2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 (Short Take) | Buyer Guide
An SUV That Thinks It’s A Supercar
If you are looking for a fuel-efficient SUV, try reading one of my other reviews. The SRT8 only gets between 11 and 14 mpg. However, if you’re seeking a sport-ute with supercar ambitions, read on. The Grand Cherokee SRT8 has power coming out its ears.
Chrysler, Jeep’s parent company, equips the SRT8 with a humungous 6.1-liter, V-8 that pumps out 420 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque. Hit the accelerator, and the big Hemi, teamed with a five-speed automatic, will whisk you to 60 in under 5 seconds. That’s no mean feat, considering the SRT8 weighs over 4800 lbs. In the process, the V-8 emits a very pleasing throaty rumble.
But the SRT8 has more to offer than just straight-line acceleration—Chrysler equips it with a sport suspension. I was impressed with how flat this tall and heavy SUV cornered. I wouldn’t go so far as to call the SRT8 nimble, but it felt sure-footed. Press it into a turn and it would take a set, and hang right in there, much like a Porsche Cayenne. However, the SRT8 delivers a rock-hard ride. The first time I drove over a speed bump in a parking lot, I thought my head was going to bounce off the roof.
The SRT8, as well as the rest of the Grand Cherokee lineup, got a facelift for 2008. Both the nose and the tail area have been reworked. Yet, the distinctive Grand Cherokee look remains intact. The SRT8 stands out from the rest of its stablemates with massive 20-inch chrome wheels and huge four-inch tailpipes.
Base price for the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is $41,420.
Snapshot Review
Massive power
Surprisingly Good handling
Harsh Ride
