Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Leaves Jaguar SVR in the Dust
Previously, if you wanted a high-power SUV, you had to be willing to drop quite a bit of cash. The Range Rover SVR and Mercedes G 63 AMG both offer 570+ hp, but they each cost around $150,000. However, speed’s gotten cheaper, especially now that American automakers have gotten involved. The Dodge Durango is set to receive the Hellcat engine. The Jeep Grand Cherokee already received it; then, Hennessey tuned it to over 1000 hp. But can the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk hang with another fast-British SUV, the Jaguar F-Pace SVR? The Straight Pipes tried to find out.
Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk vs. Jaguar F-Pace SVR: performance
On paper, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is definitely quicker than the Jaguar F-Pace SVR.
The Trackhawk comes with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8, developing 707 hp and 645 lb-ft. The F-Pace SVR, meanwhile, only makes 550 hp and 502 lb-ft from a 5.0-liter supercharged V8. Although both SUVs have all-wheel/four-wheel drive and 8-speed automatics, the F-Pace simply can’t overcome the power difference. It also doesn’t have launch control.
Put it all together, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk can go 0-60 in 3.5 seconds, and it takes the F-Pace SVR 4.1 seconds. Even from a rolling start, the Trackhawk sprints ahead of the SVR.
However, straight-line speed isn’t the only measure of performance. And it’s here that the F-Pace SVR starts to claw back some ground. For one, the Trackhawk’s digital gauges tend to lag behind the engine, making manual shifts difficult. In addition, although Bowler will now help SVR tune off-roaders, the F-Pace SVR focuses more on sharper handling.
Car and Driver reports the F-Pace SVR comes with performance-tuned adaptive dampers and significantly stiffer springs. In contrast, Car and Driver reports that, beyond powertrain reinforcement, the biggest difference between the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk and SRT is slightly bigger brakes and slightly stiffer springs. As a result, The Straight Pipes note the Trackhawk tends to roll through corners, while the F-Pace SVR was more controlled and flatter.
On features
Of course, ‘performance’ is just half of ‘performance luxury SUV.’ And both of these SUVs are properly luxurious.
Both have leather interiors, comfortable heated and cooled seats, heated steering wheels, and composed rides. Motor Trend and Car and Driver praised the F-Pace SVR’s ride in particular. Even in its stiffest setting, the adaptive suspension dampened bumps and road imperfections very well.
Both SUVs also offer many standard driver-assistance features like lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. However, the Jeep Cherokee Trackhawk and Jaguar F-Pace SVR have their own pros and cons.
Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Jaguar F-Pace: luxury
Car and Driver noted the Jeep has some inconsistent panel gaps and lower-cost materials. That’s because, although the Trackhawk starts at just over $87k, it has broadly the same interior as the $35,895 Laredo E. The Jaguar F-Pace SVR, meanwhile, might be cheaper—it starts at $80,600—but the base F-Pace is about $9,300 more expensive than the cheapest Grand Cherokee. So, in many ways, the Jaguar looks and feels more upscale than the Trackhawk.
The SVR’s leather seats are quilted and better bolstered. It has real aluminum shift paddles, a clearer rear-view camera, and even a 360° one, too. Its infotainment screen is also larger (10” vs 8.4”). In addition, The Straight Pipes found the Jaguar’s lane-keeping assist more effective than the Jeep’s. Finally, although there’s no way to completely muffle a supercharged V8, the SVR has an active exhaust, to provide at least a modicum of quiet.
But the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk overshadows the F-Pace SVR in some ways. It has a noticeably larger trunk, as well as 2nd-row Blu-Ray/DVD players and built-in 4G WiFi. In addition, The Straight Pipes found the Jeep’s Uconnect infotainment system more intuitive than the Jaguar’s.
The SVR also seems to have inherited some unfortunate electronic DNA from the Range Rover: MT found the SUV’s infotainment system clunky and unresponsive, and it would often freeze up entirely. Plus, although the Jeep’s interior may have some panel gaps, The Straight Pipes’ Jaguar’s 360° camera was installed incorrectly from the factory.
Which is the better buy?
The Straight Pipes were split on which SUV they preferred. Jakub would take the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, as it left a bigger smile on his face. Yuri, though, preferred the shifting, sound, and better lane-keeping of the F-Pace SVR.
Ultimately, at this price point, choosing between the two is largely a matter of how you intend to drive. For those with curvier roads, you’ll probably prefer the Jaguar. But in terms of straight-line speed, the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk leaves it behind.
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