WK2?

[Ben Holeton]

Anyone here rocking a newer Grand Cherokee? I love the looks of the 75th anniversary model and am considering upgrading to that. I'll be doing on road driving 90% of the time, and just doing some minor off roading to camps and such.

 

[kmlacroix]

While the WK2 is not a Wrangler, it is a very capable machine off-road. I have a '14 diesel overland.

 

[Hawkz]

I have a 2013 Grand Cherokee as my daily driver. Compared to where I took my old Rubicon, I haven't done anything I would consider off-roading with the Grand. It handles dirt track well and is more comfortable than my old Rubicon.

One of the reasons I bought the Grand is I plan to buy a small/medium travel trailer and the Grand should be able to handle a bigger trailer...

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Tons of info on them, here you go http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/search.php?searchid=4943860

 

[BrianV]

We just got in January, a 2015 WK2 Limited Diesel. We only have about 1500 miles on it so far. Have not had it in the dirt yet, but it seems like it would be more than capable on a logging road or snowy conditions.
Comfortable and quiet driver. Big fan thus far. Bought it because we needed something that fit a car seat more comfortably. Got the diesel because this will be our primary family vehicle with plenty of highways trips. We usually do about 20k+ miles per year in the family vehicle. The 650-700 mile range is a huge plus for us. In my previous car we were filling it up every 3 days or so due to a 12 gal tank and 25-30 mpg. This will get approximatly the same mileage with twice the fuel capacity and a ton more power.

In my eyes it is a perfect highway and light camping vehicle. Big enough cargo capacity that you don't have to get too creative in packing for a weekend trip. Not too large for city driving and parking either.

 

[Ben Holeton]

Thanks for that. That's good info. And yes, if I was doing any serious off roading, I would get a wrangler. But I want good cargo space, decent fuel economy and the ability to tow. This seems like it'll work great for it

 

[Weeds]

I will be trying my diesel GC out with a 4,600lb trailer in a month or so. I will try to report back. You should also check out the JeepGarage website. Lots of diesel info.

 

[bdp1978]

We have a 2014 that we are leasing right now. We got it because of car seat issues when our daughter was born and it didnt fit in the wifes JKU daily driver.

Its def. sporty and rides really nice, good gas mileage....but as soon as we can turn it in its gone. The wife wants her own JKU again.

Things I dont like: The electronic shifter is terrible, I HATE IT with a passion. I always end up in the wrong gear. The GC has also left spots all over our driveway from an oil leak already and front axle leak....in 22,000 miles.

 

[Ben Holeton]

Every jeep i've ever owned has leaked a little something. But yeah, at 22,000 miles, that really shouldn't happen

 

[Jason911]

I too have a '14 diesel limited 4xx. Just a shade over 53000 miles - I average 25,000 miles per year. Zero problems, fuel economy is 25.6mpg in town, I can eek out over 30 during the summer months if I keep it @ 70 on the interstate. Summer months I also pull a 4600# enclosed V-nose 19' trailer, and still get a respectable 18mpg. Loads of torque, great seats and long legs for distance driving. If I had to find any fault - the rear interior space is limited, and that was before adding a ARB 37L fridge. I think I'll drive this one into the ground.

 

[Ben Holeton]

Cool. Thanks guys!

 

[BigDaveZJ]

The electronic shifter is terrible, I HATE IT with a passion. I always end up in the wrong gear.

So much this . . . . .

We put about 21k on a '14 WK2, pretty based out, but did have 4-Lo, tow hooks, and the mode selector thing. We wheeled it more than anyone should wheel a stock WK2 that doesn't have the QuadraLift. The quick removal of the front bumper on everything but the Summit models I believe is crucial, you WILL catch that thing on anything and everything in your path.

Articulation was a complete joke. I couldn't believe how often I was lifting tires. And the ground clearance is abysmal. We took ours all over Ouray/Silverton/Telluride. It drove quite comfortably most of the time, but on anything more than a dirt road it was out of its element. The Alpine Loop is about the most challenging trail I would ever consider taking a stock WK2 on again, and even then we scraped quite a bit on the Western side of Engineer Pass. Other than that section it was more comfortable than my long armed ZJ on 35's.

In the end, we ended up trading the WK2 in for a JKU-Rubicon. The WK2 was the best on-road Jeep I've ever driven though, and if I needed just a DD we would have kept it.

And for some reason we took our WK2 over Black Bear. I would not suggest it.

 

[Terex]

We have a '14 diesel Overland with QLII. It's perfect as my wife's daily driver and pulling our VMI Offroad trailer when dispersed camping. Just drove 8 hrs. to Sedona in comfort towing our trailer, getting 18-19 mpg, and wheeling an ATV trail in the Verde Valley while there. It needs a spare set of wheels and LT tires that I can put on when we head out camping/adventuring. Will probably add Mopar rock rails too. The traction control system makes it brilliant in snow and ice. Our other vehicle is a '12 JKR with a Frontrunner roof rack, so we're pretty much ready for whatever.

 

[alludc]

Love my 15!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xXYyW7-0q8

 

[DallasJKU]

Just picked up a '15 Overland with Hemi. Traded my Rubicon because my dog died and I wanted to take road trips with the new puppy and the Rubicon on 37's sucked for that. Its amazing how quiet and how nice the GC drives. I miss the Rubicon, but not that much. I won't take this off road much, but it will be fine in the sand and light trails and snow. Even with the Hemi it gets better gas mpg than the Rubicon. Plus its a beautiful vehicle and I have zero desire to mod it other than floor liners and I just put in the Canvasback to protect from new puppy. Might swap tires to an AT, but not if it will destroy the ride quality. No regrets so far.