Discussion
I had the Trailhawk version for a year - 2.0 litre turbo diesel, with the auto box and fancy electronic 4wd system.
I thought it was a nice car with a few irritating flaws, chief of which was the dim-witted auto gearbox, which dithered badly between gears. The cabin was nice, especially the leather seats, and it certainly felt solid and well made. The suspension was a little too stiff and always felt unsettled.
It's a good size, not too big overall but with a spacious cabin. There are lots of 'surprise and delight' features, such as the Jeep and other half-hidden icons dotted around the car. The infotainment system was pretty decent, you could even bring up your FaceBook and Twitter feeds. I liked the reading out of text messages when you were on the move and the detailed stats on power, lean angle and g-force.
I initially drove one on an off-road course and it performed brilliantly enough for me to buy one. There's a big fanbase in the US, with customisation options, but they are Jeep's biggest seller here in the UK and a common sight on the roads.
I thought it was a nice car with a few irritating flaws, chief of which was the dim-witted auto gearbox, which dithered badly between gears. The cabin was nice, especially the leather seats, and it certainly felt solid and well made. The suspension was a little too stiff and always felt unsettled.
It's a good size, not too big overall but with a spacious cabin. There are lots of 'surprise and delight' features, such as the Jeep and other half-hidden icons dotted around the car. The infotainment system was pretty decent, you could even bring up your FaceBook and Twitter feeds. I liked the reading out of text messages when you were on the move and the detailed stats on power, lean angle and g-force.
I initially drove one on an off-road course and it performed brilliantly enough for me to buy one. There's a big fanbase in the US, with customisation options, but they are Jeep's biggest seller here in the UK and a common sight on the roads.
I’ve had two, the diesel 2.0 auto for five years and a PHEV since January. Lots of specs and engine choices so it is hard to give a simple answer to what they are like. Both mine have been ‘limited’ spec which comes with plenty of comfort and whistles & bells. A very pleasant place to sit. The engine and gearbox combination on my old one was fantastic, lots of power and a really smooth and easy drive. I didn’t have to work it hard to get all the power needed. The four wheel drive system is good, but be careful as plenty are two wheel drive only. The PHEV (4xe) has taken a bit of getting used to but I am starting to enjoy it now. The boxyness means that there is plenty of space inside. The styling is a bit marmite, I like it. I would avoid small engine two wheel drive versions unless it is just a local runabout. A five year warranty and most owners report few problems so they seem well made despite the Fiat/Italy comments often thrown at them. Two known faults I can think of though - check the DAB reception if you are buying second hand as water ingress into the aerial base can be a problem, also some reports of loose engine mounts on older models. You can certainly pay less for similar but I think they are worth the premium, however I would need convincing this is the case for two wheel drive versions.
I had a brand new one in 2016 mine was the mid spec (latitude) 2wd with the 1.6 diesel engine. I was a great tool but incredibly dull to drive. If the purchase is for a daily then they are decent, returned high 40 mpgs, comfy enough etc
I had a 1.4 turbo has a courtesy once, didn't suit the car in my opinion
I had a 1.4 turbo has a courtesy once, didn't suit the car in my opinion
I've owned a 1.4T auto 75th Anniversary for the past 4 years and it gets along very nicely - especially after I had it remapped in the first month. Had no issues at all despite having some off road (mis)adventures! Only 28 Mpg average over 23000k but I'm running bigger rubber and it likes a good thrash. It's a good car I think.
I drive one pretty regularly, and I think it's terrible tbh. Too low to properly take off road, horrible gearbox, interior feels badly put together, and the brakes are very over-assisted. It feels like a newer version of the Dodge Caliber we have: fine for shed money, but if I was going to spend anything like what they go for, I'd look elsewhere.
They look quite cool, and the miniature Jeep "climbing" the windscreen surround is fun. Those are about the only good things I can say about it.
They look quite cool, and the miniature Jeep "climbing" the windscreen surround is fun. Those are about the only good things I can say about it.
Op here. Turned up to look at one we’d allegedly ‘reserved’ at a large car supermarket (no name, no shame I guess, unfortunately), but in the Cheshire area.
They couldn’t find the keys (multiple people outside also waiting for ‘lost keys’). Finally was told it was ‘on the rack’ (?), and we couldn’t see it. Worked out they meant it was on ramps in the workshop. On being told it was ‘reserved’ (as per their 48 hour offer), we got a) extreme surprise and b) an offer to look at it. Car came out with a ‘sold’ sticker on it (mechanic was surprised we were looking at it, pointing out the ‘sold’ sticker - so much for the ‘reservation’). 6 hour round trip to see a car that was clearly already sold.
As an aside, their px valuation system doesn’t work. For any car. Tried every car in my extended family. Always bounces back as they’d need to see it before they could make any form of offer or indication (damage notwithstanding). WBAC offered 18.5k for her current car, but they had an identical spec, mileage and condition there for 13.9.
Never, ever, again.
They couldn’t find the keys (multiple people outside also waiting for ‘lost keys’). Finally was told it was ‘on the rack’ (?), and we couldn’t see it. Worked out they meant it was on ramps in the workshop. On being told it was ‘reserved’ (as per their 48 hour offer), we got a) extreme surprise and b) an offer to look at it. Car came out with a ‘sold’ sticker on it (mechanic was surprised we were looking at it, pointing out the ‘sold’ sticker - so much for the ‘reservation’). 6 hour round trip to see a car that was clearly already sold.
As an aside, their px valuation system doesn’t work. For any car. Tried every car in my extended family. Always bounces back as they’d need to see it before they could make any form of offer or indication (damage notwithstanding). WBAC offered 18.5k for her current car, but they had an identical spec, mileage and condition there for 13.9.
Never, ever, again.
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