2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 4dr SUV 4WD (6.4L 8cyl 5A)
Vehicle Type
4WD 4dr 5-passenger 4dr SUV
Base MSRP
$54,470
Options on test vehicle
Mineral Gray Metallic Clearcoat; Luxury Group II ($2,995 -- includes adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection system, forward collision warning, leather-wrapped instrument panel and center armrest, leather-wrapped upper door trim, power liftgate); SRT High-Performance Audio ($995 -- includes 825-watt Harman Kardon 19-speaker system including three subwoofers with innovative GreenEdge Technology premium SRT performance audio); Dual-Pane Panoramic Sunroof ($1,195); Trailer Tow Group IV ($300 -- includes seven- and four-pin wiring harness, Class IV receiver hitch -- deletes rear tow hook).
As-tested MSRP
$60,780
Assembly location
Detroit, Michigan
North American parts content (%)
68
Drivetrain
Configuration
Longitudinal, front-engine, all-wheel drive
Engine type
Naturally aspirated, port-injected, V8, gasoline with cylinder deactivation
Displacement (cc/cu-in)
6,424/392
Block/head material
Iron/aluminum
Valvetrain
Pushrod, two valves per cylinder
Compression ratio (x:1)
10.9
Redline, indicated (rpm)
6,200
Fuel cutoff/rev limiter (rpm)
6,400
Horsepower (hp @ rpm)
470 @ 6,000
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm)
465 @ 4,300
Fuel type
Premium unleaded (recommended)
Transmission type
Five-speed automatic with console shifter and steering-mounted paddles with sport/competition modes
Transmission ratios (x:1)
I = 3.59; II = 2.19; III = 1.41; IV = 1.00; V = 0.83; R = 3.16
Final-drive ratio (x:1)
3.70
Differential(s)
Electronic limited-slip rear differential
Chassis
Suspension, front
Independent double-wishbones, coil springs, driver-adjustable five-mode variable dampers, stabilizer bar
Suspension, rear
Independent multilink, coil springs, driver-adjustable five-mode variable dampers, stabilizer bar
Steering type
Hydraulic-assist, speed-proportional, rack-and-pinion power steering
Steering ratio (x:1)
17.5
Tire make and model
Pirelli P Zero
Tire type
Asymmetrical three-season, performance
Tire size
P295/45ZR20 (110Y)
Wheel size
20-by-10 inches front and rear
Wheel material
Forged alloy
Brakes, front
15-inch ventilated discs with six-piston fixed calipers
Brakes, rear
13.8-inch ventilated discs with four-piston fixed calipers
Track Test Results
Acceleration, 0-30 mph (sec.)
1.8
0-45 mph (sec.)
3.2
0-60 mph (sec.)
5.1
0-75 mph (sec.)
7.5
1/4-mile (sec. @ mph)
13.4 @ 101.8
0-60 with 1 foot of rollout (sec.)
4.8
0-30 mph, trac ON (sec.)
1.7
0-45 mph, trac ON (sec.)
3.4
0-60 mph, trac ON (sec.)
5.2
0-75 mph, trac ON (sec.)
7.8
1/4-mile, trac ON (sec. @ mph)
13.6 @ 100.9
0-60, trac ON with 1 foot of rollout (sec.)
4.9
Braking, 30-0 mph (ft.)
28
60-0 mph (ft.)
112
Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph)
67.2
Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) ESC ON
65.0
Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g)
0.87
Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) ESC ON
0.86
Sound level @ idle (dB)
48.0
@ Full throttle (dB)
79.2
@ 70 mph cruise (dB)
65.4
Engine speed @ 70 mph (rpm)
2,300
Test Driver Ratings & Comments
Acceleration comments
Not as quick as the last GC SRT8. Turns out, an extra 50 horsepower can't overcome an extra 500 (!) pounds. Launches hard off the line, but no wheelspin at all, even with power braking. Fairly quick, but abrupt, upshifts from the old five-speed automatic. Tall gearing. Manual shifting is via paddles or console lever (slap left for downshifts with the lever). Holds gears to rev limiter. Does not blip throttle on downshifts.
Braking comments
Slightly longer travel and not quite as firm of a pedal as expected considering these are Brembos, but really terrific stopping ability. Minimal nosedive and the Jeep tracks dead straight every time. Almost zero ABS and tire noise.
Handling comments
Skid pad: Front end feels quite ponderous around the skid pad. Understeers like crazy, and adjusting the throttle doesn't do a whole lot to counter it. Really abuses the front tires, but the grip number is pretty good considering this is a big, heavy SUV. ESC hardly intrusive, only slightly cutting throttle when switched on. Slalom: Wow, seriously impressive. Steering is intuitive, has good weighting, and in Track suspension mode the GC SRT8 just flat sticks. Body roll is very well controlled, and it almost doesn't make sense that a tall vehicle like this can get around the cones so quickly. A constant slight understeer and AWD keep everything in check, and even with ESC fully off the GC never got out of shape. ESC-on cuts some throttle and adds some brakes, but is hardly obnoxious about it.
Testing Conditions
Test date
8/9/2011
Test location
California Speedway
Elevation (ft.)
1,121
Temperature (°F)
67.0
Relative humidity (%)
72.3
Barometric pressure (in. Hg)
28.8
Wind (mph, direction)
2.56, headwind
Odometer (mi.)
3,213
Fuel used for test
91-octane gasoline
As-tested tire pressures, f/r (psi)
35/35
Fuel Consumption
EPA fuel economy (mpg)
12 city/18 highway/14 combined
Edmunds observed (mpg)
14.9 best/10.8 worst/12.2 average (over 1,044 miles)
Fuel tank capacity (U.S. gal.)
24.6
Driving range (mi.)
442.8
Audio and Advanced Technology
Stereo description
AM/FM/CD/DVD/MP3/HD 825-watt 19-speaker audio system
iPod/digital media compatibility
Standard iPod via USB jack
Satellite radio
Standard Sirius/XM with one-year subscription
Hard-drive music storage capacity (Gb)
Optional 30GB music storage with 4,250-song capacity