[Casper2]

I see a lot of discussions comparing the operational cost of the diesel vs gas but nothing addressing the 4x2 vs the 4x4 or 2WD vs AWD. I purchased the Limited 2WD with tow and block heater because it gave everything I needed plus for less money. Now driving to and from work with no highway just secondary roads I avg on the plus side of 30 mpg. While towing my 4000 lb trailer if I keep it at 55 I get 21.6 at 58 I get 20. I don't pull faster than 60. There is the resale argument...... but I don't resell. And I don't off road.

 

[hybridp]

Johnny Lieberman did a review for Motor Trend I believe where he took a 2014 GC Diesel and a 2013 VW Touareg diesel out for some off roading and mentioned that he really didn't even need to throw the jeep into low when doing some pretty nasty grades. I would see where the 4x4 system would be great if you live in an area with a lot of snow or rain...

 

[Casper2]

A Limited 2WD diesel's MSRP is less than the AWD and a six cylinder gas engine and mandatory Lux II. And yet all the discussions seems to go whether or not the diesel is worth the extra money.

When it comes to winter, 35 New England and 10 German winters have convinced me that snow tires and a couple of bags of sand is more than enough to get me by. AWD with all season tires are marginally better than 2WD with all season and 2WD with snow is better than AWD with all season. Of course AWD with snow tires would be the best but unless you plan on plowing or live in Alaska, Canada or perhaps parts Main it's probably overkill.

Off road.....around here we call those vehicles boats.

Although I am considering a winch for the front. There have seen occasions one would come in handy.

So with the snow tires,winch and canoe added to to the price I will be right at the price of the AWD without the diesel.

 

[ExcursionDiesel]

On snow, I agree....on ice like we get here in the South, huge difference. We had a huge ice storm last winter and the 4wd with QD2 and traction control was amazingly sure footed. Now with traction control off...even torque at idle caused the vehicle to slip and slide. We saw 2wd vehicles stuck everywhere....pulled a few out.

 

[Casper2]

All things equal I would rather have the AWD...... but they are not. Traction control and the right tires is all I really need. The question I was addressing is AWD worth 6-8 thousand dollars and 2 mpg. Especially for someone like me with limited resources. I have seen people on this forum question the 1,320.00 difference between the V8 and the diesel and just cruise right over the AWD vs 2WD. They go so far as to set up spreed sheets.... and yet don't address feature that coast way more in the long run.

 

[ExcursionDiesel]

I agree. They make you buy a bundle of luxury features to get the 4wd diesel. If you don't want them or the cost, it isn't really worth it. Thats a good point. I think they were smart to offer the 2wd.

 

[kvtcomdo]

Purchased the 4X2 Limited JGC with the ecodiesel as that's all they had.

My spouse and I did an inventory on how many times we actually used the Jeep Liberty diesels 4WD in the 9(nine) years we owned it.

The count was 4 (four). Decided it wasn't worth it nor needed with our life style.

Very happy so far with the decision.

 

[Casper2]

This has been a terrible winter....... Ice and snow weeks on end.
I put on winter tires... and a couple of sand bags in back like I have been doing to 2wd vehicles for 50 years. And I ordered mine 2wd. I thought it was the right decision then and still do.