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15 vs 16

6K views 36 replies 22 participants last post by  MDBones 
#1 ·
Seriously considering 15 or 16 wk2 to replace my 08 laredo and just can't decide. I have test driven two of each. I thought I wanted 16 but the build quality didn't feel as good as the 15. Also just felt the 15s drove better. I really dislike the shifter on the 15 but am sure I can get used to it. Also don't care for the starting/stop on 16 but I know there is a button to turn off. Btw looking to get v6. Any insight or opinions would be appreciated.
 
#3 ·
Well thank you for the suggestion but I am the miss. Im sure you guys aren't used to females being on the forum lol. I've loved my 08 but am about ready for a new one. My hubby is happy with his f150 and 2 new ones not in the budget right now. ?
 
#4 ·
2015 all the way! Shutting off that start stop feature every single time you get in the car would drive me nuts!

The shifter is a little wonky but you will get used to it and hopefully the upcoming software fix for the shifter that will be released will take care of that.

I vote 2015! I love mine!


Sent from my iPhone using JeepGarage
 
#5 ·
My '15 V6 has been great. The other day I was next to a Cherokee in traffic and it was hilarious hearing it keep starting lol. I'm not sure I could deal with it, but never tried so can't say anything other than it was really weird hearing a car starting all the time on the road.
 
#6 ·
I would do 2016 EcoDiesel. You have the good shifter and no start-stop feature. Boom!
 
#7 · (Edited)
I just went to a 2016 from a 2015 and I must say there is a big difference in performance. The transmission in the 2016 with the updated Pentastar engine is SO much better than the 2015. The electronic power steering in the 2016 is also a noticeable and better experience than the 2015 with the old non electronic. Also, keep in mind that the 2016 will have a better experience with UConnect since they made noticiable differences between the 2015 and 2016 speed wise. The uconnect in my 2016 is much faster booting up and I haven't had one issue with it. Also, it is rumored that the 2016 models will get carplay (hasn't been advertised but it was mentioned in a video with info on new uconnect features). The start/stop feature also isn't really that annoying. I have become used to it and I have surprisingly noticed that I don't need to fill up as often as I used to.
 
#9 ·
Am I wrong in saying that 2015 V6 is also electric steering?!? It's a 5hp difference, I wish I could believe you that it is a big difference in performance, but I just don't see how that could be. I mean surely some of that has to be in your mind to justify going from a 2015 to a 2016 for whatever reasons. Now you got me wanting to test drive one to see.
 
#12 ·
Keep in mind that 2016 is a shortened model year. Production on 2017's begins in June and likely on lots in July-ish. That means you could possibly just wait and get a 2017 if you wanted, or a even better deal on 2015/2016.

As for your core question, the 2015 is getting a shifter recall that will add some new nannies (louder warning and some kind of mechanism that puts the vehicle in park if you open the door while in neutral). While that sounds reasonable I once had to push my 2005 into a parking lot when the battery went dead (with all the electronics they won't stay running when the battery goes) and I wonder how you could do that if shifts it into park when you open the door. On the other hand, there are some good deals to be had on 2015.

The 2016 gets the new pentastar that has a few more ponies, but more noticeably more torque at a lower point in the curve. It is also the first year and first application of the newly redesigned engine. There will likely be a few gremlins that will need to be chased down. It also has the more mechanical style shifter, and a slightly updated head unit (more processor and ram for snappier behavior).

There are no bad choices, good luck!
 
#13 ·
'16 improvements that were immediately noticeable to me on the first test drive:

- Penastar upgrade noticeably quicker off the line with increased torque curve
- noticeable smoother and quieter idle
- new electric steering much improved, smoother and less kickback on rough roads
- new acoustic windshield across the line almost makes the non summit '16s as quiet as the previous summit
- jeep finally has respectable OEM tires
 
#14 ·
I test drove them both before I bought my 2016. The difference between the two was very noticeable for me. 2016 was a whole lot smoother, more comfortable, and the shifter felt more natural than that little T stick in the 2015. I got the Summit Hemi!!
 
#15 ·
If you feel like the 2015 drove better for you, I would consider getting a '15. It took me probably a solid month to get use to the shifter (which is the same on my '14) but I'm a pretty low mileage driver. Now it's second nature and I do a ton of parallel parking.

You didn't mention which models you're considering but, to me, one big check in the 2016's favor is...

Also, keep in mind that the 2016 will have a better experience with UConnect since they made noticiable differences between the 2015 and 2016 speed wise. The uconnect in my 2016 is much faster booting up and I haven't had one issue with it. Also, it is rumored that the 2016 models will get carplay (hasn't been advertised but it was mentioned in a video with info on new uconnect features).
The older model NAVs aren't likely to get carplay if that's important to you.
 
#16 ·
I appreciate all the replys. I've been going back and forth between buying grand Cherokee or ford edge. I've been searching for months for the right vehicle. I know every vehicle will have flaws though or something I dislike. I ended up pulling the trigger today on a 16 ford edge. I drove 3 hours for this red one and fell in love when I saw it and drove it. Please don't hate! Good luck with your rides and thanks again
 
#22 ·
I will say I'm kinda surprised by how much of a difference some are claiming there is between '15-'16. Much quicker, smoother, quieter, more comfortable?!?, smoother idle etc etc. I know everyone would be more biased towards what they own...I'm just as guilty, but could the differences really be that noticeable? i have not test driven one, but now you guys have me thinking I should to see if it's all in people's minds or if it's really like an all new Jeep. I will say my '15 is perfectly smooth.. Infact idles so smooth sometimes I wonder if it's on. It's very quiet, seems to have good power, and is as comfortable and quiet as my '14 Summit was...infact even more quiet because that Hemi made the cabin a little noisier. I'll have to see if my salesman would let me take one out, then I could see how that start/stop feature is as well.
 
#23 ·
Milous said the new 2016 3.6 is like 80% new parts if i remember correctly. So its not just a stronger starter tack on for start/stop, its a significantly redesigned engine from the old 2015 3.6. I have not driven it so i cant comment on how it feels but it would not surprise me that it would have a noticable improvement over the old 2015 v6 given how changed it is.
 
#24 ·
S I thought I wanted 16 but the build quality didn't feel as good as the 15.
Not sure what you meant with that? Did you compared the similar trims?

I didn't cared for 15 shifter and since a better shifter design was offered, I went with 16. I have diesel so don't have stop/start. However, one of my loaner Chevy had it and I didn't liked it for the first few days, but then got used to it. It is not as bad as you think.
 
#29 ·
Sounds like most of you prefer the 16 over the 15 but based on the the ones I test drove(which were laredos 3.6) the 15's just felt better constructed, and drove smoother with more pickup. I'm sorry I can't elaborate much..just my opinion. That damn shifter just kind of scared me away. Felt quite awkward for both test drives. Having to look at the dash just to make sure I'm in park felt very unnatural. Another thing that turned me off about jeep is the service. The service at my local dealer is horrible. They don't seem to give a rats ass about customer service...but I know every dealer is different.
 
#31 ·
It sounds like you don't have a strong preference betweek 15/16. That being the case, pick up a 15 only if you can get a HUGE discount. Here in So Cal I have seen -9K and a dealer discount on top of that. IF not a big savings, get the 16 or wait and get a 16 at huge discount when the 17's start rolling out.

Paul
 
#36 ·
I don't know about the 10,000 KM interval, but the 2015 Diesel supplement manual says 16,000 KM or 1 year. So the newer models should be able to match it at least.
 
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