How many Jeep Grand Cherokee trims do you need?

"valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option" (valsidalv)
06/01/2018 at 11:55 • Filed to: None

All the recent FCA posts on the FP got me doing some unnecessary car shopping and I stumbled across the Jeep Grand Cherokee configurator. You can pick from 8 different trims! 8!!! Why??

(all screen grabs from the Jeep.ca website)

The Grand Cherokee isn’t the only offender, either. The Cherokee also has 8 (Sport, Altitude, North, Limited, High Altitude, Trailhawk, Trailhawk Leather Plus, and Overland), and the Wrangler and Renegade both have 6.

For those that have never seen the TED talk “The paradox of choice” it’s a really interesting discussion that essentially drives the point home “less is more”. With 8 trims, are you ever gonna be happy that you picked the right one? Also, is there an easier way to confuse potential customers than by presenting so many options?

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I just don’t get it, Jeep!

DISCUSSION (19)

Captain of the Enterprise > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option
06/01/2018 at 12:01

They start at $44,000! Plus who the hell would pay $110,000 for a grand Cherokee?

Ash78, voting early and often > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option
06/01/2018 at 12:01

I’ve also heard this called pluralization. Marketers a long time ago decided the magic number was 3. Drink sizes, most car trims, etc.

And people will usually choose the middle one, so you make that your most profitable one if you can.

At eight, I’m so turned off I’d probably quit shopping and go elsewhere. It’s like getting the runaround before you even step into the dealer.

functionoverfashion > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option
06/01/2018 at 12:12

I wonder how much customization there is within each trim level? Or, are they giving fewer a la carte options and just lumping them into the packages?

valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option > Ash78, voting early and often
06/01/2018 at 12:16

Precisely. There’s also math/psychology some smart people figured out that basically dictates consumers are likely to spend more $ if they perceive they’re getting X% more product. e.g. if the small drink costs $1, but the bigger drink is 33% more yet only costs an extra 20 cents, most will go for it the bigger option.

Maybe the idea is that someone starts at the Limited trim but works their way up High Altitude?

HammerheadFistpunch > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option
06/01/2018 at 12:19

Its worse in the US.

Laredo

Laredo E

Upland

Altitude

Limited

Sterling Edition

Trailhawk

Overland

High Altitude

Summit

SRT

Trackhawk

12....12! trims!

HammerheadFistpunch > functionoverfashion
06/01/2018 at 12:22

more than a little in some, and none in others. Its been a PAIN for me to do my best of overland series.

HammerheadFistpunch > Captain of the Enterprise
06/01/2018 at 12:23

CAD, they start at $30,700 in the US or $33,000 for 4x4

valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option > HammerheadFistpunch
06/01/2018 at 12:36

:O :O :O !!!!!

BigBlock440 > Captain of the Enterprise
06/01/2018 at 12:38

Canadians

AfromanGTO > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option
06/01/2018 at 12:39

It really just needs two. The SRT and Trackhawk.

Captain of the Enterprise > HammerheadFistpunch
06/01/2018 at 12:47

Oh okay that makes more sense

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > HammerheadFistpunch
06/01/2018 at 13:34

When does the TrailHellHawkCat come into play?

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Captain of the Enterprise
06/01/2018 at 13:34

lots of people considering the amount of trackhawk grand cherokees ive seen rolling around

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option
06/01/2018 at 13:36

i feel like the altitude, high altitude, and summit are basically redundant. the summit is always going to be at a high altitude lol

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > HammerheadFistpunch
06/01/2018 at 13:37

i didnt realize the laredo was still a thing lol

Jay, the practical enthusiast > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option
06/01/2018 at 13:43

Back in the day everything extra was an option that you could buy separately. Now each trim level is basically just a bunch of options packaged together.

When we bought our Mazda we wanted bluetooth and a backup camera. But you can’t buy those as options, if you want them you have to buy a higher trim level.

For car manufacturers I think it makes it more cost efficient for them to just group popular options together and call it a different “trim.”

7:07 > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option
06/01/2018 at 13:45

Great Ted talk. Just finished it. This is why I don’t buy from Zappos - too many choices that it becomes discouraging and I shop somewhere with fewer options. Weird how that works.

Captain of the Enterprise > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
06/01/2018 at 14:23

Trackhawk starts at $87,000 US

M3 Starts at $66,500 US

I know what I’m buying

CRider > Captain of the Enterprise
07/25/2018 at 02:42

BMW X5M starts at $101k

Range Rover SVR starts at $113k