The spooky thing about the 475-horsepower Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT is not its deep rumble from the twin pipes in back. Nor is it the 4.8-second sprint to 60-mph and a 0-30-mph pace to rival a 911 Turbo.
Not even the heavily upgraded exterior and loaded, sport-seat-equipped cabin.
Nope, the thing that really sticks with you after driving the Grand Cherokee SRT is that it changes direction like a shark on the hunt. This is a machine that will seriously pivot and dive toward corners like a track car. The steering has a real biting precision that lets you point the SRT GC at an apex, floor the throttle and muscle through corners with perfect racing lines.
The combination of Jeep’s advanced 4×4 system and a major chassis overhaul means the SRT GC turns on a dime, stops like a brick wall, and has almost endless grip around bends.
The 20-inch wheels (three styles available) hide giant Brembo brakes with Rain Brake Support and even Ready Alert Braking. Both systems make sure that the clamps are ready to hammer closed in milliseconds — slowing the rocket-propelled SRT Jeep like it just dropped a boat anchor out back.
Overall, the huge power and grip makes the SRT Grand Cherokee feel like more of a sports-car than even the softly-sprung Hellcats. The SRT Jeep also has more precise steering than the Charger and Challengers. All in, the Jeep would likely match the Hellcat fast laptimes despite being down 232-horsepower. (707 plays 475)
Yes, the SRT Jeep might be shaped like a brick aerodynamically, but the grip and chassis precision feel far superior to the Hellcats. It is true.
On a less rainy day and perhaps with an expert at the wheel of the Hellcats, they would start pulling away from the Jeep above 100-mph. But with a normal driver and literally any weather scenario, the SRT Jeep will smash past its Hellcat siblings on three parts of a road or track:
— sweeping corners
— initial 0-30-mph launches
— hard and fast corners
The flipside of the SRT Jeep’s incredible handling precision is a seriously firm ride, but that is par for the course among the Cayenne Turbo, Range Rover SVR and BMW X5M competitors to the Jeep.
The SRT Grand Cherokee is available now with a base price of $65,000. We’d vote for the $1,500 Laguna tan leather option versus the suede coming standard, plus the $2,100 moonroof and $1000 spider alloys.
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Review
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- Model HighLights
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- Key Features
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- Additional Key Features
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- Rain Brake Support
- Ready Alert Braking
- Trailer Sway Damping
- Supplemental Side-Curtain Airbags
- Driver Inflatable Knee-Bolster Airbag
- Supplemental Front Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
- Supplemental Side-Curtain Front and Rear Airbags
- Keyless Enter-N-Go(TM)
- Remote Proximity Keyless Entry
- Remote Keyless Entry
- Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature Control
- Removable / Rechargable Interior Light
- Automatic Headlamps
- Hill Start Assist
- Luxury Front / Rear Floor Mats with Logo
- Cargo Compartment Cover
- Driver’s Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirror
- Polished Dual Exhaust Tips
- Heated Steering Wheel
- ParkView(TM) Rear Back-Up Camera
- Under Seat Lighting
- Power Liftgate
- Exterior Mirrors with Turn Signals
- Heated Exterior Mirrors
- Trailer Tow Group IV
- Rain Sensitive Windshield Wipers
- Adaptive Bi-Xenon HID Headlamps
- Automatic High Beam Headlamp Control
- Forward Collision Warning with Stop
- Power Tilt / Telescope Steering Column
- ParkSense® Front / Rear Park Assist System
- Blind Spot and Cross Path Detection
- Dedicated Daytime Running Headlamps
- Black Grille
- Body-Color Fascia with Polished Insert
- SRT® Brushed Aluminum Pedals
- Driver and Passenger Lower LED Lamps
- Electronic Rear Limited-Slip Differential
- Active Noise Control System
- Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop
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- Engine/Transmission
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- SRT® 6.4-Liter HEMI® V8 Engine
- 8-Speed Paddle-Shift Automatic Transmission
- Quadra-Trac® Active On Demand 4WD
- Electronic Rear Limited-Slip Differential
- 4-Wheel Traction Control
- Electronic Stability Control
- Selec-Track System
- High Speed Engine Controller
- Multimedia
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- Uconnect® 8.4AN AM/FM/SXM/HD/BT/NAV
- 8.4-Inch Touchscreen Display
- Uconnect® Voice Command with Bluetooth®
- SiriusXM Satellite Radio w/ 1-Yr Radio Subscription
- 9 Amplified Speakers with Subwoofer
- 506-Watt Amplifier
- Remote SD Card Slot
- Remote USB Port
- Steering Wheel Mounted Audio Controls
- Dual USB Port – Charge-Only
- Uconnect® Access
- SiriusXM Traffic(TM) / 5-Year Traffic Service
- Seating
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- Leather Seats with Perforated Ultra Suede
- Heated Front Seats
- Ventilated Front Seats
- Heated Second-Row Seats
- 8-Way Power Driver / Passenger Seats with Memory
- Driver / Passenger Power 4-Way Lumbar Adjust
- Memory Driver Seat, Mirror and Radio
- 60 / 40 Split Rear Folding Seat
- Wheels/Tires
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- 20-Inch x 10-Inch Polished 5-Spoke Wheels
- 295/45ZR20 BSW All Season Tires
- Run Flat Tires
- Tire Pressure Monitoring Display
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- EPA est. MPG
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- 13 city/19 hwy
- Interior & Exterior
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- Additional Features
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- “Grand Cherokee” Badge
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- “Jeep” Badge
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- 1-Year SiriusXM Radio Service
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- 1-Year SiriusXM Traffic(TM) Service
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- 1-Year SiriusXM Travel Link Service
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- 115-Volt Auxiliary Power Outlet
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- 12-Volt Auxiliary Power Outlet
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- 12-Volt Auxiliary Rear Power Outlet
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- 180-MPH Primary Speedometer
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- 220-Amp Alternator
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- 24.6-Gallon Fuel Tank
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- 4-Wheel Traction Control
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- 60 / 40 Split Rear Folding Seat
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- 7-Inch LCD Instrument Cluster with Tachometer
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- 700-Amp Maintenance Free Battery
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- Active Damping Suspension
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- Active Head Restraints
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- Active Noise Control System
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- Adaptive Bi-Xenon HID Headlamps
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- Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop
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- Advanced Brake Assist
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- Air Filtering
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- Automatic Headlamp Leveling System
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- Automatic Headlamps
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- Automatic High Beam Headlamp Control
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- Bilstein® Active Suspension
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- Black Grille
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- Black Roof Molding
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- Blind Spot and Cross Path Detection
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- Body-Color Door Handles
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- Body-Color Fascia with Polished Insert
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- Body-Color Shark Fin Antenna
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- Body-Color Sill Extension
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- Brembo® High-Performance Anti-Lock Brakes
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- Capless Fuel Fill
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- Cargo Compartment Cover
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- Cargo Tie Down Loops
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- Cargo Trim Panel with Storage Net
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- Conventional Front-Axle Differential
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- Dedicated Daytime Running Headlamps
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- Delete Spare Tire
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- Driver / Passenger Power 4-Way Lumbar Adjust
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- Driver and Passenger Lower LED Lamps
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- Dual Note Electric Horns
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- Electronic Rear Limited-Slip Differential
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- Electronic Stability Control
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- Electronic Vehicle Information Center
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- Engine Oil Cooler
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- Enhanced Accident Response System
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- Exterior Temperature and Compass Display
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- Floor Carpet
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- For Details, Visit www.DriveUconnect.com
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- For More Information, Call 800-643-2112
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- Forward Collision Warning with Stop
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- Front and Rear Interior LED Lamps
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- Front Fascias Parts Module
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- Front Passenger Seat Belt Alert
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- Front Suspension Damper Parts Module
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- Full-Length Floor Console
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- Glove Box Lamp
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- GPS Antenna Input
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- GPS Navigation
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- Headlamp Washer
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- Headliner Parts Module
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- Heated Steering Wheel
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- Heavy Duty Engine Cooling
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- High Speed Engine Controller
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- Hill Start Assist
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- Hood Insulation
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- Illuminated Cup Holders
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- Illuminated Entry
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- Instrument Cluster with Performance Display Screen
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- Integrated Liftgate Rear Spoiler
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- Keyless Enter-N-Go(TM)
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- Leather-Wrapped Instrument Panel and Center Armrest
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- Leather-Wrapped Shift Knob
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- Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
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- Leather-Wrapped Upper Door Trim
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- LED Tail Lamps
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- Luxury Front / Rear Floor Mats with Logo
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- Memory Driver Seat, Mirror and Radio
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- Non-Adjustable Pedals
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- Overhead Console
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- ParkSense® Front / Rear Park Assist System
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- ParkView(TM) Rear Back-Up Camera
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- Passenger Assist Handles
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- Performance Tuned Steering
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- Pirelli Brand Tires
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- Polished Day-Light Opening Moldings
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- Polished Dual Exhaust Tips
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- Polished License Plate Brow
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- Power Accessory Delay
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- Power Liftgate
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- Power Locking Fuel Filler Door
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- Power Tilt / Telescope Steering Column
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- Premium Fog Lamps
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- Premium Full-Length Floor Console Armrest
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- Premium Insulation Group
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- Protective Coating and Remover
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- Rain Brake Support
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- Rain Sensitive Windshield Wipers
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- Ready Alert Braking
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- Rear Fascias Parts Module
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- Rear Window Defroster
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- Rear Window Wiper / Washer
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- Remote Keyless Entry
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- Remote Proximity Keyless Entry
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- Remote Start System
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- Removable / Rechargable Interior Light
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- Run Flat Tires
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- Seat Parts Module
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- Security Alarm
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- Selec-Track System
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- Sentry Key® Theft Deterrent System
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- Single Exhaust with Bright Tip
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- SiriusXM Satellite Radio w/ 1-Yr Radio Subscription
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- SiriusXM Traffic(TM) / 5-Year Traffic Service
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- SiriusXM Travel Link(TM) / 5-Year Subscription
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- Sport Mode
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- SRT® Brushed Aluminum Pedals
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- SRT® Rear Decklid Badge
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- SRT® Track Experience – Register at driveSRT.com
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- Steering Wheel Mounted Shift Levers
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- Sun Visors with Illuminated Vanity Mirrors
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- Tinted Front Door Glass
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- Tip Start
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- Tire Pressure Monitoring Display
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- Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensor
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- Trailer Sway Damping
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- Uconnect® Access 1-Year Trial (Reg Required)
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- Under Seat Lighting
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- Universal Garage Door Opener
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- Ventilated Front Seats
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- Climate Control Options
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- Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature Control
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- Exterior Paint Procedures
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- Monotone Paint
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- Glass
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- Acoustic Laminated Front Door Glass
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- Deep Tint Sunscreen Glass
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- Tinted Windshield Glass
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- GVWR Packages
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- GVW Rating – 6,500 Pounds
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- Mirrors
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- Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror w/Microphone
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- Automatic-Dimming Exterior Passenger Mirror
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- Driver’s Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirror
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- Exterior Mirrors
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- Exterior Mirrors with Memory
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- Exterior Mirrors with Turn Signals
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- Heated Exterior Mirrors
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- Pwr Heat Mem Multi-Function Mirrors w/Man Fold-Away
- Pwr Heat Mem Multi-Function Mirrors w/Man Fold-Away
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- Sound System Components
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- 8.4-Inch Touchscreen Display
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- Dual USB Port – Charge-Only
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- HD Radio
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- Integrated Voice Command with Bluetooth®
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- Remote SD Card Slot
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- Remote USB Port
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- Roadside Assistance and 9-1-1 Call
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- Steering Wheel Mounted Audio Controls
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- Uconnect® Access
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- Uconnect® Voice Command with Bluetooth®
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- Speaker Systems
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- 506-Watt Amplifier
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- 9 Amplified Speakers with Subwoofer
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- Tires
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- 295/45ZR20 BSW All Season Tires
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- Wheels
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- 20-Inch x 10-Inch Polished 5-Spoke Wheels
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- Performance
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- Engine
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- SRT® 6.4-Liter HEMI® V8 Engine
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- Transmission
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- 8-Speed Paddle-Shift Automatic Transmission
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- Safety & Security
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- Convenience/Security Options
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- 3-Point Center Rear Seat Belt
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- 8-Way Power Driver / Passenger Seats with Memory
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- Advanced Multistage Front Airbags
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- Anchor Pre-Tensioner
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- Child Seat Upper Tether Anchorages
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- Driver Inflatable Knee-Bolster Airbag
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- Heated Front Seats
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- Heated Second-Row Seats
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- LATCH Ready Child Seat Anchor System
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- Power Door Locks
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- Power Front Windows w/ 1-Touch Up and Down Feature
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- Supplemental Front Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
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- Supplemental Side-Curtain Airbags
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- Supplemental Side-Curtain Front and Rear Airbags
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- Dimensions & Capacities
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- Exterior Dimensions
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- Ground Clearance – at curb weight – Approach Angle:18.4
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- Ground Clearance – at curb weight – Breakover Angle:17.8
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- Ground Clearance – at curb weight – Departure Angle:21.9
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- Ground Clearance – at curb weight – Running Ground Clearance:8.3
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- Overall Body Width:77.1
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- Overall Height – With Roof Rails:69.1
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- Overall Height – Without Roof Rack:68.1
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- Overall Length:191.3
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- Overhang – Front:33.6
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- Overhang – Rear:43.5
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- Track – Front:63.7
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- Track – Rear:64.3
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- Turning Diameter – curb-to-curb – Left:37.1
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- Turning Diameter – curb-to-curb – Right:37.1
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- Wheelbase:114.8
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- Interior Dimensions
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- Cargo Capacity – Behind First-Row Seat:67.5
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- Cargo Capacity – Behind First-Row Seat w/ Rear Seats Folded :68.7
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- Cargo Capacity – Behind Second-Row Seat:35.1
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- Head Room – Front:39.9
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- Head Room – Rear:39.2
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- Hip Room – Front:57.0
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- Hip Room – Rear:56.2
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- Leg Room – Front:40.3
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- Leg Room – Rear:38.6
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- Passenger Interior Volume:105.4
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- Seating Capacity – Maximum Seating:5
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- Seating Capacity – Standard Seating:5
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- Shoulder Room – Front:58.7
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- Shoulder Room – Rear:58.0
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- Trunk Lift-Over Height:33.2
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- Capacities/Weights
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- Base Curb Weight – Automatic Trans:5150
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- Capacity/Weights – Fuel Tank Capacity:24.6
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- Capacity/Weights – Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) :6500
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- Payload Capacity – Standard:1350
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- Towing Capacity – Maximum:7200
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- Towing Capacity – Standard:5000
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- Weight Distribution – Automatic Trans – Front :54.0
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- Weight Distribution – Automatic Trans – Rear:46.0
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- Basics
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- Brakes – Front:Disc
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- Brakes – Rear:Disc
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- Driveline Configuration:RWD
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- EPA Classification:SUV4WD
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- Maximum Number of Doors:4
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- Steering:Rack & Pinion
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- Suspension – Front:Ind
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- Suspension – Rear:Multi-Link
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- Tires – Aspect Ratio:45
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- Tires – Construction:ZR
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- Tires – Spare Tire Type:No Compact
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- Tires – Type:P
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- Tires – Wheel Diameter:20.0
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- Tires – Width:295
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- Tops – Standard Top:HF
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- Vehicle Type:Sport Utility
- Vehicle Type:Sport Utility
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http://www.jeep.com/en/grand-cherokee-srt
Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.
Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.