Compare the2023 Toyota 4RunnerVS 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Toyota 4Runner has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Grand Cherokee doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The 4Runner has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Grand Cherokee doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the 4Runner and the Grand Cherokee have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available four-wheel drive and around view monitors.

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the 4Runner has an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of the 5.7 V8 in the Grand Cherokee.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the 4Runner’s reliability 41 points higher than the Grand Cherokee.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 4Runner first among midsize suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Grand Cherokee isn’t in the top three.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in initial quality. With 27 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jeep is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Jeep is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Jeep is ranked 19th.

The 4Runner’s 4.0 DOHC V6 produces 18 lbs.-ft. more torque (278 vs. 260) than the Grand Cherokee’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota 4Runner uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Grand Cherokee 4xe requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The 4Runner has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Grand Cherokee 4xe Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (23 vs. 19 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The 4Runner stops much shorter than the Grand Cherokee:

The Toyota 4Runner’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Jeep Grand Cherokee only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The 4Runner has a standard full size spare so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare costs extra on the Grand Cherokee. Without the option you must depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The 4Runner TRD Off-Road handles at .73 G’s, while the Grand Cherokee Overland 4x4 pulls only .60 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the 4Runner’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Grand Cherokee’s (37.4 feet vs. 38 feet).

For greater off-road capability the 4Runner has a 1.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Grand Cherokee (9.6 vs. 8.4 inches), allowing the 4Runner to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The 4Runner is 3.3 inches shorter than the Grand Cherokee, making the 4Runner easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The 4Runner offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the Grand Cherokee can only carry 5.

The 4Runner has 21 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Grand Cherokee (128 vs. 107).

The 4Runner’s cargo area provides more volume than the Grand Cherokee.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the 4Runner easier. The 4Runner’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30.7 inches, while the Grand Cherokee’s liftover is 33 inches.

The 4Runner 5-Passenger’s optional sliding cargo floor is capable of supporting 440 pounds, to make loading and unloading cargo easier and safer. The Grand Cherokee doesn’t offer a sliding load floor.

The 4Runner’s cargo area is larger than the Grand Cherokee’s in almost every dimension:

The 4Runner’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Grand Cherokee’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The 4Runner’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Grand Cherokee’s (5000 vs. 3500 pounds).

The 4Runner has a much higher standard payload capacity than the Grand Cherokee (1625 vs. 1240 lbs.).

The 4Runner has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the Grand Cherokee (1700 vs. 1280 lbs.).

The 4Runner’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Grand Cherokee’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the 4Runner the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Grand Cherokee can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Insurance will cost less for the 4Runner owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the 4Runner will cost $115 less than the Grand Cherokee over a five-year period.

The 4Runner will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the 4Runner will retain 62.96% to 69.47% of its original price after five years, while the Grand Cherokee only retains 52.29% to 57.18%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Toyota 4Runner will be $1234 to $13287 less than for the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The TRD Pro was selected by Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road magazine as their 2015 4x4 of the Year. The Grand Cherokee has never been chosen.