What Is A Trackhawk Car? | 707-HP Jeep Explained

If you’ve searched “What Is A Trackhawk Car?” you’ve likely seen a Grand Cherokee launch like a drag car and you want the straight answer. Trackhawk isn’t a tuner nickname. It’s a factory Jeep Grand Cherokee trim built around a supercharged 6.2L V8, paired with all-wheel drive and heavy-duty hardware so the whole truck can take the power.

Below you’ll get the model’s meaning, the parts that separate it from a normal Grand Cherokee, and the checks that matter when you’re shopping used.

What Is A Trackhawk Car? Plain-English Definition

A Trackhawk is the top-performance Jeep Grand Cherokee from the WK2 era, created by Jeep’s SRT team. The headline spec is the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 rated at 707 horsepower and 645 lb-ft of torque, backed by an eight-speed automatic and full-time all-wheel drive. Those factory output figures are listed in Stellantis’ official press materials.

Put simply: it’s a roomy SUV with the powertrain attitude of a modern American muscle car, plus traction systems that help it leave hard without turning the tires into smoke.

Trackhawk Car Basics With Real Context

Jeep already sold the Grand Cherokee SRT, which is quick and loud with a naturally aspirated V8. Trackhawk arrived for buyers who wanted supercharger punch in a stock, warranty-friendly package. It’s the version people point to when they say, “That Jeep can run with sports cars.”

“Trackhawk” also signals a full package, not a badge you stick on later: engine, cooling, drivetrain, brakes, suspension tuning, and software modes built to work together.

The Hardware That Makes A Trackhawk Feel Different

Supercharged 6.2L V8 And What “Hellcat” Means Here

The Trackhawk’s engine is the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 often nicknamed the Hellcat engine. Jeep rates it at 707 hp and 645 lb-ft in Trackhawk form. The Stellantis press kit spells out that supercharged 6.2L setup and the output numbers. Stellantis media press kit for the 2018 Grand Cherokee Trackhawk

That power brings heat. Trackhawk’s front-end openings, cooling stack, and under-hood layout are designed around keeping temps under control during repeated pulls.

All-Wheel Drive And Launch Control

A 707-hp SUV needs traction, not drama. Trackhawk uses full-time all-wheel drive and drive modes that change throttle mapping, shift logic, and damping. Launch Control helps repeatable starts by managing wheel slip and power delivery, so you get hard acceleration with less guesswork.

Brakes, Suspension, And Tires

Trackhawk gets big Brembo brakes, wide performance tires, and suspension tuning meant to manage weight transfer under hard acceleration and braking. It’s still a heavy SUV, so it won’t feel like a lightweight coupe, but it stays composed in fast merges and firm stops.

Drive Modes And The Dash Pages You’ll Actually Use

Trackhawk’s drive modes aren’t decoration. Auto feels like a strong, refined SUV. Sport sharpens throttle and shift points. Track adds the most aggressive mapping and firms things up, which is why many owners use it for highway pulls and on-ramps. Snow and Tow modes also exist, and they matter when you’re dealing with slick surfaces or a trailer.

The in-car Performance Pages show live data like intake temps, boost, timers, and drivetrain gauges. They’re handy for two reasons: you can spot heat creep during repeated pulls, and you can confirm the truck is hitting boost cleanly without weird dips.

Towing And Cargo: Still A Grand Cherokee At Heart

Trackhawk is known for speed, but it can still do normal SUV jobs. Many model years are rated to tow up to 7,200 pounds when equipped, and the cargo area stays useful for weekend bags, bulky gear, and family errands. The truck feels happiest when you treat it like an SUV most days, then use the power in short bursts when the road is clear.

How Fast Is A Trackhawk In Normal Driving

Jeep’s brand claims around 3.5 seconds from 0–60 mph and an 11.6-second quarter mile. Real runs depend on air temperature, tire condition, surface grip, and fuel quality. Even when you’re not chasing a perfect launch, it feels shockingly quick because the torque hits early and all-wheel drive keeps it pointed straight.

Trackhawk Vs. Grand Cherokee SRT: The Clean Split

If you’re choosing between the two, the decision usually comes down to these tradeoffs:

• Acceleration: Trackhawk’s supercharger adds a sharper hit and stronger midrange pull.
• Price: Trackhawk usually costs more up front, even used.
• Consumables: Trackhawk tends to eat tires and brakes faster if you use the performance often.
• Feel: Both sound like big V8s, but Trackhawk adds supercharger whine and a harder shove.

If your goal is the fastest factory Grand Cherokee from that generation, Trackhawk is the one. If you want a sporty SUV with calmer running costs, the SRT trim can fit better.

What A Trackhawk Includes Beyond The Engine

Trackhawk was sold as a specific Grand Cherokee trim, not as a standalone “Trackhawk car” model line. Features can vary by year and option package, but the mechanical identity stays consistent: supercharged 6.2L V8, eight-speed automatic, all-wheel drive, performance brakes, and SRT performance pages in the infotainment system.

Cabin comfort stays familiar: supportive seats, four-door access, and a cargo area that still works for strollers, groceries, and luggage. Outside, you’ll usually spot the aggressive front fascia openings, quad exhaust tips, and Trackhawk badging.

Trackhawk Fuel Use And Range Math

A Trackhawk likes premium fuel and it burns through it. The official EPA listing for the 2021 model shows combined fuel economy in the low teens, with city mileage sitting lower. That gives you a clean baseline for budgeting before you fall in love with the test drive. EPA FuelEconomy.gov page for the 2021 Grand Cherokee Trackhawk 4WD

Range swings with driving style. Highway cruising can stretch the tank. Short trips, stop-and-go traffic, and repeated wide-open runs cut range fast.

Trackhawk Costs Owners Notice First

Two bills show up early: insurance and tires. Insurance is often higher because this is a high-output, high-value model. Tires are wide performance rubber, so replacement costs sting, and wear can be quick if you do lots of launches. Big brakes also mean pricier pads and rotors when it’s time.

Maintenance is straightforward, but it needs to be on schedule. Oil quality, coolant health, and drivetrain fluid services matter more on a supercharged setup. Service records make a used buy feel far less risky.

Trackhawk Specs Snapshot You Can Screenshot

This table keeps the core facts in one place so you can compare Trackhawk with other performance SUVs.

Category	Trackhawk Detail	Why It Matters
Base vehicle	Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2 generation)	Sets expectations for cabin, cargo, and ride feel
Engine	Supercharged 6.2L V8 (Hellcat-based)	Defines the whole personality of the truck
Output	707 hp, 645 lb-ft (factory rating)	Explains the acceleration and the running costs
Drivetrain	Full-time all-wheel drive	Helps it launch hard with less wheelspin
Transmission	8-speed automatic	Built to handle torque and keep shifts consistent
Performance claim	0–60 mph around 3.5 seconds (brand claim)	Clarifies why it’s known for drag-strip pace
Fuel type	Premium gasoline recommended	Budgeting is simpler when you plan for premium only
Fuel economy baseline	Low-teens combined MPG (EPA listing varies by year)	Sets realistic expectations for range
Use case	Fast daily SUV with towing and cargo capacity	Shows it can still do normal SUV tasks

Buying A Used Trackhawk: The Checks That Save Money

Most Trackhawks on the market now are used. Your goal is to find one that was serviced on time and not overheated through repeated, back-to-back abuse.

Service History And A Basic Scan

Ask for maintenance invoices and any warranty paperwork. Then do an OBD scan. You’re checking for recurring misfire codes, cooling-related warnings, or transmission messages that keep coming back.

Tires, Brakes, And Alignment Clues

Look for uneven shoulder wear, mismatched tire brands, and older date codes. On a Trackhawk, cheap tires are a red flag. During the test drive, brake vibration under firm stops can hint at rotor issues.

Cooling System Health

Check for coolant smell, residue near the front cooling stack, and signs of past overheating. After a spirited drive, watch the temps and listen for fans cycling as expected.

Mods And Tunes

Some owners add pulleys, intakes, tunes, or exhausts. Mods can be fine, but they change risk. If you want the calmer path, pick a stock or lightly modified truck with clear records.

Ownership Checklist For The First 30 Days

New-to-you Trackhawk? This list helps you baseline the truck, learn it, and spot issues early.

Task	What To Do	What You Learn
Baseline fluids	Verify oil level, coolant level, and service intervals	Confirms you’re not starting behind on maintenance
Tire inspection	Check tread depth, date codes, and even wear	Shows prior driving habits and budget needs
Brake feel check	Do a few firm stops from safe speeds	Reveals vibration, fade, or pad issues early
OBD scan	Scan for stored and pending codes	Catches patterns that a test drive can miss
Cooldown habit	After hard pulls, cruise lightly for a bit	Keeps temps stable and reduces heat-related wear
Security setup	Use a garage, steering lock, or tracking device	Reduces theft risk in high-demand areas

Who A Trackhawk Fits Best

A Trackhawk fits drivers who want straight-line speed, all-wheel-drive grip, and SUV practicality in one factory package, and who accept the fuel and tire bill that comes with it. If you want the top-spec Grand Cherokee from this generation, Trackhawk is the badge that signals you found it.