My new 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit review
Discussion
Just a quick reply from me as I'm only on my mobile. I've done 400 miles now in my 2016 overland that I picked up 10 days ago. Not once have I had an issue with the gear selector. There was a voluntary recall for a software update early this year and I made sure this was done on mine but I've really found it very easy to use and pretty foolproof.
Mine is an April 16 so the last of the old style selectors.
Mine is an April 16 so the last of the old style selectors.
I have a 2011 GC and the clock's just turn around to 75,000 miles apart from routine service it's needed a head light bulb £60.00 including fitting.As for the size I find the length helps with parking as for the width a bit narrow when towing the trailer ,I tow a tri axle Brian James which the GC pulls well,I part X'ed my Range Rover L322 for the GC I miss the air ride and the fact it's a bit narrow I don't miss replacing gear box,head lights glass's,compressor x's 2,front air bags,steering wheel adjustment which had to be bodged as at the time none in stock or on the 2nd hand market.I have just completed the Scotland 500 in the GC never miss a beat ,after some long stints one from Essex to Newcastle as comfortable RR,returned 36 MPG on the Scotland trip, about 28>30 for towing and a round town.Mine is the first of this model but I love it and will be soon looking for a later model.
leginigel said:
I have a 2011 GC and the clock's just turn around to 75,000 miles apart from routine service it's needed a head light bulb £60.00 including fitting.As for the size I find the length helps with parking as for the width a bit narrow when towing the trailer ,I tow a tri axle Brian James which the GC pulls well,I part X'ed my Range Rover L322 for the GC I miss the air ride and the fact it's a bit narrow I don't miss replacing gear box,head lights glass's,compressor x's 2,front air bags,steering wheel adjustment which had to be bodged as at the time none in stock or on the 2nd hand market.I have just completed the Scotland 500 in the GC never miss a beat ,after some long stints one from Essex to Newcastle as comfortable RR,returned 36 MPG on the Scotland trip, about 28>30 for towing and a round town.Mine is the first of this model but I love it and will be soon looking for a later model.
IIRC Overland and Summit spec have air suspension or similar.Great cars, will be looking for one soon.
I’ve put about 1000 miles on mine now and I love it. At first I was adamant I wanted new (75th anniversary) but no regrets in the rather substantial saving for the sake of 6 months.
I love the comfort, it’s very refined and has loads of space. Air suspension is lovely as well. Interior quality is much better than I thought it would be but not in the same league as my wifes Evoque. For an almost 2.5 ton car it handles very well.
Lots of gadgets though as standard and these are all additional cost items on many of the Jeeps rivals. Power on the road is also more than adequate and that mountain of torque certainly makes itself known once on the move.
Some minor annoyances, the seat memory can only be altered at a standstill with ignition in run so a pain to make and save small adjustments on the move. No auto start/stop which I thought most vehicles of this class would have had. Rear windows are not one touch, again a minor thing but standard on many cheaper cars. Auto high beam is stupid so remains in the off position.
Overall though, I’m very pleased with my choice and feel refreshed after every drive.
I love the comfort, it’s very refined and has loads of space. Air suspension is lovely as well. Interior quality is much better than I thought it would be but not in the same league as my wifes Evoque. For an almost 2.5 ton car it handles very well.
Lots of gadgets though as standard and these are all additional cost items on many of the Jeeps rivals. Power on the road is also more than adequate and that mountain of torque certainly makes itself known once on the move.
Some minor annoyances, the seat memory can only be altered at a standstill with ignition in run so a pain to make and save small adjustments on the move. No auto start/stop which I thought most vehicles of this class would have had. Rear windows are not one touch, again a minor thing but standard on many cheaper cars. Auto high beam is stupid so remains in the off position.
Overall though, I’m very pleased with my choice and feel refreshed after every drive.
Question (they'll be others 
): Are air suspension on Summit and Overland fragile? I think that everytime I read something about a luxury car with them they seem to be the problematic item which need replacing at high costs.
Is there enough feedback on these yet? Any particular issues? Better to stick with Limited + and regular suspensions?
): Are air suspension on Summit and Overland fragile? I think that everytime I read something about a luxury car with them they seem to be the problematic item which need replacing at high costs.Is there enough feedback on these yet? Any particular issues? Better to stick with Limited + and regular suspensions?
J B L said:
Question (they'll be others ): Are air suspension on Summit and Overland fragile? I think that everytime I read something about a luxury car with them they seem to be the problematic item which need replacing at high costs.
Is there enough feedback on these yet? Any particular issues? Better to stick with Limited + and regular suspensions?
Try driving the non air suspension versions first. They really are not nice in comparison. ): Are air suspension on Summit and Overland fragile? I think that everytime I read something about a luxury car with them they seem to be the problematic item which need replacing at high costs.Is there enough feedback on these yet? Any particular issues? Better to stick with Limited + and regular suspensions?
Zippee said:
J B L said:
Question (they'll be others ): Are air suspension on Summit and Overland fragile? I think that everytime I read something about a luxury car with them they seem to be the problematic item which need replacing at high costs.
Is there enough feedback on these yet? Any particular issues? Better to stick with Limited + and regular suspensions?
Try driving the non air suspension versions first. They really are not nice in comparison. ): Are air suspension on Summit and Overland fragile? I think that everytime I read something about a luxury car with them they seem to be the problematic item which need replacing at high costs.Is there enough feedback on these yet? Any particular issues? Better to stick with Limited + and regular suspensions?
There is a more off road gc coming. It's gonna have standard suspension
Pesty said:
Zippee said:
J B L said:
Question (they'll be others ): Are air suspension on Summit and Overland fragile? I think that everytime I read something about a luxury car with them they seem to be the problematic item which need replacing at high costs.
Is there enough feedback on these yet? Any particular issues? Better to stick with Limited + and regular suspensions?
Try driving the non air suspension versions first. They really are not nice in comparison. ): Are air suspension on Summit and Overland fragile? I think that everytime I read something about a luxury car with them they seem to be the problematic item which need replacing at high costs.Is there enough feedback on these yet? Any particular issues? Better to stick with Limited + and regular suspensions?
There is a more off road gc coming. It's gonna have standard suspension
Hi,
Great review and like many on here I find myself drawn to the grand cherokee summit,
I have an x5 at the moment but find the ride qualìty poor unless I'm on flawless tar, great for the Nurburgring, but on North Scotland B roads, simply uncomfortable and enough to shake your teeth. I have changed the wheel size and tyre profile but no significant improvement so the air suspension as standard is a real bonus
I have a couple of large trailers and a caravan to tow so the towing capacity of the jeep is attractive, but I like to ask for those who currently own summit , does the vehicle have the towing equipment as standard behind the rear panel, All,American summit models have the electrics and 2" slot tow frame installed from the factory.
Does anyone know if the uk summit has this kit fitted behind the removable panel as it would make the fitting of a towbar much simpler and cheaper
Thanks in advance
John
Great review and like many on here I find myself drawn to the grand cherokee summit,
I have an x5 at the moment but find the ride qualìty poor unless I'm on flawless tar, great for the Nurburgring, but on North Scotland B roads, simply uncomfortable and enough to shake your teeth. I have changed the wheel size and tyre profile but no significant improvement so the air suspension as standard is a real bonus
I have a couple of large trailers and a caravan to tow so the towing capacity of the jeep is attractive, but I like to ask for those who currently own summit , does the vehicle have the towing equipment as standard behind the rear panel, All,American summit models have the electrics and 2" slot tow frame installed from the factory.
Does anyone know if the uk summit has this kit fitted behind the removable panel as it would make the fitting of a towbar much simpler and cheaper
Thanks in advance
John
Coolbanana said:
The Full-Fat RR does stand out as larger but the Disco is close enough to be in the same mid-size category size-wise and the 2011 RR Sport I had was a bit smaller but in the same bracket.
The larger US SUV's (Escalade ESV for example)come in at around +/-5600mm and +2000mmm - even larger than the big RR.
My point being that the current GC does feel to me like it goes around corners better than both Disco and 2011 RRS which are medium size SUV's in the States - cars I've owned previously. Over here in the UK, we tend to think of the Disco et al as large, not mid-size.
Pay a lot more and the new RRS will be even better around the corners - a lot better as it is quite an improvement over the old one.
Nice Car OP. Loively interiors on those and and the steering wheels look considerably nicery than a Disco of the same era. The corners were never the D3's strongest feature. The weight on its own is always going to be a factor. The larger US SUV's (Escalade ESV for example)come in at around +/-5600mm and +2000mmm - even larger than the big RR.
My point being that the current GC does feel to me like it goes around corners better than both Disco and 2011 RRS which are medium size SUV's in the States - cars I've owned previously. Over here in the UK, we tend to think of the Disco et al as large, not mid-size.
Pay a lot more and the new RRS will be even better around the corners - a lot better as it is quite an improvement over the old one.
I'd expect the Jeep to be a better handler, its a Merc ML underneath.
bakerstreet said:
Nice Car OP. Loively interiors on those and and the steering wheels look considerably nicery than a Disco of the same era. The corners were never the D3's strongest feature. The weight on its own is always going to be a factor.
I'd expect the Jeep to be a better handler, its a Merc ML underneath.
I'd prefer to say the ML shares the Jeep architecture, the development was a joint collaboration based on Jeep know-how.I'd expect the Jeep to be a better handler, its a Merc ML underneath.
LDN said:
Can some clarify for me the model specs - and which ones have air suspension.
Also, how big is the boot; is it as big as an ML from the same era (2015 ish I'm looking at)?
Goes Also, how big is the boot; is it as big as an ML from the same era (2015 ish I'm looking at)?
Laredo
Limited
Overland
Summit
With trailhawk somewhere in between Overland and Summit
I went with Overland as the only thing it lacks over Summit is slightly better stereo (really not noticeable to my ears and some sound cancelling), but it has slightly better suspension articulation.
All overlands and summits have air suspension, which from my14 had the park feature (which is handy if you have elderly relatives or children). For me the air suspension made an appreciable difference to how the vehicle performed.
The overland and summit also comes with a rear diff lock in case you ever want to go properly offroad. My overland also came with e radar pack (which is one of only 2 options iirc- the other being rear tv). the radar pack is a very very handy upgrade.
i'm still loving mine- had it 12m and 20k miles. been into to Jeep Swindon for some warranty work, MOT and servicing. Will need some new tyres eventually and i will have the auto box fluid changed too relatively soon. Easily big enough for a family of 5, plus dog, plus shopping.
On a run i average about 35mpg, around the lanes where i live that drops to abour 28mpg (mainly because i boot it
) Loads of power (260bhp?), lots of torque, a very nice 8 speed gearbox. great infotainment system too- clearly shares its roots with the merc system (although the merc system works better)
I came out of a merc CLS and prefer the interior of the jeep (which i was very surprised to find)
Just to be clear you don't want a pre2013, pre facelift model, a very very
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