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Jeep Says Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Is World's Quickest SUV, Not Tesla's Model X

Whenever a brand claims that one of its products is the best in the world at something, it must be accurate in the description of that ability. Otherwise, it gets a world of naysayers who criticize the phrasing or words used in the promotional material.
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk 1 photo
Photo: Jeep
Evidently, we agree that promotional material should be accurate, and all of the claims made by the automaker should be real, and not something with an asterisk at the back that tells you that it only applies on Wednesdays, on the 13th, when the sun is shining brightly in the sky.

However, commercials need something catchy, and it must be brief enough to be announced as quick as possible. That is why some ads use intentionally placed mistakes to get your attention, or have a catchphrase in them that has the possibility of making them viral, or at least remembered by everyone.

The latest dispute of this kind happened between Jeep and Tesla, when the American off-roader brand stated that the newly released “Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is the world’s quickest and most powerful production SUV on the planet.”

The performance-oriented model can sprint from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.6 seconds, and it can also do a quarter-mile pass in just 11.6 seconds at 186 km/h (115 mph). Top speed is calculated at 290 km/h (180 mph), which is more than most of its European rivals will do, but the Bentley Bentayga can drive even faster.

The British luxury SUV, currently the most expensive model from this category in the world, is also the fastest on the planet thanks to its 301 km/h (187 mph) top speed.

The problem with Jeep’s claim was that Tesla advertised the Model X as the “world’s quickest SUV.” The P100D version of the Model X can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.1 seconds.

As you have observed, the difference in claims is half-a-second for the EV. The Australians at Motoring asked Jeep for clarification of the situation, and they explained that the Model X from Tesla is a crossover, and not an SUV like the Grand Cherokee.

Furthermore, the spokesperson for the off-roading brand owned by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles stated that the two vehicles are in two different classes.

The explanation provided by Jeep’s officials is matched with a classification from Ward’s Auto, which places the Model X in the “middle luxury CUV class,” while the Grand Cherokee is a “Middle SUV.” The Model X can be described as an SUV, but the attribution is not correct.

There’s a fine line between crossover and SUV, but we do not expect the clients of these brands to be confused in what they want from a vehicle when they choose what to buy. Jeep’s product is supposed to be more affordable than the Tesla Model X P100D, which would be another advantage for this marque.
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About the author: Sebastian Toma
Sebastian Toma profile photo

Sebastian's love for cars began at a young age. Little did he know that a career would emerge from this passion (and that it would not, sadly, involve being a professional racecar driver). In over fourteen years, he got behind the wheel of several hundred vehicles and in the offices of the most important car publications in his homeland.
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