2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Thread starter Thai
- Start date
Maybe these Cherokee's will actually be well built this time? Those commercials out right now would want you to believe that for sure but with the cherokee being one of the most unreliable and shoddy built vehicles in the past, I would wait awhile to purchase one. They look cool though 
CJ3Flyr
Super Moderator
I am not commenting on the vehicle but DAMN!, those are the best commercials ever!
I was watching the vids and thinking more about the air suspension.... The suspension needs an accumulator that adjusts head pressure too. That would get some ride/quality and minor articulation into the mix and still allow for maximum on-the-fly suspension tuning.
As it is I think the clearance looks good but it's stiff!
Thai
Elite Member
Too bad that Jeep did not go far enough with the suspension...they could have incorporated cross-linking shocks like the one you see in Range Rovers...you get air suspension along with amazing wheel articulation.
Maybe these Cherokee's will actually be well built this time? Those commercials out right now would want you to believe that for sure but with the cherokee being one of the most unreliable and shoddy built vehicles in the past, I would wait awhile to purchase one. They look cool though
I've been reading up on this new Grand Cherokee and it looks like they took a completely different approach to designing and building this vehicle. There are some really good stories on the development that went into it and the extensive testing that has never before been done with a new Jeep vehicle in the past. So maybe it will prove to be better built and more reliable than past Jeeps. But the air suspension and terrain response just seem like two items that have the potential to be expensive repair items, so who knows...
But at least somebody out there is still making a good looking midsize SUV. Toyota certainly doesn't anymore....
Clemsonfan15
New member
Um...no. No, I didn't.
Thai
Elite Member
snap315
New member
Official Jeep Website Opened
They have finally opened the official 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee website:
Jeep — All-New 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee - SUV, 4x4, Sports Utility Vehicle
:frog:
They have finally opened the official 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee website:
Jeep — All-New 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee - SUV, 4x4, Sports Utility Vehicle
:frog:
Thai
Elite Member
Edmunds Track Testing of new JGC: IL Track Tested: 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4x4 V6
I agree those commercials are damn good
brian2sun
Elite Member
Yeah, those commercials are pretty cool! But, I don't buy the insinuations that it's so tough and capable though. Traction control smraction control, Jeep is succombing to the disease that every other automaker has - design it to shuttle kids to piano recitals, but act as if it was made to traverse the Himalayas. Hopefully we won't see the Rubicon follow suit any more than it already has (i.e. paper thin body panels, plastic where metal should be, the V6, etc..).
Thai
Elite Member
The thin body panels could be cost cutting...but it could also be an attempt to keep curb weight down, thus improving fuel economy. The main thing with these body-on-frame SUVs is that the frame is not compromise. And in this case, i think that the Wrangler frame is quite stout, much more so than any Wrangler before it! Plastic panels reduce off-road damage (and again, weight)...and makes replacement of those parts CHEAP!
Now, if rumor has it right (please please please!), the 2011 Wrangler may get the V6 that you see here in the jeep Grand Cherokee! Can you imagine...270 hp in a Wrangler?!!! :jaw drop: Add to that a 4:1 transfer case, 4.1 diff ratios, etc..!! Or, hopefully in 2012 or so, a diesel. :thumb3:
brian2sun
Elite Member
Yeah, I'm glad they strengthened the frame for the newer wranglers because that is definitely one of the most important things. I wouldn't be complaining about a 270 hp V6 (or a diesel), but the wranglers right now are under powered for living in the mtns.
I didn't mean plastic body panels, I meant stuff like the grill, but plastic panels would actually be a huge improvement! The new wranglers have thin ass metal body panels that dent really easy. You can dent the body in 5 spots by pressing hard with your thumb and fingers.
Thai
Elite Member
You're going to see that thin metal panels will be the norm for most cars as fuel economy demands goes up. Besides making the car more aerodynamic and the powertrain more efficient, the only other way to make a car have better fuel economy is to make "unnecessary" metal panels lighter. By "unnecessary", i mean panels that are not needed to protect occupants in a car crash. Modern cars use high-tensile steel in vital areas and the cheap crap elsewhere. I noticed this on my 2005 Corolla...man, the sheetmetal was thin (Altoid can thin!). My Prius is the same way. You can also notice this by looking at 3rd gen 4runners vs. the later generations. I am sure that cost-cutting is part of it, but the quest for better fuel economy also plays a vital role. My old Mercedes had one of the thickest body panel that you can buy, but it also got a whopping 12-13 mpg! 
brian2sun
Elite Member
I hear ya, I just don't think mpgs should be the driving force and determining factor on every vehicle made. It makes perfect sense for a Camry, Civic, Yaris, etc.. because people make decisions to buy those cars very much based on fuel economy.
But people don't buy Wranglers because of their mpgs now, if they did they're pretty dumb because their fuel economy is average to poor even now. I don't think making the truck like a tin can is going to please the niche of consumers that are interested in a 4x4 Jeep. In fact none of my Jeep buddies would trade an mpg or 2 for some "Altiod" panels if given the choice.
Why is Jeep (and most all the other 4x4 automakers) so distant to the real concerns of their customers? All I'm sayin is they should make Priuses primarily for people that want to go hundreds of miles on $20. Make Jeeps (and all 4x4 trucks) for people who want a strong, powerful truck which will still get decent mpgs with all the modern technology that goes into these engines nowadays.
But people don't buy Wranglers because of their mpgs now, if they did they're pretty dumb because their fuel economy is average to poor even now. I don't think making the truck like a tin can is going to please the niche of consumers that are interested in a 4x4 Jeep. In fact none of my Jeep buddies would trade an mpg or 2 for some "Altiod" panels if given the choice.
Why is Jeep (and most all the other 4x4 automakers) so distant to the real concerns of their customers? All I'm sayin is they should make Priuses primarily for people that want to go hundreds of miles on $20. Make Jeeps (and all 4x4 trucks) for people who want a strong, powerful truck which will still get decent mpgs with all the modern technology that goes into these engines nowadays.
Thai
Elite Member
I agree 100% with you. There is no way that a Jeep Wrangler will get good mileage due to body-on-frame, solid axles, and brickwall aerodynamics.
But, it may be out of Jeep control. As Obama (and most politicians) pushes for better fuel economy out of the car manufacturers, Jeep (and others) may not have a choice. Niche or not, their livelihood depends on "making the grade" in terms of fuel economy.
Remember, as Duhockey noted recently (in another thread), many Wrangler owners don't take their ride off-road. Most buy it for the open air coolness and image of carefree. Not many buy it for the Rubicon trail. So, even among the Wrangler owners (highest % of off-roaders i think), most of the sales are not for off-roading. Thus, the demand for better fuel economy will be there.
If you were Jeep CEO, then what would you do? You're being pressured by government to get better fuel economy out of your cars, your company is under financial stress, and most of your customers are soccer moms. Niche? I don't think that the everyday-getting-smaller group of off-roaders will be at the top of Jeep's CEO these days. Hell, just be glad that Jeep has kept the Wrangler with full set of solid axles (Dana 44 hybrid), lockers, and 4:1 TC along with beefy off-road tires! Just look at the Grand Cherokee...that thing just get more sissified with every generation!
And yes, be happy that Toyota made the Trail Edition for the 4runner in 2010...and charge $42,000 for it!
Well, the second part is not particularly happy, but you get my point.
brian2sun
Elite Member
I agree 100% with you. There is no way that a Jeep Wrangler will get good mileage due to body-on-frame, solid axles, and brickwall aerodynamics.
But, it may be out of Jeep control. As Obama (and most politicians) pushes for better fuel economy out of the car manufacturers, Jeep (and others) may not have a choice. Niche or not, their livelihood depends on "making the grade" in terms of fuel economy.
Remember, as Duhockey noted recently (in another thread), many Wrangler owners don't take their ride off-road. Most buy it for the open air coolness and image of carefree. Not many buy it for the Rubicon trail. So, even among the Wrangler owners (highest % of off-roaders i think), most of the sales are not for off-roading. Thus, the demand for better fuel economy will be there.
If you were Jeep CEO, then what would you do? You're being pressured by government to get better fuel economy out of your cars, your company is under financial stress, and most of your customers are soccer moms. Niche? I don't think that the everyday-getting-smaller group of off-roaders will be at the top of Jeep's CEO these days. Hell, just be glad that Jeep has kept the Wrangler with full set of solid axles (Dana 44 hybrid), lockers, and 4:1 TC along with beefy off-road tires! Just look at the Grand Cherokee...that thing just get more sissified with every generation!
And yes, be happy that Toyota made the Trail Edition for the 4runner in 2010...and charge $42,000 for it!
Well said. I think it's extremely sad though that the president and his minion witch Pelosi have their greasy fingers on the automakers at all. I'm sure most would agree that the White House needs to stay the hell out of private biz if anyone actually knew a god damn thing about politics instead of watching TV and believing whatever channel is on. Our economy sucks sure, but that's not the automakers' fault - it's the White House's fault - for every reason imaginable.
It's like, Hey lets micro-manage big business down to the toilet paper they use why don't we, but keep letting our "fearless" leaders ride in their Leer jets from mansion to mansion. Or let's accomodate the ra****ed trend of soccer moms buying off roaders by forcing automakers to appease them while hanging their long time, dedicated client base of off roaders and outdoorsmen out to dry. We are so f***ed.
Thai
Elite Member
brian2sun
Elite Member
Let me take a wild guess...you did not vote for Obama??
lol!
