2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee DIESEL

[buickanddeere]

I was going to say 30mpg even with a diesel sound optimistic but.......On a trip it should be possible. Mrs B&D drives a direct injected 184HP four banger GMC Terrain AWD and does 24-25mpg just putting around short trips. Price was right and one day we had to trailer something over 3000lbs in the V6 towing range. The vehicle did just fine . Infact in some ways it's a better tow vehicle than the old 86 GMC 3/4 4x4 at home. Back in it's day it was top notch.

 

[MacTractor]

The 08 Jeep GC CRD I had could do 25 MPG hwy but averaged 20 MPG all around. I towed a 6K pound trailer a couple of thousand KMS and still averaged 16-18 MPG which I considered respectable. The MB ML could churn out a couple of more MPG because of the 7spd auto but when they added urea on the 09 it actually dropped slightly.

An amazing diesel to drive is the BMW 335d, if they had the xDrive option it would be in my garage right now.

MB is also coming out with the GLK 250 this year as well with a diesel 4 banger. It gets good reviews so I will be hunting one of these down as well when I can.

Most of the problems with the CRD usually are from the usage of the wrong oil. (MB 229.5) Low Ash for the DPF. The biggest of them being the swirl motor.

One thing MB does right is that they treat the diesel option as a simple option. I remember a Jeep dealer telling me how "special" the jeep CRD was and that the engine was worth 12K, blah, blah blah....

 

[Topkicker]

I'm glad that the diesel Grand Cherokee is entering the market. I only wish the Wrangler was offered in the States with a diesel option. The assembly plant in Toledo,OH has been building JK Wrangler's w diesels for export only since 07. We're stuck with the V6 gas burner for now. I love my Wrangler, but would jump on a diesel tommorow if it was offered.

 

[Dmace]

That Pentastar is an impressive engine but I agree they need more widespread diesel use. This new Fiat/VM built diesel should be very good and well fit for the entire line of Jeeps and a light duty RAM. They also need to stuff a Cummins in the Powerwagon RAM.

 

[Viperdave]

we have an 07 grand cherokee with the 3.0L benz unit. one of the best vehicles we have ever owned (and we've owned lots). Currently has 68K miles, has spent ZERO days at dealer with powertrain problems. it did have a roof rack leak.

Averages 20MPG around town 24-25 highway. And would be a lot better if it wasnt spinning 3K at 70mph. Towed a jeep on an open car trailer to Michigan with it this summer, averaged 17-18mpg.

and we are watching the dealer/website for first day of availability to order another one.

I heard the Diesel option was going to be a 4K premium over the v6.

 

[Dmace]

we have an 07 grand cherokee with the 3.0L benz unit. one of the best vehicles we have ever owned (and we've owned lots). Currently has 68K miles, has spent ZERO days at dealer with powertrain problems. it did have a roof rack leak.
Averages 20MPG around town 24-25 highway. And would be a lot better if it wasnt spinning 3K at 70mph. Towed a jeep on an open car trailer to Michigan with it this summer, averaged 17-18mpg.

With the new 8 speed ZF auto, the diesel should sit much better in the torque band and have a lower highway cruising rpm. Impressive mpg's you've been getting with that GC of yours.

I heard the Diesel option was going to be a 4K premium over the v6.

I hope that's wrong, right now the HEMI is a $1695 option. If Jeep makes the diesel a $4k option it will still be worth the initial $2300 over the HEMI in fuel savings alone but it should be priced the same. Hopefully Jeep makes the right decision.

For comparison, the diesel option in the 2005-2008 Grand Cherokee was just $1655. With the loaded "Overland" package it was just $1010 extra.

 

[Diamondpilot]

With the new 8 speed ZF auto, the diesel should sit much better in the torque band and have a lower highway cruising rpm. Impressive mpg's you've been getting with that GC of yours.

I hope that's wrong, right now the HEMI is a $1695 option. If Jeep makes the diesel a $4k option it will still be worth the initial $2300 over the HEMI in fuel savings alone but it should be priced the same. Hopefully Jeep makes the right decision.

For comparison, the diesel option in the 2005-2008 Grand Cherokee was just $1655. With the loaded "Overland" package it was just $1010 extra.

I think $6000 is about where they will be. I just got done looking at 3500 SRW trucks. All three brands were about $10,000 for the diesels. The tranny and diesel packages are just expensive.

Same holds true for the cars available with a diesel like the Passat. Its about $4500 option over the gas units.

For this very reason the pipe dream of a diesel 1/2 ton has never seen the light of day. Ford, Nissan, Dodge, and GM have spent lots of money in R&D and its all been for nothing.

I hope the Cherokee diesel makes it to market. Thats good for everyone, but its going to be a tough sell.

Chris

Chris

 

[mikehaugen]

Not to hijack the thread, but what makes a diesel so expensive. They are quite similar to a gas engine as far as construction goes. Yes, I realize they have more steel because of thicker components, but really can they really cost 4-5 times as much to produce? I admittedly am not a diesel mechanic, but know my way around gas motors fairly well and can't see how diesels differ that much to justify the price difference, especially when you consider all of the stuff they are adding to gas motors now. Before I could see the mass-production side of it where they were making so many more gas engines it could really bring down the price, but that gap seems to be closing and the price gaps seems to be increasing. What am I missing?

edit: thinking about it, if you consider the fact that they are able to delete the cost of the gas motor when they use a diesel, that 4-5 times as much figure is actually probably lower than what it really is. They are quite possibly charging 6 or 7 times as much.

And yes, I am even taking in to consideration the fact that the trans is usually upgraded and probably the cooling system etc... I still don't see it. Enlighten me... those that know more about diesels than I.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Not to hijack the thread, but what makes a diesel so expensive. They are quite similar to a gas engine as far as construction goes. Yes, I realize they have more steel because of thicker components, but really can they really cost 4-5 times as much to produce? I admittedly am not a diesel mechanic, but know my way around gas motors fairly well and can't see how diesels differ that much to justify the price difference, especially when you consider all of the stuff they are adding to gas motors now. Before I could see the mass-production side of it where they were making so many more gas engines it could really bring down the price, but that gap seems to be closing and the price gaps seems to be increasing. What am I missing?

edit: thinking about it, if you consider the fact that they are able to delete the cost of the gas motor when they use a diesel, that 4-5 times as much figure is actually probably lower than what it really is. They are quite possibly charging 6 or 7 times as much.

And yes, I am even taking in to consideration the fact that the trans is usually upgraded and probably the cooling system etc... I still don't see it. Enlighten me... those that know more about diesels than I.

I am sure it partly has to do with strength. Most gas engines are in the 9 : 1 ratio while modern diesels are 20 : 1 or more comoression ratios. Then add in the high pressure fuel system at 30,000 psi and the turbo.

Another factor is the somewhat limited numbers when compared to the gas counterparts.

More importantly is the guys who want diesels want diesels. This means they can charge whatever they want and most will pay. Thats what it boils down to. How much will they pay.

Chris

 

[mikehaugen]

I am sure it partly has to do with strength. Most gas engines are in the 9 : 1 ratio while modern diesels are 20 : 1 or more comoression ratios. Then add in the high pressure fuel system at 30,000 psi and the turbo.

Another factor is the somewhat limited numbers when compared to the gas counterparts.

Yes I understand they would be more expensive to manufacture, just seems a little out of proportion. I could under stand 2 or maybe even 3 times as much.

More importantly is the guys who want diesels want diesels. This means they can charge whatever they want and most will pay. Thats what it boils down to. How much will they pay.

Chris

This could very well be the main reason, as I was thinking. I was just hoping there was more justification than that.