Had an '03 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, 5.7L QuadraTrack, sunroof, leather seat, loved it. Even got 22mpg highway for such a workhorse. Around 2012 with a load of rough miles, she started having issues and then they crept into electronics, airbags and would of cost 2-3 times book value to fix. So, bounced around and decided to commit a major sin and bought a new '13 loaded Subaru Forester, first new car I ever owned. Can't really knock the car as it's done well for the first 100K and probably good for another 100K or 2. But, the Jeep itch has returned and looking at some funds from my father's estate if the legalities ever get settled. Fiancée has a '12 Jeep Liberty and enjoy tooling around in her Jeep (but why 2 wheel drive?.... hehehe). So been shopping around and although I'd love to jump into a 5.7L, don't care to mortgage the house. In fact probably will avoid new as a one year old car is $10K less.

Been shopping and really like the style, looks and features of the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk. Have seen some nice looking ones 2019-2020 for $30-$35K. We're west central Florida and had to run to Tampa this past weekend and looked at a nice Slate Blue Pearlcoat 2020 loaded Trailhawk with 36K and haven't seen many blue Grand Cherokees. Blue wasn't quite as good looking in person as it did in person but really REALLY like the looks and the style. Being a Tarheel I like blue vehicles. Biggest issue with this was it was a rental and smelled like smoke terribly!!!! Not sure when the estate is getting settled but figured this car won't move easily with that smell. So first (of several questions), if that car hangs around a long time I'd assume I could barter the price down but would absolutely have to get that smoke smell 100% out of the vehicle. Any way to do that? Saw some articles on things like Turtle Wax Power Out! that appear to work but not sure. Wouldn't want to invest money in that and be stuck with that stench.

But the blue not being a big draw on that one, looking for advice/suggestions on the Trailhawk. Things to avoid or look for especially when test driving and inspecting? Thinking not to go further back than maybe 2018 but not sure what any changes were between 2018 and 2020.

Thanks in advance for your assistance and looking forward to be behind the wheel of a Jeep again.

Well, thanks to the 100 people for reading my message but I guess no one has any suggestions.

For 2018, they updated the U Connect system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (as well as 4G LTE internet connectivity), so if you want all that, 2018 or newer is the way to go (2017 models didn't have those features, just 3G internet connectivity (which can no longer be used since Sprint and T-Mobile are discontinuing 3G connectivity in favor of 4G LTE and 5G, 5G of which hasn't made it to any vehicle yet). The Trailhawk was first only available for the 2013 model year, then they started production again in 2017. The Trailhawk is definitely the way to go (especially with the HEMI) if you want the best off-road capabilities the Grand Cherokee has to offer. If you want the extra premium features like full Napa perforated leather seats (in place of the Trailhawk's standard leather-and-suede combination), as well as parallel and perpendicular parking assist, adaptive cruise control, etc., that's available as part of the Trailhawk Luxury Package, so be sure to look for one with that if you want all of that.

All Trailhawks come pretty well equipped with the Quadra-Lift air suspension, Quadra-Drive 4X4 with low-range gearing, Kevlar-coated all-terrain tires, the U Connect 8.4 navigation system with the 9-speaker premium surround-sound system, a sunroof, heated front and rear seats, power everything, etc... basically a Limited with more rugged exterior styling and better off-road capabilities.

Hope this helps.

-Vince

Thanks Vince, very helpful, all great information. The Trailhawk style definitely caught my eye. We don't do a lot of off road stuff but usually when we do it's trekking to a campsite with mountain bikes on the back and 'yaks on top. I was thinking 2019 seems to be the sweet spot between new and used but wouldn't complain about 2020. Like that some sites show how loaded they are, things that are 8-10 on the options scale are sweet. Finding a lot of the 2020's are former rentals and although I have heard about rentals being abused, I would hope a Jeep could handle it. The blue one I saw was great but the smoke smell. Ugh! Mega-ugh. As far as the HEMI, personally I'd love that. But not sure my better half would tolerate the extra expense for more power. Sounds like the 3.6L is still a good engine but if a deal came across for a HEMI then maybe I could sneak it past. LOL

Curious if it's possible to get strong smoke smell out of a vehicle or is that a major task? I can smell a smoker from across the room and barely got the door open before that stench hit me square in the face.

Thanks again.
Scott

I work for a dealership, and in the past, have talked with my boss about doing this. We did use a spray on some of our vehicles where it was really bad (it was part of the products we received from our extended warranty provider), although there's a machine that you place inside the vehicle with the doors closed to get rid of it, though it is expensive to do so if you don't have your own machine. I think it's called an Ozone Generator. You can't be in the vehicle while it's doing its thing.

The Trailhawks come pretty well-equipped, even without any options. Although you can get them pretty loaded up with stuff like auto parking assist, all of the safety stuff (blind zone alert, forward collision warning, etc.), a panoramic moonroof, full perforated leather (in place of the sueded microfiber and leather combo on standard Trailhawks), ventilated front seats, etc. They all come with GPS navigation, low-range 4X4, air suspension, off-road tires, premium speakers, remote start, heated seats and steering wheel, etc. We have a '14 Limited with its only options being the GPS navigation, 20" wheels and tires, and a single moonroof (not the panoramic one). I do wish we had more of the active safety tech, auto parking assist, etc., but being that our old '05 Laredo wasn't as well-equipped as our '14 Limited, it was definitely a huge upgrade... maybe we can get those features on the next one we get.

-Vince