2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 Review

Just a few years ago there was a self-help craze over the book series. The idea was that the compiled stories served to heal the inner child of readers looking for a fresh perspective on life, much like a grandmother’s homemade, fowl-based concoction would supposedly eradicate the common cold…or some such malarkey. In any case, the series flourished and has gone on to include titles like ,,, and the long awaited . But there’s much, much (too much?) more, with editions focused on military wives, Canadians, Christian women, horse lovers, Latter-Day Saints, mothers of preschoolers, prisoners, and one sure to be seen throughout the stands at Talladega, . Consider the series to be the duct tape of the Barnes and Noble universe – one-stop shopping for whatever ails ‘ya. () Another example of taking a simple, successful idea and exploiting and milking it for all its worth is DaimlerChrysler and its seemingly limitless use of the reintroduced Hemi engine, often accompanied by an SRT badge. Truth is, DCX had little to write home about prior to its launch of the 300 and that heralded V8 under the hood, but today there are Hemis and/or SRTs for everyone. Among the bunch is the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8, an SUV from the highly-regarded off-road brand but which lacks Trail Rated nomenclature, tows 3,700 pounds less than a regular Grand Cherokee, and has the interior quality of a 1980s rental car yet stickers for $40,000, or $45,000 with some equipment tacked on. But yes, it goes fast, so forget practicality and the 12.3 mpg as-tested fuel economy. Much of the Jeep’s SRT hoopla revolves around a thirsty 6.1-liter, 16-valve, Hemi V8 with a cast iron block and aluminum heads that generates a healthy 420 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 420 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,800 rpm. The EPA suggests that drivers of this muscular Grand Cherokee will see 12 mpg in the city and 15 mpg on the highway; we achieved 12.3 mpg in mixed conditions, thanks in part to those pesky bricks that always found their way to our right shoes. Among the technologies responsible for putting power to the street are a five-speed manually-interactive automatic transmission, traction control, stability control, and Jeep’s Quadra-Trac on-demand four-wheel-drive system. Marrying the SRT-8 to curvaceous roads are shiny 20-inch alloy wheels wearing Goodyear Eagle RS-A 285/40 run-flat tires out back and 255/45s up front. A performance-tuned rack-and-pinion steering system works to keep this Jeep pointed in the right direction, while a four-wheel antilock disc brake setup, with components by Brembo and supplemental stopping power courtesy of electronic brake assistance, helps the 2006 Grand Cherokee SRT-8 come to a quick halt. Keeping it afloat is a short/long arm front suspension and a multi-link setup with a track bar in the rear, all performance tuned and resulting in a one-inch reduction in ground clearance. Unlike the rest of the Grand Cherokee lineup, this hairy gorilla only tows a max of 3,500 pounds instead of the usual 6,500-7,200 pounds and is not Trail Rated. To get all of that bullish hardware one must simply opt for the SRT-8 trim: there are no derivatives or variations. Instead, this brute ute starts at $39,995 (including a $695 destination charge) and delivers standard front fog lights; leather and suede upholstery; front sport bucket seats with driver’s side power height adjustment; leather and faux carbon fiber interior accents; a tilt and telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel; center-mounted dual exhaust pipes; a six-disc CD changer and MP3 player; and body-color exterior pieces including a grille insert, rear spoiler, lower body kit, and power heated mirrors. Like most other Grand Cherokee models, the SRT-8 also features a split-folding second-row seat, a reversible cargo floor, steering wheel-mounted radio controls, a tire pressure monitor, and a trip computer. Options are few and include front-side and side-curtain airbags; a DVD entertainment system; a DVD-based navigation system; and the SRT Option Package which adds Sirius satellite radio, a rear parking sonar system, front-side and side-curtain airbags, a power sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control in place of standard air conditioning, heated front seats with memory, rain-sensing wipers, and power-adjustable alloy pedals. Don’t forget about the Inferno Red Crystal Paint that runs an extra $225. As luck would have it, our SRT-8 test truck was dipped in that special paint and included the SRT Package ($3,195) and the navigation system ($1,200). With the destination charge added in, the total sticker price came to $44,615. That five-figure tag is far from being value’s dance partner, but for drivers who can afford to fill the 20.5-gallon gas tank with $3.50 premium fuel every 250 miles or so, cost and efficiency are likely of little concern.

Driving Impressions

Ron Perry’s 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 Driving Impressions: How many of us really need a 420-horsepower SUV? Me, for one, if I could afford the gas. In fact the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 might be the only SUV I would consider buying. I am not a fan of SUVs, but the Jeep SRT-8 has the power of a hot rod, the looks of a custom, and it corners like a car, not a truck. Driving the Jeep SRT-8 makes you feel like the king of the road and outside of tricked-out rice rockets and exotics, you are! The Jeep SRT-8 does 0-60 mph in less than five seconds and is quicker than a Porsche Cayenne Turbo. Those are bragging rights worthy of flaunting. The Jeep SRT-8 does a good job of keeping the ride smooth but the bumps remind you that this rig is set up for appearance and cornering. Touch the brakes and the Brembos grab instantly without jerking or leaving you wondering what’s happening. I really applaud the brake feel. Steering is taut but not heavy as expected in a setup like this. The best part of the Jeep SRT-8 is that it drives and corners like a car. There is no top-heavy feel and slowing to a crawl on freeway ramps isn’t necessary. Just turn in and throttle steer. It really is a lot of fun. Christian Wardlaw’s 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 Driving Impressions: I almost hate to admit that I like driving this 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 more than its Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger stablemates that use the exact same drivetrain. There’s just something sick and twisted about a Jeep that accelerates and sounds like this SRT version, and I like that. Plus, the Chrysler and Dodge suffer an aggravating shake in the steering column that causes the wheel to dance in the driver’s hand. This Jeep feels solid, planted, and stable going down the road. Get it onto a twisty two-lane, however, and the fun is pretty much over. The Grand Cherokee SRT-8 is more capable than just about any other SUV I’ve flung down my favorite mountain pass, but once the novelty of defying death in a 5,000-pound truck subsides, you’re left with a task to perform rather than an opportunity to enjoy. The stability control system is quite intrusive, and though you can shut it off, I had no desire to tempt fate and lived with the constant metallic sounds coming from the braking system as the Jeep’s software tried to figure out whether I wanted to die or knew more about vehicle dynamics than the typical American driver. In any event, this Jeep is best launching from a stop to the astonishment of every motorist within view or earshot. This mofo moves. Of course, you drain the tank of premium fuel at a rapid rate – I averaged about 13.5 mpg in city, highway, and mountain driving – but Jeep sure makes it fun to waste the world’s remaining oil reserves. Cruising on the highway, the JGC SRT-8 generates lots of drivetrain noise, so it’s not of much use as a long-distance driver. So, you can’t take it on a road trip, and you can’t carve a canyon with it, and you can’t tow much of anything, and you can’t go four-wheeling, and those performance Goodyears are virtually worthless in the snow. So what’s the point of the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8? Exclusivity and all-American cubic inches, baby. There’s no other reason for its existence. Thom Blackett’s 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 Driving Impressions: Lead me not into temptation. It’s a popular mindset that many attempt to live by. If you’re one of those people, stop reading here because this tire-smoking beast is one of your best chances at getting on the wrong side of a local Barney Fife, forcing the family to scream “SLOW DOWN!” as you race to the park possessed by a Hemi god, and forsaking work to spend the day revving your Jeep, just to hear the throaty burble of that V8. Evil. Pure evil. If you are, on the other hand, a person who believes that a little temptation never hurt anyone, the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 delivers a helluva package. That 6.1-liter Hemi packs tons of power, though there’s a slight delay before the rpms climb and all 420 horses are set free. Stomp on the throttle and it’s more about launching than accelerating, with the traction control system forcing the tires to grip rather than roast. A feather’s touch of the gas pedal keeps the SRT-8 rolling along on the highway at 80 mph, and the transmission is usually smooth unless you goose the throttle – at that point the focus turns to going fast and not seamless shifts. A manual mode, used by tapping the shift knob to the left for a downshift and to the right for an upshift, adds some fun and allows the driver to hang out near redline and fully exploit the exhaust tuning. Oodles of power is great, but the SRT experience is about more than a big motor. As such, this Jeep offers excellent brakes free of fade, yet the pedal can be a little touchy. Handling is exceptional for an SUV, able to tackle corners at high speeds with no worries and limited body roll. Gas it coming out of a turn and the outside rear tire digs in instead of hinting at coming loose, much like when the SRT-8’s accelerator is pummeled from a dead stop. The steering system provides a decent amount of road feel, but it’s a bit too light at higher speeds, and the ride is decidedly stiff. During one 70-mph run along a rough freeway, the SRT-8 shifted and danced over bumps rather than absorbing them, quite unnerving in five lanes of traffic.

Comfort

Ron Perry’s Opinion of the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8’s Comfort: Like all SRT-8 vehicles I have driven, the seats in this Jeep Grand Cherokee are outstanding, with lots of lateral support top and bottom. Nice leather surrounds suede inserts that help keep you in place when attacking corners. The seats also have sufficient adjustment to find an acceptable driving position. Being equipped with an automatic transmission, there is a nice padded console for your right arm to rest on when it gets tired. Your left arm gets ignored because designers didn’t give much padding on the door support. Getting in and out is easy thanks to the assist handles built into the A-pillar. Step into the back seat and room for knees and feet is tight, and passengers greater than six-feet-two-inches tall may start to feel crowded when it comes to headroom. The person that has it bad is the poor schmuck that draws the short straw and has to sit in the middle of the back seat. The area is narrow and both the top and bottom cushions are hard, so sitting there for a long period would be very difficult, not to mention being squeezed between two other riders. All of the fun is definitely up front. Christian Wardlaw’s Opinion of the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8’s Comfort: Across the board, Jeep Grand Cherokee comfort levels improved with the 2005 redesign, from the basic cloth seats in the Laredo to the leather chairs in the Overland. The Grand Cherokee SRT-8 gets specific front seats with bigger bolsters, and they are extremely comfortable and supportive. With a nice, wide, softly-padded upper door panel on which to rest a left arm during cruising; a thick steering wheel; and adjustable pedals, it’s easy to find the right driving position in this SUV. The rear seats are snug, with just enough foot and leg room for adults, accentuated with a soft center armrest. Packing gear requires hoisting objects onto a tall load floor and into a rather small cargo area. Thom Blackett’s Opinion of the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8’s Comfort: Even before hopping inside, a shopper considering the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 needs to realize that the ride is stiff to optimize handling. However, the interior compensates for the rigidity with firm, comfortable front bucket seats that have so much side bolstering as to make them feel a bit narrow. The seat bottom is long enough to provide ample leg support, adjustable headrests are substantial and well-padded, and the two-setting heat function is effective. Drivers get a tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel and adjustable pedals for a personalized fit. Technically, the Jeep SRT-8 is classified as a five-passenger ride, but with the rear bucketed seat bottoms, stiff center cushion, and headrests only for the outboard seat locations, room for four is more realistic. And that’s assuming rear occupants are satisfied with minimal leg and foot room, a point somewhat remedied by the soft front seatbacks. A fold-down center armrest with cupholders provides some comfort, as do the padded armrests and sills on all four doors.

Quality

Ron Perry’s Opinion of the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8’s Quality: Unfortunately, Jeep continues to fall on its face when it comes to quality. Outside, fit and finish was marginal on our test vehicle, marked by bumpers that didn’t line up with the body panels. The lower rocker panels were so loose you could move them an inch or better, and they looked to be held on by flimsy plastic rivets. I also stumbled upon a loose grille, and the brakes squealed. To top everything off, there was a grinding noise every time I turned off the ignition. Slide inside and the first thing you see is the cheap plastic that looks out of place in an upscale SUV. One example is the shifter knob. At first glance it looks to be aluminum, but with the first shift you quickly realize it is plastic and it doesn’t feel like it would last very long. Jeep did a better job with fit-and-finish on the inside but the low quality plastics are a turn off. Christian Wardlaw’s Opinion of the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8’s Quality: As much as the former Big Three like to tout their improved quality, a close inspection of our 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 reminds us why they’ve still got a ways to go. On the outside, I found several inconsistent panel gaps, a rear fascia that was obviously slapped onto the vehicle with little regard to quality construction, and greenhouse trim that didn’t match up properly. Inside, the materials are a mix of upscale finery and cheap crap. The bean counter who decided to save a few pennies on every Jeep Grand Cherokee by making the dashboard out of hard plastic that appears to have been dipped in Vaseline ought to be taken out back of Chrysler’s Auburn Hills headquarters and shot, replaced by the person who decided to install a lovely cloth mesh headliner that is finished like a luxury car around the sunroof. The leather seats are quite nice, the cloth inserts a bit less so, and many of the Jeep’s controls and switches offer a refined feel and quality heft. Thom Blackett’s Opinion of the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8’s Quality: Some people may be wondering how Jeep can possibly offer a Hemi-powered SUV with impressive road manners and enough brute force to make even a dead possum giddy, all for the price of a premium sedan. The answer is by cutting quality. First are the inferior materials, like low-grade leather on the seats and armrest that doesn’t even make it to door-insert duty (you’ll find hard plastic there); plastic chrome on the shift knob and shifter plate; hard, shiny plastic plastered on the dash, doors, center console, and steering wheel; and the flimsy panels used on the tailgate and in the cargo area. The mesh headliner is a nice touch, but that’s about it. Next is the issue of how all these parts, likely purchased from Kia’s reject bin, go together. In a word: poorly. The plastic around the gauge cluster was loose on our test car, and many pieces throughout the interior felt ready to pop off. Inconsistent gaps and rough edges were the norm, and the door and lower console panels had the rigidity of a well-used Kleenex tissue. That was inside. Evident on the exterior was a misaligned hood, a misaligned tailgate, a loose grille, loose rocker panel covers, loose roof rack strips, a misaligned rear bumper, and some serious orange peel in the paint. Maybe the idea is to make the Grand Cherokee SRT-8 fast enough to make a blur out of all of its mistakes.

Design

Ron Perry’s Opinion of the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8’s Design: Jeep designers did a fantastic job transforming the standard Grand Cherokee into the aggressive SRT-8. The larger wheels, the rocker panels, and additional trim pieces make the SRT-8 instantly recognizable and set it far apart from the standard model. I did notice that designers painted the Brembo calipers black, which makes them almost indistinguishable. They really should be red like those on the Charger. Inside, the good design continues with large, easy-to-read gauges and stylish seats. Designers also embroidered the SRT-8 logo onto the seats and mounted aluminum SRT sill plates at the door openings. The pedals are also aluminum with raised rubber grips. Nothing is over-the-top, just stylized. Christian Wardlaw’s Opinion of the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8’s Design: Design is the Grand Cherokee’s strong point, in SRT-8 trim. These giant 20-inch chrome wheels are exactly what this truck has needed to fill out the exaggerated wheel wells. Accent those with a slick center outlet exhaust system, a deeper front air dam, and rocker panel extensions, and you’ve got a nicely balanced, well proportioned Jeep that clearly means business. Inside, I find the dashboard to be rather imposing, but the Grand Cherokee is logically laid out with handy spots to stash stuff. Chrysler’s navigation radio is a bit fussy to use, yet offers excellent resolution and simple programming. Climate controls are twist knob rather than push-button, offering dual zone control. All other controls and switches are easy to find and operate. Thom Blackett’s Opinion of the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8’s Design: With 20-inch chrome wheels, the lower body treatment, and the center-mounted dual exhaust pipes, the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 is a far cry from inconspicuous. But when you’re laying down nearly $45,000 for a hot rod SUV, that’s the idea. All of the add-ons are fairly tasteful, from those five-spoke wheels to the mesh grille insert and lowered fascias. The interior is more of a mixed bag. Pros include the chrome ringed gauges with blue trim and the sporty leather-wrapped steering wheel, whereas the cons all revolve around the low-grade materials. Hemi or not, our test truck rang in at about $45,000 and the parts used should reflect that.

Advice

Ron Perry’s Advice about the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8: If you are the type of person who can’t control your right foot, you’d better carry bail money. The 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 is worthy of consideration but good luck convincing the wife that you need it. The decision to buy one will be testosterone influenced. Definitely drive this beast. It is a lot of fun. Christian Wardlaw’s Advice about the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8: As much as I like the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8, I’m not sure I could recommend it to anyone except people who love a big V8 engine and want to go fast in a straight line. This is a muscle car, pure and simple, modernized and sold as a jacked-up station wagon. It offers none of the handling of a sports sedan, none of the capability of an SUV, and doesn’t have much space inside. That leaves a very narrow, but very grateful, target buyer. And at these low production volumes, that’s all Jeep needs for success. Thom Blackett’s Advice about the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8: I enjoy fast convertibles like the Chevy Corvette and the Mercedes-Benz SLK, but I can’t afford either one, so I drive a used Mustang GT. Is it the best car out there? Far from it, but I can look past the cheap interior and poor handling as I near its payoff date. Fuel economy is of little concern since I hardly ever drive it. The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 should serve in the same capacity for people longing for a Porsche Cayenne Turbo, or who are really dreaming of a 520-horsepower Turbo S. For a relative bargain, Jeep offers a four-wheel-drive SUV that’ll scare its driver just enough to make those rear cheeks clench up. And then there’s the question about whether, in this time of high gas prices and congested roadways, people need an SUV that is light on utility and heavy on muscle. There are faster cars out there that handle better, SUVs that are immensely more practical, and hordes of vehicles that do it all more efficiently. Fact is, the Jeep SRT-8 is about as sensible as owning a V8 Mustang that seldom reaches 20 mph in California gridlock. Unless, of course, it sits collecting dust in the company parking lot with all the other automotive journalists’ rides.

Specifications

Test Vehicle: 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 Price of Test Vehicle: $44,615 (including a $695 destination charge) Engine Size and Type: 6.1-liter Hemi V8 Engine Horsepower: 420 at 6,200 rpm Engine Torque: 420 lb.-ft. at 4,800 rpm Transmission: Five-speed automatic Curb weight, lbs.: 4,731 EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway): 12/15 mpg Observed Fuel Economy: 12.3 mpg Length: 195.1 inches Width: 73.3 inches Wheelbase: 109.5 inches Height: 66.7 inches Leg room (front/rear): 41.7/35.5 inches Head room (front/rear): 39.7/39.3 inches Max. Seating Capacity: Five Max. Cargo Volume: 67.4 cubic feet Max. Payload (lbs.): 1,050 Max. Towing Capacity (lbs.): 3,500 Ground Clearance: 7.0 inches Competitors: Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS, Land Rover Range Rover Sport Supercharged, Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Porsche Cayenne Turbo S

Photos by Ron Perry