Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited w/ 3.0L V6 Turbo Diesel

[Hans Stuck]

Trying to think of a good family vehicle to replace my Land Rover Discovery (diagnosed with some problems not worth fixing (ie. cost prohibitive)).

I was hoping to get a BMW diesel SAV like an X3, but it's not out yet and this Jeep Grand Cherokee may be a lot more versatile (and cheaper to maintain too).

What do you know about this V6 Turbo-Diesel? What do you know about the new Jeep Grand Cherokee?

I wasn't in the market for an SUV - so I've not bothered to read any reviews / tests.

[Wellington P Funk]

As a Jeep afictionado, I'm embarassed to say that I have little knowledge of the CDI Grand Cherokee.

I will warn you, however, that the new Grand has independent front suspension, and as such will not be as off-road capable as your Disco . . . or as the previous-generation Grand.

As far as off-road capability goes:
'98-'04 Grand Cherokee > Discovery > '05-present Grand Cherokee

I believe the CDI may be of Mercedes origin (part of The Great Daimler-Chrysler Merger Of Equals Parts-Sharing Extravaganza, a.k.a. TGDCMOEPSE), but I could be wrong. I stopped paying attention to new Jeeps when they started building IFS and/or car-based vehicles.

http://www.jeepsunlimited.com might have better info, but stay out of Off Topic. The discussion in there makes TCL look like The Manhatten Project in comparison.

[SLAB]

it is a mercedes unit, and they use the same engine in the new sprinter aparently...

[MEIN_VW]

Quote, originally posted by SLAB »

it is a mercedes unit, and they use the same engine in the new sprinter aparently...

It is a Mercedes engine, but different than the one in the Sprinter. The Sprinter's 3.0 CDI produces 154hp and 280lb-ft while the Cherokee's 3.0 CDI produces 215hp and 376lb-ft (and can tow 7,400lbs.)

[CosmicTDI]

AutoWeek: 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland CRD

Published 07/05/07

2007 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE OVERLAND CRD
AS-TESTED PRICE: $45,910
DRIVETRAIN: 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6; 4wd, five-speed automatic
OUTPUT: 215 hp @ 3800 rpm, 376 lb-ft @ 1600-2800 rpm
CURB WEIGHT: 4804 lb
FUEL ECONOMY (EPA/AW): 22/19.8 mpg
OPTIONS: Customer-preferred package, including 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 engine, 22-gallon fuel tank, engine-block heater ($2,010); P245/65R-17 OWL all-terrain tires ($190)

OUR TAKE: We freaked out when we saw the sticker on this vehicle. Mercedes-Benz’s ML320 CDI starts at $44,500, which begs the question: Why on earth would anyone pay more for a Jeep than a Benz?

The diesel-powered Jeep can be had in a lesser, Limited trim, but that’s still a $38,000 vehicle with no options. We think the Grand Cherokee should top-out at that price, fully loaded.

The good news is this diesel engine is identical to the one found under the hood of any Benz with a 320 CDI. The only real difference between the powertrains is the transmission found in the Benz has two extra gears.

It’s a torquey thing, too, this engine. There’s good pulling power at any rev, and once under way, the clackety-clack fades away. The rest is typical Grand Cherokee: A tough-feeling truck with a sub-par—at least materials-wise—interior. But most on staff wished for the ML instead of this Grand Cherokee. Sure, the $6,000 price differential is a lot to consumers, but nearly everything in the Benz is near ideal, and the only ideal thing in this Jeep is the engine. We also wished for a bit better fuel economy; we expected real-world figures closer to 23-24 mpg instead of the 19.8 we found.

[Wellington P Funk]

Regarding the AutoWeek test:

I don't know if the Grand Cherokee's interior is really "sub-par" . . . it's not a soft-touch heaven, but it's rather well designed, and in a non-super-luxury trim it's something you wouldn't hesitate to get a little muddy and grimy (and what American-made SUV shouldn't be gotten muddy and grimy, I ask?)

Also, GOOD LORD THAT TORQUE! And that towing capacity is nothing to sneeze at!

Is the ML320CDI available in the states?

[VarianceVQ]

Who needs the diesel? Want torque? Get the SRT-8.

[MEIN_VW]

Quote, originally posted by Wellington P Funk »

Is the ML320CDI available in the states?

The ML320 CDI, R320 CDI and GL320 CDI are all on sale in the US.

[MEIN_VW]

Quote, originally posted by VarianceVQ »

Who needs the diesel? Want torque? Get the SRT-8.

It has 44 lb-feet of torque more than the CDI which is less than half the size of the SRT's V8. That's less than what it takes to torque my wheel bolts.

[dilleyoshempy]

"It is a Mercedes engine, but different than the one in the Sprinter. The Sprinter's 3.0 CDI produces 154hp and 280lb-ft while the Cherokee's 3.0 CDI produces 215hp and 376lb-ft (and can tow 7,400lbs.)"

Sorry to go off topic here but the information posted on the US\Canada Dodge websites is wrong with regards to a couple things on the new sprinter, one being the output of the 3.0 V6

actual ratings are 184hp and 295lb-ft

this has been discussed already on sprinter forums along with other incorrect data, i.e. axle ratios.

Modified by dilleyoshempy at 8:37 PM 7-6-2007

[MEIN_VW]

Quote, originally posted by dilleyoshempy »

Sorry to go off topic here but the information posted on the US\Canada Dodge websites is wrong with regards to a couple things on the new sprinter, one being the output of the 3.0 V6 actual ratings are 184hp and 295lb-ft

Thanks for the heads-up. The numbers stated on http://www.dodge.com for the Sprinter did seem rather low to me.

[spockcat]

If you want a diesel, VW was pushing the 2006 Touareg V10 TDIs out the door at just over $50k. Not sure if there are any left but it is possible. Even the 2007s were heavily discounted. Don't let the high MSRP scare you away.

Of course, the cost of maintenance will probably be higher than a Jeep.

[VarianceVQ]

Quote, originally posted by dilleyoshempy »

Sorry to go off topic here but the information posted on the US\Canada Dodge websites is wrong with regards to a couple things on the new sprinter, one being the output of the 3.0 V6 actual ratings are 184hp and 295lb-ft this has been discussed already on sprinter forums along with other incorrect data, i.e. axle ratios.

Sorry to go even further off-topic but I never realized anything such as Sprinter forums existed.

[dilleyoshempy]

There are and they're quiet loaded with info, theres even decent amount of mods available, here is one forum that i visit often, http://sprinter-source.com/forum/index.php, although you will have to register to be able to view most info, and an example of mods available, http://www.upscaleauto.com/sprinter_store.htm

[Hans Stuck]

Quote, originally posted by spockcat »

If you want a diesel, VW was pushing the 2006 Touareg V10 TDIs out the door at just over $50k. Not sure if there are any left but it is possible. Even the 2007s were heavily discounted. Don't let the high MSRP scare you away. Of course, the cost of maintenance will probably be higher than a Jeep.

The MSRP doesn't scare me away, but it will keep me away because I can't afford it.

Is VW putting a 6 cylinder diesel in the Touareg in 2008? What about Audi -- are we getting a 6 cylinder diesel Q7 in 2008?

If I'm going to buy a new SUV - it's going to be a diesel.

[spockcat]

Quote, originally posted by Hans Stuck »

The MSRP doesn't scare me away, but it will keep me away because I can't afford it. Is VW putting a 6 cylinder diesel in the Touareg in 2008? What about Audi -- are we getting a 6 cylinder diesel Q7 in 2008? If I'm going to buy a new SUV - it's going to be a diesel.

I believe the V6 TDI will be available as a 2009 model in 50 states, available in 2008. RJ posted about it here. I drove a Touareg V6 TDI in Germany 2 years courtesy of VW. It was a fantastic car. Not as good as the V10 TDI but really nice none the less.