Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel

[Bob120]

Does anyone have any experience with the Jeep Grand Cherokee towing a 19’? According to auto show reports, they will apparently include a diesel option this year.

[cpaharley2008]

I towed with a Jeep Liberty CRD and found that the powertrain was powerful enough but the suspension was too soft, had to use air bags. You may need to use a w/d set up with tongue weight around 350#. Also not sure if the rear hatch is lift up or a swing, with my Jeep is was a swing and unable to open while hitched.

[cpaharley2008]

I just found this review of the Jeep with air suspension pulling a SOB trailer, seems like a good tow vehicle, this was not a diesel but the suspension was my concern.
The New Lance 2185 Travel Trailer and the Jeep Grand Cherokee

[Jim Bennett]

If I was looking for a new tow, that new Jeep with the diesel would be at the top of my list. My brother bought one last year and loves it, and only wishes he had of know the diesel was going to be offered, and he would have likely waited.

Not positive, but I think the rear end might be beefed up a bit. I know when Honda changed up the design of the Pilot in '09, the new model came equipped for towing with an integral hitch and a stiffer rear end.

[Arathar]

I strongly considered the Grand Cherokee last year when I bought the Honda Pilot. It was hard to see what you were getting for the increased cost though. Some friends have bought a Grand Cherokee for a TV and have been disappointed but they didn't get the Hemi. Poor them.

I hope they offer the Diesel in the Overland Grand Cherokee. My guess is that it will be about $45k. I have waited for a diesel SUV TV to be available in the US.

[ddevin]

I also considered the Jeep, and was disappointed that, at the time, the diesel was not available. I loved the Cherokee, but was nervous about a new model. In the end, I went with the time-tested Toyota. Other than fit and finish issues, no problems yet!

[Jim Bennett]

I think fit and finish issues are the bane of many new vehicles. While the performance of them is very good, they seem to cheap out on the finish to cut costs. Not like some older vehicles, that used a lot of chromed metal instead of plastic.

[Devil Dog]

Since they started assembling in the U.S.A most former imports have had a fit and finish issues. To satisfy the So called big 3. They must have a % of Assenbly labours Hrs in North America. I've used Toyota since 1976 and there is no comparison to to days standards. Just like the Diesel engines. Go anywhere in the world other than U.S.A and Can. and they all have diesel options.
The big 3 rule North America... And of course the oil companies have a say as well.

So what made you mad to day.?

[azjack]

We bought the Jeep in Aug 2010 and picked up our 19 in October of 2010. In 40,000 miles (half towing) we had one small pin break in one door and that's all the repairs. In fact last summer at 30,000 miles I tried to trade in for an Identical one with zero miles, but they wouldn't see it my way so I bought new tires and added ext. warranty for years to come. I would like to try the diesel but with the hemi I have near as much torque, cheaper gas and my mileage is very good for 5300#. 20 to 22 highway at 70 to 75 mph not towing and 15 to 16 towing the 19 at 65 to 70 mph. I feel safe with the weight, brakes and tires. I change the mobil 1 oil at 5000 miles now as the parts that shut down 4 cylinders when not needed uses oil pressure, preferably clean oil. The fit and finish is outstanding to the point it influenced us to buy another fiat product, the 500 for around town and it's also a great choice for someone who has built or rebuilt many cars and is very critical of every detail. I highly recommend the Jeep with any engine that has lots of torque. I do use a WDH to help the ride and maybe reduce bounce.

[gocamp]

The article didn't say but does anyone know if the Quadra-Lift Air Suspension levels automatically when they hook up a trailer or is it a manual adjustment in the center console? I did't think just the real air bags could be adjusted manual independent from the front bags, FYI I don't own one.

[cpaharley2008]

I do not think the air suspension is on all 4 wheels but just the rear, like air bags but with a pump that operates automatically. I had a system in a cadillac, you put something heavy in the trunk and it pumps it way back to level.

[cpaharley2008]

Actually I stand corrected, the schematic shows all 4 wheel adjustable either up or down but not independent front/back
quadra lift air suspension - Bing Images

[gocamp]

Thats what made me wonder. If all four air bags operate at the same time what happens when the hook up that heavy trailer in the article. I wondered if a computer chip auto levels the back end. I thought I read about an auto level feature but can't remember.

[Bruce Wray]

I'd strongly suggest you check out Consumer Reports reliability and frequency of repair ratings for the Cherokee before going for one. I'm a subscriber -- it's not a pretty picture.

Bruce

[cpaharley2008]

Possibly when you pump in more in the rear it will rise to a preset level and then there is a bypass/relief to bleed off any excess. similarly in the front, if it does not need air, it may bleed off.

[gocamp]

Autoblog says $4,500 premium for the diesel, yikes.

[cpaharley2008]

Plus another 25% for fuel and at least 50% for oil changes!!

[Brian B-P]

Any reasonable factory-integrated air suspension system will adjust as required to reach a level ride attitude. Normal systems with air at both front and rear will adjust front and rear separately to reach level, and may add manual control of height, as Quadra-Lift appears to do in the control panel image shown by Jim's link.

It would be strange for a factory system to provide any way to deliberately set the ride attitude nose-up or nose-down.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Plus another 25% for fuel and at least 50% for oil changes!!

In town right now, gas is $1.05/liter and diesel is $1,10, so that is less than 5%. I have seen near 15%, but that is not common. I know it is likely different other places, I just looked at the Calgary costs.

Diesel engines last a lot longer too. Fuel economy, at least in full sized pickups is a bit better too.

For me, the promise of the better performance power wise, without having to go to a larger vehicle is what I like best, even if it costs a bit more with all factors figured in. If other manufacturers would offer a good diesel in their mid-sized SUV's, I would be looking strong at that too. This competition would also bring the costs down too.

[bryan]

My wife had a 02 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland and just recently traded it in on a new 4runner. Although she really misses the creature comforts and the V8 of the Jeep, I really don't think you could give her another one. For the most part it was a decent vehicle, but once it started to get close to the 200k mark the mechanical issues were numerous. Obviously this is a sample size of one, but when you searched some of the issues, she wasn't alone. As mentioned above, you might want to check into the consumer reports.

While thought of a diesel is pretty nice, the added maintenance does add a bit to the cost of running the vehicle. If, and this is a big IF, the engine does have any failures or issues, the cost for "diesel" parts are crazy. Injectors can easily run into the thousands. Having said that, good maintenance and a decently built engine should run for years.

Gotta say I love the look and feel of the new Cherokees.