First drive: 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 in the UAE
We are currently living in the age of the super-SUV, a crazy new market niche that’s populated by 4x4s that suck offroad, but can chase down sports cars in the straights and, with enough balls, even around corners. And the current poster-child of this unfathomable fad at the moment is none other than the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, the most affordable of this expensive lot that’s otherwise dominated by the Germans. We drove the 2014 iteration of the Jeep SRT8 at the launch of the updated Grand Cherokee range in Dubai recently. Apparently it’ll only go by “Grand Cherokee SRT” now, dropping the “8” at the end.
External changes to the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee range are minimal at best, and the wide-fendered SRT8 is no different — a slightly-reshaped grille piece, headlights and bumper up front, with redone rear lamps and tailgate, with a selection of new wheels, and you’re done. Most noticeable would be the cool new LED running lamps integrated within the HID headlights, but that’s standard on even the basic Grand Cherokee now.
Inside the muscular SRT, the cabin looks very similar to a top-spec Grand Cherokee, with its common 8.4-inch touchscreen and its stitched-leather dashboard, with the only differences being the faux carbon-fibre style trim, the slightly-meatier steering wheel and the beefy sports seats up front. There is enough overall space for adults of most sizes.
Still powered by a 6.4-litre V8 that makes 470 hp, there really wasn’t any need to increase the juice, especially with 630 Nm of torque on tap via all-wheel-drive and an all-new 8-speed automatic, shifted via an electronic knobby-shaped thing now.
The new automatic features two modes — Drive and Sport — which alter the transmission’s characteristics independently from the vehicle’s five “Selec-Track” driving modes — Auto, Sport, Tow, Snow, and Track. Torque distribution in the five modes ranges from 50:50 to 30:70, the latter in Track mode.
The Jeep SRT is one gut-kicker of an SUV, although the power delivery is linear as the revs build up, different from what one would feel with a turbocharged engine where all the juice is dumped on the road early. The smooth unconfused 8-speed will supposedly improve acceleration and fuel economy, but not by much compared to the old 5-speed.
Surprisingly, the ride is very compliant, with only a hint of firmness that’s no worse than the average big-rimmed BMW X5. Wind and road noise never go beyond moderate levels at 140 kph, but the engine’s subdued hum will always be audible.
Handling is very stable, even on gravel, although we didn’t push it too hard on account of there being three other passengers and their luggage to worry about, on the way back from the overnight launch event at Al Maha Desert Resort. The firm steering offers a fair bit of feedback, while the big brakes are quick and linear in response.
In short, the 2014 Grand Cherokee SRT appears to continue being a very capable super-SUV, with the upgrades only making it better. It still won’t win any drag races with the likes of the Germans, but then again, it costs half as much, and nobody lives on a drag-strip. It’s built for the daily drive, scaring lesser sports cars.
Comments
Faisal Khatib
The subtle changes makes it look meaner. I like it!!
Speed
Mash,
Do you have any experience with the Charger SRT8 it suppose to have the same engine
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
Nope, never drove it.
Rojy
Did you drive the normal Jeep Grand Cherokee with V6? If yes Please give your impressions.
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
Didn’t get a chance yet. Drove the 2011. I feel it’s a bit slow, but adequate.
Syed
Dear Mash
I have been following your website from long time and made my decisions based on your reviews and iam very happy with it.
Now I need your valuable advice on the following:
I have Audi Q7 2009 and want to move to Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland.
Is it good a good move?
How is the driving impressions and ride quality compared to Q7?
Appreciate your feedback
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
Separate Overland review coming soon. But the Jeep isn’t as refined as, say, a VW Touareg (banned from Audi, never drove Q7), but that’s because the GC is a proper offroader. So test-drive one before buying. I like it for what it is.
Rebecca
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury, excellent review of a terrific new Jeep. I think the Jeep is closer to winning some of those drag races against the Germans than you think, though. I personally clocked a 4.3 second 0-97km/h(0-60MPH), 1/4 mile in 12.9 at 105MPH when I drove the vehicle at the COTA track in Texas back in February before moving to Riyadh this month. The BMW X5M came in slightly faster at 4.0 seconds in separate tests but the GC can certainly hold its own against the Germans – and who knows maybe win one of those drag races one day!
eltel
Does anyone know when the 2014 models will be launched in Qatar?
ziraj
I’m a major fan of the grand cherokee!!just love the new looks and the SRT…Mash pls pls do the review for the JGC overland/summit..i have been just waiting for your review!
Sting316
Does any other car steering wheel has these many buttons ??? I love it anyway.
Afif
Dodge Durango 🙂 – children from same family!
Syed
Dear Mash
Thank you very much for your valuable feedback.
I will be eagerly waiting for your GC Overland review.
Haytham
Really looking forward to get GC 2014 Summit but many people complain about GC reliability in general which makes Prado a strong rival imho.
WX
Hello,
GC is a great SUV, no doubt, I had a Ltd. HEMI 5.7 2011 model (sold it in March 2013). but the price tag has gone way higher than 2011-2013 models. Here it is:
> GC Laredo 3.6L: AED 159900
> GC Ltd 3.6L Std: AED 174900
> GC Ltd 3.6L Plus: AED 179900
> GC Ltd 5.7L: 189900
> GC Overland 5.7L: AED 209900
> GC Summit 5.7L: AED 224900
> GC SRT 6.4L: N/A (est. AED 260900 – 270900)
All come with 5yrs manufacturer warranty or 100kkm. The price list is from Al Futtaim Enterprises (Jeep distributor in Dubai)
thanks 😉
Anil
The SRT was being offered for AED 220,000 in a promotion which I saw in the newspaper few days back.
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
^That’s the old one. The new one isn’t out here yet.
Mohamed
hey guys
dose any one knows if the 2014 GC SRT comes with the Quadra lift as in the normal GC and to be specifec i mean the Manuel control to raise or decrease the vichele
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
Nope, since it doesn’t go offroad.
Jimbo
So if the 2014 is about AED 260k and the 2013 is being sold for about AED 220k – is the 2014 worth the extra? What do you think?
Moh'd
Yes it is worth it… the ZF 8-speed transmission is much better than the 5-speed auto found on the 2013.
fahmi
In my opinion no, it does not worth the extra. Jeep people in dubai are becoming too greedy.
Ali
The only thing I hate about this is the shape…. The boxy shape made it look more like a Jeep.
SRT
GC SRT 6.4L 289,000 AED
usama hamad
do srt8 jeep have quadra lift air suspension jeep?
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
nope.
Isaac Koshy
JEEP SRT 2013: 199,900 dhs
JEEP SRT 2014: 289,900 dhs
That’s a huge difference, isnt it ? Would you say 2013 is a great buy, especially if one is looking at a 3 year time-span to sell this car ?
Praneeth
Hey!
My dad wants to buy this, but he heard that the new 2014 3.6L V6 has some AC problems… He heard that the AC is not suited for Dubai’s weather.
Please tell me if it’s true
Rami Ali
Hi Praneeth,
I tried the Summit, the Overland V8 and the Limited V6 all in 2014 models, for a test drive this summer in July and I think the AC of all of them is quiet powerful. I guess the SRT has a he same AC. But I think it also depends on you. I was driving German cars GCC spec and I’ve never had an AC problem.