2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, Flash Drive Car Review

What is it?

Jeep's pavement-pounding 2012 Grand Cherokee SRT8 returns to the fold for the 2012 model year packing a new engine, improved ride quality and towing capabilities. A 6.4-liter Hemi V8 sets up shop under the sculpted hood with dual vents to produce 470 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque for an improvement of 50 hp and 45 lb-ft of torque over the previous 6.1-liter mill. Efficiency is also up thanks to an active valve exhaust system, which allows the big Hemi to operate in four-cylinder mode across a wider rpm range. The result, according to Jeep, is a 13-percent increase of fuel economy on the highway and a range of up to 450 miles on one tank of fuel.

The only transmission offered is a five-speed automatic with manual-shift mode via the steering-wheel-mounted paddles or center console shifter.

photo : 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, autoweek.com

Ride and handling improvements come courtesy of the body's 146-percent increase in torsional stiffness and a standard adaptive damping suspension, which is controlled by the SRT8's new Selec-Track system. With five different settings (auto, sport, tow, track and snow), the system adjusts stability control, damping, transmission shifts, torque proportioning, throttle response and electronic limited-slip differential for optimal performance according to conditions.

All of the handling improvements, together with beefier 295/45ZR-20 Pirelli PZero tires (up from the previous staggered 255/45R-20 front, 285/40R-20 rear Goodyear Eagle RSA), have Jeep calling the 2012 Grand Cherokee SRT8 its best-handling vehicle to date, capable of pulling 0.90 g on the skidpad.

To put the clamps on everything, Brembo brakes are employed with six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers.

Visually, the SRT8 sets itself part from lower Grand Cherokee models with a one-piece front fascia with LED daytime running lights, a body-colored grille with black mesh backing, sculpted hood with dual vents, body-color wheel flares and rear spoiler. The cabin has a leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel with a flat bottom, deeply bolstered leather seats with suede inserts and carbon-fiber accent trim. A dual-pane sunroof is available as an option.

What is it like to drive?

It's a real eye-opener. Along our drive route on the twisting roads that make up the Angeles Crest Highway in California, the Grand Cherokee SRT8 hustled around like no 5,150 pound SUV should. With Selec-Track set to auto, the ride stayed compliant over poor pavement, which is a welcome change to the first-generation car's jarring ride quality from the stiff, non-adjustable suspension. It's by no means a luxury sedan-like ride, but more than livable for daily driving. While cruising, the new car isn't loud or obnoxious, but when you drop the hammer, the exhaust emits a wonderful bellow and thrust is forceful. The rareness from the old car is lost, which may upset some, but the new level of refinement will help the SRT8 appeal to a broader audience.

We also enjoyed some hot laps around Willow Springs Raceway in Rosamond, Calif., where the Grand Cherokee SRT8 surprised us once again when we slotted Selc-Track into race mode. In particular, the grip and speeds the Jeep was capable of achieving through the turn eight and turn nine rights leading onto the front straight make you chuckle. The Brembo brakes also shined easily scrubbing off 20 mph with a quick, forceful jab of the brake pedal. We also have to commend the automatic gearbox's upshifts in manual mode, which were quick enough, but do have to complain about the transmission's lack of rev matching for downshifts. Without that feature, downshifts are violent. When asked, product specialists say the five-speed automatic gearbox isn't capable of providing rev matches.

Another small complaint involves the steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters which are too small, causing you to easily slip off of them and tap the radio controls on the rear of the steering wheel instead.

Do I want it?

If you were a fan of the first Grand Cherokee SRT8, but couldn't get past the punishing ride and cheap interior, then yes. The new car's interior is much better with nicer materials, upgraded sound deadening and is comfortable with the heavily bolstered SRT front bucket seats. And the ride with the adaptive damping system provides a comfortable ride on the street and can stiffen things up if you hit the track. Or if you required your hot-rod SUV to tow, which the old car couldn't do because of the center exhaust outlets, the new car does away with the stylish center exhaust and is rated to pull up to 5,000 pounds.

It's also an affordable alternative to the more expensive performance SUVs on the market, such as the Porsche Cayenne. With a base price of $54,470 before gas guzzler taxes and destination costs (those are still be finalized), it comes in cheaper than a Cayenne S with only 400 hp and well under the 500-hp Cayenne Turbo.