SRT Jeep Cherokee Questions

[Sirraf]

So I have been tossing around the idea of getting a new SRT Jeep Cherokee. Not the trackhawk, as awesome as they are, I can't justify spending that much. The 2018 475HP SRT Jeep's are the ones I am looking at. Does anyone hace experience owning a newer SRT Jeep? How is the overall build quality and reliability of the vehicle? How is the interior? Besides fuel mileage, what downsides come with it?

The reason I am looking at a SRT Jeep is to keep something fast and fun, while still being able to go get groceries, easy car seat access, comfortable on roadtrips.

 

[IA Shelby]

Doesn’t the Durango now offer a “hot” version for even less money that would check the box. Might be worth looking at both options.

I can’t speak for the new SRT but my 18 Rubicon build quality is far and away the best quality I have ever experienced from Jeep.


Good luck on your purchase.

 

[*Jay*]

In for info, considering a SRT GC or Durango as well for my next daily.

 

[08mojo]

So I have been tossing around the idea of getting a new SRT Jeep Cherokee. Not the trackhawk, as awesome as they are, I can't justify spending that much. The 2018 475HP SRT Jeep's are the ones I am looking at. Does anyone hace experience owning a newer SRT Jeep? How is the overall build quality and reliability of the vehicle? How is the interior? Besides fuel mileage, what downsides come with it?

The reason I am looking at a SRT Jeep is to keep something fast and fun, while still being able to go get groceries, easy car seat access, comfortable on roadtrips.

I recently traded in my 2016 SRT jeep. It was an awesome daily driver: plenty of power, fun to drive, could pull into traffic from a stop with confidence, comfortable, best factory stereo I've ever had, infotainment is great, interior was really nice, utility of an SUV, 7k+ towing capacity, transmission is perfect, magnetic shocks are amazing... but it wasn't cheap.

The bad: it liked to eat brakes, fuel and tires, and the 6.4 seems to have a tendency to eat lifters. At 12k miles, my front brakes were very close to needing replacement, and the OEM parts were not cheap. I averaged roughly 12 mpg, so even with a 20 gallon tank expect to fill up every 250 miles. The interior cabin trim also likes to fail and jeep often denied warranty replacement. Speaking of warranty, I think it was only 3 year 36k miles and 50k on drivetrain--seems like a short warranty to me.

There's no getting around the fuel, tires and brake wear, it's a 5300lb vehicle that likes to be driven hard. The lifter issue seems to be a small percentage of vehicles. The interior trim can be fixed with epoxy.

You might want to bring your car seat to a dealer. There is less room in the back seats area than you'd think.

 

[tones_RS3]

I recently traded in my 2016 SRT jeep. It was an awesome daily driver: plenty of power, fun to drive, could pull into traffic from a stop with confidence, comfortable, best factory stereo I've ever had, infotainment is great, interior was really nice, utility of an SUV, 7k+ towing capacity, transmission is perfect, magnetic shocks are amazing... but it wasn't cheap.
The bad: it liked to eat brakes, fuel and tires, and the 6.4 seems to have a tendency to eat lifters. At 12k miles, my front brakes were very close to needing replacement, and the OEM parts were not cheap. I averaged roughly 12 mpg, so even with a 20 gallon tank expect to fill up every 250 miles. The interior cabin trim also likes to fail and jeep often denied warranty replacement. Speaking of warranty, I think it was only 3 year 36k miles and 50k on drivetrain--seems like a short warranty to me.
There's no getting around the fuel, tires and brake wear, it's a 5300lb vehicle that likes to be driven hard. The lifter issue seems to be a small percentage of vehicles. The interior trim can be fixed with epoxy.
You might want to bring your car seat to a dealer. There is less room in the back seats area than you'd think.

May I ask how well it drove in the winter months? Did you switch up tires/wheels to a winter set-up? How well did it do in deep snow?
Thanks!

 

[08mojo]

May I ask how well it drove in the winter months? Did you switch up tires/wheels to a winter set-up? How well did it do in deep snow?
Thanks!

No clue!! Winters are relatively mild here in Atlanta, GA. I suspect it would do just fine. It's awd and you can lock the center diff. I will say the heated seats and heated steering wheel were welcome features in the cold months.

 

[tones_RS3]

No clue!! Winters are relatively mild here in Atlanta, GA. I suspect it would do just fine. It's awd and you can lock the center diff. I will say the heated seats and heated steering wheel were welcome features in the cold months.

LMFAO Nice, I didn't even see your location. lol
I have the heated seats and steering wheel in the truck. Awesome.

 

[Sirraf]

I recently traded in my 2016 SRT jeep. It was an awesome daily driver: plenty of power, fun to drive, could pull into traffic from a stop with confidence, comfortable, best factory stereo I've ever had, infotainment is great, interior was really nice, utility of an SUV, 7k+ towing capacity, transmission is perfect, magnetic shocks are amazing... but it wasn't cheap.

The bad: it liked to eat brakes, fuel and tires, and the 6.4 seems to have a tendency to eat lifters. At 12k miles, my front brakes were very close to needing replacement, and the OEM parts were not cheap. I averaged roughly 12 mpg, so even with a 20 gallon tank expect to fill up every 250 miles. The interior cabin trim also likes to fail and jeep often denied warranty replacement. Speaking of warranty, I think it was only 3 year 36k miles and 50k on drivetrain--seems like a short warranty to me.

There's no getting around the fuel, tires and brake wear, it's a 5300lb vehicle that likes to be driven hard. The lifter issue seems to be a small percentage of vehicles. The interior trim can be fixed with epoxy.

You might want to bring your car seat to a dealer. There is less room in the back seats area than you'd think.

You say you traded it in? Was it the bad reasons you listed the reason you wanted to get rid of it? Also, do you think the factory brake pads came with an aggressive compound as to why they had a short life? Why do you think it went through tires quickly?

 

[Zodiac]

Hmm I haven't seen anything about lifter problems with the 6.4. I'll have to read up on that.

Sirraf, he said why. It's a 5,300lb vehicle that likes to be driven hard. That in itself will wear the wearables. Drive it like a grandma and you will get more life.

I want a Durango SRT in b5 blue, but I don't have a need for 3 rows.

I have a 2017 GC (not an SRT) as our family vehicle and it's been phenomenal, but I only have one kid.

 

[08mojo]

You say you traded it in? Was it the bad reasons you listed the reason you wanted to get rid of it? Also, do you think the factory brake pads came with an aggressive compound as to why they had a short life? Why do you think it went through tires quickly?

High driving/maintenance costs was one reason, but mostly because I just had no need for an SUV. No kids, and we have a third vehicle (older jeep grand Cherokee) for home Depot runs, taking the dog/bike to trails, etc... I came across a reasonable offer to move to an M3 and decided to take it.

Factory pads are aggressive and they like to eat the rotors. As zodiac says above, I wasn't easy on the SRT. If you baby it, the consumables will last longer.

If you're prepared for the costs, go for it, you won't regret it. The Jeep SRT is a badass ride!

 

[tones_RS3]

I want a Durango SRT in b5 blue, but I don't have a need for 3 rows.

I do believe that you can order one without the 3rd row, if that's what's holding you back.

 

[2000GTSTANG]

I’m contemplating a trackhawk in like 2-4 years. I just want something quick that still has utility. Another option that’s crossed my mind is 4.6 3v explorer with a blower on it, like what sid had. Could build the motor, add the blower, and have the cost of the truck for like $25k or less.

 

[05satinGT]

My buddy just bought a 2014 SRT. Interior is really nice. I love the carbon fiber trim. The truck moves for what it is. He let me drive it and my biggest complaint was the tranny (but only in manual mode). If it auto it bangs shifts great, but in manual it lagged pretty bad on upshifts. Great daily though.

 

[08mojo]

My buddy just bought a 2014 SRT. Interior is really nice. I love the carbon fiber trim. The truck moves for what it is. He let me drive it and my biggest complaint was the tranny (but only in manual mode). If it auto it bangs shifts great, but in manual it lagged pretty bad on upshifts. Great daily though.

Wonder if a software update would help. The shifts were not laggy at all in my 2016.

 

[Blk04L]

Fathers SRT needed new lifters at 70k. Never ran eco mode and they still went bad. He had the 100k powertrain warranty so it was covered.
Brakes pads/rotors go pretty quick and aren't cheap.
Think every 40k for rotors, but I'll double check with him.

Reliability and interior no complaints. No electrical gremlins.

18's got a nice change to the dash/gauges, but still very close to the 14+ jeeps.

 

[08mojo]

For the brakes, there are some nice aftermarket options that are priced reasonably--especially compared to OEM pieces. So, don't let that scare you too much.

 

[greenscobie86]

Been thinking about a 2012 model myself, maybe pick up a salvage one and bring it back to life on the cheap.
I guess the poor fuel mileage and the relatively high cost of consumables is what will probably keep me away, gotta pay to play I guess. I might do it at some point anyways, these trucks look and sound amazing IMO even though I've never been behind the wheel of one.

 

[Zemedici]

As Dave said, newer SRT models are beautiful. I loved his Jeep SRT, looks fantastic in person.

And also as he said, the car is a bit tougher than most on brakes / etc. His reasoning is right on point.

If you're looking to modify the car, you can put a supercharger on the factory motor, but due to the piston designs in the 392, you're limited to 5.5-6psi of boost, or you'll be blowing out rings (which gets expensive fast! As all rings do!)

Food for thought.

I say go for it. The trackhawks are SICK, will literally peel your eyelids back from a dig. Serious street car...

 

[ViciousJay]

Hmm I haven't seen anything about lifter problems with the 6.4. I'll have to read up on that.

Sirraf, he said why. It's a 5,300lb vehicle that likes to be driven hard. That in itself will wear the wearables. Drive it like a grandma and you will get more life.

I want a Durango SRT in b5 blue, but I don't have a need for 3 rows.

I have a 2017 GC (not an SRT) as our family vehicle and it's been phenomenal, but I only have one kid.

I have a 2018 Durango and even though I don't need a 3rd row its a great vehicle and having DOD is great!

 

[tones_RS3]

I have a 2018 Durango and even though I don't need a 3rd row its a great vehicle and having DOD is great!

MDS,....Multiple Displacement System. I have it on my 2016 Ram Sport rcsb 4X4 truck. The MDS system is Mopar's gas sipper mode.
The DOD system is found on the Chevy vehicles.