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2015 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk vs CPO Jeep Grand Cherokee - Long-Term Road Test

Edmunds.comEdmunds.com Member, Administrator, Moderator Posts: 10,316
edited February 2016 in Jeep
image2015 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk vs CPO Jeep Grand Cherokee - 2015 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk Long-Term Road Test

Edmunds editor James Riswick compares the 2015 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk with a certified-pre owned used Jeep Grand Cherokee.

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  • kirkhilles1kirkhilles1 Member Posts: 863
    I couldn't imagine owning a Jeep without being under warranty. Even then, I bet you're going to have heartburn.
  • throwbackthrowback Member Posts: 445
    A used Jeep? No way! and I only buy used cars.
  • daryleasondaryleason Member Posts: 501
    I'm really anti-FCA due to their build quality and resale value. As much as I lust for the Challenger & 300C, I doubt I'd ever buy one, unless I got an incredible deal. But if I were looking to get an FCA product, the only one I'd consider would be the Wrangler right now. And even then, I don't know that the value is really there, since for about the same price, you can get a full size 4x4 pickup or an extended cab mid-size 4x4 pickup. It doesn't even win on the fuel economy side. Plus, I know that I'm not likely to take a brand new 4x4 off-road because I'm too cheap to scratch up something I financed. It'd kill all the fun of off-roading for me.
  • longtimelurkerlongtimelurker Member Posts: 455
    "For that, you get a vehicle that is superior in virtually every way to the little Renegade apart from fuel economy and parking ease."

    WAT. The JGC averaged 22.5 mpg over 22,000 miles. This POS is averaging 21 after 16,000. And you just wrote the most recent mpg update on it yesterday, so you should know that.

    So the question is would you want a good vehicle that has a slightly greater than average chance of becoming a piece of crap, or a known piece of crap.

    And while not a fan of Jeep, I have to admit that every vehicle in the lineup has a sophisticated, complex AWD or 4WD drivetrain. Expecting similar reliability to a maker that has maybe 30% of their vehicles having AWD and none having 4WD...that's just not going to happen.
  • bankerdannybankerdanny Member Posts: 1,021
    longtimelurker said:



    WAT. The JGC averaged 22.5 mpg over 22,000 miles. This POS is averaging 21 after 16,000. And you just wrote the most recent mpg update on it yesterday, so you should know that.

    No, that was a Cherokee, not a Grand Cherokee. But your point is still valid. The Cherokee was a better and more useful vehicle in every way with no obvious fuel economy penalty despite its larger size and far more powerful engine.
  • nagantnagant Member Posts: 176
    At least Jeep (mostly) and Ram have vehicles that are interesting and competitive in their class......their sales increase figures that FCA talks about are because what they sell are compelling products. Dodge and Chrysler's "increases" (their sales figures are coming under scrutiny) are in part because FCA is going after the sub-prime market in a dangerously heavy way (just like in 2007-8). There is a reason Jeep keeps making the dreadful Patriot and Compass......selling them cheap to sub prime buyers at 18+% interest rates. This is one reason FCA is such a house of cards. The economy is starting to sputter, repos are beginning to soar and FCA has nothing to fall back on.

    I bought my wifes 07 PT in 2012 with 52K miles from the original owner. It turned over 73K last week with just a few issues. A cam and crank sensor, AC pressure switch and half shafts last month. When I bought it I found out it was one of the few Chrysler from that era that did not have below average to way below average reliability ratings across the board. We like the dumb thing so much we took a chance on it and have been happy, but in the back of my mind there is that distrust of anything Mopar. I just make sure and service it like the schedule says and hope for the best.

    But a used Jeep? Not on your life.
  • longtimelurkerlongtimelurker Member Posts: 455
    edited February 2016
    bankerdanny said:

    longtimelurker said:



    WAT. The JGC averaged 22.5 mpg over 22,000 miles. This POS is averaging 21 after 16,000. And you just wrote the most recent mpg update on it yesterday, so you should know that.

    No, that was a Cherokee, not a Grand Cherokee. But your point is still valid. The Cherokee was a better and more useful vehicle in every way with no obvious fuel economy penalty despite its larger size and far more powerful engine.
    Whoops...you're right. But I'm right, too. Everybody wins. Yeah!!!!!

    Seriously, I'm not sure the question he asked, that I misinterpreted, is even a good question...who in his right mind is cross-shopping this Renegade with a Grand Cherokee? New or used, the JGC is just...too far away. I can see comparing a loaded Escape against a mid-level Edge or a CPO Edge, but I'm probably not seriously considering an Explorer or a Flex.

    Even in America, people don't just try to get the most gigantic vehicle they can get for the money, regardless of their needs...just not how people shop.
  • defyant15defyant15 Member Posts: 74
    edited February 2016
    I know two people with newish (2012, 2014) Wranglers. One had it suddenly stop and not start (not a dead battery or something easy), the other had water leaks in the cabin and ticking noises from the engine.

    I also know folks with the GC (lots of electrical issues, in addition to tranny issues mentioned) and Cherokee (the tranny is beyond bad). The JGC's offroad capability is useless - one would be insane to trust that thing in some lonely stretch of forest road.

    Stay away from FCA.They make decent looking cars with character and capability on paper - however, their reliability is atrocious.

    Its really the opposite of Toyota, which lately has been super conservative on development (ex: new Tacoma as drum rear brakes and finally an outdated 6 speed auto), but great on reliability.

    I think Ford and GM do a much better job of balancing both, Subaru, Volvo and lately Mazda are also great. The Germans are also unreliable and more importantly hideously expensive to own and repair.
  • nagantnagant Member Posts: 176
    edited February 2016
    Well there will be (Monday) breaking news that is the first nail in the coffin for Sergio and FCA. Hitting the news is that the already pi$$ed off Fiat dealers (you know the ones PROMISED 75K in Alfa sales by 2018 if only the dealers would build free standing Fiat/Alfa dealers) are NOT renewing their Fiat contracts so they can get rid of their failing business'. FCA reps are all over the US threatening and bribing the dealers stay but a huge number are saying forget it. Lying about sales numbers and relying on sub-prime loans for Dodge and Chrysler sales along with thin margins everywhere else means FCA is crumbling.......oh and BILLIONS in debt....the [non-permissible content removed] is officially hitting the fan next week.

    Kinda sad that the mainstream auto press has been so mum about the Sergio and his BS costing dealers millions and people their jobs.
  • creddcredd Member Posts: 6
    edited February 2016
    I had a 2014 JGC Laredo 2WD fleet car provided by my employer. Delivered new with only 132 miles, I had it for 1.5 years and the final mileage was 63,192. That car ran without a hiccup in the drive train. The original tires, Goodyear Fortera, lasted approximately 45,000 miles. The only warranty repair it needed was to have the center console trim replaced. The problem piece was the chrome vacuum plating around the cup holder. It began to peel and became a sharps hazard, cutting me three times before GE Fleet services approved the repair. Over the time the car was in my possession it averaged about 20.5 MPG and that was because I have a heavy right foot. The 3.5 liter Pentastar V6 and 8 speed ZF transmission was a capable pairing. In sport mode the vehicle was near perfect. I miss it everyday as I am now in a base model Equinox due to company cost cutting. A CPO JGC V6 with 8 speed transmission would be a fine option for anyone wanting a used medium sized SUV.
  • lhslhs Member Posts: 3
    I have a 2007 Jeep Commander with 81,000 mi. It is the limited with the Hemi and has been very reliable. It has needed nothing but basic maintenance all of which I have done myself. It has not been to the dealer or a mechanic for a repair in its life. It is comfortable and quiet and will go anywhere. I have two other Chrysler products and they also have been trouble free.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    nagant said:

    Well there will be (Monday) breaking news that is the first nail in the coffin for Sergio and FCA.

    It's almost Tuesday in Rome and I'm wondering what news is breaking (other than stuff from the Geneva Auto Show)?
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