A bit of a story, but I'll make it short.
Ordered back in Feb of 2021. Arrived in June, but wasn't exactly what I ordered (errors by the dealership - should have been a X, but ended up with X-Dynamic) I decided to take delivery and placing another order for an X. (the 2nd order just arrived and I let the dealer keep it - which they ended up selling for 20k OVER the $105k window sticker)
The 6 months of ownership gave me a chance to live with the X-Dynamic. While I LOVE the look, the fact that they aren't very common, and the "prestige" of a Land Rover, there were minor things that I found that detracts from the livability. The seat bottom is too flat and I found myself sliding off around every corner, the stereo controls on the steering wheel didn't always respond, so you would have to hit it several times to make a change, the throttle response from a stand still wasn't linear - it was very sensitive so either too slow or too fast from a stop. Nothing monumental, but things that you interact with every day just made it annoying.

Then Jeep came out with the new Grand Cherokee WL75 and WL74. A fully decked out top of the line Summit Reserve is $30k less than the Defender, and has air suspension for an awesome on road ride, along with off-road capabilities to match, more tech, night vision, more screens, massaging seats, etc... it was a simple equation for me. Yes, GC's are far too common, but the way I approached having something different is through the satin PPF and aftermarket Vossen wheels.

 

I have a Grand Cherokee, base model, its held up mechanically and is nice to look at.

But for the most part you can't tell a 30k Grand Cherokee from a 60k Grand Cherokee.

 

That looks great. My wife had a 2011 WK2 Overland Hemi (top of the heap at the time.) It served us well to about 80,000 miles. The dash leather wrinkled like a sharpei about 40,000 miles in, out of warranty of course. Whole dash had to be replaced but for $2400 but at least Jeep split it with us. But no mechanical issues other than some part of the pollution system went out at 60k but was warrantied because that system is 100k iirc.

The biggest downer for me was having to deal with the horrifically subpar Dodge/Jeep dealer when servicing it. That’s often the problem when the same dealership sells $20,000 Chrysler 200s and $125,000 Vipers. The systems are built around the cheap car.

 

Grand Cherokees are automotive AIDS. Enjoy.

j/k (sort of) First year Jeep product is as bold a move as a first year Land Rover product. May the Force be with you.

 

New Grand Cherokee looks really nice, good luck with it.

The steering wheel controls for the radio that don't always respond were a carry-over feature from the LR4. It's another thing that provides the British "personality" we have all learned to love. Just like the way the radio volume sometimes disappears after a phone call. Random issues that are easily fixed by a simple restart.

 

I knew my choice and reasons for the choice wouldn't be a popular opinion on a LR forum, and that's ok.

 

i was seriously considering the new grand cherokee trailhawk - a lot more bang for your buck for sure compared to my p300. best of luck!

 

I think there was another guy that got one as well. He was pretty happy with it also. If it works for you why not ?

 

@MrBreeze - congratulations !
I think for a (mostly) on road vehicle, you made a great choice. Not that is not off-road capable, but this seems to be more tailored to on road.
The technology on the GC is amazing (something JLR needs to learn from). Night vision ! that is real important in my book.
Now, on the air ride ? is that for trailer leveling or just like Mercedes have it ? fixed air ride ? Can it lift in case you need it ?
How do you like the engine ?
Over all, I would be very interested on one when my lease ends. More than likely won't have to wait for parts or deal with supply chain issues ( at least not that much ) like is now with JLR.
Some JLR dealers are getting greedy nowadays which is detrimental to the brand - at least is how I see it. Besides like you mentioned ordering is utter crap - you ask for one thing, something else comes here.
And they not really worried, because it sells anyways, but ... leaves a bad impression.

Thanks for sharing.

 

The air on our 2011 GC Overland was just like the Defender: 3 positions with about 6” between them.