The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offers big performance no matter the model, from a stalwart base V-6 to a hilarious supercharged V-8. We give it 7 out of 10 with a nod to its ride and handling, and to its off-road capability. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
The Grand Cherokee offers five engine options—four gasoline and one diesel, all of which are powerful and capable to various degrees. The base 3.6-liter V-6 is a tried-and-true power plant that makes 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque through rear-wheel drive and a smooth 8-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available on the V-6 and standard on all V-8 powered models.
That’s plenty of power for daily use, but those who need or want more grunt will go for the optional 5.7-liter V-8 with 360 hp and the ability to tow up to 7,200 pounds. A 3.0-liter turbodiesel V-6 is also available, and while not particularly popular, torque sits at a healthy 420 lb-ft and towing capacity is 200 pounds greater than the V-8. With better fuel economy too, it’s a hidden gem.
While the garden-variety Grand Cherokees are plenty powerful and capable, the performance-oriented models steal the show. Fiat-Chrysler’s SRT division shoehorned a 6.4-liter V-8 into the SRT model, pushing out 475 horsepower and moving the Grand Cherokee to 60 mph in under 5 seconds.
As if that wasn’t enough, the Trackhawk model borrows the insane supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 from the Dodge Challenger and Charger SRT Hellcat models for 707 horsepower of fury, making the 4×4 Grand Cherokee capable of 60 mpg in just 3.5 seconds and a quarter mile run of 11.6 seconds. Those numbers make it one of the fastest SUVs in the world, but as fun as it is, a price tag of over $100,000 fully loaded hardly seems worth it for a Jeep.
We’d be remiss not to mention the capable Trailhawk model, which adds off-road suspension, grippier tires, and an all-wheel-drive system that can send nearly 100-percent of power rearward towards an electronic limited slip differential. This system is also available on Limited, Overland and Summit models, and it’s plenty capable regardless of trim.
Off-road, ride and handling
Jeep sells the Grand Cherokee with four different four-wheel-drive systems. The base Quadra-Trac I setup has a 50/50 power split and a locking center differential, but no low-range gearing. Quadra-Trac II comes on upper trims and has a low-speed transfer case and hill-descent control; it can move almost all its power to the rear, and can couple with an electronic rear limited-slip rear differential for even better traction. A terrain selection system pairs with Quadra-Trac II and a Quadra-Drive II system to give the driver control over traction modes that include Sand, Mud, Snow, Rock, and Auto modes. Even with the base setup and a proper set of tires, the Grand Cherokee can tackle far tougher terrain than it’s usually asked. We’ve scrambled through sand and over slick rocks in the Grand Cherokee without fail.
It’s impressive that, in spite of that ability, the Grand Cherokee can also steer and ride as well as it does. Thanks to unibody construction and a well-designed independent suspension, the Jeep remains calm on road, without the trucklike bounding of a body-on-frame SUV. For the ultimate performance, Jeep’s Quadra-Lift air suspension can raise ride height from 6.4 to 11.3 inches, or lower it slightly for better fuel economy. That comes in handy on the track, too, where Grand Cherokees with 707-hp V-8 engines do an incredible imitation of Porsche and Mercedes-AMG and BMW M SUVs, with stellar grip and acceleration.
Review continues below