
The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT and Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk look similar at a glance, but they are not close when the road opens up. One is a naturally aspirated V8 performance SUV. The other is a supercharged Hellcat-powered monster built to embarrass sports cars.
The question is simple: which is faster, the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT or the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk? The answer is also simple. The Trackhawk is faster in nearly every measurable performance category, including horsepower, torque, 0 to 60 mph acceleration, quarter-mile time, and top speed.
But that does not mean the Grand Cherokee SRT is weak. Far from it. The SRT is still one of the most exciting naturally aspirated SUVs Jeep ever built, with a 6.4-liter HEMI V8, aggressive throttle response, a performance-tuned all-wheel-drive system, and the kind of sound that makes every on-ramp feel like a private drag strip.
Quick Answer: The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is faster than the Grand Cherokee SRT. The SRT uses a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 with 475 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, while the Trackhawk uses a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 with 707 horsepower and 645 lb-ft of torque. In testing, the Trackhawk can reach 60 mph in the mid-3-second range, while the SRT is typically closer to the mid-4-second range.
SRT vs Trackhawk: The Basic Difference
The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT and Trackhawk both came from the WK2-generation Grand Cherokee lineup, but they were built with different performance missions. The SRT was the high-performance V8 version for drivers who wanted a fast, powerful, naturally aspirated SUV. The Trackhawk was the extreme version, using the same general Hellcat engine family that made Dodge muscle cars famous.
The SRT feels muscular, loud, and immediate. The Trackhawk feels violent. That is the easiest way to understand the difference. The SRT is fast for an SUV. The Trackhawk is fast, period.
| Category | Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT | Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 6.4-liter HEMI V8 | Supercharged 6.2-liter V8 |
| Horsepower | 475 hp | 707 hp |
| Torque | 470 lb-ft | 645 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | Performance AWD | Performance AWD |
| Personality | Big naturally aspirated muscle SUV | Hellcat-powered super SUV |
Which Has More Horsepower?
The Trackhawk wins by a massive margin. The Grand Cherokee SRT makes 475 horsepower from its 6.4-liter HEMI V8. That is already serious output for a family-sized SUV. The Trackhawk, however, jumps to 707 horsepower from a supercharged 6.2-liter V8.
That 232-horsepower difference completely changes the character of the vehicle. In the SRT, power builds with the naturally aspirated V8’s revs. In the Trackhawk, power arrives with a hard supercharged shove that feels almost excessive for an SUV body.
| Power Metric | Grand Cherokee SRT | Grand Cherokee Trackhawk | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 475 hp | 707 hp | Trackhawk |
| Torque | 470 lb-ft | 645 lb-ft | Trackhawk |
| Forced induction | No | Yes, supercharged | Trackhawk |
MotorTrend lists the Grand Cherokee SRT at 475 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, while the Trackhawk uses a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 with 707 horsepower and 645 lb-ft of torque. MotorTrend also recorded a 3.3-second 0 to 60 mph time for the Trackhawk in testing. Source: MotorTrend
Which Is Faster From 0 to 60 MPH?
The Trackhawk is dramatically faster from 0 to 60 mph. The difference is not just horsepower. It is traction, torque, launch control, gearing, and the way the supercharged engine floods the drivetrain with power.
The Grand Cherokee SRT is quick enough to feel aggressive in daily driving. It can surprise people because it does not look like a lightweight performance car. Still, once the Trackhawk launches, the SRT cannot keep up.
| Performance Test | Grand Cherokee SRT | Grand Cherokee Trackhawk |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 60 mph | Typically mid-4-second range | Approximately 3.3 to 3.5 seconds in major tests |
| Quarter mile | Typically low-to-mid 13-second range | Factory claim around 11.6 seconds |
| Top speed | Lower than Trackhawk | Up to 180 mph factory claimed |
Car and Driver reported a 3.5-second 0 to 60 mph test result for the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, while Automobile Catalog lists factory-claimed Trackhawk performance at 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, a quarter mile in 11.6 seconds, and a top speed of 180 mph. Source: Car and Driver | Source: Automobile Catalog
Why the Trackhawk Is So Much Faster
The Trackhawk is faster because it was engineered around extreme power. Its 6.2-liter supercharged V8 delivers huge torque, and because the Grand Cherokee platform uses all-wheel drive, that power can be put down more effectively than it could in many rear-wheel-drive vehicles.
In simple terms, the SRT has a big engine. The Trackhawk has a bigger performance system. The engine, transmission calibration, all-wheel-drive tuning, cooling, brakes, suspension setup, launch control, and tires are all working together to manage Hellcat-level output.
Key reasons the Trackhawk wins
| Advantage | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Supercharger | Forces more air into the engine, helping create far more horsepower and torque. |
| 645 lb-ft of torque | Gives the Trackhawk a harder launch and stronger acceleration at speed. |
| Performance AWD | Helps the SUV put huge power to the ground instead of wasting it in wheelspin. |
| Launch control | Helps deliver repeatable, aggressive standing-start acceleration. |
| Upgraded cooling and braking | Supports repeated high-performance driving better than a standard SUV setup. |
Does the SRT Still Feel Fast?
Yes. The Grand Cherokee SRT still feels genuinely fast. A 475-horsepower SUV is not slow by any normal standard. The naturally aspirated 6.4-liter HEMI gives it instant throttle response, a deep exhaust note, and a more mechanical muscle-car feel than the Trackhawk.
Some drivers may actually prefer the SRT because it feels simpler and more traditional. There is no supercharger whine, no 707-horsepower shock factor, and no sense that the vehicle is constantly trying to overpower the road. The SRT is still dramatic, but it is more usable and less outrageous.
Best way to think about it: The Grand Cherokee SRT is the more balanced performance SUV. The Trackhawk is the one you buy when you want the fastest, wildest version possible.
Which One Sounds Better?
This is more subjective. The SRT’s 6.4-liter HEMI has a deep, old-school V8 sound. It is raw, heavy, and muscular. Because it is naturally aspirated, the engine note feels direct and traditional.
The Trackhawk adds a different layer. You still get V8 sound, but you also get supercharger whine. For some drivers, that makes the Trackhawk more exciting. For others, the SRT’s simpler HEMI soundtrack is cleaner and more satisfying.
If you want classic American V8 drama, the SRT is excellent. If you want a supercharged soundtrack that makes the SUV feel like a Hellcat in hiking boots, the Trackhawk wins.
Which One Is Better for Daily Driving?
The SRT may be the better daily driver for many people. It is still powerful, still aggressive, and still fun, but it does not carry the same fuel thirst, tire wear, brake demands, and overall intensity as the Trackhawk.
The Trackhawk is usable every day, but it is also extreme. Fuel economy is poor, maintenance can be more expensive, and insurance costs may be higher. It is a vehicle that rewards restraint, because the power is always there.
| Daily Driving Category | Better Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | SRT | Still thirsty, but less extreme than the Trackhawk. |
| Maintenance cost | SRT | Less complex than the supercharged Trackhawk. |
| Power and acceleration | Trackhawk | Far more horsepower and torque. |
| Sound | Tie | SRT has classic HEMI tone; Trackhawk adds supercharger whine. |
| Collectibility | Trackhawk | More extreme, rarer, and tied to the Hellcat era. |
Which One Is Better for Towing and Utility?
Both vehicles are still Grand Cherokees, which means they retain SUV practicality. They have real passenger space, cargo room, all-weather capability, and towing usefulness. However, most shoppers looking at an SRT or Trackhawk are not buying them only for towing. They are buying performance first.
The SRT may make more sense if you want a strong V8 SUV that can handle family duty, weekend trips, and occasional towing without the full cost and intensity of the Trackhawk. The Trackhawk is more about maximum performance with SUV practicality attached.
Which One Holds Value Better?
The Trackhawk has stronger collector appeal because it represents one of the most extreme factory SUVs ever sold by Jeep. The Hellcat-powered Jeep era created a vehicle that feels unlikely to be repeated in the same way, especially as brands continue moving toward electrification, hybrids, and smaller-displacement engines.
The SRT also has value because naturally aspirated V8 SUVs are becoming less common. However, the Trackhawk’s 707-horsepower identity gives it a more obvious enthusiast hook.
Condition, mileage, accident history, service records, ownership history, tires, brakes, and modifications matter heavily for both vehicles. A clean, stock, well-maintained SRT may be a smarter buy than a neglected Trackhawk.
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Should You Buy the SRT or the Trackhawk?
Buy the Grand Cherokee SRT if you want a loud, fast, naturally aspirated V8 SUV that feels muscular without being completely outrageous. It gives you serious performance, all-wheel-drive grip, and daily usability in a package that is easier to live with than the Trackhawk.
Buy the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk if you want the fastest version, the most horsepower, the strongest acceleration, and the biggest bragging rights. It is not subtle. It is not efficient. It is not rational in the traditional family SUV sense. That is exactly why people love it.
| You Should Choose | If You Want |
|---|---|
| Grand Cherokee SRT | A powerful naturally aspirated V8 SUV with strong performance and better everyday balance. |
| Grand Cherokee Trackhawk | The fastest, most extreme, Hellcat-powered Grand Cherokee with supercar-like acceleration. |
Final Verdict: Which Is Faster?
The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is faster than the Grand Cherokee SRT. It has more horsepower, more torque, quicker acceleration, a faster quarter-mile time, and a higher top-speed ceiling. The SRT is still a serious performance SUV, but the Trackhawk belongs in another category.
The SRT is the one for drivers who want traditional HEMI power and a more balanced performance SUV. The Trackhawk is the one for drivers who want the answer to be obvious before the race even starts.
Bottom line: SRT is fast. Trackhawk is faster. If the question is pure speed, the Trackhawk wins decisively.
SRT vs Trackhawk FAQs
Is the Trackhawk faster than the SRT?
Yes. The Trackhawk is faster than the Grand Cherokee SRT because it has a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 with 707 horsepower and 645 lb-ft of torque. The SRT has a naturally aspirated 6.4-liter V8 with 475 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque.
How fast is the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk from 0 to 60?
The Trackhawk is commonly tested in the mid-3-second range from 0 to 60 mph. Car and Driver reported 3.5 seconds, while MotorTrend recorded 3.3 seconds in testing.
How much horsepower does the Grand Cherokee SRT have?
The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT has a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 rated at 475 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque.
How much horsepower does the Trackhawk have?
The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk has a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 rated at 707 horsepower and 645 lb-ft of torque.
Is the SRT better than the Trackhawk for daily driving?
For many drivers, yes. The SRT is still powerful and exciting, but it is less extreme than the Trackhawk. The Trackhawk is faster, but it can also cost more to fuel, maintain, insure, and own.
Is the Trackhawk collectible?
The Trackhawk has strong enthusiast appeal because it combines Jeep SUV practicality with a Hellcat-derived supercharged V8. Clean, low-mileage, unmodified examples are especially desirable among performance SUV shoppers.
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Sources: Performance figures were cross-checked using MotorTrend, Car and Driver, and Automobile Catalog data for the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT and Trackhawk. Always verify exact specifications by model year, trim, condition, and vehicle history before purchase.


