alljeep wrote:
I test drove a left over '07 Limited Grand Cherokee CRD last week - finally. Many things left me un-happy.
First - cargo capacity is 100lbs less on the Grand than then liberty. So, you have more cargo room but less weight capacity??? It's great that it can tow 7600lbs, but after 4 large adults and a full tank of fuel and the tongue weight of your trailer you'd better have all of your cargo in the trailer your towing. Now, why did they not put the CRD in the Commander? It has a gargo capacity that is 200lbs greater than the Liberty.
Second - with Driver Seat all the way back, rear leg room was about 3-4 inches while my liberty was at least quadruple that. For me at 6'9" tall I have the same leg room in both front seats all the way back. All the supposed extra space in the Grand is in the rear cargo area.
Third - Head room is much less with the Grand.
Fourth - Practically gone is the sound of any diesel engine, which was depressing for me but I'm sure most people like. But still...
And Finally - It sits and revs up to nearly 3000 to 3500 rpm before the transmission lets the diesel put any power to the ground - sound familiar??? It feels slushy all over town in City driving.
Only positive is that if you really mosh the go pedal, it's a rocket ship after 3000+ rpm. But it's so weird because, when moshing the go pedal, the transmission shifts like a total gasser and the diesel at high rpms sounds like a gasser!
I don't know, it was just a downer for me. I was all excited until the whole transmission high rpm thing showed up - the same fix forced on me at 14,000 miles now comes factory in the Grand. At least in my liberty on the freeway I can still lug along at 1600rpm and feel that torque feel, but not in this thing, just felt like a gasser.
They should have put it in the Commander to allow for real towing and at least a moderate cargo carrying capacity.
I wonder if the Benz (ML) does this funky high revving thing or if it is just another crap Torque Converter thing? Maybe we test drive that and find out? I think in the Benz, the motor is tuned better too, more HP stock than the same motor in the Grand.