Prado vs Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD

[letsgoplaces Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close letsgoplaces]

Mmmm, Prado still seems to be a more sensible option. If only it came out with a V6 diesel... Still, as many have already said, the current D4D seems to hang in there and be up to the job.

Whack a chip in it. From things i have read, most are pretty happy with the application

[KAKADAZ Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close KAKADAZ]

Ive also been through this process Jeep Vs Toyota... I want to take the Kakadu off my wife and get her a similar car so it came down to A toyota Kluger Grande or Jeep limited. The jeep has an ETA of six months (stuff that) so I ordered a Kluger... here were my pros and cons of both

JEEP PROS:
Looks great
Great price
Reliable (I've had two KJ's and both were great)
good solid truck
Great choice of donks

JEEP CONS:
Stupid 6 month wait
suspect build quality (interior plastics look dodgy)
A couple of scheduled services of $1400 (compare with Kluger fixed price $160 every service)
Largely unproven "all new" car and motors (bar the Hemi)
Not as good off road as the Prado (if your looking at a prado)
Woeful resale compared to a Yota

Yes I would buy a Jeep....BUT just feel more comfortable with another toyota and know come sell time will get good $$$ back.

[croozza Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close croozza]

The ground clearance in the Jeep is very dismal, I would go for the Prado any day over the Jeep. Have you had a look at the FJ Cruiser yet.

[KAKADAZ Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close KAKADAZ]

The ground clearance in the Jeep is very dismal, I would go for the Prado any day over the Jeep. Have you had a look at the FJ Cruiser yet.

The Quadra lift Jeep has very good ground clearance and the lower section of the front bumber comes off for four wheelin...BUT the lift results in ZERO wheel travel but relies on electronic traction to keep it moving. I loved the FJ Cruiser but its not too good for long travels with kids as the rear seating sits far back so the kids cant see out the rear windows and the rear windows don't open...Car sickness city lol.

[Fox Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fox]

I will most likely sign up for a 150 GXL TD tomorrow for November delivery but I have 24 hours to convince myself I don't need the 4.7 V8 petrol cruiser.

I did a bit of negotiating today and agreed to buy a demo 200 series V8 petrol, I sat in it, then the Prado, and the 200 just feels better. I didn't want to be driving the Prado and be jealous every time I saw a Cruiser.

[wooley Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close wooley]

I did a bit of negotiating today and agreed to buy a demo 200 series V8 petrol, I sat in it, then the Prado, and the 200 just feels better. I didn't want to be driving the Prado and be jealous every time I saw a Cruiser.

I know exactly how you feel. I would have loved to have gone a 200 series but couldn't stretch the budget that far. congrats on the new bus!

[Fox Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fox]

Had the 200 since Monday afterrnoon, did it's first trip today from Sunshine Coast to Brisbane, out to Lowood then back home via Esk, Kilcoy and Maleny. Travelled 360 klms for 49 ltrs used, so 13.6 l/100, got to be happy with that for a new engine, I just drove sensibly and enjoyed the ride.

[Brains Find all posts View Profile Close Brains]

We had a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo prior to the 150 Prado. I would never go back to a Jeep other than maybe a wrangler as a play vehicle although the FJ Cruiser is growing on me. Like it has been mentioned- limited accessories, high servicing costs, long waits for parts, overpriced parts, lots of issues after the warranty period, terrible resale, pretty much all these things were referred to as "it's a Jeep thing" when I complained to the dealership. Don't know what the new Grand Cherokee is like but I would never take the risk again.

[Nagg Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Nagg]

Sorry everyone ...... (long time lurker but decided to join..... just when I'm jumping ship)
I've watched this thread for a while now but thought it's time to speak my mind ...... and put a different perspective on the subject so bare with me

firstly I've owned my 2006 120 Series Grande TD - since new and absolutely loved it .... I've knocked over 163,000km with about 50,000km of towing my boat (<1000kgs). The Prado does some fire trail work but in general is a city car that sees a major hwy run (2000km) every other month in addition to 2 or 3 - 3000km plus runs a year. It's done this very well with reliability a key point of opinion - up till recently ........ major leak (interior) , Aircon compressor gone & in need for the shockies / suspension to be done .
Aside from that - my accountant says it time to let the girl go unless I want to give the taxman some serious coin . - Well that started the search and the first place I went looking was Toyota and straight to the Kakadu ....... A nice ride and a certain improvement over the 120 series ...... though once the bullbar and towpack was added I hit $100,000 on the road ......... that is some $27,000 more than what I paid in Aug 2006 ( run out model) - far out went and looked at the VX - now all the little niceties and bits of pieces added to the Kakadu are what make it a desirable car ....... loose those and you change the car.
There is no way I can afford $88K (VX) let alone $100K Kakadu ....... so i had to look elsewhere & tried to keep it toyota (Hilux & FJ Cruiser) but hey ... i was spoiled by the Grande.
Now without boring everyone ..... I went through the lot (Utes & wagons - sub $85K) & ended up at Jeep after reading some favorable reviews and a couple of recommendations from mates who are car buffs.
Now - alot of the negative press associated to jeeps & particularly the Grand Cherokee go back beyond the 2011 model - The 2011 is a new car ( new design , motor & philosophy) ...... with the CRD a big improvement. On paper the specs would get most excited with 177kw & 5500Nm of torque yet delivering 8.1lt / 100km economy (economy figures are always point of contention) ....... certainly enough to capture ones attention .......... Drive it and you see what the fuss is about. This car not only drives well - accelerates ( 0-100km/h in 8.3 sec) and handles wonderfully - but it has the comfort / appointment which are hard to beat at the pricepoint.
Now - I dont see the GC as the great hardcore offroader - but neither is the Prado without some work - yet the GC , specially with the air suspension is a capable offroader (look at the youtube videos - it's no slouch) yet has the on road refinements that make it a very good tow vehicle & hwy cruiser ........ with 3500kg tow capacity there is no sag in the back end - I can attest to that.
Comfort and appointment is well ahead of the Prado - a Overland (topspec) comes in at around $23K cheaper than the Prado Kakadu ..... but offers more - quite a bit more.
It does give up some rear end space to the Prado - (but what doesn't without going to a Nissan patrol or landcruiser.) - however with the rear seats folded the jeep makes up ground !
Fuel economy .... the 120series does around 11.9lt / 100km Hwy - the 150series gains about 20% - I know when my car is towing 900kgs it's up to 15-16lt / 100km - so it's not a flash tow vehicle ''''''''''''''' i've driven the Jeep GC which is showing 10.1lts / 100km (city) ...... time will tell on how it goes towing!
So with all this on offer and a $23,000 plus price advantage ( buys a lot of service) & is a big gap for future resale ........ any perceived issues are probably worth any risk (both vehicles offer identical warranty) .
so the way I see it .....If you want a car for towing ability , highway driving with a reasonable level of off road capability - want comfort , style & accessories up the ying yang .... buy the grand Cherokee Overland - particularly if you are in a situation where you replace a vehicle every 3 years or so (Jeep are well served around Aust) ------ Then again If you wanted a hard core off roader and wished to spend extra on a chip and exhaust - plus suspension ....... then buy a Prado ...... specially if it is your cash and want to hold onto it for 10 years ....... otherwise the price gap cannot be justified.:sad:

Btw ..... the VX still works out as $10K dearer than the GC Overland TD ....... and then some if you add the Navigation pack.

Anyhow - just my opinion and time will tell if the new GC is up to all the hype and has the longevity to match the Prado ....... but at this stage it is kicking goals

Chris

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

Two things that u can't test drive, resale and reliability, both came back and bit me on the arse when I traded a Toyota in on a jeep, had it for two years and sold it for another Toyota which was the Prado, they r good cars if u get a good one, if not they r very frustrating, resale is crap either way, anyhow good luck. My 2 cents.


Hutch- 2007 V6 GXL.
2012 V6 GXL on order.

[Nagg Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Nagg]

Two things that u can't test drive, resale and reliability, both came back and bit me on the arse when I traded a Toyota in on a jeep, had it for two years and sold it for another Toyota which was the Prado, they r good cars if u get a good one, if not they r very frustrating, resale is crap either way, anyhow good luck. My 2 cents.


Hutch- 2007 V6 GXL.
2012 V6 GXL on order.

No .... you are quite right ...... particularly reliability - The 2011 GC is a relatively new model - but it is probably the highest developed Jeep ever (testing etc) and at this early stage they are proving to be reliable on top of everything else - This reflects in the sales of the car ( the last I saw it was a 6 fold increase on the previous year / model) - a 4-6 month waiting period shows the global demand. ........ all of these will see resale values improve.

Chris

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

so the way I see it .....If you want a car for towing ability , highway driving with a reasonable level of off road capability - want comfort , style & accessories up the ying yang .... buy the grand Cherokee Overland - particularly if you are in a situation where you replace a vehicle every 3 years or so (Jeep are well served around Aust) ------ Then again If you wanted a hard core off roader and wished to spend extra on a chip and exhaust - plus suspension ....... then buy a Prado ...... specially if it is your cash and want to hold onto it for 10 years ....... otherwise the price gap cannot be justified.:sad:

Chris

You would also buy the Prado over the Jeep if you want dealer support and live in the country, or plan to drive anywhere outside of the major populated areas along the east coast or other capital cities! I can get to at least 10 Toyoata dealers with less travel then is needed to get to the nearest Jeep dealer!

Enjoy your Jeep Chris and we will see you in 3 years time when you come to your senses

Cheers Andrew

[croozza Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close croozza]

Enjoy your Jeep Chris and we will see you in 3 years time when you come to your senses

Cheers Andrew

Or sooner when it catches fire or falls apart....

[Nagg Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Nagg]

You would also buy the Prado over the Jeep if you want dealer support and live in the country, or plan to drive anywhere outside of the major populated areas along the east coast or other capital cities! I can get to at least 10 Toyoata dealers with less travel then is needed to get to the nearest Jeep dealer!

Enjoy your Jeep Chris and we will see you in 3 years time when you come to your senses

Cheers Andrew

We can only see ......... as reliability will mean everything specially doing the Ks that I do .

Cheers

Chris

[Big Block Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Big Block]

One word......resale!! You will never beat the toyota for resale. Jeep just don't have the volume of sales to create good resale and with all the past reliability issues it will be a long time before they see any decent market share no matter how good the new car is. That's a shame for jeep but unfortunately the reality. I can't see the new model changing that. People will always be enticed by the cheaper price tag and more features. Manufacturers do this to buy market share but in reality it is false economy. It might be cheaper but you WILL lose heaps more at the other end. When you put more into a car for less money something has gotta be the difference, and that difference is quality!

By the way since when is a 150 a backward step! I own both cars (120 and 150) and let me tell ya the 150 ain't no backward step!!!