger SRT. Don’t get me wrong the air intake on the Dodge Charger SRT’s front bumper is looking very good but we have grown accustomed to Jeeps rugged and macho look. Now we have to think about something else; it is possible that designers didn’t do this on purpose as they had to do it to maintain SRT identity or simply to allow more air into the beast of the drivetrain. Nevertheless, the Jeep is not less a Jeep because of this, it’s just a small objection.
See also: 2018 Jeep Compass
Apparently, we can say whatever we want, all of this remains as a part of Grand Cherokees refreshed model lineup for 2017 including the rugged Trailhawk and the Summit model. What is a good news and a light at the end of the tunnel is that the engine is left unchanged. The 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with all of its magnificent 475 HP and 470 lb-ft of torque is left untouched. The drivetrain is paired up with and eight-speed automatic transmission that has a total of eight drive modes: Auto, Sport, Track, Snow, Tow, Custom, Eco, and Valet. What is still the good thing is that it also remains the only SRT model that delivers all of its power to all four corners of the car. This isn’t done easily, and the systems that are supposed to help driver are launch control which optimizes the engine, transmission, driveline, stability control, and suspension calibrations for controlled hole shots.
Opinions on the side, we are convinced that the look isn’t everything, the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT is very likely as fun as it has always been with an option of increasing that fun. In 2018 Hellcat edition is announced, and it will be using SRT’s supercharged Hemi V8, only, this time, it will be able to push out 707 HP. It will be offered under the name Trackhawk, and it is possible that it will be the most powerful SUV ever produced. Expect it to appear sometime next July.
