The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is the third Fiat Chrysler vehicle to have the unhinged supercharged V-8 stuffed under its hood, and it’s the quiet Hellcat next door. Not literally, of course—have you heard a blown Hemi V-8 at full whack?—but with standard all-wheel drive mitigating the engine’s tire-spinning proclivities, plus its under-the-radar looks, the Trackhawk can at least pass for an upstanding citizen. With more traction than any Hellcat yet, the Trackhawk has quite a lot of poke despite its pork—the engine adds 259 pounds over the already heavy 475-hp Grand Cherokee SRT. Nonetheless, Jeep claims it can reach 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. That time is on par with the nearly 1000-pounds-lighter, automatic-equipped Dodge Hellcats we’ve tested. (The quickest was the Charger, which reached 60 mph in 3.4 seconds.) Per Jeep, the quarter-mile is expected to fly by in 11.6 seconds (at 116 mph!), and, with no electronic governor, the Trackhawk is said to surrender to atmospheric resistance at 180 mph.
The 2018 Hyundai Sonata receives a much-needed injection of style.
Pros More stylish than before Relaxing, comfortable ride quality Flexible engines Android or Apple, your interface is OK Roomy interior
Cons Light on personality Sport isn’t all that sporty Limited customization options Interior a little downmarket
one might consider Hyundai’s refreshed 2018 Sonata the brand’s rerelease of its seventh-generation mid-size sedan that was launched for the 2015 model year. That Sonata was a nice enough family four-door that failed to catch on with the buying public in the same way that its slinkier predecessor did; Hyundai is hoping this updated version will climb higher up the sales charts.
Pros Quiet cabin, easy-to-use infotainment system, standard blind-spot monitor.
Cons Dynamically dull, 1.6T engine limited to Eco trim, active-safety features not available on all models.
The 2018 Hyundai Sonata had been restyled inside and out and receives updates to its suspension and steering aimed at improving ride quality, response and feel.
PROS Solid list of standard features and tons of available tech Spacious interior accommodations and generous trunk space Excellent user interface receives a more upscale redesign 10-year powertrain warranty offers peace of mind
CONS No options available on Edmunds' recommended Eco model Slightly less rear legroom than the segment leaders Top turbocharged engine trails performance of its competitors Lackluster power from base engine
