Grand Cherokee SRT8 Combines Ludricousness with Livable Dimensions

YouTube’s That Dude in Blue thinks the Grand Cherokee SRT8 AWD/Hemi combo makes it is the coolest ‘hybrid.’

It’s usually an insult to look at something and mutter the words “I’ve seen that before. It’s nothing new.” In a lot of ways, the 2012 Grand Cherokee SRT8 was nothing new. It marked the beginning of the second generation of Jeep‘s performance SUV, which combines the passenger and cargo space of a midsize SUV with the power of a muscle car. But that just goes to show how dedicated Jeep was to making something for enthusiasts, sales volume figures be damned.

Popular YouTube channel ThatDudeinBlue, helmed by David Patterson, definitely qualifies as an enthusiast. He’s developed a huge following by filming his exploits in high-horsepower Mustangs, Supras, and other cars. In one of his latest videos, he gets his hands on a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. In stock form, the wicked WK2 has a naturally aspirated 6.4-liter HEMI V8 that pumps out 470 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. That combines its grunt with a five-speed automatic and all-wheel drive to get the SRT8 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds and through the quarter-mile in roughly 13.5 seconds, according to FCA.

The SRT8 Patterson tests is even more potent because it has a tune and upgraded intake and exhaust. He makes sure to extract every bit of the big HEMI‘s grunt with deep stabs of the right pedal. After one hard launch, Patterson starts laughing. “I just did not expect it to chirp all four tires. That was awesome.” Despite its 5,150-pound curb weight, the SRT8 can handle turns, although Patterson has to be especially respectful to the laws of physics. “It will get around the corner. Just be a little bit more careful because it’s more top-heavy.”

The two-row Grand Cherokee SRT8’s boxiness is part of what makes it so appealing. It provides muscle car sound and acceleration, but not at the expense of space or comfort. Patterson says, “Visibility is fantastic. I never have to worry about a low roofline. Anybody can fit in this thing. Anybody can ride in this thing. Anybody can drive this thing. And anybody can see out of this thing.”

That outward visibility is particularly useful because if you drive a vehicle as potent as the Grand Cherokee SRT8, there are two things you need to watch out for: humiliated Mustang and Camaro drivers in the rearview mirror and flashing blue and red lights.

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Derek Shiekhi

Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.

After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.

While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.

Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.

In addition to writing for a variety of Internet Brands sites, including JK Forum, H-D Forums, The Mustang Source, Mustang Forums, LS1Tech, HondaTech, Jaguar Forums, YotaTech, and Ford Truck Enthusiasts. Derek also started There Will Be Cars on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

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