The WK2 Grand Cherokee/Durango is the same platform as the W166 MB M/R/GL-class, and they compare pretty closely in many regards to the T'reg. The Chrysler branded ones do have some cheaper bits in some areas, especially some of the interior trim in the back, and probably have more Made in China parts in them, but I would not call them "crappy".
The VM 3.0L diesel does not seem quite as refined as the VAG 3.0L diesel, and certainly nowhere near as refined as the MB 3.0L diesel they did use, but it still gets the job done nicely.
Had a 2017 limited for over a month while my 2012 touareg was being repaired from deer damage...spend a considerable time driving both and you wont feel its close to a touareg.
The jeep plastics are cheap
The seats be it comfortable after an hour or 2 were not...my legs would actually hurt and i had friends that felt the same way
The wind noise entering the cabin is unreal...i constantly thought a window kept creeping open
You hit slush, or a puddle and its SUPER easy to tell there is no sound deadening the sounds produced from it were super loud, reminded me alot of my buddies kia rio
The ride (steel sprung) was harsh to say the least...way harsher then even my 5 year older 190K on it touareg on 10 ply allterrians
It was a gas so cant compare that but fuel mpg on the v6 pentastar was horrid
The awd, it had low tread all seasons and it wasnt impressive...my touareg had similar tires when i got it and the touareg performed better...i will say the jeep has much better nannys for the brakes and traction then my 5 year older touareg...but i prefer it that way.
The heated seat control only in the nav screen on the jeep...stupid and a wee bit annoying
The jeep had 10,000 miles on it and the center arm rest was loose and floppy...the blower for the heat started squealing anything above 2 on the fan control.
The jeep i had also had this weird throttle sticking, if you floored it then release fast it would stay for a moment after...not a fan and considered it a bit unsafe....not sure if it was just an issue with my rental or what.
The handling is far more truck like, the touareg even on bfgs could out perform that jeep in corners any day....just not tuned as nice.
Wasnt impressed that it only had 2 door keyless entry...this is a easy way to cheap out but i love having all 4 on the touareg
I Found the window switches horribly cheap
I found it mind blowing that a 2017 jeep still had a foot park brake...coming from the switch it just was like really? 5 years still no electronic brake
I also didnt like the wipers being in constant view....i think thats another touareg thing that i just love...i love how you dont see the wipers when your on the road.
The traction control...there is no ability to turn it off below i would say like 30%...this is great for safety but if you wanna have fun the jeep aint having it...also an issue if you get stuck..which i did while i had it.
The proximity on the keyless entry was pretty bad...grabbing the door handle with the key in my pocket often yielded me having to pull the key out for it to find it....not so on the touareg.
i will say the stereo was good...headlights were nice..the remote start was cool....but not for one minute was i sad to give it back and go 5 years older and almost 9x the mileage.....The build quality, ride, and handling are not even close....im sure it comes off by nit picking but after 2 years in a touareg and 100k put on it i just have a hard time finding an equal....even my buddies fully loaded x5 doesnt do it for me.
I replaced my 2010 T'Reg with a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Eco diesel and while the fit and finish may not be as refined as the T'Reg, it definitely has a nicer interior, leather dash, heated & cooled seats, better infotainment system, & GPS system than any VW I've seen to date.
2nd row of seating is also more spacious than the T'reg. Full size adults can fit in the back with no leg room issues.
While it also has air suspension, I no longer have the selection of dampening choices, but I'll suffer, lol.
Oh, I can go to about 10 different dealerships in a 20 mile radius if I ever need service...and get this...THEY STOCK PARTS!!! Or can get them within 48 hours
My touareg has plenty of leg room front or rear...my seat set at 6ft driving position still is tons of room for myself in the rear seat behind..not sure if the t2 was smaller or what but i dont see any space difference in the jeep.
There are plenty of things the jeep doesnt have that the touareg does
4 door keyless entry
full control over mpg measurement and speeds
full control over coming home and leaving lighting
way more door lighting..under door and mirrors
under seat lighting
i like the touareg dash and seats better...the leather in the dodge is soft but it also is ruined with a simple finger nail on the dash....having sat in a track hawk at the auto show...showed me how bad that dash will look if you touch it.
Yes the touareg nav is outdated ill give you that but i dont mind it...could be better but the rest of the t3 is so refined it just makes up for it.
I really havent had to order parts or have an issues with that...perhaps i need to own it longer, but in the 2 years and 100k ive put on it, its been flawless