Topic: Consumer Reports prefers Grand Cherokee to 4Runner

[saint_satan]

"The Jeep AWD system is light years ahead of a Highlander. FWIW there is still plenty of late 80's and 90's Cherokees running around. The 4.0L straight six is durable. I see more of these compared to old 4Runners."

Agreed.  Both 4Runners and Cherokees suffer from rust, however.  Although the 1997+ Cherokees were a bit better.  Further, although the interiors of the Cherokee were no hell, I think they are better than comparable models today (see Escape, Patriot, Liberty, Rav4)

I picked the Cherokee over the 4Runner and the Pathfinder back in the day because of the massive 4.0L engine.  The relative small size of the Cherokee vs. the size of the engine meant it was a much better performer than its rivals.  Actually, in the early 1990's the Cherokee was a bit of a "hotrod" with 190hp (Mustangs were pumping out 225ish).  Fast forward to 2011, the Jeep Liberty is not a class leader in power but rather offers worst in class acceleration and fuel economy.  Ditto on Patriot with Freedom Drive 2 (What's the point of having a 2wd Jeep?). How is it possible that a car designed in 1983 could offer more than its replacement in 2011? BOOOOO!

Chryco needs another hit like the Cherokee or 1st gen Liberty.  Something that sells 200K+ units a year.  I don't see enough market for the Grand Cherokee long term to sustain the brand.

[articsteve]

Congrats to the GC, but this is one of those classic cases where vehicle B caught up with vehicle A mostly because vehicle A has been on a steep decline in recent years.

Steep decline      Not seeing it. 

4 Runner   9 months of 2010:  33, 177
                  "            2009:   13,127

GC:          9 months of 2010:  48,177
               9 months of 2009:  39,890 

Courtesy SiRA       http://www.canadiandriver.com/forum/index.php/topic,49080.220.html    reply 239

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Congrats to the GC, but this is one of those classic cases where vehicle B caught up with vehicle A mostly because vehicle A has been on a steep decline in recent years.

Steep decline      Not seeing it. 

4 Runner   9 months of 2010:  33, 177
                  "            2009:   13,127

GC:          9 months of 2010:  48,177
               9 months of 2009:  39,890 

Courtesy SiRA       http://www.canadiandriver.com/forum/index.php/topic,49080.220.html    reply 239

Dunno about decline, but it certainly is stagnant.

Month    4Runner   Grand Cherokee
October   4197    12721
September   3577   10915
August    3833    6393
July   3814    5462
June   3426   2912
May   4240    3246
April   4200    3393

[articsteve]

first 9 months in 2009:  13K units
  "                    2010:  33K units

New 2010 model shows up and sales almost triple and that's your def of stagnant.     

Edmunds hated it:

 What Edmunds.com says

Among go-anywhere traditional SUVs, the 2010 Toyota 4Runner is a top choice. However, those looking for more passenger space and who don't require much in the way of off-road capability may want to consider a car-based crossover SUV instead.

Pros

Strong V6, outstanding off-road capability, pleasant on-road demeanor, ample cargo capacity, available third-row seat.

Cons

Cramped third-row accommodations, no V8 option, weak and inefficient base four-cylinder.

What's New for 2010

The Toyota 4Runner has been redesigned for 2010, bringing greater on-road refinement without giving up any of its traditional off-road prowess.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

first 9 months in 2009:  13K units
  "                    2010:  33K units

New 2010 model shows up and sales almost triple and that's your def of stagnant.     

Edmunds hated it:

 What Edmunds.com says

Among go-anywhere traditional SUVs, the 2010 Toyota 4Runner is a top choice. However, those looking for more passenger space and who don't require much in the way of off-road capability may want to consider a car-based crossover SUV instead.

Pros

Strong V6, outstanding off-road capability, pleasant on-road demeanor, ample cargo capacity, available third-row seat.

Cons

Cramped third-row accommodations, no V8 option, weak and inefficient base four-cylinder.

What's New for 2010

The Toyota 4Runner has been redesigned for 2010, bringing greater on-road refinement without giving up any of its traditional off-road prowess.

2009 was a crap year for everyone, tripling sales isn't much of a stretch. Month to month sales this year are stagnant while the GC quadrupled monthly sales from April to October

[rrocket]

^^New model became avail in July for the GC...

[PJungnitsch]

Chryco needs another hit like the Cherokee or 1st gen Liberty.  Something that sells 200K+ units a year.  I don't see enough market for the Grand Cherokee long term to sustain the brand.

I'd like to see this, but apparently the pickup people at Dodge shoot it down every time it's proposed:

[saint_satan]

Ahh!  The old Jeep Gladiator!  Cool but niche, at best. 

They would do better to axe the Commander and Compass and fix the Liberty and Patriot.  Give the Liberty the Nitro 4.0 V6 and tell it to lose 700 or 800 lbs.  Give the Patriot a small V6 option and regular tranny (and a fuel tank larger than 50L).  The Euro Patriot has a 2.2l Mercedes diesel option.  Makes me sick we wouldn’t get that here in North America.

I read the consumer reports article.  Both the 4Runner and the Grand Cherokee get 12 miles per US Gallon in the city.  Ouch!  Diesel option would be nice.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

^^New model became avail in July for the GC...

The 4Runner was new for 2010, but never really caught on.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Chryco needs another hit like the Cherokee or 1st gen Liberty.  Something that sells 200K+ units a year.  I don't see enough market for the Grand Cherokee long term to sustain the brand.

I'd like to see this, but apparently the pickup people at Dodge shoot it down every time it's proposed:

  There are reports that it might happen this time. Apparently a truck similar to the Gladiator was shown to Chrysler dealers.

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2010/09/sources-say-jeep-pickup-truck-coming-for-2012.html

[safristi]

..I am  Sure Bridge would buy one if muscle bound bad actors Russel Crowe woz the driver...................ME...i d hold out fer driving Miss Universe Crazy............ ..i like it too...............I can just see me and the MISSUS (hitting me ovr tha heid) in Arizona in the  WINTERTIMES!!!!!!


 Dear can ya round UP those lil doggies why i sample this NEW TEQUILLA..........watch out fer tha Lizards in cowboy boots OR is it the Cowboys in Lizard Boots!!!!!...i ll be ovr tha ridge lookin fer Illegal Canucks....