Grand Cherokee diesel report

[Bcdonaher]

A few people have asked me to post on the 2014 Grand Cherokee Diesel, after we picked up our new 19.
This is our first camper, so I don't really have a reference to compare, so here goes.
Milage averaged 18mpg over 1400 miles, we only had 4 days to get home so we pushed it. Pretty did the speed limit 55/65 on state roads and 70 on the interstate, the Jeep passed at 75/80 no problem, but never towed before so instinct told me 70 is a max safe towing speed, but once over 65 the milage dropped as expected.
The jeep pulled the 19 easily, the only time we had to watch rpm was on extended high altitude climbs, pushing over 2000rpm brought the engine close to red line engine temp but quickly dropped off once we backed off. Our home stretch from Salt Lake to Park City is 5000ft over a 9000ft pass, we cruised at 55 mph/2000rpm and oil temp only got to 245.
Weight in the back did affect how the Escape handled, putting most of the heavy stuff in the trailer and not in the back helped with the push/pull effect, no doubt this would have been fixed with a WDH, I don't think we need one, but did not tow with much wind. I'll post for comments on this.
All in all we were very happy, never towed before and lots of apprehension, it was a very confidence building experience.
Lastly, the Jeep is a dream dream to drive day to day, heaps of torque, great tranny and almost sporty for a 5K SUV, this was the primary reason for buying it, the fact that it tows great is a bonus.

[rbryan4]

Excellent report. That's impressive mileage while towing a 19.

[Bcdonaher]

I forgot to add we got 29 mpg on the way up

[dave macrae]

What are the hp and torque ratings on the Diesel engine ?

[Bcdonaher]

Dave it's a 3.O Eco Diesel V6. You have to add about $30 of Exhuast fluid every 10k the upside is there is NO exhaust smell or smoke like the old ones.
240/420 lb ft
The torque is at the low end.
Barry

[ATHiker]

Thanks for the report. I notice that the Jeep Grand Cherokee with Eco Diesel has a towing capability of 7,400 lbs. Could you please advise the actual payload reflected on you drivers door?

[paulw]

Ah Barry... I'd just about made up my mind on an F150 when I retire the Trailblazer and you go and post this
Seriously tho', thanks for the report.
Was it the transmission fluid that was reaching 245f or engine oil?

[Bcdonaher]

ATHiker the total load capacity is 1050lbs
Paul, I didn't think to watch the tranmission temp, sorry.

[BRietkerk]

[QUOTE=paulw;64536]Ah Barry... I'd just about made up my mind on an F150 when I retire the Trailblazer and you go and post this
Just a thought. Once you get used to the high price of the Grand Cherokee Diesel it's a relatively small price jump to a Mercedes Diesel SUV. The Mercedes should hold it's value over time just like the Escape!

[rbryan4]

[QUOTE=BRietkerk;64550]

Originally Posted by paulw

Ah Barry... I'd just about made up my mind on an F150 when I retire the Trailblazer and you go and post this
Just a thought. Once you get used to the high price of the Grand Cherokee Diesel it's a relatively small price jump to a Mercedes Diesel SUV. The Mercedes should hold it's value over time just like the Escape!

Small price jump? It's about $23K more. Can't count the 250. The 350 has similar towing capacity.

[Bcdonaher]

[QUOTE=BRietkerk;64550]

Originally Posted by paulw

Ah Barry... I'd just about made up my mind on an F150 when I retire the Trailblazer and you go and post this
Just a thought. Once you get used to the high price of the Grand Cherokee Diesel it's a relatively small price jump to a Mercedes Diesel SUV. The Mercedes should hold it's value over time just like the Escape!

I paid 2% under invoice for our loaded limited, premium package, tow package etc
It was around US$44k. An F150 & the jeep are 2 different animals really.

[singletracker]

[QUOTE=BRietkerk;64550]

Originally Posted by paulw

Ah Barry... I'd just about made up my mind on an F150 when I retire the Trailblazer and you go and post this
Just a thought. Once you get used to the high price of the Grand Cherokee Diesel it's a relatively small price jump to a Mercedes Diesel SUV. The Mercedes should hold it's value over time just like the Escape!

Well, I own a Mercedes and I can tell you, they don't hold their value any better than anything else, as far as I can tell. It's pretty easy to find used, low mileage Mercedes for peanuts, compared to their new price. And, they are very expensive to maintain! I have spent way, way, way more maintaining my $80K MBZ, then I ever have on my trusty 1999 Trooper with 160,000+ miles on it. If my future Escape doesn't hold value way better than an MBZ, I will be sorely disappointed.

[ATHiker]

Thanks for the payload information. That is the same as my Tacoma.

[BRietkerk]

[QUOTE=rbryan4;64561]

Originally Posted by BRietkerk

Small price jump? It's about $23K more. Can't count the 250. The 350 has similar towing capacity.

I was roughly comparing Canadian prices of the GL350 Blue Tec at $78500 to the Grand Cherokee Summit at $70135. In 2015 models Chrysler offers the Diesel on the Summit and Overland models only. This is according to their Canadian web site. Hopefully they will add the diesel option in the lower priced models in the future or perhaps as a special order.

[rbryan4]

[QUOTE=BRietkerk;64598]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

I was roughly comparing Canadian prices of the GL350 Blue Tec at $78500 to the Grand Cherokee Summit at $70135. In 2015 models Chrysler offers the Diesel on the Summit and Overland models only. This is according to their Canadian web site. Hopefully they will add the diesel option in the lower priced models in the future or perhaps as a special order.

Yeah, I think the site is giving you bad info. Either that or the Canadian lineup is different. Its available on the Limited, and runs about 45k USD msrp.

[azjack]

I just looked at the 2014 limited diesel which has sun roof and all the extras but in two wheel drive, it was listed at 44 but for sale at 41 plus taxes. In Aug of 2010, I paid 37 out the door for a loaded loredo with the hemi. It now has 72000 miles and I am thinking about the replacement in a year or two or if someone runs a red light.
The dealer talked about 17000 for trade-in, I'll get more use out of it instead.
Jack

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by azjack

I just looked at the 2014 limited diesel which has sun roof and all the extras but in two wheel drive, it was listed at 44 but for sale at 41 plus taxes. In Aug of 2010, I paid 37 out the door for a loaded loredo with the hemi. It now has 72000 miles and I am thinking about the replacement in a year or two or if someone runs a red light.
The dealer talked about 17000 for trade-in, I'll get more use out of it instead.
Jack

Yeah they really stick it to you on the trade. I usually sell privately rather than trade in. Many years ago I sold cars -- for about a year. Worst year of my life. Surrounded by dishonest and unethical people.

[Brian B-P]

Model lineups in Canada are often different from those in the U.S., and typically have fewer choices. Prices are also higher here, even for exactly the same model variant.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

Model lineups in Canada are often different from those in the U.S., and typically have fewer choices. Prices are also higher here, even for exactly the same model variant.

Yeah, I've noticed that in a lot of places. I was in Bogota Colombia earlier this month and the customer POC I was working with mentioned how expensive cars were there. He wanted a new Passat but his cost would be almost exactly DOUBLE what it is in the US.

[Mob2014]

We recently purchased a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the pentastar V-6 engine to tow a 17B we will be picking up at the end of Sept.
I was wondering if you use or see the need for towing mirrors? If so, what type do you have?
Thanks,
Maureen