4Runner vs Grand Cherokee

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Looking for an SUV that combines sporty flair with performance, safety, and a comfortable interior? The Toyota 4Runner and Jeep Grand Cherokee are SUVs that have earned reputations as solid performers. These iconic SUVs also deliver reliable safety features and plenty of style.

Both of these SUVs have stood the test of time and have long histories when it comes to performance and popularity with drivers. The Toyota 4Runner is an iconic ride that has a 40-year legacy behind it, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee also has a long history of performance, as it celebrates its 30th anniversary with the 2023 model year.

When you’re driving over rough terrain, ground clearance plays a role in how your SUV performs. The Toyota 4Runner measures 190.2-in. and has a 37.4-ft. turning circle, while the Jeep Grand Cherokee measures 193.5 in. in length and has a 38-ft turning circle. Additionally, the Toyota 4Runner has 9-in. ground clearance, while the Jeep Grand Cherokee comes in slightly lower at 8.4-in. ground clearance.

Ready to learn more about the Toyota 4Runner and Jeep Grand Cherokee? Let’s explore the features and specs of the 2023 Toyota 4Runner and the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee to see which has more to offer you for your driving needs.

Publish Date: 1/3/2023

4Runner

Toyota 4Runner vs. Jeep Grand Cherokee: Performance

The Toyota 4Runner SR5 is a 4x2 with a 4.0L V6 Engine and 5-speed automatic transmission, and you can upgrade to a 4x4 for enhanced off-road performance.
With the Toyota 4Runner SR5, you get up to 270 horsepower when the engine is running at 5,600 rpm.
The Toyota 4Runner SR5 gives you up to 278 ft-lb. of torque when the engine is running at 4,400 rpm.

On the road or off the beaten path, you want your SUV to deliver powerful performance. The Toyota 4Runner SR5 is a 4x2 with a 4.0L V6 Engine and 5-speed automatic transmission.

Powerful Performance

Engine Comparison

Plus, if you want the enhanced off-roading capability of a 4x4 with the Toyota 4Runner, you can upgrade and get it as an option. The Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo also comes as a 4x2 with the option to upgrade to a 4x4 model, and it comes with a 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine.

Horsepower Comparison

The Toyota 4Runner and Jeep Grand Cherokee have plenty of power to take you where you want to go. The Toyota 4Runner SR5 delivers up to 270 horsepower (hp) at 5,600 rpm. The Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo delivers up to 293 hp at 6,400 rpm.

Torque Comparison

Acceleration is another important performance factor with vehicles that deliver on- and off-road performance. The Toyota 4Runner SR5 delivers up to 278 ft-lb. of torque at 4,400 rpm that gives your ride a boost when you hit the gas pedal. The Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo delivers 260 ft-lb. of torque at 4,000 rpm.

Fuel Economy Comparison

Fuel economy is another detail to check when choosing an SUV. When you select the 2023 Toyota 4Runner, you’ll have an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 16 mpg in the city, 19 mpg on the highway, and a combined 17 mpg EPA-estimated fuel economy rating. The Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo comes in a touch ahead with an estimated rating of 19 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined.

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The infotainment center of a 2023 Toyota 4Runner and a man holding a remote.

Toyota 4Runner vs. Jeep Grand Cherokee: Safety

The Toyota 4Runner comes with the Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) suite of active safety features to help keep you and your loved ones safe on the road.
The Star Safety System is also included when you choose the Toyota 4Runner to help increase vehicle stability and braking.
The Toyota 4Runner comes with Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) on all trims, and if you upgrade to the Limited trim, you also get front and rear parking assist sonar.

Whether you’re heading across town with your loved ones or going out to drive on rugged trails, it’s important to know your vehicle delivers plenty of active and passive safety features. With the Toyota 4Runner, you get the Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) suite of active safety features.

Standard Safety Features

Active Safety Suite Comparison

The Toyota 4Runner, you get the Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) suite of active safety features, which includes a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC). The Jeep Grand Cherokee comes with Active Driving Assist which includes an Active Lane Management System, Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking, and Pedestrian/Cyclist Detection. You also get the option to get Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go with the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Stability and Braking Comparison

The Toyota 4Runner comes with the Star Safety System, which includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control, Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), and Smart Stop Technology® (SST). The Jeep Grand Cherokee comes with Electronic Stability Control and electronic brake distribution.

Driver Assistive Technology Comparison

When you’re driving in heavy traffic, low visibility conditions, or parking in tight spaces, the Toyota 4Runner and Jeep Grand Cherokee come with driver assistive technology that can help you see things that are nearby. The Toyota 4Runner comes with Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) on all trims, and if you upgrade to the Limited trim, you also get front and rear parking assist sonar. The Jeep Grand Cherokee comes with Parkview® Rear Backup Camera plus, Parksense® Front and Rear Park Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring, and Rear Cross Path Detection.

Airbags Comparison

The Toyota 4Runner and Jeep Grand Cherokee come with passive safety features to help you and your loved ones stay safe when driving. The Toyota 4Runner comes with a driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System that includes eight airbags driver and front passenger TAP (Thorax, Abdomen, Pelvis) front seat-mounted side airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, and front and all-row (third-row airbags on all models) Roll-Sensing Side Curtain Airbags (RSCA). The Jeep Grand Cherokee comes with a comparable airbag system.

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An interior view of a 2023 Toyota 4Runner showing its dash, steering wheel, and comfortable seating area.

Toyota 4Runner vs. Jeep Grand Cherokee: Interior

With the Toyota 4Runner, you get an 8-in. touch screen and eight speakers. Additionally, you can upgrade your entertainment system to the Premium Audio package with 15 JBL® when you choose the Limited trim or a Toyota 4Runner with a higher trim package.
The Toyota 4Runner has 39.3/38.6/34.3-in. of headroom in the front, second-row, and third-row seating areas, 41.7/32.9/29.3-in. legroom, 57.8/57.8/57.7-in. shoulder room, and 89.7/47.2cu. ft. of cargo volume behind the front and second-row seats.
With the Toyota 4Runner, you get AM/FM radio, Android Auto™, Apple CarPlay®, and Amazon Alexa.

Interacting with the infotainment system in your SUV can help make the drive more enjoyable. The Toyota 4Runner comes with an 8-in. touch screen and eight speakers for a surround sound experience.

Interior Technology

Infotainment System Comparison

The infotainment system in the Toyota 4Runner comes with an 8-in. touch screen that’s easy to see and eight speakers for an immersive surround sound experience. Additionally, if you choose to upgrade to a higher trim level, you can get the Premium Audio with 15 JBL® speakers package with the Toyota 4Runner. The Jeep Grand Cherokee comes with Uconnect® 5 with an 8.4-in. Touch screen plus 6 speakers.

Seating Comparison

Enjoy plenty of room to take your friends and family on road trips. The Toyota 4Runner and Jeep Grand Cherokee both come with seating for five. Additionally, with the Toyota 4Runner and Jeep Grand Cherokee, you have the option to add third-row seating so you can fit up to seven people in your SUV.

Seating and Cargo Space Comparison

SUVs like the Toyota 4Runner and Jeep Grand Cherokee give you and your passengers room to stretch out and carry your gear. With the Toyota 4Runner, you get 39.3/38.6/34.3-in. of headroom in the front, second-row, and third-row seats, 41.7/32.9/29.3-in. legroom, 57.8/57.8/57.7-in. shoulder room, and 89.7/47.2cu. ft. of cargo volume behind the front and second-row seats. With the Jeep Grand Cherokee, you get 39.9/39.4-in. headroom in the front and rear, 41.3/38.2-in. of legroom in the front and rear, 57.4/56.3-in. hip room in the front and rear, 59. /58.0-in. shoulder room in the front and rear, as well as 70.8 cu. ft. cargo capacity with the rear seat folded down.

Multimedia Connectivity Comparison

You can interact with your favorite apps with these mid-size SUVs. The Toyota 4Runner comes with AM/FM radio, Android Auto™, Apple CarPlay®, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The Toyota 4Runner also has a USB media port, two USB charge ports, advanced voice recognition, hands-free phone capability and music streaming via Bluetooth® wireless technology, plus a SiriusXM® 3-month Platinum Plan trial. With the base model of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, you get a built-in center stack radio, Android Auto™, Apple CarPlay®, 2nd Row Dual Charge-Only USB Ports, Full Function Media Hub with 2-USB Plus Aux Port, Integrated Voice Command, and a SiriusXM® Radio Trial Subscription.

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Conclusion 4Runner vs Grand Cherokee

This Toyota 4Runner vs. Jeep Grand Cherokee comparison has revealed a lot of details about the features you get with each of these two excellent SUVs. While both are solid competitors, we feel the Toyota 4Runner takes the lead by giving you more for your money for a variety of reasons, including a lower starting MSRP of $38,805 compared to the Jeep Grand Cherokee with a starting MSRP of $39,395.

The Toyota 4Runner comes with a sliding rear window.
You get automatic high beams (AHB) with the Toyota 4Runner.
The Toyota 4Runner comes with a SiriusXM 3-month Platinum Plan trial. While satellite radio is an optional feature that costs extra with the Grand Cherokee.
With the Toyota 4Runner, you can get an optional cargo area cover.
With the Toyota 4Runner, you get the ToyotaCare factory-scheduled maintenance plan for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first, at no extra cost. The Grand Cherokee also comes with a no-cost maintenance plan called Jeep Wave.
The Toyota 4Runner comes with a roof spoiler.