Glad to hear it. I drive a 2017 VOLVO XC90 T8. I love the message functions as well as the PHEV. I'm using the VOLVO as the benchmark for any future vehicle purchase. Just completed a 9,800 mile cross country road trip and it performed remarkably in all aspects. Gonna be needing that outta the GW as well. I've been studying the detail in the visual design of the GW and IMHO does it ever impress. I've always had a soft spot for big-bodied vehicles. Waiting on FCA to do the right thing and power it up correctly with that in-line 6 (Tornado?) PHEV that has been rumored.
Interested to get any additional feedback from your early observations of this beauty-n-beast.
A few questions:
1. Did the teak wood (located in the headlights housing) make it to final production?
2. The hi-mount rear brake lamp, is that embedded into the top middle of the rear glass?
3. Is there a top grab handle above the driver door frame ?
4. Did you get to sit in the front seats, if so how is the head/leg room (I'm 6'4")?
5. Did you get a taste of the McIntosh Audio?
Thanks for any feedback you can provide.
From what I saw on the demo model (series 3), the front seat grab handle is on the A pillar, same placement as the RAM 1500. Could not check on seat adjustability since the vehicle was not powered up. Hence could not test out the sound system or any electronics. Interesting that since the 2nd row seats only slide forward via a electronic button, they could not be slid forward to access the third row the way it’s meant to be accessed, but fold handle by the floor would get the backrest folded down completely allowing you to climb over. Did not see any teak wood but may have missed it.
other notes:
1). All touch surfaces were well finished and appropriately soft and upscale feeling.
2). The massive amount of piano black in the center console area looked even more massive in person. Those surfaces will be getting dirty quick and require frequent wipe downs to look fresh.
3). All seats were super padded and very comfortable.
4). Doors did not want to open smoothly, felt kind of stuck when opening and also did not make a clean sound when closing, could be due to not being a full production model but I would expect those to function better come production time, especially the door closing sound, which I normally don’t pay attention to but the sound was that off that it was noticeable.
Overall our impression was this was definitely superior to any full size SUV we’ve looked at and worthy of the price tag it’s commanding. We’ve sat in every other full size SUV on the market with the exception of the Escalade and all of them left us like we wern’t getting our money’s worth, especially with the GM/Chevy twins. Definitely a home run for keep. Now if only the dealer experience, service, engagement, professionalism was on par with what we’ve experienced by also owning vehicles outside of the CJDR family, it would be a no-brainer. This will be our biggest roadblock should we seriously consider a future purchase. I know Jeep is touting the 10 promises for GW customers, we’ll see how well that’s executed.
