The Toyota 4Runner, a popular offering in the SUV segment, has managed to win hearts across the United States for the last four decades. A vehicle known for its durability and reliability, the 4Runner has managed to carve out a dedicated fan base in the American market, and this is evident from its sales figures over the years. However, competition is inevitable and the 4Runner pits itself against another legend in the segment - the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Let’s look at what makes the 4Runner a better SUV compared to the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
For the 2021 model year, Toyota has made the following updates to the 4Runner - addition of a new limited-production Trail Edition, new standard LED headlights and upgrades to the TRD Pro trim. The 2021 Toyota 4Runner can be spec’d out with nine different configurations - SR5, Trail Special Edition, SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, Venture Special Edition, Limited, Nightshade Special Edition, and TRD Pro. Would you like to buy the 2021 Toyota 4Runner? Contact us today to schedule a test drive.
2021 Toyota 4Runner |
vs |
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee |
4.0-liter V-6 Engine |
Engine |
3.6-liter V-6 |
270 hp / 278 ft-lbs. |
Horsepower / Torque | 293 hp / 260 ft-lbs. |
Five-speed Automatic Transmission |
Transmission |
Eight-speed Automatic Transmission |
47.2 cu. ft. |
Cargo Capacity (cubic feet) |
36.3 cu. ft. |
9.0 inches. | Ground Clearance (inches) | 8.6 inches. |
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is clearly the more powerful option of the two SUVs. It also offers an optional V-8 engine that produces 357 horsepower. That said, the 4Runner aims at offering a subtle and friendly driving aesthetic to its customers. And if one wants to get into the technical aspects, the power-to-weight ratio advantage that the 4Runner has gives it a slight advantage over the Grand Cherokee. Also, a 9.0-inch ground clearance proves beneficial for off-roading and gives it a small push over the Grand Cherokee.
Talking about features, the 4Runner excels in this aspect with a wide range of standard features on offer. This includes Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth connectivity, and Wi-Fi connectivity, to name some of the many features. The Grand Cherokee does not manage to offer as many features as the 4Runner, and this gives the 4Runner a slight advantage. The Grand Cherokee manages to outweigh the 4Runner with its luxurious upholstery offering compared to the 4Runner. However, the 4Runner excels in the practicality aspect thanks to its ease of maintenance.
Safety is never far away when you talk about a Toyota vehicle, and the 4Runner certainly tops the charts. The 4Runner comes with a wide range of standard safety features offered across all trims such as Toyota Safety Sense™ P (TSS-P), Star Safety System™, Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS), Rear Occupancy Alert, and Side-impact door beams. The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee also has a good number of safety features on offer. However, it doesn’t come close to the 4Runner. This makes the 4Runner an all-around SUV.