2015 4Runner vs. GC

[MATTYDIRT]

I wonder if Jeep’s 100K powertrain warranty is not just a marketing scheme, but rather an indication that they’ve improved significantly.

a 100k mile power train warranty isn't going to save you from any electrical problems. I read through a bunch of reviews on the JGC and walked away disappointed and scared with the thought of spending a lot of time at the dealership trying to get it fixed.

Otherwise - given the information you've provided - I would go with the JGC - just know that even the trail rated JGC has limitations over even an SR5 4R in terms of off-road ability. But, let's face it, a good portion of us don't use these vehicles to the extent they are meant to be driven, we just like the idea of being able to if needed.

Cheers! Keep us posted on your decision.

 

[sn_85]

Thank you, everybody, for the feedback. It was especially useful to hear real life experience stories from those that had Jeeps before!

They are not exactly apples and apples, of course, mostly due to difference in how they need to be configured. Yet, they are in the same ballpark as far as pricing and features.

If I go with GC, I’d want one that is Trail Rated – this means it’s going to have leather, which I don’t really care about. I don’t need (or want, for that matter) a sunroof, so there goes the need to spend extra 1-1.5K on either vehicle. I do want the touch screen infotainment system and they come at a price in GC and already included with 4R (Here’s about $1K difference right there). I don’t expect to be taking it off road too much, but I do want the tools to allow myself to do that if I so choose – hence the choice of 4R Trail vs. Trail rated Jeep. Well, that and the kinetic suspension add-on available on Trail that also helps with cornering in day-to-day driving. I will be coming from an off-road edition Xterra after all, so I’m not ready to give up that yet. Additionally, I’m not planning to lift, modify or otherwise alter either one of the vehicles – both are enough capable off road in their stock versions for the extend that I maybe taking them.

The majority of the driving will be in the city and on paved roads, of course, so day-to-day experience will be the most crucial deciding factors.
4R has less bells than GC, but I can leave without them – I don’t have to have automatic climate control, I’m perfectly fine with manual adjustments. I don’t have to have power lift gate – it’s a nice feature, but I’d like to think that I can handle the exercise of opening and closing the gate. I don’t care about leather either. Adaptive CC, blind spot monitor, etc are not even available on 4R, but they would add too much $$$ to GC, so that’s not a consideration either.

My main issue with 4R is transmission. My X is 6sp manual, which makes it infinitely more responsive than its AT version. The 4R transmission is very slow at lower RPMs and I’m afraid it’s going to drive me insane after some time (or I’d get used to it). GC is very “peppy”, especially considering its weight. Gas mileage is also a bit better in GC, but not quite enough to justify the price difference. I’m mostly on the bandwagon because of reliability and $4K price difference. What kinda makes me lean toward GC, even considering the Toyota’s reliability, if I can afford extra $4K is that, in my experience, when manufacturers start offering 100K mile powertrain warranty, they mean it. I’ve had Isuzu Rodeo when they were offering 120K mile powertrain warranty and I had zero issues with the engine or transmission over 100+K miles I had it. When Hyundai’s started doing their insane warranty, their cars suddenly started breaking all records of reliability too. I wonder if Jeep’s 100K powertrain warranty is not just a marketing scheme, but rather an indication that they’ve improved significantly.

To me it sounds like you have already made your mind up. This is a pro 4Runner forum (obviously) and I don't think any more words of wisdom/advice is going to sway you at this point. It sounds like you enamored with the extra technology and 8 speed transmission of the JGC over the slow and reliable 4Runner. To each their own. At the end of the day it's your money, you should spend it with what makes you most comfortable and happy. Good luck with your purchase and hopefully the JGC won't give you too many problems.

 

[HerT4R]

sick of threads like this...

beware flamethrower on :flamethrwoer2:
you do realize this is a toyota 4runner forum right? as soon as you realize this please read on:

1. Nobody here is going to make up your mind for you.
2. It sounds like you have already made your decision from the tone in your responses.
3. I do not know many, or any, who keep a GC for 7+ years... Not that they aren't out there but I do not know of many...

[MENTION=81573]Stifler[/MENTION] can probably add some knowledge and some cutting wit and sarcasm to put GC vs T4R in perspective for you. :boxing:


if you would have searched you would have located this thread and many more threads like it... "trailhawk vs 4runner"


Do some reading and researching (all over the interwebs, not just here as we are biased and not afraid to say so) and if you choose to overlook all the issues of a GC over the T4R at least you knew those risks and consequences that you willingly chose to overlook.


and dont come :crybaby::sobbing: back when you dont like the decision you made. Put your adult pants on, research all the pros and cons, and live with the decision you make. all of us have to do that everyday, not sure why this is so tough for you. :noidea:

happy trails!
:roadkill:

 

[Borisu]

TRAIL RATED just means 4x4 its not some mythical unicorn Jeep. Hence no trail rated badges on 4x2.... in other words it is gimmicky marketing crap!

Trail Rated actually gives you locking diff, extra underbody protection, different suspension and couple of other features. Not all AWD Jeeps are TR

 

[1engineer]

... in my experience, when manufacturers start offering 100K mile powertrain warranty, they mean it. I’ve had Isuzu Rodeo when they were offering 120K mile powertrain warranty and I had zero issues with the engine or transmission over 100+K miles I had it. When Hyundai’s started doing their insane warranty, their cars suddenly started breaking all records of reliability too. I wonder if Jeep’s 100K powertrain warranty is not just a marketing scheme, but rather an indication that they’ve improved significantly.

Dude.
A warranty is nothing more than a sales concession. I was on a project team on warranty development for a global product and trust me, you are wrong.

Basically what this means is they have accrued money for that 100K mile period of time against warranty claims. What that means is they are charging you more up front to cover their warranty for a longer period of time. You don't see it in the price but it is built in I can assure you.

Giving a longer warranty does not mean the product suddenly got better. What happened is the OEM decided to use a longer warranty as a marketing tool, nothing more and nothing less. You are paying for it you just don't know it.

With that said buy a Jeep. Everyone needs to own one once.

 

[Borisu]

a 100k mile power train warranty isn't going to save you from any electrical problems.

Yes, and that's my concern. I've had Toyotas before (and we have a Sienna now) and I know how reliable they are.

But, let's face it, a good portion of us don't use these vehicles to the extent they are meant to be driven, we just like the idea of being able to if needed.

Exactly! I've used locking diff on my Xterra maybe twice over the last 7 years... and 4LO just a handful of times (it did save my ass though), but I knew I could use it if needed.

 

[Borisu]

beware flamethrower on :flamethrwoer2:
you do realize this is a toyota 4runner forum right? as soon as you realize this please read on:

1. Nobody here is going to make up your mind for you.
2. It sounds like you have already made your decision from the tone in your responses.
3. I do not know many, or any, who keep a GC for 7+ years... Not that they aren't out there but I do not know of many...


[MENTION=81573]Stifler[/MENTION] can probably add some knowledge and some cutting wit and sarcasm to put GC vs T4R in perspective for you. :boxing:


if you would have searched you would have located this thread and many more threads like it... "trailhawk vs 4runner"


Do some reading and researching (all over the interwebs, not just here as we are biased and not afraid to say so) and if you choose to overlook all the issues of a GC over the T4R at least you knew those risks and consequences that you willingly chose to overlook.


and dont come :crybaby::sobbing: back when you dont like the decision you made. Put your adult pants on, research all the pros and cons, and live with the decision you make. all of us have to do that everyday, not sure why this is so tough for you. :noidea:

happy trails!
:roadkill:

If I made up my mind I wouldn't be here I'm leaning toward GC, because of, arguably, subjective reasons I mentioned, but I'm not at a Jeep dealer today signing the deal. From what I'm seeing, it appears I'm not the first (and probably not the last) one to be on the same fence.

And yes, I expected some "why are you saying that there is another vehicle that is even worthy of being mentioned on a 4R forum", but I figured I can sort through these comments and get useful info from those that can see "outside of the 4R". I suspected, and it looks like, rightly so, that some people here would come from Jeeps, and some maybe considering leaving the Toyota wagon because of whatever experience they had. That's why I'm here - not trying to start a war!eace:

 

[RockyMountainT4R]

Trail Rated actually gives you locking diff, extra underbody protection, different suspension and couple of other features. Not all AWD Jeeps are TR

Hmmm. Knowledge is power and ignorance can be very expensive.

 

[Greenamphibious]

Trail Rated actually gives you locking diff, extra underbody protection, different suspension and couple of other features. Not all AWD Jeeps are TR

Every 4x4 is badged trail rated. I just sold a JKU sport 4x4. It was badges and didn't not have locking different. My 06 GC was 4x4 without locking diff. It was badged

 

[Whiplash Willy]

I like driving around a basic, solid, over-engineered vehicle, that is more capable then I will ever need it to be. I don't want all of that extra electronic junk, that is just going to fail, and be expensive to replace down the road. I hate to think how expensive that Kinetic Suspension is going to be to fix in 7 years, if it even lasts that long. BTW in 7 years, the 4runner will have held its value way better then the JGC will have.

I also rather have a vehicle that was put together by some anal Japanese autoworker, rather then a drunken union employee...

It is kinda nice being able to drive over curbs, obstacles, and other S, without having to worry about damaging anything, or throwing off alignment. I like being to just drive my vehicle and not be constantly worried about something expensive breaking, or how much that weird noise is going to cost to fix. I know that wherever I take my 4Runner, I won't be going anywhere near its limits. A CUV could take me to the same places, but they would be doing so at their limits.

Coming from 2 previous high-maintenance PITA vehicles (New VW TDIs), I can tell you all of that tech, and complicated modern BS isn't worth it. It is nice when it works, but there is always something throwing a code or making a weird noise. What a pain it is to always be taking it in to the dealer for warranty work, just for them to tell you nothing is wrong. You will find your self spending considerable time trying to find out how to exactly reproduce the issue, just so you can show the tech that there really is something wrong, so they can fix it half-assedly while it is still under warranty.

I guess you just have to decide what is important to you. Would you rather have a smoking hot Girlfriend with fake tits, but is a huge PITA, and is always b1tching and nagging, who by the way won't be that hot a few years down the road? Or would you rather have a moderate looking girlfriend who is fun and enjoyable to be around, with no drama.

One last thing...please stop complaining about the 4Runners MPG. It gets the same MPG as any other Midsized SUV (Or should I say CUV) in its class. In stock form I average 18.5mpg mixed, and see 24mpg on the freeway. I don't think the is a Midsized SUV out there that gets significantly better real world numbers then that.

 

[Jayhawk5G]

Trail Rated actually gives you locking diff, extra underbody protection, different suspension and couple of other features. Not all AWD Jeeps are TR

Oh you meant to say the Off-Road Adventure packages I and II...

Which feature many items that come standard on SR5 4x4 from the skid plates to downhill ascent control...

Trail Rated is marketing jargon, and this is coming from a former WK GC owner with HEMI and Quadra-Drive II.

 

[WiscoTundra]

Life's short get what makes you happy! The GC is a great vehicle... You are the only one who knows how your going use it. If it's a daily driver around town, that's one thing. If you want to go the route that few would choose then the easy answer is the 4Runner. I know when I'm 30 miles from anything in the woods, I'm not going to trust my family's well being to the GC... But all the electronics in it would be great on the way to the grocery store...

 

[Borisu]

Every 4x4 is badged trail rated. I just sold a JKU sport 4x4. It was badges and didn't not have locking different. My 06 GC was 4x4 without locking diff. It was badged

It may have changed with later models, but now you need to get Off-Road Adventure II package to make it TR. Standard AWD Off-Road Adventure I doesn't cut it for the badge.

Since this is a 4R forum, as I've been pointed out already several times, I'm afraid I'm going to get ripped apart if I get more into GC details, but that's how it is on '15

On a side note, since you had an experience with '06 GC and in a 4R now, any insight on the reliability issues vs. 4R?

 

[Borisu]

Oh you meant to say the Off-Road Adventure packages I and II...

Which feature many items that come standard on SR5 4x4 from the skid plates to downhill ascent control...

Trail Rated is marketing jargon, and this is coming from a former WK GC owner with HEMI and Quadra-Drive II.

Yes. The main reason I'm considering a Trail 4R vs. SR5 is because of KDSS, which seems to be making a difference when cornering on paved roads as well. Otherwise, SR5 is more than sufficient for what I need.

Also, even though HEMI is not what I'm looking at, any reliability issues from your GC days you can share?

 

[Greenamphibious]

It may have changed with later models, but now you need to get Off-Road Adventure II package to make it TR. Standard AWD Off-Road Adventure I doesn't cut it for the badge.

Since this is a 4R forum, as I've been pointed out already several times, I'm afraid I'm going to get ripped apart if I get more into GC details, but that's how it is on '15

On a side note, since you had an experience with '06 GC and in a 4R now, any insight on the reliability issues vs. 4R?

I traded the GC in after 6 months and 1 transmission.... bought a 2011 4runner traded it in for a Jeep and realize 2200 miles later that was stupid... .have a 154r now.

 

[Jayhawk5G]

Yes. The main reason I'm considering a Trail 4R vs. SR5 is because of KDSS, which seems to be making a difference when cornering on paved roads as well. Otherwise, SR5 is more than sufficient for what I need.

Also, even though HEMI is not what I'm looking at, any reliability issues from your GC days you can share?

Let's just say there is a reason I'm not driving one anymore. I sold my 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Internally coded WK) in 2012 after many headaches from a large amount of oil blowby on the air filter, the vehicle refusing to start on random and inopprtune occasions, accelrated wear on the interior, leaking pinion, flickering dash lights, etc.

When I sold it I knew I wanted to upgrade to a newer SUV, I looked at the new Jeep Grand Cherokee (Internally coded WKII because it's essentially the same platform) and the new Toyota 4Runner. The Jeep was test driven first because like you comparitively it seemed to offer more. I test drove it and immediately noticed squeeks and noises, the V6 seemed like it would be more suited to a car than an SUV, the interior fit and finish wasn't great either. My wife pushed me to test drive the 4Runner, and it was night and day different. It felt solid, no noises, great fit and finish, adequate power, 10 min. into driving it the Jeep was off the table.

The Jeep is pretty no doubt, but beyond that it cant compare.

 

[Colo15T4R]

Ha ha great thread. So the girlfriend has a 2104 Jeep GC Overland edition which is a $50k SUV with 28,000 miles on it and I cant stand to drive it, yeah it has a Hemi and the power is nice, but that's it. It feels cheap especially the turn signal arm but just in general feels cheap and not put together well. Since I bought my 2015 4RUNNER SR5 we take that everywhere and now she cant stand to drive the Jeep. So its gonna be so long jeep, hello land Cruiser. love my sugar mama! Buy the jeep, trade it in on a 4Runner, change you screen name and enjoy this forum and the smarter choice. :ybrick:

 

[Borisu]

Let's just say there is a reason I'm not driving one anymore. I sold my 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Internally coded WK) in 2012 after many headaches from a large amount of oil blowby on the air filter, the vehicle refusing to start on random and inopprtune occasions, accelrated wear on the interior, leaking pinion, flickering dash lights, etc.

When I sold it I knew I wanted to upgrade to a newer SUV, I looked at the new Jeep Grand Cherokee (Internally coded WKII because it's essentially the same platform) and the new Toyota 4Runner. The Jeep was test driven first because like you comparitively it seemed to offer more. I test drove it and immediately noticed squeeks and noises, the V6 seemed like it would be more suited to a car than an SUV, the interior fit and finish wasn't great either. My wife pushed me to test drive the 4Runner, and it was night and day different. It felt solid, no noises, great fit and finish, adequate power, 10 min. into driving it the Jeep was off the table.

The Jeep is pretty no doubt, but beyond that it cant compare.

My wife is also the reason I test drove 4R yesterday - wasn't even considering it before because of antiquated transmission. She did it for a different reasons though - she didn't want a Jeep for no other reason that it sounds wrong

I have to agree that it does feel much more solid and robust - it's a truck after all.

Thank you for the feedback on your GC reliability details!

 

[1engineer]

My wife is also the reason I test drove 4R yesterday - wasn't even considering it before because of antiquated transmission. She did it for a different reasons though - she didn't want a Jeep for no other reason that it sounds wrong

I have to agree that it does feel much more solid and robust - it's a truck after all.

Thank you for the feedback on your GC reliability details!

You call it antiquated. An engineer calls it a proven design that is reliable and durable and still fairly efficient. I don't know what you do for a living but I know a bit about drivelines as they are part of my job...

 

[Antman]

It was badges and didn't not have locking different.

Well said sir, well said.