2012 Diesel Jeep Grand Cherokee: First Drive

[M1911]

Yea, I'm not a fan of the refresh styling either. Another concern for me is the weight -- the article said it was 5300 lbs. If true, that is grotesquely overweight for a midsize SUV.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Seems a good percentage of this forum flip their vehicles every few years, this would never come into play for many.

But in 10 years or so the reliability will come into play in the used market since look at how many people have the confidence in buying a 150k miles Toyota vs 150k mile Jeep product.

 

[rjmckay99]

I wish that I could say I've had no problems while putting 125k miles on my 4th gen 4Runner, but that wouldn't be true.

While I consider pads and rotors to be normal wear items, replacing the front calipers three times and the rears twice is not normal and it is what I would consider a problem. My truck has a harmonic vibration between 60 and 70 mph that appears to be coming from the front diff. There was a TSB for this for the GX470, but Toyota refused to address this on my truck.

I'm hoping that my transfer case actuator doesn't leak -- I did see oil on my driveway under the centerline of the vehicle last summer, then it stopped. If it does, that will cost more than $1k to fix it. I'm also hoping my exhaust manifolds don't crack, as that would be another $1k+ fix.

Now, do I think my 4Runner is one of the more reliable SUVs on the market? Yes. Is it perfect? No. Will it go 250k with no problems? Well, it has already had problems, so no.

Btw, Autoblog just published a test drive of the JGC diesel: 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel First Drive

Interesting review on the Cherokee. 420 ft-lbs makes me jealous! I test drove one last year so I can't comment on the diesel, but the Hemi I drove was a nice vehicle. Still when they say there isn't a more capable luxury off road vehicle I think the author may be missing one important one that is the feature of this forum! :boxer: At least in Ltd trim. My girlfriends mom purchased a Cherokee shortly after I bought the 4runner. In the year of ownership I have had 1 minor issue, the drivers seat lumbar. In that same time she has visited the dealer at least 4 times with various electrical issues, and a very noisy rear suspension issue. Very small sample size, but reliability was one of the reasons I went with the Yota'.

 

[KCcarguy]

lol

Got to say I've done some of my best work high in the past, you really zone in and focus on what you're doing.

What? Gay porn?

 

[redbull9944]

The diesel option is a good idea, but trust me... this Jeep is still going to be a piece of sh*t. I'd still rather drive my 2001 180hp 15mpg 4Runner over one of these heeps.

 

[crunchcity]

What? Gay porn?

Your responding to my post referencing gay porn, something on your mind...

 

[4everunner]

Just saw the 2014 design on Autoblog:

No amount of diesel is going to convince me to buy THAT!....

Okki

PS:

Price City Highway Fuel Tank City Range City $/Mile Highway Range Highway $/Mile
Diesel $4.19 21 28 24 504 $0.20 672 $0.15
Gas $3.81 17 22 24 408 $0.22 528 $0.17

Yup... I'll pay the higher gallon price for diesel... higher range for less cost per mile. Saving $0.02 per mile at current fuel cost in both city and highway mileage.

this thing looks like a saturn brand.

 

[Hawaiian4runner]

this thing looks like a saturn brand.

OMG! Is that for real or a joke? Hideous!

 

[RainCityShecks]

Diesel, awesome. Jeep, pass.

 

[KCcarguy]

Your responding to my post referencing gay porn, something on your mind...

No, sorry. Just joshin ya man. :naughty:

 

[KCcarguy]

I'm more intimately familiar with what you stated here than you realize. There is nothing to agree or disagree about regarding what you wrote; it's simple historical fact. However, it still does not disqualify my original contention. They have improved. You stated as such yourself. The above argument and some of the others in this thread, are about something different entirely.

Which is more reliable and better built? There is no doubt, Toyota. Has the JGC (and general domestic automobile production quality) gotten better recently? Yes. My only point.

My caution was against making broad value judgements on the current crop based on vehicles from a different era of manufacturing entirely. You want to say the current JGC still isn't as quality of a vehicle when compared to the 4R based on current data and evidence? Great! I agree with you. You want to say the current JGC is garbage because of experience or data from the 80s and 90s? Come on, man.... :cowboy:

I understand what you're saying and you made a good point. But there is still an element of truth (and a little fanboy-ism too) in what we're all saying. I guess we all have differing opinions on what is an acceptable level of reliability/ build quality. And fact is, if you've been screwed by the Big 3 in the past (as I was), you're not likely to forget it.

The fact that we all bought 4runners says a lot about what type of people we are. We are willing to sacrifice a little "bling", as 1e would say, for reliability. I think this is especially important in a vehicle that can take you to some very isolated areas, or that you may buy for use in harsh weather, etc. This is exactly why I resisted the urge to buy a Land Rover as well as the Jeep.

 

[philsey]

....... And fact is, if you've been screwed by the Big 3 in the past (as I was), you're not likely to forget it....

Oh yeah, tell me about it ...

 

[tacobill]

Diesel option in the JGC is a $4,500 premium. That's a lot of dough for something unproven on American highways. I drove a 2012 Jeep V6 and V8 along with the Durango before buying the 4R. The 4R is not as fancy for sure, but resale and durability were my 2 big reasons for going with Toyota. Plus the Jeep V6 came with a 3:06 diff for better mileage. Made it a dog. Perhaps the 8 speed will solve that issue.

I know NO vehicle is perfect, but odds are in my favor with the Toyota. If I were to buy a JGC it would never be new. I'd buy a 2 year old 2014 V6 after the value plummeted........and I would make sure it had a "Certified" warranty.

 

[Titanpat57]

hey...

it has LED driving lights like an Audi.....

gotta be cool..right?

 

[lowrange44]

Electronical?? I really like that...

I commute about two hours everyday...and I have seen more Mercedes-Benz with a tail light out or one brake light on then all the other manufactures combined....quality isn't what comes to mind for the price point.

What you are seeing is not a faulty tail lamp or brake lamp. Many Mercedes vehicles come equipped with a rear fog light. That single, constant, annoying light on the left side of the Mercedes in front of you is the rear fog light. I'm not a fan of drivers who leave them on all the time.

 

[Titanpat57]

What you are seeing is not a faulty tail lamp or brake lamp. Many Mercedes vehicles come equipped with a rear fog light. That single, constant, annoying light on the left side of the Mercedes in front of you is the rear fog light. I'm not a fan of drivers who leave them on all the time.

Ya learn something new everyday......:usa2:

I just wish the 10+ MB owner would've let me know that...:caked:

 

[Bohlmbo]

Diesel option in the JGC is a $4,500 premium. That's a lot of dough for something unproven on American highways. I drove a 2012 Jeep V6 and V8 along with the Durango before buying the 4R. The 4R is not as fancy for sure, but resale and durability were my 2 big reasons for going with Toyota. Plus the Jeep V6 came with a 3:06 diff for better mileage. Made it a dog. Perhaps the 8 speed will solve that issue.

I know NO vehicle is perfect, but odds are in my favor with the Toyota. If I were to buy a JGC it would never be new. I'd buy a 2 year old 2014 V6 after the value plummeted........and I would make sure it had a "Certified" warranty.

The fact that it is a $4,500 option will probably kill it for a lot of people. That is a LOT of miles before it pays off. The diesel premium for VW is much less and the diesel Mercedes Benz GL is actually the cheapest version. I understand that these engines cost more to produce, but the economics just don't make sense.

- Bob

 

[eddiebx]

Ya learn something new everyday......:usa2:

I just wish the 10+ MB owner would've let me know that...:caked:

How much you want to bet that 9 out of those 10+ MB had no clue themselves! This owner of a high end body shop was telling me how so many of his European car customers complained to them about messing up the brake light circuit once they noticed that one light is constantly on after taking it in ound: