Jeep Wrangler vs. Grand Cherokee--Which would you choose?

[meliss8599]

We're going to be purchasing a new vehicle for me after the first of the year. DH works for a CJD dealership, and we're deciding between a 2013 Sahara Wrangler Unlimited hardtop and a 2014 Limited Grand Cherokee.

I drove a 2012 Wrangler over the summer and am currently driving a 2013 Grand so I've experienced both. I feel extremely safe in each and am physically comfortable in both. I absolutely loved my Wrangler when I had it, and for sure thought it was the car for me until I started driving the Grand, which definitely has more amenities. Below are my reasons for leaning/not leaning toward each, but would REALLY appreciate others' input as to what they would choose and why. I would especially love to hear from those who own one or the other or even both!

GRAND CHEROKEE
Pros:
- definitely more luxurious than the Wrangler
- heated steering wheel
- the key never has to leave my purse to lock/unlock/start the car (SOOO convenient when carrying groceries, etc.)
- memory seats; automatic seats
- backup camera
- perfect visibility all around
- has a HUGE sunroof which makes it soooomewhat like taking the top off a Wrangler
- I feel like the turning radius is better on the Grand (could be my imagination)

Cons (while there are only two that really come to mind, they are HUGE cons for me):
- exterior looks very generic to me and I've always loved a boxier look.
- not nearly as fun to drive in the summer as the Wrangler


WRANGLER
Pros:
- absolutely LOVE the boxy look
- love that the top can come off
- super fun to drive in the summer
- DD will get it when she turns 16 and it's "cooler" than a Grand
- can withstand a beating (it poured on the car w/the top off while in a parking lot; I thought the interior and all electronics were done for. To give you an idea, the cup holders were 3/4 filled w/water. The car and electronics worked perfectly fine and, after a toweling off, was good to go--I fell even more in love with the at that point)

Cons:
- somewhat of a blind spot at front pillars on sides of windshield (pretty thick)
- very high up and can be difficult for some (my parents or any future children) to get up into; will it be hard to get a baby seat into due to its height?
- have to use key to start (has automatic start, but needs key in ignition to actually get moving)
- moving the seats has to be done manually
- no backup camera
- no heated steering wheel
- no memory seats


Please let me know your thoughts!

 

[MM27]

I just bought a Grand Cherokee in July after trading in my 9 year old Jeep Liberty. I love the Grand Cherokee. For it's size, it does turn a tight corner. I find that it's great on gas, which surprised me. That was one of my worries because I drive a lot. We drove from NJ to GA this summer and the back seats were very comfortable as well (and they recline)

 

[afnaechiquita]

I love the boxier look too (still holding on to my '01 cherokee ), but looking at your list you have a lot more cons on the Wrangler. The camera and high seating/carseat issue would be enough to pick the Grand Cherokee.

 

[Kathi OD]

A no-brainer for me. Grand Cherokee all the way. Roomier & much more comfortable.

I've owned both. I'll never go back to a Wrangler after driving the Cherokee.

 

[meliss8599]

I love the boxier look too (still holding on to my '01 cherokee ), but looking at your list you have a lot more cons on the Wrangler. The camera and high seating/carseat issue would be enough to pick the Grand Cherokee.

I have an '01 Cherokee, too and I LOOOOOOVE that car! It pains me to know that we're going to sell it to help w/the down payment on the new one. That started my love affair with the boxy Jeep look and Jeeps in general.

That car runs like a champ and I've NEVER, EVER had any mechanical issues with it. The one accident I was in with it, the other driver was amazed at how little damage it sustained compared to his car and said he was converted to a believer in Jeeps! LOL

 

[joviroxx]

Two different animals. DH drives a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited, I drive and I have a 2013 Grand Cherokee Overland.

I just read about the changes in to for the 2014 Grand and , if I could have, I would have waited but my lease was up and I couldn't wait until February for delivery. DH loves his Wrangler, I love my Cherokee. I really depends on what you like. I love the luxury, he loves the look and feel of his. He is an off-roader and loves to go mudding. It truly does come down to what you personally prefer. But my vote is the Grand!!

 

[luvflorida]

Jeep owners here. My husband and I both drive Jeeps and have owned several different models over the years. My husband loves his Grand Cherokee, but I don't care for it. I'm short (5' 0") and the Grand Cherokee just feels too big and wide to me. The seats aren't comfortable because the edge hits below my knees, instead of where my knees bend. Not sure if I'm explaining it correctly, but it isn't comfortable. Kind of like the seat bottom is too long for short people.

I've owned several Jeep Libertys over the years and have loved them. They also have that "boxy" look, which I like, and they sit up high, allowing for good visibility. I now have a Jeep Patriot. I like the Patriot, but not as much as the Liberty, so eventually I'll probably go back to a Liberty.

I voted for the Wrangler, but I can see how the Grand Cherokee might fit your needs better. My husband would vote for the Grand Cherokee, too!

 

[meliss8599]

Two different animals. DH drives a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited, I drive and I have a 2013 Grand Cherokee Overland.

I just read about the changes in to for the 2014 Grand and , if I could have, I would have waited but my lease was up and I couldn't wait until February for delivery. DH loves his Wrangler, I love my Cherokee. I really depends on what you like. I love the luxury, he loves the look and feel of his. He is an off-roader and loves to go mudding. It truly does come down to what you personally prefer. But my vote is the Grand!!

My husband was supporting me in leaning toward the Wrangler until he heard about these changes as well. He said having everything on the touchscreen (instead of buttons) is a really nice change.

 

[meliss8599]

Jeep owners here. My husband and I both drive Jeeps and have owned several different models over the years. My husband loves his Grand Cherokee, but I don't care for it. I'm short (5' 0") and the Grand Cherokee just feels too big and wide to me.

That's another thing I forgot to add to the cons of the Grand. I feel it's very wide also! We have a VERY narrow driveway with the house on one side and our fence on the other. I am CONSTANTLY repositioning the Grand to back up the driveway and into the garage which I feel I almost never had to do w/the Wrangler. This is so strange b/c the Wrangler LOOKS so much bigger/wider than the Grand.

DD thinks it's hysterical to watch and listen to me get more and more frustrated with each retry and the more she laughs, the more mad I get!

 

[joviroxx]

My husband was supporting me in leaning toward the Wrangler until he heard about these changes as well. He said having everything on the touchscreen (instead of buttons) is a really nice change.

Lots of changes. The screen is going to be the 8 inch screen. Its getting wifi hotspots, remote apps, 8 speed transmission, lots of changes.

.

 

[ilovedisney1982]

I'd go for the Grand Cherokee!

 

[afnaechiquita]

I have an '01 Cherokee, too and I LOOOOOOVE that car! It pains me to know that we're going to sell it to help w/the down payment on the new one. That started my love affair with the boxy Jeep look and Jeeps in general.

That car runs like a champ and I've NEVER, EVER had any mechanical issues with it. The one accident I was in with it, the other driver was amazed at how little damage it sustained compared to his car and said he was converted to a believer in Jeeps! LOL

I love mine so much, but it's neglected. It's currently sitting dead in the driveway I moved out of the country earlier this year and my parents didn't drive it, so the battery is dead. The hood is messed up (thanks to trying to get a quick oil change at Wal-Mart!!), and my dad's attempts to fix it have resulted in it being unable to open at all, so they can't jump it. I'm home now and hate that I can't be running around in it. They may sell it, but if they don't and it's still here when I'm home permanently, I'll drive it until it's done!

I totaled a GC and was amazed at how well we fared. I'm uncomfortable driving anything but a Jeep, even after that.

 

[meliss8599]

DH says so many people come into the dealership saying how safe they feel in their Jeeps. I know that whenever whichever one I choose is passed on to my daughter she'll be well-protected as we know all new drivers are much more prone to making driving mistakes and having accidents.

My aunt who owned an older Grand, but traded in for a Sebring (her dream was always a convertible) said she wished she kept hers--she loved it in the snow. Hers was an 8 cylinder and a gas guzzler, though.

The new Wrangler and Grand don't seem to be that bad. It could be in my imagination since work and shopping are very close to home and since DH always gets my gas for me, but even he has agreed that it's not as bad as anticipated.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Unless you're planning to take it off road, GC all the way.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

You still have more cons for the Wrangler. Go with the GC!

 

[meliss8599]

The actual Wrangler I would be getting got delivered to the dealership yesterday and DH sent me pics of it. My heart leapt and I think that, despite the cons I listed, I really want a Wrangler. The exterior look and the fun ride are really important to me and huge pros.

He's going to drive me down to the dealership to take a better look at it and to see what I think and how I feel. Still keep your thoughts coming as I really appreciate and do contemplate on them.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Is your other family car more practical? Something "fun" is a lot easier to live with if it's not your only mode of transportation.

 

[meliss8599]

Is your other family car more practical? Something "fun" is a lot easier to live with if it's not your only mode of transportation.

Very true. DH drives demos and can take home pretty much any CJD vehicle he wants so a "fun" car for me should be okay.

 

[twinboysmom]

The wranglers have one of the highest (and highest depending on whose site you look) resale values of any vehicle on the road.