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14 vs 15 Summit ?????

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summit
5K views 39 replies 12 participants last post by  Vroooom 
#1 ·
What (if any) significant difference exist between the 2014 Summit and the 2015 Summit?

THX

V.
 
#4 ·
I added the lighted sills to my 2014 Summit :) they look awesome. Fit and finish shouldn't be different between the two. Same workers, same machines building them, mostly same part numbers. If there is it's probably just luck of the draw. I read that besides what's already mentioned, the steering wheel controls on the back of the wheel don't click on the 2015s like the 2014s did. Minor, but is a difference. I always wondered why they made the buttons annoying click. Atleast they quickly realized and fixed it only after one model year.
2014 V8 models are solid, V6 models may have some issues here and there.
 
#5 ·
I have an early 2014 (March 2013) and though it did have its share of electrical gremlins everything has been corrected through a multitude of software flashes. So I would not shy away from a 2014 as long as they have it all up to date on the flashes and it's not a v6 because of that 845RE trans and it's whacked shifting. The other thing to remember is that if it's a 2014 made prior to august 2013 then it will not have ACC with stop, the ACC will cut out at 15 mph. This bothered me at first until I realized that ACC is not aggressive enough to use in traffic or the traffic I am in anyway. ACC is a good highway tool though. On the flip side the black interiors on the 2014 summit prior to Aug or Sept 2013 will have silver trim on the interior instead of the rose bronze color they have after that. I like the silver better but thats a personnel preference thing.
 
#6 ·
I have an early 2014 (March 2013) and though it did have its share of electrical gremlins everything has been corrected through a multitude of software flashes. So I would not shy away from a 2014 as long as they have it all up to date on the flashes and it's not a v6 because of that 845RE trans and it's whacked shifting. The other thing to remember is that if it's a 2014 made prior to august 2013 then it will not have ACC with stop, the ACC will cut out at 15 mph. This bothered me at first until I realized that ACC is not aggressive enough to use in traffic or the traffic I am in anyway. ACC is a good highway tool though. On the flip side the black interiors on the 2014 summit prior to Aug or Sept 2013 will have silver trim on the interior instead of the rose bronze color they have after that. I like the silver better but thats a personnel preference thing.
And anything built prior to Aug 2013 I would avoid given a choice. The full stop ACC is awesome.
 
#7 · (Edited)
the build sheet on the 14 (v-8, 4wd, blk/blk, summit) that i am considering says, "enhanced adaptive cruise control" which, according to a posting back in 2013 seems to be synonymous with ACC w/Stop. is that true?

build sheet also says acoustic SIDE glass. but does not say anything about acoustic windshield....pitty....i wanted that, :(

car fax says that the "windshield was repaired" but no report of any other sort of damage. Is there any outward indication on the glass itself (etc) that i could look for to see if the OEM windshield might have been replaced with the newer acoustic windshield? Hey.....its xmas....cant blame me for wishful thinking. :)

dealership photos show silver/grey interior plastic instead of rose. thats good for me since my personal preference is the silver/grey.

also, how hard is it to remove the dvd crap from the center console? i think i might prefer having additional space. i know that the seat-back monitors cant be removed. but if the player in the console comes out easily....that might be my first mod.

thx

v.
 
#8 · (Edited)
Acoustic windshield is a 2015 thing on summit, doubtful they would have replaced the glass on a 2014 with 2015 glass unless the owner knew enough to push for it which is unlikely. Id be more concerned that its actual mopar glass and not aftermarket crap which has been known to not play nice with the windshield wiper rain sensor.

Silver trim interior and acc with stop would be a rare combo with probably an august 2013 build date. Would have to be after acc with stop started which was last few days of july and before the pink rose trim started in august-september. Not impossible just rare to find that way probably, so just double check dealer facts on that.

There are threads on the disc player removal from center console, you have to buy the bigger bin, its not bad though. If people take it out its usually the music cd player not the dvd. Do you really want to destroy the rear dvd entertainment option buy removing it if you have that option? Thats a 2k option not sure i would destroy that for a few inches of console space but its your jeep.

Good choice on color lol, i have got the same blk on blk 2014 summit will be 3 years old in march. I ordered it new from the factory.
 
#9 ·
On closer examination of the photos....this unit does NOT have the rear seat DVD displays.

So the "DVD" player that I thought was in the console is probably just an audio CD player....still less useful than the space that it consumes.

Do I care enough to spend a day f'n with it to take it out...no. If it can be removed in an hour or so...its gone.

FAAAAARRRR more important to me is that I also just learned that the Automatic noise cancellation that I was SOOOO looking forward to.....doesnt exist in the 2014 summit.

Which means that I would probably be just as well off buying a new 2015 Overland (which is a summit without the noise cancellation)

Just when I thought I was closing in on a good option. Grrrrrr!!!
 
#10 · (Edited)
Why not consider mine? new new new condition! Won't find one cleaner I can promise you that. I also added the '15 lighted Summit sills. Regardless though don't settle on an Overland if it's a Summit you have your heart set on. The Summit really does offer more and has a completely different look. As far as active noise cancelling, don't get too worked up about it. If you drive both right after each other, you wouldn't notice a difference in interior noise. It's a very very minor thing and trust me the '14 rides extremely quiet.

http://www.jeepgarage.org/f12/new-condition-2014-grand-cherokee-summit-v8-5-900-miles-93174.html
 
#11 ·
Yeah....I saw when you posted yours. And it does sound incredible.

But my wife and I have this thing for black vehicles. I know...its a petty aesthetic preference...but is is our preference, and for this much coin we dont want regrets.

We took a 15 Limited on a 1500 mile road trip (thank you Enterprise rental!) and it was the quietest and smoothest machine Ive ever been in...and Im not nearly as country-bumpkin as I try to sound. The 15 Limited was silent.
I dont know for sure but I believe it had acoustic glass front windows and windshield.

so that has set the bar for all future comparisons.

I even had a few days in a 15 Larado and was very impressed with how quiet it was. But both of these were 2wd v-6.

Now I know that ANY summit will have additional insulation in the body, etc....so we can pretend that might make it as quiet as the 15 limited. BUT....the vehicle I buy will be 4wd, and v-8...which the limited was not. And I will mount fairly quiet All Terrain tires (an occupational necessity) which can never be as quiet as the factory city tires.

And I cannot predict how those factors will change the sound level inside. Granted....Im coming from a 12 JKU whose primary insulation is a healthy layer of mud and dust. So a '71 VW beetle would be comparatively quiet. But now Im spoiled to that Limited we had for a week.

What dreadful 1st world problems....I know....

NOW....just when I thought I had focused my hunt on which new 15 I wanted...I get distracted by a used 14 which offers 80% of my wish list....but at 72% of the price. The savings sure makes it tempting.

Of course, either one that I buy will have the unlimited warranty that I have come to love on my wrangler. So the 18,000 miles on the used 14 doesnt phase me...thats only about 4 months of driving for me.
 
#12 ·
two members (above) mention being able to turn eco mode off.

What does that mean?

In the dealer photos, under the radio stack, there is an ECO button (illuminated in the photo) that says "eco".

That switch panel looks identical to the photos of the same section of the 15 summit (other than the color of the bezel)

How do the eco selections differ functionally?
 
#14 · (Edited)
So the 2014+ Grand Cherokee has a few different driving modes ECO on, ECO off, and Sport and all are noticeably different. Since you said your vehicle will be V8 lets focus on that. So ECO mode on configures the Jeep to drive as economically as possible. It configures shifts points accordingly, throttle response, ride height, cylinder deactivation etc etc. The V8 has the capability to drop to 4 cylinders when all 8 aren't needed. Turn ECO off and 4 cyl mode will no longer function in any driving mode. It will bump up the shift points a little, and maybe change throttle response. Turn on Sport mode and it turns the V8 Jeep into a beast. Obviously not SRT beast, but surprisingly wakes it up. Shift points go much higher, it holds higher rpms and sets the ride height to Aero at all times to name a couple. It really makes it fun to drive!!
If you are comparing to a Limited those do not have quadra-lift air suspension so those buttons on the right side of the center console control panel would be blank. A Limited and Summit are very different vehicles, but if you are happy with how nice and quiet a Limited is then a '14/'15 Summit will impress you even more.

What was mentioned above regarding ECO mode is that on the '14 models regardless if ECO mode was off when you turned the Jeep off, it will always default to on when you start the Jeep next time. For 2015 they changed that. Now, it will remain in whatever setting you had it in for the previous drive. Some may like that some may not. For me, I typically always just leave it with ECO on so I actually like how the '14 model does it because I like to get the best fuel economy I can. When I feel like driving a little more spirited I turn it off or put it in Sport mode then back to ECO on when I'm done.
 
#15 ·
The 2014 the eco will turn on everytime the jeep is started. The 2015 will remember the position you put it in the last time the jeep was started. Alot of people hate eco so to turn it off each time is a pia on the 2014. Honestly with the v8 i just leave it on it doesnt bother me
 
#16 ·
If I'm not mistaken, Vroooom...the difference is that on the MY15, the ECO feature stays off when you hit the button even after shutdown and restart. On the MY14, it's a "per ride" choice and not persistent. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong please)
 
#20 ·
Sweeeeeet.

I cannot wait to get the owners manual when I get the vehicle. I dont wanna study the wrong one. LOL

Ok...so...just to make sure my coffee-depleated nogg'n is grasping all of this...

Eco mode deals with the engine...I think I got that.

Sport Mode "bump the sifter from D to the rear" deals with the transmission...but is not the "manual shift mode" (paddles) which would be "bump the shifter from D to the left".

Quadralift buttons adjust the suspension height.

Select-trac knob in the center console controls Quadra-trac...and that essentially effects EVERYTHING...engine, transmission, suspension, differential(s).

Now am I tracking?

LOL
 
#21 ·
Yeah you're on track. However, all the different driving modes technically deal with more than just engine though as it changes tranny shift points as well as suspension ride heights. So again, you're right, but just wanted to be more specific. When you get to drive the V8 in sport mode for the first time it will really catch you off guard and there will be a big grin on your face ;-) The 8spd shifts are awesome and that along with the V8 is music to my ears. Its a great combo!
 
#22 ·
The Sport mode is on the shifter, combined with 'D'.

14 or 15, you certainly can't go wrong. Just make sure you check the carfax. They can be hit and miss.

I would buy JTS'. Thing is so clean! I'm jelly that I can't buy it.

One more thing, active noise cancellation just cancels out the engine drone with white noise correct? I never found drone to be an issue in my Hemi 14 Overland..
 
#23 ·
If your buying a 14 that thing better be at a steep discount over a 15/16... The head unit (uconnect) also does not have themes on the 14 which is a big deal to me because I want the screen to match my interior and not be stuck with the standard orange theme that doesn't match my black and blue lit interior. I was able to change the theme to the darker SRT style theme with black/red/blue instead on the 15+.




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#24 ·
If your buying a 14 that thing better be at a steep discount over a 15/16... The head unit (uconnect) also does not have themes on the 14 which is a big deal to me because I want the screen to match my interior and not be stuck with the standard orange theme that doesn't match my black and blue lit interior. I was able to change the theme to the darker SRT style theme with black/red/blue instead on the 15+.
Well considering you can't touch a new Summit out the door for less than 50, I'm pretty sure it's safe to say that any used 2014 would be "deeply discounted". Just as a used 2015 should be deeply discounted compared to new. The problem is you can get so much off MSRP on new Chrysler products and all this 0% financing the only way to dump a less than two year old vehicle is to price it well enough below what you can get it for new to make them appealing. Hence, the OP is looking at a Summit priced in the high 30's!
 
#25 ·
You can get brand new summits for 46... (Obviously not every single option but you can definitely find them well under 50) if you're in the Mid East coast region definitely check out Koons Chrysler Jeep Dodge in VA



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#26 · (Edited)
You can get brand new summits for 46... (Obviously not every single option but you can definitely find them well under 50) if you're in the Mid East coast region definitely check out Koons Chrysler Jeep Dodge in VA
So your state collects zero sales tax, or dealers do not charge a doc fee or anything like that? That's why I said out the door.
I paid $47,000 for my Summit...came out to be slightly over 50k out the door. In other words, if you can get a brand new Summit for less than 50k out the door I would be very impressed by that deal. Atleast in states that charge normal sales tax. In my case it's 7%.

Edit: I forgot to add I'm talking about V8 models only sorry about that. The OP was only interested in the 8 banger.
 
#30 ·
It's probably not just you - running a nationwide search on cargurus returns 5X as many 4X4 inventory at the Summit trim level (around 1250 new or very low mileage). Of the ~250 4X2 Summits listed, only three were V8 and in scrolling through the pages I only saw one diesel listing. As for the 4X4s, it was surprising to learn that V6 engine inventory is more than twice that of the V8.

Anyway, I am the person whose choices would surprise you. For over a decade I drove V8 Grand Cherokees with a 4X4 drivetrain. The pre-Pentastar V6 engine was so gutless I swore I would never own anything but a V8. Thankfully I test drove one last time around and was sold - it roughly approximates the power of my old V8s with 50% better gas mileage. Living in a relatively flat, low elevation city and doing nearly all of my driving locally, I have no need for a V8 with the Pentastar being this powerful. Further, I never tow anything and rarely go offroad, so I found paying for the 4X4 (both up front and insurance) to be a waste of money for my uses. On the other hand, the luxury and tech of the Summit is something I value greatly. Lucky for me they make 4X2 V6 at the Summit trim level. After getting 13-14 miles to the gallon forever, getting around 20 MPG is so great it cannot be put into words.

I certainly don't begrudge those who max out their options though. It's their money to spend. To each his own!
 
#28 ·
Well yea, but even with tax and dealer fees the difference between a used car purchase and paying tax to the dmv yourself your taking about less than 1000 dollar difference in fees from a 48k new summit or a 38k used summit. That shouldn't even be part of the consideration of a purchase.


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#29 ·
Yeah I mean it depends on the state really. I was looking into some things earlier and in my state for example a $43,000 vehicle purchased from a dealer would be $3,010 in tax for my county, plus atleast a few hundred in fees. Private party tax is $1,500 and whatever plate transfer costs. So it's a decent difference that some may consider, but in the grand scheme of things might not be a factor. There would be very few private party 2014+ grand Cherokees for sale private party anyway.
 
#31 ·
The vast majority of JGCs sold are equipped with the V6. I believe the distribution was posted awhile back, but I don't recall in what thread.
 
#35 ·
This is interesting, thanks. I wonder how it compares by trim - there's presumably a higher ratio of V8 / diesel at higher trim levels and 4X4s - as well as how the ratio compares today to pre-Pentastar. No need to answer, just typing out loud...I'll do some digging around on my own if so compelled.
 
#32 · (Edited)
The one thing I would recommend is driving one with air suspension and one without. I have QL and after 60k miles would never buy air suspension again. I've been looking to buy another JGCO so I've been test driving everyone that I can. The models without air suspension (quardalift) have SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER DAMPENING . QL on my 2011 and on the 2015 models is bouncy and doesn't like high speed road imperfections.

QL also can be a source of many problems.
 
#33 ·
I'm not saying your right or wrong, but its all personal opinion. I think quadralift is very comfortable and really enjoy driving on normal roads and highways. I don't think you can even get a Summit without quadralift, well maybe the rear wheel drive versions, but no one is gonna buy that. You would have to go all the way down to a Limited model to get coil springs and 4x4.
Now from a reliability standpoint and if its a vehicle you plan on keeping for very long, then it might be something to consider. I personally have not had any quadralift issues in either my 2012 Overland or the 2014 Summit. Obviously both had low miles, but they were good systems in the time I had them. A friend at work had air suspension issues on his land rover and it was not cheap to fix. I think the compressor went out.
 
#34 ·
I also enjoy the QL, both for the ride and the versatility. While I have had an issue (covered by my MaxCare extended service contract) I don't feel a need for a non-air suspension in my next JGC.
 
#36 ·
^ Understood. But for grins ... go drive one without QL and take it down a road that isn't that smooth. Honestly there's a night and day difference between the two but you have to know what you are feeling for. Most test drives are a fairy tail unless you are serious about what you are evaluating.

A simple search for quadra lift + bouncy will yield dozens of thread about the topic. I've driven mine from coast to coast and its a great vehicle but I won't be getting another QL equipped JGC. Maybe there's just a couple hundred of us that like to complain about it ha ha.
 
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