Automotive

2016 Acura MDX vs. 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee

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Jul 21st, 2015 1:21 am
number84 [OP]
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Nov 2, 2006
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Jul 21st, 2015 1:21 am

2016 Acura MDX vs. 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee

I'm currently looking at these 2 mid-size SUVs. Has anyone cross shopped these recently? I say 2016 MDX, just cuz 2015's are hard to find now, but the comparison would be the same except the 2016 MDX has a 9-speed tranny vs the 6-speed in the 2015.

Pros for the MDX:
- SH-AWD better than Jeep's offerings (this is from what I know of the 2 systems - happy for others to chime in on this)
- 7-seater (not always required but a nice-to-have just in case)
- Larger cargo capacity
- Slightly better fuel economy (negated by use of Premium gas though?)
- Better reliability (debatable, I guess, but I don't know much about Jeeps)

Pros for the Grand Cherokee (only looking at the Gas V6 engine)
- Regular gas
- Prefer the rugged look (whereas the MDX looks like any other mid-size SUV)
- Much better centre stack and gauge display. The Acura 2-screen centre stack looks horrible.

Standard equipment and packages all seem pretty competitive, although I'm leaning towards the higher spec'd and priced Overland model. I think overall I like the Grand Cherokee more, but concerned about long term reliability and costs. Never owned a Jeep before and currently drive a first generation Acura RDX, to give you some context.

Appreciate any and all thoughts. Thanks!
57 replies
Jul 21st, 2015 7:36 am
2K6TSX
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Jul 21st, 2015 7:36 am

I've heard the jeep quite poor in terms of reliability. To add to that they are NOT cheap. I haven't priced one exactly but I'd expect these two cars to be relatively similar in terms of price?

Based on the fact that you're coming from an rdx I would expect that you're looking for reliability as a tablestake
Jul 21st, 2015 8:16 am
pessimism
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Jul 21st, 2015 8:16 am

I'd be very hesitant to invest in an unproven 9 speed transmission and would wait a few years for the bugs to be worked out.
Jul 21st, 2015 12:19 pm
number84 [OP]
Sr. Member
Nov 2, 2006
876 posts
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Jul 21st, 2015 12:19 pm

2K6TSX wrote: ↑I've heard the jeep quite poor in terms of reliability. To add to that they are NOT cheap. I haven't priced one exactly but I'd expect these two cars to be relatively similar in terms of price?

Based on the fact that you're coming from an rdx I would expect that you're looking for reliability as a tablestake
Yes, they are pretty close in terms of pricing and options. Just that the Jeep seems more customizable. Of course, reliability is always key, but was hoping current Jeep GC owners could provide some input on how theirs have been treating them.
pessimism wrote: ↑I'd be very hesitant to invest in an unproven 9 speed transmission and would wait a few years for the bugs to be worked out.
This was the reason I was looking for a 2015 originally. But I'm not put off from a new transmission. My last 2 cars I bought new were first year models - Mazda 3 and RDX (with their first Turbo!) - and I've never really had any issues. Maybe just luck on my part though.
CuriousJack wrote: ↑Hope this thread stops here :) ....GET THE ACURA MDX OP. Lets say you got 100 replies...49 are for MDX and 51 are for CHEROKEE. Are you gonna pick a CHEROKEE??? No right?
Haha! Not necessarily. I think it'll come down to my test drives and really how convinced I am that the Jeep isn't terrible when it comes to reliability. I'm leaning towards the Grand Cherokee actually, but that's just cuz I like the look of it more - both exterior and interior. So, really just trying to gather as much info as possible before I make my decision.
Jul 21st, 2015 12:51 pm
frogger
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Jul 21st, 2015 12:51 pm

Grand Cherokee is much more appealing to me as well but the reliability risk would scare me a bit.
Jul 21st, 2015 1:36 pm
Fiddilixx
Sr. Member
Sep 29, 2014
536 posts
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Toronto, ON

Jul 21st, 2015 1:36 pm

Your going to get the typical outdated Redflagdeals recommendations. Any model year Honda or Toyota because they had great reliability 20 years ago. But Acura is no where near the top in quality and the MDX has ranged from excellent to below average for reliability depending on the model year. You'll still get the blind MDX recommendation despite a a new transmission, a historical weakness for Honda.

Plus there are other aspects to car purchase since all cars have great reliability these days.

What you get with the Grand Cherokee is a great design, one of the top interiors (Wards 10 best) and one of, if not the best AWD systems that can really go off-road. Plus the Overland looks amazing and gets the air suspension.

There's a reason they sell so many Grand Cherokees. Why settle for a MDX with a typical hideous Acura design, a cheaper interior and a less off road abilities?

I know....reliability. :)
+2
Jul 21st, 2015 1:40 pm
monit88
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Aug 17, 2005
389 posts
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Toronto

Jul 21st, 2015 1:40 pm

Think about the in car tech as well, such as Apple Carplay or Android Auto. I advice people for this if they are buying something expensive such as you. It gets overlooked at times. Good luck!
Jul 21st, 2015 1:51 pm
Spinner
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Jul 21st, 2015 1:51 pm

Just visit the appropriate forums for the MDX and the Cherokee and make your decision after browsing. If you're still unfazed after seeing the bad transmission and no start threads for the Cherokee, then go ahead with the Jeep.
Jul 21st, 2015 2:07 pm
number84 [OP]
Sr. Member
Nov 2, 2006
876 posts
28 upvotes

Jul 21st, 2015 2:07 pm

bartium wrote: ↑no brainer- MDX
Reliability, resale is way higher
Yes, reliability. Resale, I'm not overly concerned about as I plan to drive my next car for 8-10 years, which reliability plays a factor, haha.
airmail wrote: ↑Have you looked at the lexus or infiniti suvs?
The new RX350 looks interesting, but not sure I can overlook that grille. But will have to wait until at least Nov for that to come out. Not a huge fan of the Infinitis as I find them too "bubbly", if that makes any sense. I do like the FX, but too small for what I need now.
Fiddilixx wrote: ↑Your going to get the typical outdated Redflagdeals recommendations. Any model year Honda or Toyota because they had great reliability 20 years ago. But Acura is no where near the top in quality and the MDX has ranged from excellent to below average for reliability depending on the model year. You'll still get the blind MDX recommendation despite a a new transmission, a historical weakness for Honda.

Plus there are other aspects to car purchase since all cars have great reliability these days.

What you get with the Grand Cherokee is a great design, one of the top interiors (Wards 10 best) and one of, if not the best AWD systems that can really go off-road. Plus the Overland looks amazing and gets the air suspension.

There's a reason they sell so many Grand Cherokees. Why settle for a MDX with a typical hideous Acura design, a cheaper interior and a less off road abilities?

I know....reliability. :)
I was thinking the same thing, they sell so many of them - can't be all that bad, right?! And yes, getting the Acura would likely be me settling.
monit88 wrote: ↑Think about the in car tech as well, such as Apple Carplay or Android Auto. I advice people for this if they are buying something expensive such as you. It gets overlooked at times. Good luck!
Yes, why I mentioned the centre stack on the MDX is horrible compared to the Jeep's, so another plus for the GC. Not sure about Apple Carpay or Android Auto, as I don't see a need for any of these. I just want a centre stack that is intuitive, works well, and is nice to look at.
Jul 21st, 2015 2:53 pm
cartfan123
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Sep 8, 2007
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Way Out of GTA

Jul 21st, 2015 2:53 pm

Go for the Jeep. You seem to want that anyways. Be sure to pop back in in 3-4 years and let us know how it went.
Jul 21st, 2015 3:33 pm
carbide
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Jul 21st, 2015 3:33 pm

The downside of Jeep's 9 speed auto is that it can never decide what gear to be in, shifting constantly and in a wrong moment. And it is quite a pig at the gas pump. I drove a rental GC for couple days recently and hated every moment of it.
+1
Jul 21st, 2015 3:39 pm
tkyoshi
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Mar 6, 2005
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Jul 21st, 2015 3:39 pm

carbide wrote: ↑The downside of Jeep's 9 speed auto is that it can never decide what gear to be in, shifting constantly and in a wrong moment. And it is quite a pig at the gas pump. I drove a rental GC for couple days recently and hated every moment of it.
You guys might be confusing the Cherokee vs GRAND Cherokee. The Cherokee uses the new ZF 9 speed, the Grand Cherokee uses the ZF 8-Speed transmission which is well established. The 9-speed uses Dog Clutches which contributes to some of the roughness, the 8-speed does not employ dog clutches.

Also for rentals, because they are adaptive it is not uncommon for the transmission to be out of sync with your driving style.
Jul 21st, 2015 4:21 pm
The_Professor
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Jul 21st, 2015 4:21 pm

If it were me and my money, I'd go for the MDX. However, it seems as though you prefer the GC, so just get that and don't look back. Have you driven either yet? If not, I'd spend your time doing that as opposed to asking and answering questions here.
+1
Jul 21st, 2015 4:56 pm
number84 [OP]
Sr. Member
Nov 2, 2006
876 posts
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Jul 21st, 2015 4:56 pm

doberman_baby wrote: ↑Neither.
For the money and regular gas and a true off-road truck, I suggest 4runner limited.
Don't like the look of the new 4runner. GC uses regular gas too. And to be honest, how many of us truly go off-road?!
The_Professor wrote: ↑If it were me and my money, I'd go for the MDX. However, it seems as though you prefer the GC, so just get that and don't look back. Have you driven either yet? If not, I'd spend your time doing that as opposed to asking and answering questions here.
Haven't driven the Jeep GC yet - just a quick visit to the dealership to take a look. Plan to do road test shortly. The last GC I've driven would've been something like a 1997 version. As for the MDX, I drive my inlaw's 2nd gen quite often, so very familiar with how it handles. Just on here to see what people thought, and there's just so much you can garner from a 1 or 2 hour test drive.
Jul 21st, 2015 7:51 pm
carbide
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Feb 25, 2015
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NB

Jul 21st, 2015 7:51 pm

number84 wrote: ↑Don't like the look of the new 4runner. GC uses regular gas too. And to be honest, how many of us truly go off-road?!

Haven't driven the Jeep GC yet - just a quick visit to the dealership to take a look. Plan to do road test shortly. The last GC I've driven would've been something like a 1997 version. As for the MDX, I drive my inlaw's 2nd gen quite often, so very familiar with how it handles. Just on here to see what people thought, and there's just so much you can garner from a 1 or 2 hour test drive.
Try to find a rental and drive it for a day or two in varying road and traffic conditions.

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