2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2017 Toyota 4Runner: Which is Best?

2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2017 Toyota 4Runner ・ Photo by Toyota / FCA

Americans love off-road vehicles, and nothing comes between them and their sturdy SUVs, capable of handling any terrain out there. However, foreign manufacturers have understood the importance of off-road vehicles in the American market and have also established popular options in the SUV marketplace.

One of the most beloved off-road vehicles in the United States is the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Capable of tackling any situation you throw at it, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is an off-roader that's also a perfect daily driver. Toyota hopes that it has an answer to the Jeep Grand Cherokee with its 4Runner — and we’re here to find out which is the best option for someone shopping for an off-road capable SUV.

Styling

The exterior of the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the perfect embodiment of what the SUV is all about. Its bold styling perfectly portrays the SUV's off-roading skills. At the same time, the Grand Cherokee manages to blend in a little bit of class and elegance to show you that it's also the ideal daily driver for you and your family.

The 2017 Toyota 4Runner, on the other hand, is all about looking rough and tough. The 4Runner opts for an extremely aggressive exterior with a large grille on the front that is further highlighted by menacing headlamps. Its wide fenders and visible off-roading components hardly make this look like a humble commuter car.

Photo by Toyota / FCA

Interior

When it comes to the interior of the 2017 Grand Cherokee, Jeep designers have managed to strike an excellent balance between looking rugged and luxurious. Depending on what you’re looking for and the lifestyle you live, you can equip the Grand Cherokee’s interior to either handle a dirty day of off-roading or handle a trip to an expensive night on the town. For example, the 2017 Grand Cherokee Summit can be ordered with the optional Signature Leather-Wrapped Interior Package, which features leather trim on nearly every touch point. And, not just any leather — we’re talking about quilted leather seats and door panels. Furthermore, the Summit also features heated and ventilated memory seats.

The 2017 Toyota 4Runner can also be had with leather heated and ventilated seats, but you’ll notice the use of hard plastic throughout the cabin that reduces a sense of elegance and luxury. Overall, the interior of the 4Runner seems to be a bit outdated and feels as if it's trying too hard to look premium on certain trim levels.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

Technology

The 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee comes packed with a range of technology options. Standard on all models is a 7-inch customizable display that replaces a traditional analog gauge cluster. It can present a broad range of information like navigation, media details, speedometer, vehicle diagnostics and off-road settings. On the dashboard, the base Laredo model includes a 5-inch touchscreen, iPod device integration, USB/AUX connectivity, Bluetooth audio streaming and hands-free calling, and more. The upgraded UConnect 8.4 system, which is available on Grand Cherokee Altitude and Grand Cherokee Limited models, features an 8.4-inch touchscreen display and various extra options and controls.

The 2017 Toyota 4Runner comes standard with the Toyota Entune infotainment system, housed in a 6.1-inch touchscreen display. The system features a full range of technology options including Bluetooth, USB 2.0 with iPod connectivity, a rearview camera, Siri Eyes Free, HD radio, Sirius XM radio, and traffic and weather info in major metro areas. When you start moving up the model lineup, Entune starts to offer navigation and a premium JBL sound system.

Photo by Toyota / FCA

Engine Lineup

The 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee is available with a range of engine options starting with a 3.6-liter V6 that makes a total of 295 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. If you need more power, the 360-hp 5.7-liter Hemi V8 should do the trick. Of course, if performance is your primary concern, the SRT model comes with a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 making 475 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, along with a launch control system that helps achieve maximum acceleration right off the line.

While the Grand Cherokee offers a versatile engine lineup, the 2017 Toyota 4Runner is only available with one engine option: a 4.0-liter V6 that produces 270 horsepower and a peak torque of 278 lb-ft.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

Towing Capabilities

There may come a time with your off-roading SUVs that you might need the ability to tow. When equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee has a maximum towing capacity of 6,200 pounds. That figure goes up to 7,200 pounds with the V8 engines. The 2017 Toyota 4Runner falls short of any Grand Cherokee model, with its 4.0-liter V6 only pushing hard enough to offer a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

Off-Roading Capabilities

The 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee can be ordered with the optional Selec-Terrain Traction Control System that gives you the ability to tackle tough conditions with five selectable modes ranging from Auto, Sand, Snow, Mud and Rock. Furthermore, the optional Quadra-Trac II or Quadra-Drive II 4x4 systems offer additional terrain-gripping performance. If you need more ground clearance, the optional Quadra-Lift Air Suspension offers up to 10.8 inches. Basically, there isn’t a situation that the Grand Cherokee can’t handle when equipped with the proper off-roading packages.

The 2017 Toyota 4Runner offers two different four-wheel drive systems, including part-time 4WD with Active Traction Control or full-time 4WD with a Torsen limited-slip differential. The 4Runner also offers a Multi-Terrain Select system that allows you to pick among four different settings for various off-road situations.

Photo by Toyota / FCA

Fuel Economy

While we don’t expect off-road SUVs to have strong fuel economy numbers, the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee offers the best-in-class fuel economy ratings: 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway for rear-wheel drive models equipped with a 3.6-liter engine and the eight-speed automatic transmission; each figure falls by 1 mpg with four-wheel-drive.

The 2017 Toyota 4Runner, on the other hand, offers an EPA-estimated 17 mpg city/21 mpg highway with its 4.0-liter V6 engine, a five-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. The estimates slip to 17/20 mpg with a four-wheel-drive setup.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

Safety

Besides its long list of safety features, the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee can be equipped with some advanced driver assist technologies. Depending on the packages added, the Grand Cherokee can be ordered with adaptive cruise control with active braking, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind spot monitoring, automatic parking assist, a rearview camera and much more.

The 2017 Toyota 4Runner comes standard with eight airbags, side-impact door beams, and a tire pressure monitoring system. While you don’t have a bunch of driver assistance technologies like on most Toyota models, the 4Runner does come standard with brake assist, electronic brake-force distribution and Toyota’s Safety Connect emergency-alert system.

Photo by Dan Gray

Cargo Capacity

Of course, no SUV is complete without offering extensive cargo capacity for your luggage and other equipment for your next camping trip. The 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee offers ample cargo capacity with a maximum 68.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. When the rear seats are in user position, you’ll still enjoy a total of 36.3 cubic feet.

The 2017 Toyota 4Runner takes the lead here with a total of 89.7 cubic feet of space behind the first row and 46.3 cubic feet when the rear seats are in user position. There's even a small optional third-row seat, not offered on the Jeep. That makes the 4Runner capable of any trip you want to take this tough beast on.

Photo by Toyota

It’s time to make a decision. In our opinion, the Toyota 4Runner has become outdated. The model’s single engine choice and lack of high-tech options make it very tough to compete with an SUV like the Jeep Grand Cherokee that is improving with each model year. Furthermore, the 2017 Grand Cherokee is not only a great off-roading SUV, it is also a great everyday cruiser. The 4Runner’s rough ride quality makes it tougher to handle on a daily basis.

With that in mind, if you’re in the market for an off-road SUV, the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee is our clear winner.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles