Grand Cherokee questions

I’m thinking about getting a Jeep Grand Cherokee to replace my Jku..the Jku is just a bit too rough for DD duty. I’m thinking 2012-2016. Any year I need to avoid? What are the common issues? What options I should look for or avoid? How reliable are they? Should I avoid the air suspension? None of them was trail rated until the Trailhawk came out in 2017. Which options should I get to get as close to trail rates as possible for light off road on the off road beach and light rocky trail? Thanks all.

We opted for a 2014 model right at the end of the 2014 year, we actually bought it used with 20k miles on it. I really wanted the 8 speed automatic and the V6. If you never drive a V8, the V6 and 8 speed combo will be all you will need for speed unless you want to tow. I did tow a 2k lb car on a uhaul trailer and it did fine. I was pretty gingerly with it though.

We briefly considered the diesel but didnt want the extra cost of buy in and maintenance.

The V8 was out only because of MPGs. Thats the same reason we went with the 2014 was because the years leading up to then were rated with slightly  better mileage but there was a big jump from '13 to '14.

We have 83k miles on ours. We had two CEL: one for the capless fueler neck needed to be cycled a bunch with the funnel because it was dirty, and some other evap component had a leak. I put new tires on last year and just did the braked. Since I have two young kids, I opted to let the dealership do the work so I cant comment on working on them.

Overall, I love it and the star of the show is the drivetrain. The interior is nice but I wish it had more room. The Durango is very similar and has a stretched wheel base and can be had with a 3rd row seating. If I did it all ober again I would have pushed harder for it but the wife want a spiritual replacement for her 98 Cherokee, but this vehicle just doesnt have that spark.

We have the selectable road condition dial for snow, mud or whatever and I use it during snow storms and works great. We also have a hill descent feature that will maintain fractions of a MPH depending what gear you are holding. 

All of the have paddle shifting and its only useful for towing or goofing around a turn, because the sport mode does it quite well for down shifting and keeping the revs up. It also feels a bit more lively in the braking and steering but I never read up on if its just in my head or not.

In reply to RossD :

Isn’t MY ‘14 part of the years with shifter issues (i.e., the one with joystick like shifter)? I hear you on how the Durango is bigger but it doesn’t have the selectable road condition dial, does it? How useful is the selectable road condition dial as far as increasing off road capability for light off road?

ea_sport said:

In reply to RossD :

Isn’t MY ‘14 part of the years with shifter issues (i.e., the one with joystick like shifter)? I hear you on how the Durango is bigger but it doesn’t have the selectable road condition dial, does it? How useful is the selectable road condition dial as far as increasing off road capability for light off road?

IMO, the shifter issue isn't really an issue.  The design is kinda weird and dumb, but it's not a safety hazard.  Anyone who can get out of a car without remembering to put in park, not notice it starting to roll and then puts themself behind the car while still not noticing it's rolling is pretty damn stupid in my book...

The vehicle will automatically put into park under certain circumstances now after an update. The shifter does take a bit to get used to and it is actually easy to be in a different gear than you want, since the shifter always returns to the same center position.

 If you never drive a V8, the V6 and 8 speed combo will be all you will need for speed unless you want to tow. 

Or even if you do? One of my best friends owns a Hemi GC model and i don't find the acceleration compelling enough to spend much money or give up much mpg for it in that vehicle.   Towing would definitely be a consideration for getting the larger engine, though.

I've had a '14 GC Summit ecodiesel since March 2015.  I bought it with 6k on it and added 55k to it in that time.  Highway miles mainly as I'm a salesman.  I sought the diesel for mileage (avg. about 26 MPG with about 70% freeway miles) and towing capacity of 7700 lbs.  Off roading has been limited to some light trails and a trip to the Silver Lake sand dunes here in MI.  The Summit has the air bag suspension which has worked well. 

Positives-fuel mileage, comfort-seats and low noise, features, sized right for my family of four-not too big to park or too small for a week long camping excusion. 

Negatives-uptime, dealership experience and support, odd throttle behavior at times (trans/engine/turbo calibration).

Unfortunately I've had a number of issues with the car, mainly related to the ecodiesel which have resulted in a LOT of downtime.  I also found out that some dealers don't have a diesel technician on staff here in the Detroit area.  The shifter is a bit odd but hasn't been a problem for me.  It drives my wife nuts however.  The reflash doesn't allow the car to be in gear with the drivers door open so I shouldn't get smushed.