#NYIAS: Get A Real-Life Look At The Jeep Grand Cherokee SUMMIT And Trailhawk — Is It AWESOME Or In NEED Of A Replacement?

#NYIAS: Get A Real-Life Look At The Jeep Grand Cherokee SUMMIT And Trailhawk — Is It AWESOME Or In NEED Of A Replacement?
At the 2016 New York Auto Show (NYIAS) there weren't just all-new product introductions. Some of our favorite modes also were getting touched up, repackaged and shown for the first time.

Considering it is a consumer show, this isn't a HUGE surprise.

2016 New York Auto Show

That said, the Jeep Grand Cherokee received an updated Summit model that has a bit more panache over the other Grand Cherokee variants. In addition, the company dropped on us a new Grand Cherokee Trailhawk that's trail rated for off-road use. Lastly, there was a 75th Anniversary model but that didn't do too much from what we could tell except add some new wheels and some badging.

Having said that, we were a wee bit curious: Is the Jeep Grand Cherokee a bit too long in the tooth at this point? Are these new model introductions AWESOME or just a sign that the Grand Cherokee is in need of replacement?

What say you, Spies?


The 2016 New York Auto Show photo galleries are sponsored by Lexus.

2016 New York Auto Show


































































MDarringerMDarringer - 3/26/2016 6:29:29 PM
+1 Boost
I love the Grand Cherokee but it is quickly getting long in tooth. It really is in need of a full reskinning to keep it at the forefront, but that won't happen because Sergio thinks customers will keep buying the Grand Cherokee with one tarting up after another while he squanders money and time on Alfa and Maserati.




SSP350SSP350 - 3/26/2016 9:39:10 PM
+2 Boost
I actually like the current design and wanted to get in one, but the interior just doesn't feel up to par for a vehicle, when you optioned the way you want it, for 50k or more.


MDarringerMDarringer - 3/26/2016 10:40:44 PM
-1 Boost
Jeep is the money maker. FCA should be pouring money into Jeep and putting Alfa on hiatus. For me, this would be the ideal Jeep line up:

Renegade / pretty good effort
Compass / should be a good play
Scrambler / 2 door "dune buggy-esque" "Subaru WRX STI" crossover coupe based on Compass and definitely for on-road street racing / hooning culture
Rampage / Compass pickup 2 door
Cherokee / immediate reworking to make it more Jeep like
Toro / Cherokee 4 door pickup
Wrangler / hey it's their "911"
Gladiator / Wrangler pickup
Wagoneer / enough said




Vette71Vette71 - 3/27/2016 5:00:58 PM
+2 Boost
Interesting. I did extensive comparison shopping of the Summit to its German competitors before buying my 2015 GC with the optional saddle interior. In that price range the German's use "pleather" (vinyl) or lower grades of leather and are nowhere near competitive in the electronics that come with the Summit: 19 speaker HK sound system, white noise generation (it is very quiet) easy to use Ucommand voice control, air suspension, etc. etc. You'd have to spend 20% to 30% more on the Germans and still not have everything the Summit offers. Hell of a vehicle!!


cidflekkencidflekken - 3/27/2016 12:38:34 AM
+5 Boost
Jeep GC's have a way of being timeless designs, the 3rd generation excepted. This generation still looks great and the enhanced trims they continue to bring just makes it look better.
That being said, I'd like to see Jeep take the GC's Limited, Summit and Overland trims and create some separation from the other GC trim levels to really compete with the luxury SUV's. Not exactly sure how they'd do that, maybe create a Grand Cherokee Platinum, with 3-rows, enhanced designs maybe. Leave the Laredo and Trailhawks as 2-seat, lower-end trim levels.


Vette71Vette71 - 3/27/2016 4:47:16 PM
+2 Boost
Could be the upcoming (maybe someday) Wagoneer will be what you describe as the platinum. Hints of that have been made by Sergio, but is he believable???


cidflekkencidflekken - 3/27/2016 8:42:01 PM
+2 Boost
You may be right. Completely forgot about that. But the Grand Cherokee has the name and heritage. The Wagoneer name evokes station wagons and/or wood side panels. Even bringing back the Commander name and moving the Trailhawk and Laredo trims to that name with the current design would make sense. Then get a redesign in for the GC and move upmarket with the Limited, Summit, and Overland trims.


valhallakeyvalhallakey - 3/27/2016 11:13:14 PM
+2 Boost
Seems like a typical product cycle, roll out some special models over the last couple years to keep people interested while preparing the replacement. Hope we see a new model by mid year 2017.
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