New Highlander or Grand Cherokee?

[LTC8K6]

The highlander is just as quick as the Jeep V8, and gets better mileage, it also gets slightly better mileage than the V6 Jeep.

 

[exar333]

Highlander is boring and steers like a big Corolla. Get the Jeep...

 

[Vic Vega]

The highlander is just as quick as the Jeep V8, and gets better mileage, it also gets slightly better mileage than the V6 Jeep.

The V8 Jeep has almost 100 more HP and boatloads more torque... if the Highlander is quicker the Jeep must have some long gearing. Do you have some numbers showing the Highlander is quicker?

 

[Arkaign]

I've seen tests of 0-60 on the V8 Jeep (not the SRT8, obviously) of 7.0 flat. The fastest highlander test I've seen is 7.2, so it's in the same range at least. It's all kind of academic though, unless it's painfully slow (the new 3.6 isn't), it doesn't much matter.

 

[LTC8K6]

The Jeep weighs a lot more, which pretty much cancels it's HP advantage and leaves it behind in mileage.

I own a 2008 5.7L GC, the Jeep 3.6 is indeed painfully slow if you've driven a V6 highlander or a V8 Jeep.

 

[Arkaign]

Maybe it's a mental thing, I've never felt the need to haul ass in a big SUV. I drove a company Suburban about a decade back for road trips, it was way down in power/weight compared to the 3.6 GC, and it was fine.

I think that thing only had a little over 200hp. And the wonderful 4-speed auto, lol

 

[LTC8K6]

GC's actually handle pretty good.

Check out the massive strut brace in mine:

 

[Bignate603]

Maybe it's a mental thing, I've never felt the need to haul ass in a big SUV. I drove a company Suburban about a decade back for road trips, it was way down in power/weight compared to the 3.6 GC, and it was fine.

I think that thing only had a little over 200hp. And the wonderful 4-speed auto, lol

A big SUV loaded down with a family, all their crap for a trip, and either a rooftop carrier or small trailer trying to go up a steep grade on the highway will really make test the limits of an engine.

 

[soulcougher73]

Im still debating between these 2. We dont need the 3rd row seating at all that the Highlander offers. And i enjoy the more "rugged" look of the Cherokee even though ill never offroad it. May get stuck in snow a time or two but wont go 4 wheeling so to speak. I do agree the interior seating material on the Cherokee felt and looked a lot nicer then that Highlander..at least on the cloth material we are looking at. Cant vouche of the leather.

 

[herm0016]

i would not buy a highlander just because of the annoying adds.
the cherokee is a much better looking vehicle also.

 

[LTC8K6]

You only need a two-wheel drive Grand Cherokee and some snow tires then. That will save you on the purchase price and on the fuel economy.

 

[mafia]

The Toyota Highlander shares the same platform as a Camry. The Grand Cherokee shares the same platform as a Mercedes Benz ML SUV. Speaks for itself. To me, the Highlander is a lifted up Camry, while the Grand Cherokee is a "real" SUV.

 

[exar333]

The Toyota Highlander shares the same platform as a Camry. The Grand Cherokee shares the same platform as a Mercedes Benz ML SUV. Speaks for itself. To me, the Highlander is a lifted up Camry, while the Grand Cherokee is a "real" SUV.

+1.

The Highlander is butt-ugly as well...

 

[Capt Caveman]

The Toyota Highlander shares the same platform as a Camry. The Grand Cherokee shares the same platform as a Mercedes Benz ML SUV. Speaks for itself. To me, the Highlander is a lifted up Camry, while the Grand Cherokee is a "real" SUV.

Factor in reliability, the MB ML has had horrid reliability history.

 

[Arkaign]

Factor in reliability, the MB ML has had horrid reliability history.

AFAIK, they don't have any MB motor/tranny/ecu/etc in the platform itself, it's really the chassis/frame design right? IIRC Mercedes worst problems recently were plagues of electronic demons.

 

[soulcougher73]

Well my wife and I signed papers on Saturday for a Mineral Grey 4x4 Laredo. For the options i wanted they had to pull one from east Texas. So we wotn take posession of it until Tuesday or Wednesday. But ill take a few pics if people are interested

 

[Jumpem]

Disregard.

 

[richardycc]

guess it's too late for OP, but for future toyota/jeep buyers, here is my 2cents. I used to own toyota, 2 4runners, a 97 then a 03, then bought a 06 jeep GC in 06 just for a change, and it was few thousands cheaper than a comparable one from toyota, so it was a no brainer. to get right to the point, I will never buy another Jeep again, nothing but small little problems here and there, and horrible resale value, so I can't really get rid of it without taking a huge lost. oh and last week, my check engine light is on, scanned it with a code PO133, guess I will need to replace the oxygen sensors, this SUV has 4 of these, 2 pre-CC, 2 after...fun time ahead.

 

[amish]

bought a 06 jeep GC in 06 just for a change, and it was few thousands cheaper than a comparable one from toyota, so it was a no brainer. to get right to the point, I will never buy another Jeep again, nothing but small little problems here and there, and horrible resale value, so I can't really get rid of it without taking a huge lost. oh and last week, my check engine light is on, scanned it with a code PO133, guess I will need to replace the oxygen sensors, this SUV has 4 of these, 2 pre-CC, 2 after...fun time ahead.

i'm the exact opposite. i have a 2007 GC and i love it. i bought it in 2009 and haven't had any problems yet. i don't intend to get rid of it either so the resale value doesn't affect me. if i sold it right now the KBB is $2K less than what i bought it for.

when this vehicle finally buys the farm and either rusts out or the engine/transmission dies i will be replacing it with another JGC.

 

[drquest]

The new Jeep looks great and is selling very well. The Highlander I'm sure is an ok vehicle, but wouldn't even be on my short list.

Congrats on your purchase and upcoming new Jeep!

 

[ViviTheMage]

Jeep with a V8 no question, all day every day.

this

 

[LTC8K6]

guess it's too late for OP, but for future toyota/jeep buyers, here is my 2cents. I used to own toyota, 2 4runners, a 97 then a 03, then bought a 06 jeep GC in 06 just for a change, and it was few thousands cheaper than a comparable one from toyota, so it was a no brainer. to get right to the point, I will never buy another Jeep again, nothing but small little problems here and there, and horrible resale value, so I can't really get rid of it without taking a huge lost. oh and last week, my check engine light is on, scanned it with a code PO133, guess I will need to replace the oxygen sensors, this SUV has 4 of these, 2 pre-CC, 2 after...fun time ahead.

The 4 sensors is normal for a modern vehicle.

Your code is bank 1 sensor 1.

I thought GC resale value was actually high.

My 2008 has been pretty much flawless. No complaints, really. If I had to complain, it would be about the dealers, who seem to know less about the vehicle than online sites like WKJEEPS.

 

[mafia]

Glad you made the right choice. Now where are the pics?

 

[Lumathix]

Right choice OP. Here's my Jeep.

My '11 Overland Summit 4x4, 5.7

 

[JJ650]

We got the '11 Overland 4x4, with the V6. I wish it was the V8. I think the v6 in it is underpowered to me. The interior is nice. Leather dash, real wood trim and comfy seats. It does well on the road/trail to our cabin retreat. The selectable terrain feature is nice too.