I think they are suppose to put out a Hybrid JGC. Get that.

A little over your limit, but I am in love with my Gladiator!

Photo Mar 26, 5 16 14 PM by Dave Steier, on Flickr

Let 'em say what they want - definitely check out the Toyota 4Runner again.

Gladiator

Simple solution...a brand new GC Altitude edition in battleship gray.

I'm in a similar boat. Need a new family truckster that has a bit more room than our 08 Escape. Something to load up for a week 8 hours away and have a comfortable highway ride. GC was my initial thought over a year ago. Wifely resistance always a challenge because has mileage is the only thing she cares about.

My criteria are 4WD/AWD and a factory hitch (partly so car set up for it and partly to avoid having to add/wire it; don't tow much but do put a bike rack on often). Similar $35k ish range either as a deal or low mileage used. All in low 20s mileage wise (so no Hemi or 4Runner)

Like the Trailhawk in a dark color that hides the hood decals. Expanded my list to add the Passport, Edge ST. Like the X3 and Q5 but almost too nice to haul dog and pay for service out of warranty. New Escape with 2.0L 4-cyl turbo is nice but doesn't add any cargo space. Subarus with turbos seem rare and don't want a 4-cyl.

I like the Edge ST and good deals on 19s. Had a brief look at Passport with Touring package and was impressed- don't really see them on the road and shifter is goofy. May still end up with a GC, though a little nervous about reliability (Consumer Reports doesn't rate high even with good recent owner survey results).

quote:

Originally posted by Il Cattivo:
Let 'em say what they want - definitely check out the Toyota 4Runner again.

While a much more reliable vehicle the current 4Runner is stuck in the dark ages. The tech is so old and out dated. Toyota needs to keep the 4Runner exterior just like it is and completely re-design the interior and tech.

quote:

Originally posted by Rolan_Kraps:
A little over your limit, but I am in love with my Gladiator!

Photo Mar 26, 5 16 14 PM by Dave Steier, on Flickr

Hey Rolan any chance you want to sell your original rubicon bumper? Was it the metal one?

quote:

Originally posted by Dusty78:
While a much more reliable vehicle the current 4Runner is stuck in the dark ages. The tech is so old and out dated. Toyota needs to keep the 4Runner exterior just like it is and completely re-design the interior and tech.

What tech is the 4Runner missing?

quote:

Originally posted by PowerSurge:

quote:

Originally posted by Dusty78:
While a much more reliable vehicle the current 4Runner is stuck in the dark ages. The tech is so old and out dated. Toyota needs to keep the 4Runner exterior just like it is and completely re-design the interior and tech.

What tech is the 4Runner missing?

You know what I stand corrected. I just looked them up and now they have some more modern goodies. Back in 2019 when I got my Jeep JLU I test drove a TRD Pro and it still had a physical key without push button start or entry, no Apple CarPlay/android auto, tiny infotainment screen, a gauge cluster straight out of 2003, no adaptive cruise control, etc....

quote:

Originally posted by bigdeal:
Simple solution...a brand new GC Altitude edition in battleship gray.

[IMG]image snipped[/IMG]

Now that's a sharp looking JGC.
With kid #3 on the way, I'm thinking of trying again to get out of my little C & into something that I can likely get all 3 kids in the back.

JGC is a strong contender, especially with my neighbor being the sales mgr at the nearby DCJR dealer.
Not sure if I can fit 2 carseats (infant rear-facing & toddler) & a kid in the back seat, though.

Given the rate the C is still depreciating, might be a while to get out of it...

Have you looked at the new Kia Telluride? It's getting GREAT reviews just about everywhere. Car of the Year type awards.

Yes, it's a new model, and that scares a lot of people away. They drive nice, lots of tech, good looking. Reasonable price - probably.

We looked at them this winter. They were so popular back then that most dealerships around here (charlotte NC area) had a "market adjustment" of around $4,000. As in - $4,000 over MSRP. They couldn't keep them on the lot. I kind of doubt that is still the case now. I couldn't pull the trigger on paying over MSRP, but plenty of people did apparently.

quote:

Originally posted by JimmyRayBob:
Have you looked at the new Kia Telluride? It's getting GREAT reviews just about everywhere. Car of the Year type awards.

Yes, it's a new model, and that scares a lot of people away. They drive nice, lots of tech, good looking. Reasonable price - probably.

We looked at them this winter. They were so popular back then that most dealerships around here (charlotte NC area) had a "market adjustment" of around $4,000. As in - $4,000 over MSRP. They couldn't keep them on the lot. I kind of doubt that is still the case now. I couldn't pull the trigger on paying over MSRP, but plenty of people did apparently.

My wife really wants a Telluride to replace her Flex.
We haven't been to drive one yet, on appearance alone, it's what she has her heart set on currently.

When I last looked, Tellurides weren't plentiful on Kia lots.
Closest dealer to us only has 34 'in stock' with no pricing listed.

A quick check on Autotrader shows only 16 within 75 miles of me (new and used).

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:

My wife really wants a Telluride to replace her Flex.
We haven't been to drive one yet, on appearance alone, it's what she has her heart set on currently.

When I last looked, Tellurides weren't plentiful on Kia lots.
Closest dealer to us only has 34 'in stock' with no pricing listed.

They do look really nice, the fit and finish is the best I've ever seen on a Kia. Pricey though!

The Hyundai Palisade looks nice as well.

quote:

Originally posted by tigereye313:

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:

My wife really wants a Telluride to replace her Flex.
We haven't been to drive one yet, on appearance alone, it's what she has her heart set on currently.

When I last looked, Tellurides weren't plentiful on Kia lots.
Closest dealer to us only has 34 'in stock' with no pricing listed.

They do look really nice, the fit and finish is the best I've ever seen on a Kia. Pricey though!

The Hyundai Palisade looks nice as well.

Pricey is right. We'd want at least an EX for the captain's chairs. There's a used one here in Houston with <5k miles, but it's not much cheaper than new.

I can't speak to the newer JGCs, but my 2015 with a 5.7L Hemi I just love

But my 2015 was designed & built while Daimler-Benz still owned Chrysler. There was a lot of Mercedes-Benz influence in the body design and fabrication, which probably explains why, in addition to having off-road chops and tight handling, it rides a bit like a luxury SUV.

They put a different transmission in the 8-cyl. JGCs than they do the 6-cyl. versions. It was the latter that have had the tranny problems, I believe. Also some persistent alternator issues.

When it came time to replace my beloved 2007 Chevy TrailBlazer three years ago I did a lot of SUV research. Including, naturally, asking here. I started out looking for just about anything but a Jeep. Every review I read contained a line like "If you're looking at <this>, you should also consider the Jeep Grand Cherokee because <list of reasons>." Finally, after considering and rejecting about my fifth or six possibility, I gave in and did. And that's what I bought.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:

Pricey is right. We'd want at least an EX for the captain's chairs. There's a used one here in Houston with <5k miles, but it's not much cheaper than new.

I'd have a hard time paying over MSRP when the market is chock full of unibody SUV's that are equally nice with a longer track record.

quote:

Originally posted by bigdeal:
Simple solution...a brand new GC Altitude edition in battleship gray.

That's a beautiful new color called "Sting-Gray". Saw it on a JLU and it was fantastic.

quote:

Originally posted by Chris17404:

I've owned a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee (the first year of the new body style) since new in 2010. It's been a great vehicle. It meets all my needs..... It has all the style, size, capability, and comfort I look for in an SUV.

I'm considering giving it to my son in college and purchasing a new vehicle sometime next spring. The question is what. I know the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the last of this style. FCA is totally re-doing the 2021 model year based on Fiat chassis, etc....

There are pros and cons to going with a 2020......

What other vehicles do you recommend I consider? Back when I was looking in 2010 I looked at the Toyota 4Runner, Ford Explorer, GMC Acadia, and even some pickup trucks. But the Jeep won out due to being perfect for my needs and wants. (I've never owned a pickup truck and would love to one day, but I just don't need that capability.)

Price-wise I'd like to stick around $35,000.
Chris

If your 2011 works well for you, meets all your needs, and have only had minor issues with it, I would strongly consider another one. We could probably offer better advice if you told us just what your wants/needs are though. For instance I take it you want 4WD but do you find your self using low range much? If not that opens up many AWD choices for consideration. I take it you don't need 3rd row seating so I would avoid any that had it (I think the new Wagoneer will) because the third seat uses up cargo space.
I really don't know much about Grand Cherokees other than a 2020 is the same basic Grand Cherokee as your 2011 but I have to think there are enough improvements to make it a better vehicle. Is the transmission the same? LED headlights are a huge improvement IMO. Almost every year now the manufacturers have improved phone connectivity which is nice.

If you want a 5 seat 4wd SUV with low range I would stay with Grand Cherokee and would take a proven 2020 with most problems worked out over an all new design. Seems like it takes about three model years to work out the glitches, which may be why your all new (at the time) 2011 had some.

Thanks for all the insights, everyone. I do tend to agree that a new 2020 JGC may be the best route. I don't go off-road really, nor do I ever use low range (maybe once), but I do tow a small trailer now and then for a marching band. My 2011 JGC was a basic V6 Laredo model with an upgraded towing package and an upgraded electronics package. That's it. I do like the looks of the new JGC Limited and it would be nice to get V8 for once. The only other SUV that's really catching my eye right now is the Ford Explorer. I like the fact that it's all new for 2020 with a new construction and rear wheel drive. The older ones seemed so lumbering to drive, but it seems the new Explorer handles much better. The 4Runner is also a contender, but it's expensive and I don't need that much off-road capability. I will check out the Kia Telluride, but I something about Kia and SUV just doesn't seem right. I known it's just perception.