2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT

The aging Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT may be starting to look and feel too old to be a worthy contender in the midsize SUV segment, yet it remains a relatively affordable way to get a fun experience out of a practical vehicle. With specialists in the Grand Cherokee range like the Trackhawk and Trailhawk, the SRT may seem unnecessary but there's no denying that America loves its old-school V8s, and the SRT's 6.4-liter lump is just what the doctor ordered. Producing 475 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, the SRT sends its power to all four wheels with the aid of an eight-speed automatic transmission. With decent off-road ability, it's a more versatile offering than BMW's X5 M50i and Mercedes-AMG's GLE 53.

The 2021 Grand Cherokee SRT price starts at $69,165 before a destination charge of $1,495. This is an increase in cost compared to the 2020 model that was on sale for $68,395, despite nothing new being offered for 2021. Still, it's far less expensive than performance models from BMW and Mercedes-AMG. With very few options available, a fully loaded Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT will cost less than $85,000.

With such a sporty engine, the SRT is already doing all that you would traditionally expect of a typical performance-enhanced SUV from the USA. However, the world expects more these days and the SRT delivers. Thanks to Bilstein adaptive dampers as standard with sport-tuned suspension, the SRT handles remarkably well, even though it's getting on a bit. It's not as sharp and accurate as its German rivals, but it's still very good. The steering wheel provides a reassuring feel of weight and communicates a fair amount of feedback from the front tires, but again, it could be better. The downside to making such a heavy monstrosity handle rather well without breaking the bank is that ride quality suffers. Track mode will jar the fillings from your teeth over corrugated surfaces, and more relaxed modes are still a little too much for your backside if you regularly traverse broken pavement. It's not so bad that you wouldn't consider a road trip in this sporty family car, but it is bad enough that you would be selective about where you go. Still, it's brilliant off-road in ways that its German rivals have never been, and with Auto, Sport, Track, Snow, and Tow modes each doing a good job of their respective requirements, it's easy to change things to suit your environment and road surface. Big brakes add security when you need to slow down and are easy to modulate in traffic too.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT is not a perfect vehicle by any stretch of the imagination. It is devoid of the advanced technology found in its German rivals - things like digital driver info displays and adaptive LED headlights - and it's seriously thirsty and may deter some with its mileage estimates. It also doesn't offer all that much cargo space compared to what other family vehicles in this segment offer, and it's not as modern as a 2021 car should be. Nevertheless, its V8 engine has a guttural sound that is tough to ignore and its off-road presence and ability are praiseworthy too. Furthermore - and this is probably the most important feather in its cap - it's far more affordable than any performance-enhanced German SUV of this size. With that in mind, we have to say that the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT is still worthy of a test drive at the very least. It puts a smile on your face, makes a relatively small dent in your checkbook, and can do everything from drag racing to off-road family adventures. Let's hope the next one is just as versatile.

There's only one variant of the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT on offer to review, but you'll be pleased to know that it is almost fully loaded with specs from the factory. You can still spend some money on upgrades to the audio system or the brakes, while customization of the paint and type of leather can help you make the SUV your own. However, from a practical point of view, there's nothing that we see the need to upgrade. Leaving the SRT as it is in base form will save you money without making you feel like you're in a sub-par vehicle. Unless you absolutely must have a feature that suits your personal preference, we wouldn't waste any money on upgrades.

To be honest, this isn't much of a fair comparison as the X5 M is far more expensive and more powerful than the Jeep. It's got a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 that produces 600 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. It also has a much more luxurious cabin that boasts a 12.3-inch digital driver info display alongside a similarly-sized infotainment display. It also has 18-way power seats as standard. In the back, the Jeep wins thanks to a cargo volume of 36.3 cubes versus the Bimmer's 33.9 cubes. However, with the seats folded, the BMW comes out on top again with 72.3 cubes versus the Jeep's 68.3. Overall, these cars are in very different classes. The BMW is the one to buy if you have a penchant for luxury and speed while the Jeep is better off-road and far more affordable. The choice is up to you.

The 2021 Range Rover Sport is another expensive, fast European SUV. However, this one is available in a multitude of variants, and the cheapest version starts at under $70,000. However, this model only produces 355 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque. Still, if you're looking to be a baller on a budget, this can work for you. Much like the Jeep, Range Rover models are all highly capable off-road, but unlike the Jeep, the RR Sport comes with luxury finishes that include wood, genuine leather, and aluminum bezels. You also get ambient lighting, keyless entry, and push-button ignition. Overall, we think that the Jeep is a better buy, as it provides fun and off-road ability for a low price, while the Range Rover Sport requires the addition of expensive options in order to be a good all-rounder.