Yup, it also reminds me of an X5 from the rear view. But that's a good thing...I've always like the styling of the X5.
Exactly. And that's the beauty of it..... plenty of offroad capability without the need to look like a Hummer wanna-be.
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Thread starter Thai
- Start date
Yup, it also reminds me of an X5 from the rear view. But that's a good thing...I've always like the styling of the X5.
Exactly. And that's the beauty of it..... plenty of offroad capability without the need to look like a Hummer wanna-be.
There are plenty of picture & story websites that document the testing of this vehicle on the Rubicon, just like Toyota did with the 5th gen.
BTW, why would you doubt it? Ground clearance is a key factor on the Rubicon and these Jeeps have the ability to raise up way higher than the 4Runner. Doesn't seem so unbelievable to me....
Thai
Elite Member
I think that we really need to wait on this Jeep. Yes, it is a nice one. Yes, it does have some basic off-road capability. And yes, it does crash test well. All of this is obvious because it shares the same basic platform as the Mercedes ML. But here's my thing...are we so sure that the hardware can hold up to off-road abuse? The Mercedes ML is far from being a hardcore off-roader. Are the control arms up to the task of off-road pounding? Are the differentials strong enough? The Mercedes does not have QuadraDrive...how will the components hold up now with QD?? Sure, a quick off-road trip will be OK, but how will it hold up over the long haul for someone who does take it off-road on a more frequent basis?? The suspension, diffs, and so on are probably shared with the Mercedes ML. The Mercedes ML were never intended to be much of an off-roader. The current ML is purely a crossover. So, yeah, it crash test excellent. Yeah, it has IFS & IRS with lift capability. If this Jeep shares these important components with the MB, then are we so certain that this Jeep will hold up to off-road pounding?
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dcon
New member
You missed the key words "mechanically unscathed", was the JGC able to drive back hundreds of mile after the Rubicon torture test. Jeep made no mention of it but the 4Runner test mules all drove back on its own mechanically intact. If this new jeep is anything like the ML it'll have a bunch of aluminum alloy suspension parts. Also, if this adjustable suspension is based on MB's Airmatic system, you will have a lot of grief with it, it's no secret in the MB circle that this system is problem prone.
BrianLSU
New member
I think he's lumping them together under the "incredible pieces of crap" category and I agree. I know people that own Commanders, I've ridden in them and asked about them. At the time I thought they looked like a retro Cherokee. I don't think in the history of the automotive industry has a 40K vehicle been such an obvious piece of absolute crap. At best I would have paid, maybe, 25K loaded. Even then I knew you would be lucky to get 100K miles out of it before it fell apart.
I can't figure out why there seems to excitement here for a Chrysler vehicle, marketed as an offroad truck, that's based on a Mercedes car. I'll go on record that this will be yet another non wrangler Jeep vehicle that will sell well in the first 6 months to a year and drop off the map after the quality issues rear their head.
BTW, I've owned a Jeep vehicles, 87' Wrangler and a 2005 Rubicon Unlimited, for more than 15 years combined. I have always loved the Jeep brand or to be more specific what the Jeep brand stood for.
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Oh, I didn't miss it. You obviously have not read the same article that I've read if you think the Jeeps tested weren't mechanically intact after traversing the Rubicon.
My brother owns a Commander. I've driven it on several occasions. I'd say it is every bit as capable as a 4Runner and I don't think it's at all a "piece of crap".
So far his has proven to be very reliable, so obviously my experiences are different than yours.
Sell well for 6 months to a year? Surely you must be kidding, right? The Grand Cherokee has always outsold the 4Runner throughout its history. Open your eyes and look around you. Grand Cherokees seem to outnumber 4Runners by a very wide margin almost anywhere you go. And don't make the mistake of thinking that will change with the new generation of Grand Cherokee.
dcon
New member
My thoughts exactly.. It'll be fine for occasional off-road jaunts.
What makes you think I'm buying one? I'm most certainly not....I'm perfectly happy with my 4Runner, which is still under 40K miles.
I find no reason to bash the GC, unlike some people on this forum. That's all.
BrianLSU
New member
you're right, experiences do differ. But you have to admit, it is not worth what it cost. Would you pay 40K for one?
I can't see how you see more GC's by a wide margin. GC's do seem to outsell 4Runners, yes. By a wide margin, absolutely not, maybe 10K more a year over the last 5 years. Unless all those extra vehicles reside around you, a wide margin is not possible.
But more sales is definitely not a litmus for reliability. In my area, there are more Range Rovers than any other SUV. Sure as hell doesn't mean it's a great, reliable vehicle. Just talk to the people who drive em.
Having said all this, I could be wrong about it. It might be a Jeep masterpiece. As the Zen Master said, "We'll see".
snap315
New member
It has a max of 11.5 inches of clearance with the adjustable air suspension system which is more than the 4th or 5th gen 4runners.
So it is MORE offroad capable from that perspective than a stock 4runner. :jaw drop:
I don't think the price of the GC is unreasonable at all. Seems to be on target with its competition.
I live 20 miles north of NYC. If I were to sit in a parking lot and count the amount of GC that I see versus 4Runners, the numbers wouldn't even be close. There are simply a ton more GC on the roads period. Look up the sales numbers and you'll see that they are not even close.
No doubt about that.....nobody was even implying that was the case.
dcon
New member
But, how much articulation do you have left when the suspension is topped out to achieve those ground clearance measurement?
Of course GC outsells the 4Runner, just look at the incentives you get for buying one. You need to remember those sales numbers include the fleet and the rental car co. market. Also, people are probably replacing their JGC more frequently than 4Runner owners.:
So then you agree with me that Brian was way off base when he said it will sell well for 6 months to a year and then "drop off the map"....
Thai
Elite Member
Yeah, but have you notice that Jeep has not published wheel articulation data or RTI scores?? When the Rubicon came out, Jeep was fast to post these data.
Air suspension is also not durable nor reliable. Hell, even the Lexus hydraulic suspension in the LX is not durable...Mercedes air suspension is even worst from what i hear. I much rather have coil springs.
Don't get me wrong, i like the new GC, but i would not put it on the same level as a 2010 4Runner Trail in off-roading. Like i said above, i have my doubts about ML-derived components holding up to off-road abuse.
