2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

Beautiful and sporty, the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is the single best SUV for the money.

They have a string of DNA that can magically sense a vehicle's exact limit. They understand how fast, really, how fast a car can go through a corner before the tires can no longer hold it on the track. They see speed, hear vehicle dynamics and feel decreasing radius turns, knowing exactly when to push through the apex and gun the gas.

My genes are programmed differently. That might explain why I lifted my foot off the accelerator when the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8's speedometer read 118 mph on the straightaway with a hard left turn rapidly approaching.

There was still more space, more gears and more power bursting out of the 470-horsepower 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 before I reached the orange cones, clearly marking when I would need to mash my foot against the brake pedal and activate those high performance Brembo brakes. Ignore them and fiery death surely awaits. It was genetically impossible for me to keep the accelerator pressed down.

Whether by instinct or DNA programming, the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 will test your body's desire for self-preservation. And if you buy an SRT, the new Chrysler Group LLC brand that stands for Street and Racing Technology, you will earn a day of professional track training from the Richard Petty Driving Experience.

It's big and beefy and defies everything a person might think about an SUV. It's quick, it's nimble, it's mind-blowing powerful, it's track ready and daily driver worthy.

It will make passengers squeak in their Nappa leather and suede sculpted seats with that mix of joy and fear as it transforms from SUV to funny car, ripping up the road, spitting it out and leaving everyone in a trail of exhaust coming out of those beautiful 4-inch twin exhaust tips.

The only thing this Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 shares with the previous generation is the name. Everything else is better. Gloriously faster, stronger and all around funner.

See, it even inspires fake words.

The hot rod SUV

First, the new Grand Cherokee SRT8 looks the part of a hot rod SUV. The double heat extractors on the hood remind me of a bull ready to charge. The war stripes of LED daytime running lights on the front tell those approaching to use caution.

The one-piece rear section also denotes the vehicle's power, and a clever plastic piece sits over an optional towing packaging, providing up to 5,000 pounds of towing. (The previous model included a single large exhaust tip in the center, eliminating a hitch.)

Overall, the Grand Cherokee SRT8 uses most of the same body parts as the regular Grand Cherokee, which was named last year's Detroit News Truck of the Year. But it sits 1 inch lower than the more traditional model.

Comfort not sacrificed

Inside the Grand Cherokee SRT8 is an interior just as plush and well-laid out as the Grand Cherokee. The previous model touted a "racing inspired" interior, code for "we don't have any money for the interior."

This time, comfort is not sacrificed at any point. What's the fun of going 160 mph — its top speed — if you can't listen to music through all 19 speakers?

Carbon fiber trim pieces add to the cabin's elegant look. There are even SRT exclusive Performance Pages available through the navigation screen. They give you all of that cool racing information — such as 0-60 times, braking distance and other engine information. What's the point of going really fast if you can't brag about it later?

The Grand Cherokee SRT8 is understated bravado from every angle. It can drive calmly along a mountain road, its stiff body and firm steering allowing it to go through curve after curve without the slightest driver adjustment. The new underpinnings make any driver confident.

Then there's the Select-Track system. The driver selects the driving environment and then the active dampening system does the rest. But the system does more than adjust the shocks. It controls wheel spin if you're in snow, for example, as well as manages the amount of torque sent to each axle. It also controls throttle input, the electronic limited slip differential, stability control and even cylinder deactivation. All of these things play a role in a vehicle's dynamics and make you do things in this vehicle that will make your genes scream.

Quiet not sacrificed

And you'll be able to hear them, too. Despite having all of that power and torque, this SUV remains remarkably quiet when you're on the road. Many performance cars tend to bump you around with their tightly wound suspension and overly stiff body. They also tend to be noisy inside.

During my testing, which included driving it on the track as well as driving in much more normal conditions in Detroit, I found it extremely quiet and comfortable.

Even the fuel deactivation system will surprise you. The system turns off four cylinders whenever they're not needed to help it get better gas mileage. A little "eco" lights up on the speedometer when the cylinders are not in use.

While "eco" labeled lights have become a feature on nearly every new vehicle, I have never driven one 124 mph and seen that light come on. The SRT8 provided that first for me as well.

Gas mileage respectable

Government regulators say this SUV will get 12 mpg city and 18 mpg highway, which is on par with I got. In a solid mix of driving, I averaged 15.8 mpg — certainly not great, but for the amount of power it possesses, that's respectable.

Obviously, this vehicle is not for everyone. It starts at $54,470 and has race car grit. Some people just won't like that. But if you're looking to compare it to similar SUVs, good luck finding anything for that price. Dollar for dollar, it's single best SUV built today.

This car makes you feel like maybe you were born to go fast, even if you lift your foot off the accelerator pedal from time to time.