Ten takeaways from a trip to Vegas in the Grand Cherokee SRT

Although I’ve been behind the wheel of the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT before, nothing beats a road trip to get a feel for a vehicle’s real personality. Case-in-point, my recent 270-mile test drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas in the SUV.

Not that there ever has been a question of whether I like the Grand Cherokee SRT. I mean, what’s not to like about a Jeep with 470 horsepower that gets a slight power increase for the 2015 model, aside from the fact that it starts at around $65,000?

Still, during the time I spent driving the SUV to Vegas, I found myself learning a few more things about the Jeep that I hadn’t considered before the trip.

1. The Sound is More Intimidating Than You Think
You know the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT has a mean exhaust note the second you push that start button and fire up the SUV. I didn’t realize how intimidating it could be until I was passing a semi and saw the driver shifting lanes because he thought it was a truck coming up in his rear.

2. It’s Very, Very Fast
With so many desolate roads off I-15, the Grand Cherokee SRT sort of begs you to take a few detours on a few of those desolate desert roads. It’s there that you get a good feel of exactly how fast that 0-60 mph time of 4.8 seconds really is in an SUV.

3. Granite Color Doesn’t Do It Justice
There’s something about the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT in silver that understates the true essence of the SUV. Sure, it’s much more subtle, which certainly comes in handy as far as avoiding a ticket on an open road like the I-15 that takes you into Las Vegas from L.A., but the color doesn’t really do the high-performance Jeep justice. Now, the new 2015 “Red Vapor” model I covered here definitely says, “SRT.”

4. Sports Cars Have Their Limits
Given all the exterior space in the Grand Cherokee SRT, you begin to wonder why you would ever opt for a sports car if you have a family. The idea that a five-passenger SUV can be just as thrilling on the road and provide similar open-air views as a convertible with the dual-pane sunroof makes the Grand Cherokee SRT kind of practical in a sense.

5. Gas Isn’t Cheap On The I-15
Fuel stops on the I-15 can be expensive even if you’re driving a compact car. As a rule, it’s best to avoid them if you can. There’s no better reminder of that than having to fill up the tank on the Grand Cherokee SRT nearly 35 miles or so from Las Vegas where gas can cost you up to 70 cents more per gallon.

6. She Wears Her Split Personality Well
Once you’ve settled in for the drive at the wheel of the Grand Cherokee SRT, you quickly realize that one of the true beauties of the SUV is its split personality. As much of a beast as the SUV is when it comes to high-performance, it’s just as comfortable.

7. SRT Needs a Built-In Radar System
From the UConnect System’s voice recognition system to the track apps, there’s certainly no shortage of technology in the Grand Cherokee SRT. That said, a built-in system that detects nearby radar and speed traps would be a great high-tech addition on the SUV just in case your foot accidentally gets a little heavy on the pedal.

8. Rules Are Meant To Be Broken
The more time you spend with the Grand Cherokee SRT, the more you realize it really was a daring move to build it. The idea of a 470-horsepower Jeep is mind-boggling conceptually, considering the brand’s history in the world of off-roading.

9. Sightings Are Still Rare
Even with its rather subtle appeal in silver, you quickly realize the Grand Cherokee SRT is still a rarity based on the looks it gets when people recognize what it is. Then I guess with a sticker price that can quickly shoot up close to $75,000 with all the options, it’s no surprise that actual road sightings are few.

10. A Hellcat Model Would Be Insane
Considering the power you feel in the Grand Cherokee SRT when you hit the gas, the idea of a Hellcat model as covered here, seems almost inconceivable. I’ve driven the Challenger Hellcat. The thought of an SUV with that much power under the hood could be earth-shattering on so many levels.

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