Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi 0-60: A Complete Acceleration Guide

Are you curious how quickly the Jeep Grand Cherokee can accelerate from 0-60 mph with the legendary 5.7L Hemi V8 under the hood? With the 5.7L, the Jeep Grand Cherokee can hit 60 mph in around 5.5 seconds, which is pretty quick for a full-size SUV.

In this in-depth guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi’s acceleration and performance capabilities, including:

• An overview of the 5.7L Hemi V8 engine specs and power
• Real-world 0-60 mph times for different models
• How the Hemi engine achieves its quick acceleration
• Quarter-mile times and top speeds
• Tips for improving 0-60 performance even further
• And answers to frequently asked questions about the Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi’s acceleration

So if you want to understand exactly what gives this SUV its potent Hemi muscle, read on!

An Overview of the Legendary 5.7L Hemi V8

First introduced in 2003, Chrysler’s 5.7-liter “Hemi” V8 engine has become synonymous with power, performance, and that iconic Hemi rumble. Directly derived from Chrysler’s famed Hemi racing engines of the 1960s and 70s, the 5.7L adds modern technology like variable valve timing (VVT) and multiple displacement system (MDS) to maximize efficiency and torque.

In the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Hemi V8 delivers a stout 357 horsepower at 5,200 RPM and 390 lb-ft of torque at 4,250 RPM. That high torque output available low in the RPM band gives the Hemi excellent acceleration right off the line.

Jeep offers the 5.7L Hemi in the Grand Cherokee Laredo E, Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and SRT models. You can get it in rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive configurations. The Quadra-Drive II 4WD system features a low-range transfer case for serious off-roading.

Just How Quickly Does the Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi Accelerate 0-60 MPH?

With a powerful V8 packing nearly 400 lb-ft of torque, you’d expect the Grand Cherokee Hemi to accelerate quite briskly. But just how quick is it from 0-60 mph?

Independent tests show the Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi can reach 60 mph in around 5.5 seconds bone stock. Car and Driver recorded a 0-60 mph time of 5.6 seconds for the rear-wheel drive model, while Motor Trend managed 5.5 seconds in their testing of a 4WD Limited. That makes the Hemi significantly quicker than the 3.6L V6, which hits 60 in 7.4 seconds.

The mid 5-second 0-60 puts the Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi right in line with competitors like the Dodge Durango R/T (5.4 sec) and Ford Explorer Sport (5.6 sec). But it’s firmly behind high-performance SUVs like the Range Rover Sport SVR at 4.3 seconds.

Still, 5.5 seconds to 60 mph is quick for a full-size, three-row SUV weighing over 4,800 lbs. The urgency of the Hemi V8 provides substantially more responsive acceleration than the V6 for highway merging, passing, or towing.

Quarter-Mile Performance: How Quickly Does the Jeep Grand Cherokee Hemi Run a 1/4 Mile?

In addition to rapid 0-60 mph sprints, the Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi can also rip through the quarter-mile in the mid 14-second range.

In Motor Trend’s testing, the four-wheel drive Hemi ripped through the quarter-mile in 14.7 seconds at 96 mph. For rear-wheel drive models, expect high-13 to low-14 second quarter-mile times.

Modifying the air intake, exhaust, and engine computer mapping can help trim ETs into the 13s. Lightweight wheels and drag radials also improve traction off the line. But getting deep into the 12s requires more extensive mods like turbo/supercharging.

The RWD Hemi has the traction advantage for quicker drag strip times. Jeep also offered the high-performance Grand Cherokee SRT8 from 2006-2014 that did 0-60 in the low 4s and covered the quarter-mile in the 12s.

What Gives the Jeep Grand Cherokee Hemi Its Quick Acceleration?

There are a few key factors that enable the 5.7L Hemi V8 to deliver such strong acceleration in the Grand Cherokee:

• High Horsepower and Torque – With 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque on tap, the Hemi simply packs a lot more power than the 3.6L V6. More power means faster acceleration.
• Low-End Torque – The Hemi makes peak torque at just 4,250 RPM and 90% of it from 2,000 to 6,000 RPM. That big torque curve down low provides instant throttle response.
• Lightweight Components – The aluminum cylinder block reduces weight over an iron block. Lighter reciprocating parts like the pistons and connecting rods also minimize mass. This allows the Hemi to rev quicker.
• Performance Tuning – Chrysler’s engineers optimized the 5.7L’s calibration for strong low-end power. The variable valve timing helps torque delivery down low before the VVT transitions to a high-rpm profile.
• Exhaust Note – Okay, the rumbling Hemi exhaust won’t directly make you faster. But hearing that iconic muscle car soundtrack as you surge forward certainly adds to the thrill!

Tips for Improving the Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi’s 0-60 Times

What if 5.5 seconds to 60 mph isn’t quick enough for you? Here are some mods that can help shave a few tenths off the Jeep Grand Cherokee Hemi’s 0-60 times:

• Cold Air Intake – Increased airflow from an aftermarket intake like K&N can add 5-10 hp up top. Make sure to get a heat shield to isolate the filter from engine heat.
• Cat-Back Exhaust – Reduce backpressure and free up a few extra ponies with a less restrictive exhaust after the catalytic converter. It will also enhance the Hemi’s soundtrack.
• ECU Tuning – Get a tune optimized for your mods that increases boost pressure, advances timing, and improves shifting. Adds 20-30 hp easily.
• Sticky Tires – Upgrade to high-performance tires like Michelin Pilot Sport 4S. The extra grip will help transfer more power to the pavement during acceleration.
• Weight Reduction – Strip out unneeded interior components and switch to lightweight wheels. Removing excess weight improves the power-to-weight ratio.

With intake, exhaust, tune, wheel, and tire upgrades, expect to shave around 0.5 seconds off the stock 0-60 time, bringing it down into the low 5s. Further mods like camshafts, forced induction, and nitrous oxide can get the ETs down into the 4s.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi’s Acceleration

How much faster is the Hemi V8 than the V6?

The Hemi is roughly 2 seconds quicker from 0-60 mph than the 3.6L Pentastar V6. For quarter-mile times, expect a 1.5 to 2 second improvement.

Does acceleration suffer at higher elevations?

Yes, like all naturally aspirated engines, the Hemi will lose power and acceleration performance at higher elevations due to thinner air. Expect around 3% power loss per 1,000 ft gained.

Will higher octane gas improve acceleration?

Using 93 octane instead of 87 may yield a very small acceleration improvement from more optimal ignition timing. But the impact is minor, so premium fuel is not required.

Putting the Pedal Down in the Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi

In this detailed guide, we’ve covered everything you need to know about the formidable acceleration of the Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 5.7L Hemi V8. With nearly 400 lb-ft of torque propelling this full-size SUV from 0-60 mph in just 5.5 seconds, the Hemi delivers potent V8 muscle and meets expectations for effortless power.

While not as quick as high-end performance SUVs, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Hemi provides sports car-like acceleration in an affordable and practical package. So if you’re looking for an SUV with strong real-world performance for the street and trail, the Hemi-powered Grand Cherokee packs plenty of punch.