Jeeps - Patriot vs Liberty vs Compass vs Cherokee

I have been towing a 2005 Grand Cherokee for years and loved it. I just traded it in on a new Cherokee Latitude. Will be taking delivery next Weds. the dealer is having a base plate installed now and I will be going to the Smokies with it on Thurs. I expect the same great results. Will let you know later.

For what it's worth, our 2012 Grand Cherokee Overland has been the best tow vehicle I could have wished for. Absolutely zero issues since new and a breeze to hookup and tow. 14,000 miles on the odometer and another 10,000 towed. Hook it up, put the transfer case in neutral, the transmission in park, remove the key and go.

Keith

The nice thing about a Jeep is the ease of hookup. No fuses to pull, and the with the neutral switch on the 4x4, the transmission is totally disconnected. This means no wear and tear on the transmission, and no limitations on speed or distance. As a matter of fact the transmission is in park while towing. For me towing my Jeep is the easiest vehicle next to my manual Camry. I am a big guy, and I find the Jeep incredibly comfortable. As far as the U connect in the new jeeps, it is considered one of the best systems and easiest to use. Read some of the auto reviews, and even Consumers Reports which almost always pans Jeeps rated it highly. I can't guarantee reliability like a Honda, but I am on my 3rd Jeep, and I have had only small issues that were easily taken care of. I have always been a foreign car owner until I bought my last 3 Jeeps, and I have been more than satisfied. Lastly, as others have already said, if you do get the Cherokee, make sure it has the Active Drive II which is easily identified by a little button with a N> next to it. If it doesn't have the button, then you can't flat tow.

I would look HAAAAAARRRDDDD at the new Cherokee Limited, 4x4 so you can tow it (active drive 1 or 2). Very nice inside and out. The others have a Jeep name, but......

We towed a wrangler 300k miles and last year were going into fet another and left with a grand Cherokee. Love it and us it comfy, yes.

Re: Sync vs. UConnect (I'm not a Ford guy BTW)

The phone device can have an impact. When I first got the Jeep I had a Samsung Android. I switched to an iPhone about halfway through and most of my issues went away in terms of call handling/reliability. Sync is not without quirks including excessively long menu streams. As long as I can pick up and call out reliably, and play the music on my phone I'm happy.

accsys wrote:
It is my understanding that the Liberty and Cherokee are the only ones that can be towed four down with an automatic transmission. I also think that 2012 was the last year for the Liberty and 2011 was the last year for the trail rated Liberty Renegade.

We have put over 95,000 miles on our 2004 Libby as well as another 50,000 being towed. We love the way we can go anywhere with her. That said, the ride is a little rough, she is a little noisy on the highway and only gets 18 MPG. We are still looking at replacing her with a 2011 Renegade in a couple of years! :B

Many of the Jeep products can be towed 4 down. Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, Cherokee, Liberty, not Sure on the compass or Patriot I don't believe they are. However they must have the correct drive train. In the Cherokee that is the active drive II. The others mentioned are 4x4 which must have the drive train capable of being disconnected ( put into neutral).

The Cherokee leather seats are really nice. We have a loaded Trailhawk. However, the Limited or Latitude would be a better fit for you. As mentioned, towing 4 down is drivetrain specific. I think the Cold Weather package with leather has heated REAR seats. The self parking works. I've used it one time.

I have a difference of opinion on Ford Sync vs Uconnect. Ford Sync has always been buggy. It may or may not work. When the Sync does work it's subject to crashing. Friends/relatives have severe problems connecting their phones to Sync. Bluetooth pair usually requires a trip to the dealer. Chrysler Uconnect is about as simple as my Honda Civic. Uconnect just works. Recently had a 2014 Ford Fusion rental car for a week. The infotainment Sync system was rubbish.

If you have a smartphone built in Navigation is not a big deal. On the Trailhawk, it's cheaper to get the towing package from the factory than aftermarket. Not sure about other models. The moonroof is nice, but, not necessary. Whatever it takes go for the heated steering wheel. The technology package includes sensors all around the vehicle. These sensors give blind spot assist. The same sensors can be used for slow parking lot assist. The sensors will tell you approximately how close you are to objects. Very handy for Starbucks maneuvers.

Did not buy the vehicle to tow 4 down.

It is my understanding that the Liberty and Cherokee are the only ones that can be towed four down with an automatic transmission. I also think that 2012 was the last year for the Liberty and 2011 was the last year for the trail rated Liberty Renegade.

We have put over 95,000 miles on our 2004 Libby as well as another 50,000 being towed. We love the way we can go anywhere with her. That said, the ride is a little rough, she is a little noisy on the highway and only gets 18 MPG. We are still looking at replacing her with a 2011 Renegade in a couple of years! :B

Effy wrote:

johntank wrote:

Effy wrote:

johntank wrote:
Just remember that other than the Wrangler some of the later models Jeeps are not towable 4 down.

According to the dinghy towing guide all of these are. Some require a specific model

Effy; what is the difference between what I said and what you said???

Lol, I guess nothing. All of the models I mentioned can be towed 4 down . Some versions of those cannot. I think we are saying the same thing, I thought maybe we weren't

Yes we said the same, that was why I question you about it.
Hope that you can find one the family will like and fills your needs too. Good luck and happy camping.