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2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 Road & Track Test

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Khatir Soltani
The World's Quickest SUV?

Talk all you want about BMW's X5 4.8si, Mercedes-Benz's ML55 AMG, Porsche's Cayenne Turbo, Volkswagen Touareg V12, or the
At 0 to 100 km/h in under 5 seconds, only Porsche's new Cayenne Turbo S can keep up with Jeep's new Grand Cherokee SRT8. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)
all-new Land Rover Sport Supercharged, because the only one that would be left standing after a head-to-head acceleration duel would be one not yet mentioned, the relatively low-priced Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8.

Am I serious? An SUV best known for scaling the Rubicon Trail can slay the best of the crossover 'utes on the track? It's true, and in some cases by a long shot. Take the new fully-blown 390-horsepower Land Rover Sport, which after dropping $93,800 can only managed 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds. What about Mercedes' mighty ML55? Well, M-B hasn't massaged the all-new model with an AMG upgrade yet, but the old one managed the 100 km/h feat in only 6.4 seconds while the new ML500 comes close to the mark with an impressive 6.9 seconds. BMW's X5 4.8si manages a rather impressive 6.1 seconds to 100, while Volkswagen's seemingly omnipotent 450-horsepower Touareg W12 overcomes 100 km/h in only 5.9 seconds - how stimulating despite not being
The labour-class 420-hp Grand Cherokee SRT8 features 90 horsepower more than the already potent 5.7-litre HEMI-equipped Jeep Grand Cherokee, a 27 percent higher output level. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)
available in North America. And what about Porsche's turbocharged variant? The Cayenne sweeps past the marker in, whoa, a stunning 5.3 seconds when the Tequipment package is added on, upping the price to $161,390 when fully optioned - if that's possible in a Porsche. But wait a minute? News just in (at least at time of writing), a new, slightly more affordable $157,000 ($111,600 USD) Cayenne Turbo S, just introduced at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show sees 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds... no doubt a direct response to being beaten by the comparably labour-class 420-horsepower Grand Cherokee SRT8 - which just happens to feature 90 additional horsepower, a 27 percent higher output level than the already potent 5.7-litre HEMI-equipped Jeep Grand Cherokee. That's right, the domestic super-SUV manages the feat in "less than five seconds"; all Jeep is willing to admit. Up until the LA auto show, it was the clear winner by an estimated 0.4 seconds, which is a long shot in acceleration tests. Now, at least, the SRT8 has a worthy competitor, but at a price.
Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
As a car enthusiast, he tests and compares vehicles from different categories through the eyes of the consumer, ensuring relevant and objective reviews.
  • Over 6 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada