NoBrakesRacing
NoBrakesRacing Reader
4/29/20 1:50 p.m.

Hello GRM'ers,

What is everyone thoughts and experiences with the grand cherokees from the wk2 generation?

I'm specially interested in the 2014 or newer since they received the 8 speed transmission and some revisions.

Looking at 4wd with tow package, wife wants heated seats. Xm radio would be nice. 

Intended usage is family wagon (2 small children), dirt road explorer, towing a 3000lbs sailboat (caralina 22) ,  planning on also getting a camper in the 5000lbs gross weight range.

Thoughts on 3.6 pentastar engine and ability for towing? 5.7 hemi would be good but raises cost. 

Difficulties of maintenance and simple repairs by yours truly?

Reliability (fca product)?

Etc. 

 

Thank you

wawazat
wawazat Dork
4/29/20 5:04 p.m.

My 2014 Eco-diesel Summit was a horrible vehicle.  Worst vehicle I've ever owned BY far with many multiple day stays at the dealership getting repaired.  Faults were mostly related to the power train but the worst was 42 days!   I know plenty of people who have had good experiences with them but mine was terrible.  Would not buy again.

RossD
RossD MegaDork
4/29/20 5:56 p.m.

I love our 2014 with the 3.6. We dont tow much of nothing. 

Its a great daddymobile. Although I wish I would have went for the Durango version for the extra length. But then we would have given up on the fancy 4wd system that lets you select the road conditions. Its pretty sweet.

The 3.6/8speed is a gem of a combo. After driving only the V6 version, I was glad I didnt drive the hemi. We get 23 mpg overall with summer gas and aroumd 19-20 with winter blend. Long highway drives can get into the 24 range.

Only had a few service things done. Nothing major. We put over 100k miles on ours.

pontiacstogo
pontiacstogo Reader
4/29/20 6:27 p.m.

We have a 2016 GC Laredo E that we bought a couple of years ago with 20K miles.  It now has 66K miles and we have had no problems with it at all - except for one that just started recently (after it was out of warranty of course).  The center display always works 100% every morning when we start it, but after the first stop and restart, it goes blank and intermittently shows kilometers instead of miles.  Jeep dealer wants $1700 to install and program a new cluster.  So far we are just living with it.

We bought a factory hitch for it not long after we purchased it - to fit the hitch required bumper removal and cutting a hole for the hitch, but it was a pretty straightforward job.  The 3.6 tows pretty well - but it's short wheelbase, so I've never tried to tow anything too heavy/large with it.  It certainly handles a trailer with a couple of sport-bikes no problem.

Aside from the above mentioned cluster problem it's been a great vehicle - comfortable, quiet, smooth and reliable.  It's also really good in the snow (we live in Central PA).

I would look for 2016 and newer if for no other reason than the updated automatic shifter.

NoBrakesRacing
NoBrakesRacing Reader
4/29/20 7:04 p.m.

In reply to wawazat :

Sorry to hear that. 

I'm trying to avoid any nightmare like that, hopefully a clean car fax would be a good sign. 

I have no interest in the diesel for a number of reasons, mostly trying to keep it simple. 

 

Thank you

NoBrakesRacing
NoBrakesRacing Reader
4/29/20 7:09 p.m.

In reply to RossD :

Good to hear that. 

I think the size would be good for us, we currently have a kia sorento of similar size. 

I like the idea of the 4wd system and height adjustable suspension, although worried about repairs above my abilities. 

Thank you

NoBrakesRacing
NoBrakesRacing Reader
4/29/20 7:15 p.m.

In reply to pontiacstogo :

Thank you. 

Hadn't seen anything about the shifter  changing, I'll look into it.

The towing package comes with high output alternator and HD cooling, otherwise it's rated for 3,200lbs vs 6,200lbs which is important for our use. 

It's true that the wheelbase is a bit short but don't want a fullsize now. 

I may look into extended warranties just for all the electronics. I've always had simpler  cars in which I could work easily.

pontiacstogo
pontiacstogo Reader
4/29/20 7:59 p.m.

If you're looking at a used one, surprisingly few have the tow package - particularly in the lower trim levels like the Laredo and Laredo E's.  Not sure where you are located, but there's a local dealership in my area that specializes in off-lease and ex-rentals and they have a pretty good range of GC's (58 of them at this posting).  Here's an example of a Laredo with the factory tow package;

https://www.blueknobauto.com/used/Jeep/2017-Jeep-Grand+Cherokee-duncansville+pa-b03d8f1e0a0e08f754d4f301bb0585a3.htm

Keep in mind too that with pretty much all FCA vehicles you can use the VIN to look up the original window sticker.  For example, this is the URL for the GC I linked to above - just replace the VIN at the end of the URL with the vehicle you want to look up;

https://window-sticker-services.pse.dealer.com/windowsticker/jeep?vin=1C4RJFAG9HC895999

A Limited may be a better option for you than a Laredo or Laredo E as they are more likely to have a tow package and heated seats.  I think most of the Trailhawks come with the tow package standard, so that may be another option although they have a price to match.

NoBrakesRacing
NoBrakesRacing Reader
4/29/20 9:52 p.m.

In reply to pontiacstogo :

Thank you, I'm in Grapevine, Texas, near Dallas.

A lot of wk2's in the area, the vin searcher will help. 

buzzboy
buzzboy Dork
4/30/20 6:24 a.m.

We rented one in about 2016. Drove from SLC up into Idaho and Wyoming. The 4x4 system worked well in snow and ice. The main thing I remember though is that it had impressive fuel range.

pontiacstogo
pontiacstogo Reader
4/30/20 6:48 a.m.
NoBrakesRacing said:

Hadn't seen anything about the shifter  changing, I'll look into it.

The problem got national attention when it contributed to a Star Trek actor's death;

Anton Yelchin

dean1484
dean1484 MegaDork
4/30/20 7:28 a.m.

The 5,000 GVW you are talking about for towing I would be looking at a crew cab truck or Suburban.  
 

I may be wrong on this but I think the 3.6 had some issues. Like they can develop rod knock for no apparent reason. My friends shop has replaced a bunch of these motors in newer jeeps. He picks them up cheep and replaces the motors. Then takes advantage of the "It's a Jeep thing" tax and sells them on at a very nice profit. He does this in between regular regular customer jobs. 

NoBrakesRacing
NoBrakesRacing Reader
4/30/20 8:09 a.m.

In reply to pontiacstogo :

Thank you for that, now I remember. I do prefer the newer system with actual notches vs joystick. 

NoBrakesRacing
NoBrakesRacing Reader
4/30/20 8:14 a.m.

In reply to dean1484 :

I've own a few full sized chevys but don't want another now. Did find and ex police 08 4wd tahoe that is very tempting but not wife approved. She prefers something newer than our 2011 sorento. 

I have heard a mixed bag on the 3.6 pentastar, seems to do well on the caravans not as well on the jeeps. 

What are the thoughts on the 5.7 hemi?

May be thinking that way for better towing,  rated for 7k vs 6.2k for the V6. but should pull a lot better. 

 

Thank you

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