2015 grand cherokee forum

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5th Gen vs Grand Cherokee

I am sure various threads contain info on this comparison but I did not find one that is recent. I am not dedicated to one brand and admit I have a Jeep TJ Rubicon, and have had an XJ, WJ, and another TJ. I've had a 3rd Gen 4runner too I loved. I love Jeeps for what they can do in the woods. However, right now using a TJ as a DD is a pain, and/or I am just getting older and realize I never go off-roading as much as I daydream of doing so. I would rather have a smooth, quiet, cozy vehicle for the 98% of the time I am on the pavement. As it is right now parking is a nightmare, so I will need to dump my TJ then get into an SUV.

I was dead set on the 5th Gen (TP), rear locker, Toyota reliability, down the road if I am able to wheel more lots of lifts and aftermarket off road parts available. Well I hear someone mention getting 31mpg in a 4x4 Grand Cherokee. I am shocked at that kind of gas mileage. I did not dig too deep, but threads on Jeep forums about why some chose it over a 5th Gen are that it has more power, way better gas mileage, lower cost for comparable options, and much more comfortable interior. And this summer they are coming out with another Trailhawk edition that will have an improved suspension (but no locker).

So has anyone on here owned both perhaps? My biggest concern with a Grand Cherokee would be reliability, maybe not when it is brand new but 100k miles down the road. That is where the confidence with a Toyota comes in hopefully, my 3rd Gen 4runner had 170k miles on it when I sold it, and I would have driven it across country without hesitation. With my Jeeps it seems at 100k miles they nickle and dime you with all sorts of minor repairs. But I do appreciate power, interior comfort (I am a big guy), and with the gas prices in California 31mpg sounds pretty sweet.

A big factor will be what kind of deal I can get on either of them as well...

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Quote:

Originally Posted by bluecollarjock I am sure various threads contain info on this comparison but I did not find one that is recent. I am not dedicated to one brand and admit I have a Jeep TJ Rubicon, and have had an XJ, WJ, and another TJ. I've had a 3rd Gen 4runner too I loved. I love Jeeps for what they can do in the woods. However, right now using a TJ as a DD is a pain, and/or I am just getting older and realize I never go off-roading as much as I daydream of doing so. I would rather have a smooth, quiet, cozy vehicle for the 98% of the time I am on the pavement. As it is right now parking is a nightmare, so I will need to dump my TJ then get into an SUV. I was dead set on the 5th Gen (TP), rear locker, Toyota reliability, down the road if I am able to wheel more lots of lifts and aftermarket off road parts available. Well I hear someone mention getting 31mpg in a 4x4 Grand Cherokee. I am shocked at that kind of gas mileage. I did not dig too deep, but threads on Jeep forums about why some chose it over a 5th Gen are that it has more power, way better gas mileage, lower cost for comparable options, and much more comfortable interior. And this summer they are coming out with another Trailhawk edition that will have an improved suspension (but no locker). So has anyone on here owned both perhaps? My biggest concern with a Grand Cherokee would be reliability, maybe not when it is brand new but 100k miles down the road. That is where the confidence with a Toyota comes in hopefully, my 3rd Gen 4runner had 170k miles on it when I sold it, and I would have driven it across country without hesitation. With my Jeeps it seems at 100k miles they nickle and dime you with all sorts of minor repairs. But I do appreciate power, interior comfort (I am a big guy), and with the gas prices in California 31mpg sounds pretty sweet. A big factor will be what kind of deal I can get on either of them as well...

You'll get a better deal on the Jeep. You will also lose value on it quickly and likely lose the $ saved on gas and maintenance, even if you're lucky enough to win the coin flip and not get one that ends up being lemon lawed. They drive great and do save you $ at the pump. They also have lots more technical doohickeys that can also malfunction. IMO lease a Jeep or Buy a 4Runner.

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I have no objective answer for your comparison, but I am a Toyota loyalist for the following reason: I have personally owned a Tacoma and 4th Gen 4Runner that both went over 200k miles with ZERO mechanical issues. In my family, a cousin owns a 3rd gen 4Runner with over 200k and zero issues, grandfather's 1st gen Tacoma went over 300k with no issues, and uncle owns a 1st gen 4Runner with over 300k with only 2 small spots of rust in the rear fenders (no mechanical issues).

The point is, these things don't break, and if I'm gonna spend $35000+ on a new vehicle, I plan to keep it for a pretty darn long time. Just my 2 cents.

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Let's just merge this thread with one (out of the existing 50) of the more popular threads on this very subject.

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Here's some insight into the life of Grand Cherokee owner..

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If you plan on leasing then a Grand Cherokee is much better. I really like the look of the Overland and Summit models.

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When we were looking a couple years ago, price was a big factor. Seemed we couldn't get what we wanted in a GC for less than $50k (sunroof was a must - at the time you had to go up several price packages to get that in the wk2, might be different now). Trail Premium came in around $10k under that (MSRP sticker).

As for the vehicles themselves, we traded an 04 WJ. The 14 4Runner is closer to the WJ, IMO, than the WK2 is. WK2 was definitely a more car-like ride to me. IIRC, it also seemed that you had to use the infotainment system for just about everything. Driving down the road, I just want a few knobs that can easily be changed without requiring me to go through a bunch of "clicks" and pages on a touch screen.

So in that regard, I like the simplicity of the 4Runner better. I like that it doesn't drive like a car. It doesn't look like a car. I like that it's dependable. The mpg "loss" doesn't bother me one bit - I can buy a lot of gas for the $10k price difference. Oh, and the rear window rolls down.

I have absolutely 0 regrets in choosing the 4R over the WK2.

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On my side of the garage sits my 2015 4Tunner TE. My wife's side has her 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland. I would choose the 4Runner every time. I like the Jeep. All the options of the Overland make it a really nice vehicle. Knock on wood, the Jeep has been fairly reliable, no real issues save for a blower fan and steering wheel control button gone bad.
However, I much prefer the feel and ride of the 4Runner. To me it seems it has more character. That may just my bias. Plus, you don't see that many 4Runners unlike the JGC where you see 10 of them on a 5 miles commute to the store.
I would buy the 4Runner for the aforementioned reason, reliability and long term value. I like knowing I can trade or sell my 4Runner for top dollar the whole time I'll own it. Whereas with the Jeep it's worth way less than what we paid, and continues to slide down in value. Plus I know it's not going to be as near as reliable as it ages.

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I'm not sure the GC is really comparable to the 4runner. It's not exactly a direct comparison, but a GC more similar to a highlander than a 4runner. Unibody crossover awd vehicles with better highway manners vs BOF truck based SUV with offroad/utility design goals. GC, highlander, Pilot, Exlorer, are all more comparable to each other. If you don't need the utility functions of the 4runner, a crossover is often a better choice for daily life.

The highlander will have most of the creature comforts you want. If not, the RX350 is the next step up and has a lot more. That's what we have as our other vehicle. It's great for everything but off road. Basically everything you might use a GC for. It's a nice bump up from the GC in the luxury department, and reliable, has great resale value, etc.

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Land Rovers SUCK.

My buddy bought a new one several years back and that POS was in the shop more than it was on the road. Radio, Transmission, A/C and electrical glitches the dealer never could figure out.

He dumped it after a year at loss just to get away from it. Many, many other people have similar experiences (google "land rover sucks").

You couldn't pay me to buy one of those turds.

People that buy them think they are a status symbol in some twisted way, but to me you might as well tattoo "L" on your forehead.

Okay, I feel better now.

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