Grand Cherokee to 2016 Land Cruiser

[wittymathguy]

I'm new the the forum and currently have a 2015 Grand Cherokee Summit V8. It's a great car, but I've always had a thing for the Land Cruiser. I had a 2005 4Runner, that I actually kept for 6 years, and it was just bullet proof.

It's very difficult to find LC's that are on the lot (new or used) in my area (Tampa, FL) for a test drive. So, I'd love to hear the opinions of those here on how it drives compared to a Grand Cherokee or 4Runner. Would it just feel way to big coming from those smaller vehicles? Also, does it seem completely ludicrous to have an LC when I'm single with a dog?

Thanks so much for your input!

 

[T4Runner]

You can feel the similarities with a 4Runner in the Land Cruiser, only it feels more robust. The visibility is better too. It's actually not that much larger on paper than a 4th gen 4Runner, though it feels bigger. Better description is that the 4R feels like the LC's kid brother. Can't help you with an actual Jeep comparison, but I assure you it's better in every way

 

[INTP]

I was in Tampa yesterday, but my LC is in Virginia. I have a friend who has a GC a couple years older than yours. I have not driven his truck, but I can give you my feedback based on being a passenger. The seats are way wider and comfortable in the LC, the ride is better since it is body on frame and I also feel claustrophobic in the Jeep. We have engaged in informal speed contests and the LC is faster than his V8-GC.

As a side note, my rental in Florida was a brand new Jeep Cherokee. It had the 4 cylinder and I thought it was dangerously underpowered. The only thing it would do under moderate throttle is produce more engine noise. I know its not the same as your truck, but ugh, this thing was bad. I asked the rental agent if it had some sort of power or speed limiting device, they insisted it did not.

Maybe someone on this forum, who lives close to you, can let you drive their truck.

 

[wittymathguy]

Yeah. The seats in the GC are less than optimal, but I did come from a 2012 BMW 535xi with the comfort seats. The GC does have some pretty nice leather on the seats, door sills and dash, but pretty crappy everywhere else.

I'm surprised you all say that the LC is quicker that the V8 GC. I think the Hemi is a great engine, feeling very present and linear. I bought and old 2003 GX 470, which my mother has now, that has the 4.7 V8. It definitely wasn't a power beast, but it had such good throttle response, that I was never left wanting.

 

[Markuson]

Yeah. The seats in the GC are less than optimal, but I did come from a 2012 BMW 535xi with the comfort seats. The GC does have some pretty nice leather on the seats, door sills and dash, but pretty crappy everywhere else.

I'm surprised you all say that the LC is quicker that the V8 GC. I think the Hemi is a great engine, feeling very present and linear. I bought and old 2003 GX 470, which my mother has now, that has the 4.7 V8. It definitely wasn't a power beast, but it had such good throttle response, that I was never left wanting.

The difference in power between the 4.7 V8 and the Cruiser's newer 5.7 V8 is HUUUGE.
My 2008 goes from 0-60 in 6.5 seconds stock...and has a whopping 150 more horsepower than my 100 Cruiser (4.7) had.

 

[Tripledave]

I'm new the the forum and currently have a 2015 Grand Cherokee Summit V8. It's a great car, but I've always had a thing for the Land Cruiser. I had a 2005 4Runner, that I actually kept for 6 years, and it was just bullet proof.

It's very difficult to find LC's that are on the lot (new or used) in my area (Tampa, FL) for a test drive. So, I'd love to hear the opinions of those here on how it drives compared to a Grand Cherokee or 4Runner. Would it just feel way to big coming from those smaller vehicles? Also, does it seem completely ludicrous to have an LC when I'm single with a dog?

Thanks so much for your input!

That "thing" you have for Land Cruisers is what it's really all about. It's also not unfounded. I have and have had many versions of Toyota 4wd vehicles but none are even close to the quality of my LC.

The LC drives much easier, IMHO, than a vehicle weighing 6000lbs. It is tight, powerful, and confidence inspiring. It's road manners are much more truck like than your GC but it is a truck. It's a truck built for whatever you want to throw at it.

As for its ludicrousness, if that's even a word, screw it! I imagine that if you were concerned with mpg's you wouldn't own a V8 Jeep. You and your sidekick will enjoy every minute together in an LC. If I could've afforded such a vehicle when I was single, I would've pulled the trigger for sure.

Good luck man.


Sent from my extremely unreliable mobile device using IH8MUD Forum

 

[TurboTaco]

340k and still runs like new

 

[sfo1]

I had a new 2000 GC and sold it in '09 with 60k on the clock to buy a new '08 LC. The Jeep started to cost me $ in repairs, replacement of parts that should not wear out and the cabin developed some rattles & squeaks. The build quality between the two is night & day. The TCO between the two is night & day. I got stuck in the snow a few times in the Jeep and that has never even come close to happening in the LC. The LC is confidence-inspiring in the snow and I tend to pull stuck vehicles out of berms and drifts w/out issue.

There is really no comparison between the two (IMO). Build quality, TCO, comfort, resale value, interior space, visibility, awesomeness.

 

[luke27617]

It has been many years ago before I could afford a LC and it was an older generation GC. I would not buy one and for sure you cannot compare it to LC, but it made a great and very capable rental when visiting an off-roading park. This was a great b-day present.

 

[IceCreamKing]

My wife currently drives a 2014 Grand Cherokee Limited and I hate it. It has a V6 and no Quadralift. Her previous Grand Cherokee was a 2011 Overland with the 5.7 V8 and Quadralift. Although I feel the 2011 was a hands down better Grand Cherokee than her current 2014, neither can hold a candle to my 2015 Land Cruiser. Once you test drive a Land Cruiser its "oh my gawd, this is incredible" .... and once you've owned one for a few months you'll find nothing compares any longer. I've owned mine for a year now and I honestly wish now I bought one years ago. In the last 5 years I've owned a built 2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, a 2012 MB GL450, a 2012 Range Rover Supercharged, and a 2013 Infiniti QX56. Although each vehicle excels and fails at different things, for me and in my opinion, the Land Cruiser does the most things well for my needs and family. Anyone who thinks 80 grand for a toyota is absurd, has never owned a Land Cruiser. Own one and you too will realize how incredible this vehicle is.

 

[Canyonero]

I've owned (and still own) a lot of vehicles and I agree with you.

The Land Cruiser is solid. I've had mine for a year as well, and I like it more and more all the time.

I buy new vehicles every year or two, but my 2015 LC is not going to be on the "chopping block" anytime soon, and probably not ever.

 

[wittymathguy]

This is awesome! Thanks so much for all the good commentary. I was able to find a dealer that has one in stock, but of course the GM has it and is out of town right now. So, I should be able to test it out tomorrow. I'm actually at the Lexus dealer right now, taking my mothers GX in for service. They have a new LX 570 on the showroom floor that I've been checking out. I've been surprised to see that it doesn't fell huge inside, but very comfortable. I was scared it would just feel like a boat compared to my Jeep. The interior of the LX is gorgeous, but the exterior is just way too much and flashy. However, there do seem to be a lot of similarities (on the inside) from the photos and videos I've seen on the 16 LC. So, I'm hoping some of that same ambiance is there. Oddly, one thing I do worry about is that the Alpine system in the LC isn't very good. The HK system in the Jeep is actually very impressive, and I know the ML system in the Lexi are supposed to be very good. How do you all fine about the Alpine system?

 

[Markuson]

This is awesome! Thanks so much for all the good commentary. I was able to find a dealer that has one in stock, but of course the GM has it and is out of town right now. So, I should be able to test it out tomorrow. I'm actually at the Lexus dealer right now, taking my mothers GX in for service. They have a new LX 570 on the showroom floor that I've been checking out. I've been surprised to see that it doesn't fell huge inside, but very comfortable. I was scared it would just feel like a boat compared to my Jeep. The interior of the LX is gorgeous, but the exterior is just way too much and flashy. However, there do seem to be a lot of similarities (on the inside) from the photos and videos I've seen on the 16 LC. So, I'm hoping some of that same ambiance is there. Oddly, one thing I do worry about is that the Alpine system in the LC isn't very good. The HK system in the Jeep is actually very impressive, and I know the ML system in the Lexi are supposed to be very good. How do you all fine about the Alpine system?

A lot more than similarities. The LX is literally a blinged-out Land Cruiser. Personally, I think the new front end of the LX is hideous... Love the LC though.

 

[r3run33]

I came from a Grand Cher long time ago; to many trips to dealerships for warranty problems. LC/LX big thing you will notice is the more room which is great. similar drive type our to the all wheel drive

 

[wittymathguy]

Ok. So, I just back from a dealer here where the GM was driving a 2016 LC. It is such a nice car, and definitely has the perfect balance between luxury and ability. It's been very windy here today, and I could hardly tell from the steering wheel, where I could really feel the pull on my GC. The LC just seems to be build like a rock, which is one of the reasons I've loved BMW's so much in the past.

One that appears will be a big problem is just getting one. I was pretty much ready to put an order in, and was told that any orders would take about a year! That's just crazy! The excuse I got was that they are holding back production on this model so it just takes that long to get allocation. I'm not sure I really believe that though.

I wonder if other people are finding it so difficult to get a dealer to just work with you...

 

[sfo1]

The LC just seems to be build like a rock, which is one of the reasons I've loved BMW's so much in the past.

No cargo capacity / small cabin. Inferior in all ways except luxury.

One that appears will be a big problem is just getting one. I was pretty much ready to put an order in, and was told that any orders would take about a year!

Call another dealer. Someone has one on the lot of coming in soon.

 

[luke27617]

Ok. So, I just back from a dealer here where the GM was driving a 2016 LC. It is such a nice car, and definitely has the perfect balance between luxury and ability. It's been very windy here today, and I could hardly tell from the steering wheel, where I could really feel the pull on my GC. The LC just seems to be build like a rock, which is one of the reasons I've loved BMW's so much in the past.

One that appears will be a big problem is just getting one. I was pretty much ready to put an order in, and was told that any orders would take about a year! That's just crazy! The excuse I got was that they are holding back production on this model so it just takes that long to get allocation. I'm not sure I really believe that though.

I wonder if other people are finding it so difficult to get a dealer to just work with you...

Let me make it easy for you as I have bought one in November for $1k over invoice without any problem in color combo I wanted. You are in FL so southeast regions. Here it is site with all inventory or coming in allocations (on the ship from Japan)
2016 Land Cruiser

If your region has one next to the car will show you name of the dealership. Keep changing map location and you will see which exactly dealer is getting one. I have bought mine already allocated to the dealer but still on the ship. Made the deal before even it got to the dealer. You may have to travel to get one. I got my 150 miles away in next town. I hope the trick helps.