New Member - Contemplating Grand Cherokee Hemi vs. Tahoe Signature

[orchidcrazy]

New member here as well, first post. Had a previous Cherokee many years ago in my single years - no issues for 100K then issues; never engine but everything electrical went. Had a 2003 Yukon XL in my married with 3 kids early years - 11 years, 196K miles, with only a bad fuel pump and alternator. Daughter of a mechanic, I replaced oddball things like the dash, the pump for the air leveling shocks, wiper motor. Loved the thing, reliable as all get out, babied it - detailed it all my own. Made the mistake of failing to baby the undercarriage though and it rusted like no other! CT refuses to use an additive in our road salt treatment to cut down on eating up vehicles - it ate mine up fast! (Lesson learned - under-carriage wash weekly in winter at a bare minimum).

Traded my baby for an 11 GC Limited with the Hemi engine that came off a lease. Expected electrical gremlins - not engine issues - had both. Jeep shut down on my daughter one day completely while driving on an exit ramp. My radio would suddenly switch to German for no reason. Couldn't keep headlights working on the right side. But the biggest issue, and one I am not sure if Jeep has completely resolved is the fuel management. The Hemi shuts down 4 cylinders to conserve gas, they may have a shut off for it in later years, not sure. Mine drove perfect on 4 cylinders but when all 8 were activated, it had a constant lag/hesitation - they call it a 'fishbite'. My son's 4 cylinder car could drive up a hill better than my Jeep with the big old Hemi in it. In the 3 years I had it, it spent probably 1/2 it's life at the dealer. They could recreate the problem quite simply - 8 cylinders, 1500 - 1750 rpms, normal driving on an incline - but could not resolve it. Labelled it 'normal' since other Jeeps do it as well. They did tell me I would have better luck with a newer model - engine changes - but I had it with Chrysler. It may have had a great 4WD system, it might have been able to crawl over rocks, but it couldn't drive up an incline without feeling like you were on square wheels.

Did buy my daughter a Jeep, btw, '04 Liberty - knew the windows would fall down and they did. Knew the issues with the gas tank exposed in the back so I addressed. The engine might eventually junk up but in the meantime the kids have a solid vehicle with great visibility in it when driving - no modern conveniences.

I recently traded my Jeep Hemi for a late year '16 Yukon SLT, used. I read all about buffeting, booming, etc. Test drove a bunch, looked for issues, bought used with some miles on it so I could track if someone else had problems with it. Opted for no sunroof, 18" wheels, 5.3 engine. I may have issues with the Yukon - but at least it drives forward without hesitation. Chrysler is no better than GMC for service - one isn't going to help you out anymore than the other.

Advice? Drive, drive, drive. Read up so you go into ownership of whatever with both eyes open. Personally, I wouldn't have any vehicle now without a long term warranty....

Best of luck!

 

[RED TAHOE LS]

to the forum new members T.G. and Susan, from your 2017 Georgia Bulldogs SEC Champions, glad to have you.
Which car you choose is a personal choice, but in no way would I advise you, it's your choice and your $$$$$. My personal preference has paid off with great rewards, 202k miles and it still looks/drives/hauls a__ with the great reliable original 5.7 Vortec engine. I know the 5.7 Hemi is a great engine, but it's your choice, there's more to a vehicle than the engine, their all good today depending how you care for it.
Take each vehicle on a freeway ride real close to each other to compare the difference. JMHO and good luck, let us know which you choose and don't forget those photo's.
David g.......

 

[Chris T]

My .02. I sold a '16 Denali due to booming - drove me insane. If you can find a Tahoe/Yukon w/o that or buffetting or vibrations, that is your starting point. Before this week I had never driven a GC. I had a rental with 19k miles, Limited, 4wd. Had it in the Wisconsin cold. Comparing the two, I did not like the interface of the infotainment, the heated seats (too hot or too cold), the heat barely worked and the steering wheel heat was way too hot or off. It rode really hard too and squeaked like a mf'er inside. Maybe I got used to the Yukon and the 6.2 but this thing was gutless too (could be solved by the Hemi). And I noticed the back seat was really tight. I just wasn't impressed. I can't speak to the longevity of either but I just wasn't feeling the Jeep at all.

 

[Protect1989]

^ I would venture to bet a lot of those issues on being a used and abused rental vehicle.

The Uconnect system has been consistently rated one of the easiest to use systems on any vehicle. For 2018 they completely updated it so it is much quicker and higher resolution. You can also adjust the icons on the bottom home bar (like you would you cell phone) so if you want the heated seat button easily accessible it can be. The gutless engine could be argued to be the V6. More than likely its just cause youre so used to the 6.2L that anything less than that is going to be noticeably difference. This isnt to discredit your experience with the jeep, just adding information so OP can make an informed decision.

My recommendation. Go drive a 2018 with the HEMI and then immediately go drive a Tahoe/Yukon. Or vice versa. Either way you need to get behind the wheel of both to compare power, standard features, size, maneuverability, infotainment, and just general feel for each. Keep us posted on your decision.

PS- Check out jeepgarage.org for a wealth of information on everything jeep. Its similar to this forum except specifically for the Jeep brand.

 

[At Law]

Thank you all for the excellent comments.

The Grand Cherokee, fully equipped, is a great vehicle.

I have had so many GC's since college as well as so many family members, friends, etc., that they are somewhat a victim of their own success.

I agree, re reliability, that it is the luck of the draw. My last GC was a 2012 Overland with the Hemi and rattled horribly and had continuous check engine/check 4WD system, etc. lights coming on and off.
I traded it in after about a year.

My folks have had Jeeps since the Grand Wagoneer days, Cherokee Limited days, and three Grand Cherokees--all with Hemis. The old models were horrible across the board.
Their last Overland they purchased new in 2012 and is rarely driven. It has 36K miles on it and has been absolutely flawless.

The Tahoes are very reliable. Growing up around boats, all of the best engines would have Mercruiser or Volvo (both engines produced by GM) V8's. Boat engines receive some of the worst driving patterns as they sit in the high humidity and are rarely run. Irregardless, the GM V8's are very, very reliable.

I may be ready for a change from the GC's. The larger size, greater towing, and overall meaner look is a plus.
There are times when I think the GC has a touch of feminine look to it--especially in a color other than black and of, course, with the under powered V6.

 

[cardude2000]

Every soccer mom or uber driver drives a black suburban where I am. If you want something unique I say go with a GC...red trailhawk maybe?!?


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[UrbanSuburban]

Its funny that you mention the feminine look, I always thought that the GC was based on the Chryler Pacifica, the first version. They share quite a few styling cues. I had a long term rental of a cG, from 13 to 15. I really liked it a lot, especially in the winter. I did find however it really needs snow tires for the all wheel drive to work the best. I also had a Gc overland for two weeks, great vehicle but still minivan looking. The one vehicle I was not impressed with was the Dodge Dungo, that one was three week rental and what a pos it was. strange since they all had the pentastar v6 which was very good.

 

[At Law]

Every soccer mom or uber driver drives a black suburban where I am. If you want something unique I say go with a GC...red trailhawk maybe?!?


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I have a Guards Red Porsche 911. It stands out way too much. In fact, I absolutely don't like driving it as it garnishes too many looks. I live in the Midwest--they are somewhat "rare" around here, unlike LA or the like.
I bought the 911 from another lawyer in Green Bay, WI who sold it for the same reason. It attracted too much attention. He put 3,400 miles on it from 2006 to late 2009.
People automatically dislike you in it. Don't even think about driving it to court. Clients don't like it.

As I get older and quasi wiser, I like to fly under the radar a bit and not piss off everyone that sees me before I meet them. I would rather piss them off once they meet me and talk to me. Ha

How are Uber drivers affording Tahoes/Suburbans? I must be in the wrong business, once again.

 

[sickk23]

My .02. I sold a '16 Denali due to booming - drove me insane. If you can find a Tahoe/Yukon w/o that or buffetting or vibrations, that is your starting point. Before this week I had never driven a GC. I had a rental with 19k miles, Limited, 4wd. Had it in the Wisconsin cold. Comparing the two, I did not like the interface of the infotainment, the heated seats (too hot or too cold), the heat barely worked and the steering wheel heat was way too hot or off. It rode really hard too and squeaked like a mf'er inside. Maybe I got used to the Yukon and the 6.2 but this thing was gutless too (could be solved by the Hemi). And I noticed the back seat was really tight. I just wasn't impressed. I can't speak to the longevity of either but I just wasn't feeling the Jeep at all.

The fact you didn’t like uConnect basically discredits everything else you say lol the interface in the Tahoe looks so freakin cheap it’s not even funny.

Our GC rides better and is quieter than my Burb. I generally still like my burb better just because it’s big sexy.

 

[Protect1989]

If you decide to go with the Tahoe, please keep us posted on which trim you get and the price paid.

Ive been trying to shop around for Tahoes but it seems that dealerships are only offering around 10%, regardless of model year.