When it comes to finding the perfect SUV that suits your lifestyle, the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Toyota 4Runner stand out as top contenders. Both vehicles offer a unique blend of style, performance, and features that cater to different preferences and needs.
In this comprehensive comparison, we will explore the various aspects of these two popular SUVs to help you make an informed decision on which one is the right fit for you.
Exterior Design:
The Jeep Grand Cherokee showcases a refined and rugged appearance that stays true to its heritage while incorporating modern design elements. Its bold front grille, striking LED headlamps, and muscular stance give it a commanding presence on the road. The Grand Cherokee offers a wide array of exterior color options, giving buyers the opportunity to customize their vehicle to match their personality.
The Toyota 4Runner features a rugged and aggressive design that reflects its off-road capabilities. Its large front grille, squared-off wheel arches, and high ground clearance make it clear that the 4Runner is built for adventure. Additionally, Toyota offers a variety of exterior color options for buyers to choose from.
Interior Design:
The interior of the Jeep Grand Cherokee offers a luxurious experience with high-quality materials, soft-touch surfaces, and an overall attention to detail. The cabin is designed for comfort and convenience, with features such as heated and ventilated front seats, a customizable digital instrument cluster, and an intuitive infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
The Toyota 4Runner’s interior is designed for functionality and durability. The cabin features a straightforward layout with large buttons and knobs for easy use, even when wearing gloves. The 4Runner’s interior materials are built to withstand the rigors of off-road use, but some might find them less luxurious than the Grand Cherokee’s interior.
Seating:
The Jeep Grand Cherokee comfortably seats up to five passengers, with ample legroom and headroom for occupants in both rows. The front seats offer a wide range of adjustments, providing an excellent driving position and comfort during long drives. The rear seats are equally accommodating, with a reclining feature and available heated rear seats.
The Toyota 4Runner can seat up to five passengers in its standard configuration or seven with the available third-row seating. While the front seats are comfortable and supportive, the rear seats may feel less spacious than those in the Grand Cherokee. The optional third-row seating is best suited for children, as it can be cramped for adult passengers.
Storage:
The Jeep Grand Cherokee offers ample storage space, with 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and a maximum of 68.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The vehicle also features multiple storage compartments throughout the cabin, including a large center console, door pockets, and a glovebox.
The Toyota 4Runner provides a generous amount of cargo space, with 47.2 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 89.7 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded down. In the optional seven-seat configuration, the third-row seats reduce cargo space to 9 cubic feet when in use. Like the Grand Cherokee, the 4Runner also offers various storage compartments throughout the cabin.
Performance:
The Grand Cherokee comes standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Buyers can also opt for a 5.7-liter V8 engine that produces 360 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque for even greater performance. The Grand Cherokee is known for its excellent off-road capabilities, with various 4×4 systems and the Quadra-Lift air suspension available to tackle challenging terrains. The SUV can tow up to 7,200 pounds when properly equipped.
The 4Runner is powered by a 4.0-liter V6 engine that delivers 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. While the engine may not be as powerful as the Grand Cherokee’s options, the 4Runner excels in off-road performance with features such as a locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select, and Crawl Control. The 4Runner has a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds.
Fuel Efficiency:
The fuel efficiency of the Jeep Grand Cherokee varies based on the engine and drivetrain chosen. The standard 3.6-liter V6 engine with rear-wheel drive offers an EPA-estimated 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. The 5.7-liter V8 engine with four-wheel drive yields an EPA-estimated 14 mpg city and 22 mpg highway.
The Toyota 4Runner’s fuel efficiency is slightly lower than that of the Grand Cherokee. The 4.0-liter V6 engine with rear-wheel drive offers an EPA-estimated 17 mpg city and 21 mpg highway. Opting for the four-wheel-drive system reduces these numbers to 16 mpg city and 19 mpg highway.
Safety:
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is equipped with a range of standard and available safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. The SUV also includes a standard rearview camera and available parking sensors for added confidence when maneuvering in tight spaces.
The Toyota 4Runner comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), which includes features such as pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, automatic high beams, and dynamic radar cruise control. Additionally, the 4Runner offers a standard rearview camera and available parking sensors, similar to the Grand Cherokee.
Trim Levels:
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is available in several trim levels, including Laredo, Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and SRT. Each trim offers various features and options, ranging from off-road-focused packages to luxurious amenities, allowing buyers to tailor their Grand Cherokee to their specific needs and preferences.
The Toyota 4Runner is offered in several trims, including SR5, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro. Each trim caters to different buyers’ preferences, with the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims providing additional off-road capabilities, while the Limited trim offers a more upscale experience.
Pricing:
Pricing for the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee starts at around $35,000 for the base Laredo trim and can exceed $65,000 for the high-performance SRT model. The price varies based on the chosen trim, options, and packages.
The 2023 Toyota 4Runner’s starting price is around $37,000 for the base SR5 trim and can reach over $50,000 for the top-of-the-line TRD Pro model. Like the Grand Cherokee, the 4Runner’s price depends on the selected trim, options, and packages.
Key Differences:
Interior Design and Comfort:
The Grand Cherokee’s interior offers a more luxurious experience with high-quality materials and a greater emphasis on comfort. In contrast, the 4Runner’s interior is built for durability and functionality, which may feel less upscale than the Grand Cherokee’s cabin.
Seating and Passenger Space:
The Grand Cherokee comfortably seats five passengers, with ample legroom and headroom in both rows. The 4Runner can seat up to seven passengers with the optional third-row seating, but the rear seats may feel less spacious, and the third-row is best suited for children.
Performance:
The Grand Cherokee offers more powerful engine options, with both the 3.6-liter V6 and 5.7-liter V8 providing more horsepower than the 4Runner’s 4.0-liter V6. Although the 4Runner may not match the Grand Cherokee’s power, it still excels in off-road performance.
Towing Capacity:
The Grand Cherokee has a higher towing capacity, reaching up to 7,200 pounds when properly equipped, compared to the 4Runner’s 5,000-pound capacity.
Fuel Efficiency:
The Grand Cherokee offers better fuel efficiency with its 3.6-liter V6 engine compared to the 4Runner’s 4.0-liter V6, especially in rear-wheel drive configurations. However, the Grand Cherokee’s 5.7-liter V8 engine is less fuel-efficient than the 4Runner’s V6 option.
Safety Features:
Both SUVs come with a variety of safety features, but the Grand Cherokee offers a more comprehensive set of standard and available driver-assistance technologies. The 4Runner includes Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) as standard but may not offer as many advanced features as the Grand Cherokee.
Final Thoughts:
Ultimately, the decision between the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Toyota 4Runner comes down to what you value most in an SUV. If you’re looking for a refined and luxurious experience with more powerful engine options and better fuel efficiency, the Grand Cherokee might be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prioritize off-road capabilities, rugged design, and the option for additional seating, the 4Runner could be the better fit.
Regardless of which vehicle you choose, both SUVs have earned their reputation for delivering reliable performance and versatility, making them excellent options for a wide range of drivers.
Features Breakdown:
2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee Features:
- Exterior Design:
- Refined and rugged appearance
- Bold front grille and LED headlamps
- Wide array of exterior color options
- Interior Design:
- Luxurious and comfortable cabin
- High-quality materials and soft-touch surfaces
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Customizable digital instrument cluster
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
- Seating:
- Comfortably seats five passengers
- Ample legroom and headroom
- Reclining rear seats with available heating
- Storage:
- 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind rear seats
- 68.3 cubic feet with rear seats folded down
- Multiple storage compartments throughout the cabin
- Performance:
- Standard 3.6-liter V6 engine (295 horsepower, 260 lb-ft torque)
- Optional 5.7-liter V8 engine (360 horsepower, 390 lb-ft torque)
- Excellent off-road capabilities with 4×4 systems and air suspension
- Towing capacity up to 7,200 pounds
- Fuel Efficiency:
- 3.6-liter V6 RWD: 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway
- 5.7-liter V8 4WD: 14 mpg city, 22 mpg highway
- Safety:
- Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control
- Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking
- Standard rearview camera and available parking sensors
- Trim Levels:
- Laredo, Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, SRT
- Pricing:
- Starting at around $35,000 for the base Laredo trim
- Exceeding $65,000 for the high-performance SRT model
2023 Toyota 4Runner Features:
- Exterior Design:
- Rugged and aggressive design
- Large front grille and squared-off wheel arches
- High ground clearance and a variety of color options
- Interior Design:
- Functional and durable cabin
- Straightforward layout with large buttons and knobs
- Built to withstand off-road use
- Seating:
- Seats five passengers in standard configuration
- Optional third-row seating for up to seven passengers
- Rear seats may feel less spacious than Grand Cherokee
- Storage:
- 47.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row
- 89.7 cubic feet with second-row seats folded down
- Reduced cargo space with optional third-row seating
- Performance:
- 4.0-liter V6 engine (270 horsepower, 278 lb-ft torque)
- Excels in off-road performance with various features
- Towing capacity up to 5,000 pounds
- Fuel Efficiency:
- 4.0-liter V6 RWD: 17 mpg city, 21 mpg highway
- 4.0-liter V6 4WD: 16 mpg city, 19 mpg highway
- Safety:
- Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) standard
- Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert
- Automatic high beams, dynamic radar cruise control
- Standard rearview camera and available parking sensors
- Trim Levels:
- SR5, TRD Off-Road, Limited, TRD Pro
- Pricing:
- Starting at around $37,000 for the base SR5 trim
- Reaching over $50,000 for the top-of-the-line TRD Pro model
