On the subject of high-performance SUVs two stand head and shoulders above the others – the Lamborghini Urus and the Jeep Cherokee Trackhawk. These are the ultimate muscle-bound SUVs, each with their own distinct take on the world of performance luxury. And today, we get to the bottom of a full-blown Versus battle between both of these automotive animals.
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The Lamborghini Urus is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 rated at a staggering 641 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. And this high-tech engine takes the Italian stallion from 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds and maxes out at 190 mph. The engine draws power from an eight-speed automatic transmission mated to an all-wheel-drive system.
My inspiration comes from the American side of the fence, and in this case it’s the Jeep Cherokee Trackhawk, with its monstrous supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 developing a walloping 707 horsepower and 645 lb-ft of torque. This nasty power plant launches the Trackhawk from 0-60 mph in a jaw-dropping 3.5 seconds – a mere 0.1 seconds slower than the Urus. It has a top speed of 180 mph, which makes it among the fastest production SUVs ever built.
Both cars rely on the most complex of all-wheel drive systems. The Urus has a Torsen center diff which can move power between axles when it needs to, meanwhile the Trackhawk has Jeep’s Selec-Track system with its pre-set driving modes for different road conditions.
Design Philosophy: Italian Elegance or American Muscle?
The Lamborghini Urus carries forward the aggressive design language of the brand, albeit a bit more refined. Its angular body panels and sharp lines combined with unique Y-shaped LED headlights make it stand out. The dimensions are still very sports car-like, low slung roofline, overfed haunches that screech power. The cabin itself is swathed in expensive materials like Alcantara, leather, and carbon fiber to give the impression that it’s both luxurious and race-inspired.
The Jeep Cherokee Trackhawk is more sublte with the classic Cherokee looks but with a few aggressive design features. The working hood scoop, widened fenders and bigger wheels reveal the monster under the skin. On the inside, the Trackhawk has leather sport seats and Alcantara accents, and a performance-focused interior, but also a few rough edges, as is the case with most Jeeps.
Performance Dynamics: Race Ready Giants
It’s quite amazing how well both of these SUVs drive for their size. To keep its balance through the twists and turns, the Urus uses adaptive air suspension, active roll stabilization and rear-wheel steering. Stoppage is on par with the Raging Bull’s impressive performance, thanks to carbon ceramic brakes. The different drive modes tune suspension firmness, steering feedback, and throttle response for particular driving scenarios.
The Trackhawk also includes Bilstein adaptive dampers, a beefed up Brembo braking system and a trick torque vectoring system. In spite of this old-school body-on-frame design, engineers have calibrated the suspension in such a way that makes it handle surprisingly well. Track mode stiffens the suspension and keeps gears longer for optimal performance.
Technology & Features: State of the Art Infotainment
In the Urus, drivers will discover twin touchscreen displays with Lamborghini’s ANIMA interface. The system manages everything from climate settings to performance metrics. The digital dash displays all the performance data you need while riding, including g-force and lap times. Driver assist features adopt adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist and parking sensors.
The Trackhawk gets Jeep’s Uconnect system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen. You don’t have the razzle dazzle of the Lamborghini’s four-wheel steering system here, but it is manageable and it works. That system includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and navigation. Performance Pages app, which allows drivers to track 0-60 times, braking distances and more.
Off-Road Ability: Who’s Actually Impressive
Though, even though neither of them give off the vibe of being designed for the great outdoors they both provide some level of all terrain ability. The Urus has six driving modes, one of which is Terra (gravel), another is Sabbia (sand), and another is Neve (snow). Inch, and the air suspension has an additional 1.6 inches of available lift if more ground clearance is required.
Building on Jeep’s off-road legacy, the Trackhawk comes with Selec-Track modes for Snow, Mud and Sand. It may not conquer the Rubicon Trail, but it should have no problem on off-road jaunts that are a bit more tame. Still, on-road excellence is what both vehicles are really all about.
Everyday Use: High Performance, Packaged Right
Both SUVs still are excellent daily drivers despite their performance creds. The Urus has a roomy rear seat, a fair amount of room in its trunk and fairly good visibility. The ride remains calm and comfortable despite its gentle Strada mode for long drives.
(Read more about how we rate cars.) The Trackhawk offers the same kind of practicality with rear seat space and cargo room that, honestly, makes just a good deal better sense. Its more conventional SUV shape means it’s easier to park in tight quarters than the Urus. Both vehicles seat five people easily, with ample in cabin storage options.
The Lamborghini Urus is priced at around $230,000 and it belongs to a category we’ll refer to their “luxury supercar SUVs”. The price can easily shoot above $300,000 with a litany of customization options. In return for this investment, buyers get the exclusive experience of Italian craftsmanship combined with status symbolism.
You’ll find far better value in pure performance with the Jeep Cherokee Trackhawk, which sells for around $100,000. It will closely approach the same acceleration times for slightly more than half the cost. But it doesn’t have the foreign appeal and elitist ownership experience of the Lamborghini hallmark.
Ownership Experience: The Prestige and Exclusivity of a Brand
To be a Lamborghini Urus owner is to be part of an elite group. It even shows in the brand’s current production SUV, the supercar heritage. With Lamborghini dealers fueling the white glove treatment, the oddity of the vehicle dictates that people will do double takes wherever it goes. Due to their relatively small production runs resale values tend to hold.They have a profitable investment potential.
The Trackhawk has the exclusive intrigue of Jeep’s off-road heritage with performance that beats supercars. Not as much as the Urus, but, in performance circles, it has peoples’ attention and respect. Maintenance expense are still much lower than Lamborghini, and a popular alternative for prodigalaholics.
The Verdict: Two Models, Two Types of Performance Luxury
The decision between the Lamborghini Urus and Jeep Cherokee Trackhawk is a matter of priorities. The Urus provides exotic-car ambiance, advanced tech offerings and a flawed heritage of prestige. With all-around performance that’s better than those of the Land Rover or the Merc, stunning design, and superb craft, the high price of this ultimate in SUV exclusivity makes sense to luxury car buyers.
The value proposition of the Trackhawk is phenomenal; where else can you get a supercar plastic that you can take to meet the family? Its American muscle philosophy attracts fans who prefer brute strength to Italian sophistication. The Jeep badge lends a bit more faith to those who might occasionally go off-road.
Each accomplishes its mission of redefining what’s possible for a high-performance SUV. They let you have your practicality and family friendliness – without killing the fun. Take your pick between Italian refinement or American muscle. Both the Urus and Trackhawk are engineering wonders and examples of how far sports utility vehicles have come in terms of performance.
Ultimately, these super SUVs are about more than getting somewhere — they’re about the power of the automobile realized, where performance that seems to defy physics becomes practical for everyday use. Choosing between the two is more about preference and budget than any big performance gap between the two vehicles.