I just traded in my 2017 XLE Highlander for a 2021 80th Anniversary Grand Cherokee IDENTICAL to this one (down to the premium lighting and tow packages) today! 🤗 Granted, the dealer allowed me a fantastic trade-in value, and Toyotas are known for holding their value, but I had been displeased with the Highlander the majority of the time I had it. No powertrain issues, no electrical issues, but it was literally the loudest vehicle I’d ever been in once exceeding 45 mph (even louder than my father’s work van loaded with plumbing tools). No joke, it always sounded like I had all four windows down and the sunroof open while driving on the highway/interstate. The dealer said it was simply a design flaw in how the roof rails met the top of the windshield. 🙄 And the fit/finish was not impressive (the chrome trim around the windows didn’t line up from the front doors to the back doors). Within five seconds of driving this Grand Cherokee, I was in love. It has much more comfortable seats with higher quality leather than my Highlander (granted, it was a XLE and not a Platinum), better fit/finish, and it’s many times quieter. The acceleration without being in sport mode is already fairly impressive for a non-turbo charged 3.6 L V6, but the sport mode really takes it up a notch. Slate Blue is a gorgeous color, and I love the 20” granite crystal wheels (I hate black wheels as I think they just look cheap/dirty, but these are sharp). Long-term reliability and resale value are yet to be determined, but at least as of now, I’m absolutely in love with my new Grand Cherokee!
