2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs. 2022 Toyota 4Runner

2020 Toyota 4Runner ・ Photo by Toyota

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee is all new this year. This two-row SUV has a new exterior design along with an upgraded interior. It has impressive capability with three available four-wheel-drive systems, a roomy interior, space for cargo, and a high tow rating.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner is also a capable two-row SUV. It’s available in four trims with a choice of rear-wheel or four-wheel drive and a single gas engine across the lineup. The 4Runner has a spacious interior with good room for cargo, and it can tow along larger items. Let’s take a closer look at these two capable SUVs to see which is the best.

Similar Pricing, But One Has More Trims

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee is available in six trims. The base Laredo is priced at $37,390 while the top Summit Reserve comes in at $63,365. Every trim is well-equipped with either standard or available four-wheel drive, premium materials, and extensive standard safety. The lineup also includes the Trailhawk with expanded off-road features.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner is offered in four trims stating with the SR5 at $37,305. The top TRD Pro, which is the most off-road capable trim in the lineup, is priced at $52,120. It also has a wide range of features, but with a less premium interior. It’s broader range of trims with more luxurious top offerings gives the Grand Cherokee the win.

: Jeep Grand Cherokee

Photo by Jeep

More Power and Engine Options

The Toyota 4Runner is powered by a 4.0-liter 6-cylinder engine with 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. This is paired to a 5-speed automatic transmission with a choice of rear-wheel drive or a choice of two four-wheel systems. It gets the 4Runner up to speed, but it’s not especially responsive.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has three engine options. There’s a 3.6-liter V6 with 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque or a 5.7-liter V8 with 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. A 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque will also be available. All are paired to an 8-speed automatic. The Grand Cherokee comes out ahead for its horsepower and variety of engine options.

: Jeep Grand Cherokee

Photo by Jeep

Fuel Economy That Keeps You on Budget

The Toyota 4Runner gets an EPA-estimated 17 mpg in the city, 21 mpg on the highway, and 18 mpg combined with rear-wheel drive. Highway fuel economy drops to 20 mpg with four-wheel drive. The Jeep Grand Cherokee gets a range of fuel economy figures depending on the configuration. The V6 with rear-wheel drive gets the best ratings with an EPA-estimated 19 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined.

That’s better than the 4Runner. Its four-wheel-drive fuel economy is 18 mpg in the city, 25 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined.

: Jeep Grand Cherokee

Photo by Jeep

Dedicated Off-Road Trims

The Toyota 4Runner offers either part-time or full-time four-wheel drive. Its most capable trim is the TRD Pro, which gets 2.5-inch Fox internal bypass front and rear shocks, TRD-tuned front springs, an aluminum front skid plate, and 17-wheels with all-terrain tires.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee offers three four-wheel drive systems with both single speed and two-speed transfer cases. Its most capable trim is the Trailhawk, which has two-speed four-wheel drive, sway-bar disconnect, multiple skid plates, and five drive modes. While both are off-road capable, the Grand Cherokee has more features that give it the edge.

: Jeep Grand Cherokee

Photo by Jeep

Luxurious Interior Features

The interior of the Jeep Grand Cherokee is luxurious in any trim. It has standard dual-zone front automatic climate control with single-zone rear control, an 8-way power driver’s seat, and leather-wrapped steering wheel. Top trims get premium Nappa and Palermo leather, massaging front seats, and premium audio systems. It’s easily on par with many a luxury car.

The Toyota 4Runner has an attractive and comfortable interior with a standard 8-way power driver’s seat, leather-trimmed steering wheel, and fabric-trimmed front seats. Features increase as you move through the lineup with dual-zone automatic climate control and perforated leather-trimmed seats. Although the 4Runner is nicely equipped, its top trims can’t match the luxury and comfort of the Grand Cherokee.

: Jeep Grand Cherokee

Photo by Jeep

Optional Seating for Seven

The Toyota 4Runner is a two-row SUV with seating for five people. There is the option for a third row on the SR5, SR5 Premium, and Limited that takes seating to seven. It’s a tight third row, best for use in a pinch rather than for everyday.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has two rows with seating for five. There’s also the Grand Cherokee L with three rows and seating for seven. This isn’t just an extra row, but a larger version of the Grand Cherokee so it has a more spacious third row. Since it’s treated as a different model and not just a three-row Grand Cherokee, we give this to the 4Runner.

: Toyota 4Runner

Photo by Toyota

The Versatility to Tow and Hold Plenty of Cargo

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has 37.7 cubic feet for cargo behind the second row and 70.8 cubic feet for cargo behind the first row. It can also tow up to 7,200 pounds when properly equipped.

The Toyota 4Runner has up to 47.2 cubic feet for cargo behind the second row and 89.7 cubic feet behind the first row. It can tow up to 5,000 pounds. While that tow rating is a good bit lower than the Grand Cherokee, there’s more room for cargo in the 4Runner. Since most people tow less frequently than they make use of interior cargo room, this one goes to the 4Runner.

: Toyota 4Runner

Photo by Brady Holt

Infotainment With More Features

The Toyota 4Runner has a standard 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an 8-speaker audio system. It also has four USB charging ports. Available options include navigation, HD radio, Amazon Alexa, an a 15-speaker JBL audio system.

The Grand Cherokee has a standard 8.4-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. Options include navigation, a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.25-inch interactive front passenger touchscreen. It also offers a premium 19-speaker McIntosh audio system. While both have good smartphone connectivity with intuitive menus, the Grand Cherokee comes out ahead. Not only does it have a larger optional touchscreen, but it also has a unique front-passenger touchscreen.

: Jeep Grand Cherokee

Photo by Jeep

Good Standard Safety Features

Standard safety for the 2022 Toyota 4Runner includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, and automatic high beams. Optional features include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, surround-view parking camera, and front and rear parking sensors.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee comes standard with advanced brake assist, active lane management, full-speed forward collision warning with active braking and pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot warning, rear parking sensors, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist. There are also available features including intersection collision assist, night vision camera with pedestrian and animal detection, drowsy driver alert, and parallel and perpendicular park assist. The Grand Cherokee offers a wider range of safety features.

: Jeep Grand Cherokee

Photo by Jeep

And the Winner Is…

The 4Runner is a capable SUV with a good range of standard and available features. It has a roomy interior with plenty of space for carrying cargo and has a good tow rating. There’s also good standard safety and an infotainment system with standard smartphone connectivity. It’s a solid offering, but it falls short of the Grand Cherokee.

The Grand Cherokee is simply a more well-rounded offering, exceeding what’s offered by the 4Runner whether it’s off-road capability, standard safety, or infotainment features. The all-new 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a better choice than the 2022 Toyota 4Runner.

: Jeep Grand Cherokee

Photo by Jeep