Originally Posted by miden851
…On the latest model, specifically 2017-18 with V6; I barely know anything about it; so how good is it and what's the good and what's not so good about it
I really like the model but how likely it will run over 200k miles mark without major $$$ please
I thank y'all for the constructive replies, suggestions and information!
I've owned 2x GC's in roughly the vintage you are considering here. As already noted by Nick1994, they are platform mates with the Durango but have a slightly shorter wheelbase and no option for the 3rd row seating.
My 2016 was not entirely problem-free, but I had no major issues with it that didn't stem from a very expensive ($12K) accident that it experienced where some work was performed less than ideally and well concealed. We also owned a 2016 Durango Limited with the powertrain you are interested in, with which our experience was also positive.
Pros:
- The platform is very mature at this juncture, having been in production for quite some time. It's very well sorted.
- Materials selection is excellent, fit-and-finish is typically good (at least in my 3x examples)
- UConnect is a nice interface, you are looking at ones new enough that they may have the updated Panasonic screens like my 2020, as I believe that happened for the 2018 MY. The UI is a bit faster on these
- The powertrain, like the platform, is quite mature at this point, and the AWD system is quite robust and shouldn't be a point of concern. The Pentastar is an excellent engine and The ZF 8spd is a fantastic gearbox; highly regarded.
Cons:
- On the 8spd, Chrysler's programming in earlier years wasn't as good as it could be. My 2020 has better shift programming than my 2016 did, and my 2016 SRT had better programming than our 2016 Durango. I thoroughly enjoyed the 2016 SRT programming, I thought it well-sorted, but the 2020 has shown me there was a bit of room for improvement.
- The only issue you may experience with the Pentastar is the oil filter housing cracking as mentioned by Skippy. This isn't a problem with the 5.7L that takes a traditional spin-on filter.
- The 5.7L doesn't get stellar gas mileage and even the Pentastar isn't class-leading.
- The headlights, if you don't get the HID's, aren't amazing. We had the halogen projectors in the Durango and while they were OK, the HID's in the Jeep blew them out of the water
- The back-up camera will get covered in road grime and be unusable. I have to clean it off very frequently during the winter
- No physical buttons for seat heat/cooling and wheel heat (which our truck has) means you are using the touch screen for those functions when required
- If the example you are looking at has the console mounted CD player, it takes up most of the usable space in the console (I specifically omitted it when I built my 2020)
- Cup holder placement relative to the shifter means if you've got a spilly drink, it ends up on the shifter boot.
- Earlier years had a single USB port in the dash and an SD card, not sure when they eliminated the SD Card slot, but my 2020 has dual USB's there now, which was a welcome change
- Glove box isn't huge, so don't expect to be able to keep much in there. I have a tire pressure gauge and a screwdriver.
That's all I can think of for now. If you have any specific questions, please ask away!