Article on GC v TE

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Yeah, I read this a while back. If you look at the vehicle specs on page 6, it's pretty clear that the Toyota is the superior machine:

- More torque
- Lighter
- Bigger brakes
- Higer Ground Clearance
- Shorter Wheelbase
- Smaller wheels (for offroading)
- Steeper approache angle
- Faster acceleration in EVERY category
- Less expensive

... just to name a few.

Plus, if you look at photo #4 of 31, you'll notice that the Jeep has a wheel in the air on what looks to be relatively smooth ground... not much for articulation.

I wonder two things, A) why didn't they use a Limited T4R for the comparision instead of a TE? Then you're comparing apples to apples.

and B) why doesn't Jeep make Trail Edition Cherokee? Maybe that's what the Wrangler Rubicon is for.
 
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rclangelan said:
Yeah, I read this a while back. If you look at the vehicle specs on page 6, it's pretty clear that the Toyota is the superior machine:

- More torque
- Lighter
- Bigger brakes
- Higer Ground Clearance
- Shorter Wheelbase
- Smaller wheels (for offroading)
- Steeper approache angle
- Faster acceleration in EVERY category
- Less expensive

... just to name a few.

Plus, if you look at photo #4 of 31, you'll notice that the Jeep has a wheel in the air on what looks to be relatively smooth ground... not much for articulation.

I wonder two things, A) why didn't they use a Limited T4R for the comparision instead of a TE? Then you're comparing apples to apples.

and B) why doesn't Jeep make Trail Edition Cherokee? Maybe that's what the Wrangler Rubicon is for.
Click to expand...


I thought the comparison was odd, too. Jeep does make something like the TE, I think it is called "trail ready." Has skid plates and qudra-drive II. That would have been apples to apples.
 
rclangelan said:
Yeah, I read this a while back. If you look at the vehicle specs on page 6, it's pretty clear that the Toyota is the superior machine:

- More torque
- Lighter
- Bigger brakes
- Higer Ground Clearance
- Shorter Wheelbase
- Smaller wheels (for offroading)
- Steeper approache angle
- Faster acceleration in EVERY category
- Less expensive

... just to name a few.

Plus, if you look at photo #4 of 31, you'll notice that the Jeep has a wheel in the air on what looks to be relatively smooth ground... not much for articulation.

I wonder two things, A) why didn't they use a Limited T4R for the comparision instead of a TE? Then you're comparing apples to apples.

and B) why doesn't Jeep make Trail Edition Cherokee? Maybe that's what the Wrangler Rubicon is for.
Click to expand...

Based on my research, the TE also gets better mpg. Don't know about cheaper, though. In my area the Jeep GC V6 is $1300 or so cheaper on truecar, comparably equipped.
 
that article is kind of stupid. The 4runner looks a lot "meaner" than the JGC in the 1st few pics. I feel like the JGC should be compared to the new ford explorer or something, with it's wood trim, 4wd via a switch, less clearance., etc.

And if they wanted to compare them, they should have used a limited model.

Idiots.

This is just another example that you can't always trust the articles that compare different vehicles from the big name car/truck magazines and websites.
 
Makes me wonder how American cars keep winning awards in America. Chevy Volt car of the year? Propaganda to make Americans buy American cars I guess. I just hope car companies aren't paying reviewers to be in their favor, then that just undermines the whole point of companies like Motortrend.
 
I've had the Trail for a coupla weeks now, rolled around Green Ridge State Park, western Maryland, this last weekend, have 1K miles on it, and love the truck. Will post a proper intro later when I've snagged some photos.

I spent a coupla months researching before settling on the Trail. Much appreciation for all the knowledge and experience shared here. This is my third truck but first proper way back road / off road machine.

Anway, I took a hard look at Chrysler, and, setting specific points of comparison aside, I came to the overall conclusion that any Chrysler product is a risk at this point. A discerning look at threads regarding recent problems with Jeep (the motherboard in the GC comes to mind) suggests that the company does not have the financial resources to back up its customers. Too many problems are getting solved out the customers' own pockets rather than Chrysler doing the right thing. They can't afford to, it seems.

I don't know how often I'll get way off road but the Trail with KDSS was a no-brainer choice for me. My interests do take me down forest and fire roads, often during wet seasons and sometimes snow. The on road/highway feel is assured and superior--I wasn't looking for a crossover that would give me a massage on the way to work--and the ride down rutted and washed-out Carroll Road in Green Ridge was effortless and uneventful. In short, at age 59, I have never felt more right or more ecstatic about any vehicle purchase. :lookout:

Cheers,
Brad
 
one of these things is not like the other. which one would you rather have off trail?

the difference in ground clearance is ridiculous. to me the GC is still meant for the mall. although they did rate the GC with 20" wheels, maybe that is the equivalent of the LTD 4R?

2010-Toyota-4Runner-Trail-Edition-front-view-in-motion.jpg

2011-Jeep-Grand-Cherokee-Limited-front-view-off-roading.jpg
 
my TE averages 20mpg with mixed driving. 23 on the interstate. Stock tires inflated to 50psi, light on the throttle.

Motortrend is an american owned company, and therefore sets up comparisons that are biased to thier own interests. These two should not have been put up against each other. The limited perhaps, but NOT the TE (which in my mind is beautiful and superior to all GC's and Limiteds... but, im biased too)
 
This was a weird comparison. I looked at the jeep gc before I bought my 4r. It is a beautiful vehicle. It's much quiter and drives much better than the 4r.....especially w/ the hemi. There is no doubt a TE is better off road, but the GC is much quiter and more refined than even the LE. I had a great expeience with my old tacoma, and I just wasn't willing to take the gamble of purchasing an american car, I don't car how nice it is.
 
Paragon1 said:
my TE averages 20mpg with mixed driving. 23 on the interstate. Stock tires inflated to 50psi, light on the throttle.

Motortrend is an american owned company, and therefore sets up comparisons that are biased to thier own interests. These two should not have been put up against each other. The limited perhaps, but NOT the TE (which in my mind is beautiful and superior to all GC's and Limiteds... but, im biased too)
Click to expand...

50 psi? Are you trying to blow a tire?
 
I had the benefit of renting a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited V6 for a full week during the holidays, for a total of 1,500 miles or so. I still chose to purchase the 4Runner TE for what it is and what it offers, but you have to give the new GC its due. It is leaps and bounds ahead of the previous generation GC, and it's actually a very nice SUV. The GC is a very comfortable ride and the interior materials feel nice and upscale. While the 3.6L engine is not as powerful, it does rev a lot easier and puts out less NVH, making it feel a ton smoother.

In the end it's an apples to oranges comparison, but both are great at what they were designed to do. At this point, there's no other SUV to really compare the 4Runner against.
 
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BradleyB said:
I've had the Trail for a coupla weeks now, rolled around Green Ridge State Park, western Maryland, this last weekend, have 1K miles on it, and love the truck. Will post a proper intro later when I've snagged some photos.

I spent a coupla months researching before settling on the Trail. Much appreciation for all the knowledge and experience shared here. This is my third truck but first proper way back road / off road machine.

Anway, I took a hard look at Chrysler, and, setting specific points of comparison aside, I came to the overall conclusion that any Chrysler product is a risk at this point. A discerning look at threads regarding recent problems with Jeep (the motherboard in the GC comes to mind) suggests that the company does not have the financial resources to back up its customers. Too many problems are getting solved out the customers' own pockets rather than Chrysler doing the right thing. They can't afford to, it seems.

I don't know how often I'll get way off road but the Trail with KDSS was a no-brainer choice for me. My interests do take me down forest and fire roads, often during wet seasons and sometimes snow. The on road/highway feel is assured and superior--I wasn't looking for a crossover that would give me a massage on the way to work--and the ride down rutted and washed-out Carroll Road in Green Ridge was effortless and uneventful. In short, at age 59, I have never felt more right or more ecstatic about any vehicle purchase. :lookout:

Cheers,
Brad
Click to expand...

Well, as I will be 59 in a few months, that was some nice feedback. I take it the seats are comfortable enough for our again bodies?
 
03_4x4Runner said:
For a laugh, this is what the Jeep guys say about the 4runner. I passed on the 4Runner and bought a JGC Hemi!!! - JeepForum.com
Click to expand...


What a bunch of mall cruisers. :beer:

the one in this post actually looks decent.
WK2 Picture Thread - Page 11 - JeepForum.com

but you don't see the lifts/mods that guys here are doing.

and this thread doesn't look promising for the GC reliability.
2nd Breakdown in just over 2 weeks!!! - JeepForum.com

ok, done reading that forum :barf:
 
Last October a buddy of mine was looking at the Jeep GC to replace his Ford, and I told him to figure cab fare home a couple of times a year into the purchase price and see if it was still a deal.

He bought a '10 SR5 instead. On Saturday he stated that he was amazed that his Toyota has needed no repairs in the 13k miles he's had it...
 
Here's the thing - in 5 years time there will still be a ton of folks posting about their 4Runners from the 80's, 90's, 2000's etc - all still running strong. I doubt there will be many 2011 GC's still in regular use by then.

Chrysler still continues to churn out badly built vehicles made out of cheap parts that fail in every direction. They are purely designed to be leased for 3-4 years then junked - they are disposable vehicles for a disposable culture. Anyone who actually buys one is nuts!!

Case in point - my wife had a PT Cruiser (I know!) - we were nuts - we bought it. in the 6 years we suffered it, in additon to scheduled maintenance it had

- new battery x 2
- new alternator
- new starter motor
- new fuel pump
- new suspension bushings (twice)
- new sway bar
- 4 new hubs in total, mostly at the front
- new transmission (under warranty after a huge argument as was the case with every warranty claim)
- new windshield twice
- new rotors and pads 3 times

By the time we traded it, it also needed new tie rods on both sides, new radiator, new rear wiper motor and numerous smaller niggles.

So basically we should have bought a second one when we bought it as a donor vehicle - we would have used most of it.
 
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