2021 Toyota 4Runner vs 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite its decade-old design, maintained a timeless appeal with its traditional Jeep styling cues, such as the 7-slot grille and trapezoidal fenders. Its balanced appearance made it suitable for both rugged trails and upscale environments, appealing to a diverse range of buyers. The Grand Cherokee's pricing started at an MSRP of $46,245 for the Laredo model and went up to $71,045 for the Summit, with high-performance versions like the SRT and Trackhawk reaching even higher price points. The Limited X model, painted in Slate Blue Pearl, featured a sport-themed design with a ventilated hood and 20-inch aluminum wheels, giving it a mild-custom look. However, the interior, especially in models priced over $60,000, was criticized for its use of hard plastics, which detracted from the overall premium feel.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner, last redesigned 12 years prior, retained a rugged and utilitarian design that aged well over time. While not conventionally attractive, its two-box body with flared fenders and trapezoidal wheel arches conveyed a sense of timeless utility. The 4Runner was available in various trims, including Trail and SR5, with packages like TRD Off Road and TRD Pro enhancing its off-road capabilities. Pricing ranged from $46,200 to $62,430, depending on the configuration. The interior was characterized by hard plastics, which were easy to clean and suited the SUV's rugged nature. The dashboard featured large knobs and buttons, emphasizing simplicity and durability. The 4Runner's charm lay in its straightforward, durable design, appealing to those seeking a reliable and long-lasting vehicle.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee came equipped with a standard 295-horsepower, 3.6-litre V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering satisfying acceleration and a fuel consumption rating of 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. For those seeking more power, three V8 engine options were available, including a 5.7-litre "Hemi" V8 with 360 horsepower and a 6.4-litre "Hemi" V8 in the SRT model producing 475 horsepower. The Trackhawk model featured a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 with 707 horsepower, achieving a 0-100 km/h time of 3.8 seconds. The Grand Cherokee offered four different 4WD systems, with the Quadra-Trac II 4WD system providing off-road capability. On pavement, the Grand Cherokee's driving dynamics were mixed, with impressive grip but excessive suspension movements. The steering and brakes were average, but the SUV's traditional feel appealed to those seeking a classic SUV experience.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner was powered by a 4.0-litre V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. The 4Runner excelled off-road, thanks to its A-Trac off-road traction control system and available TRD Off-Road, Venture, and TRD Pro packages, which added features like a locking rear differential and Crawl Control. However, on pavement, the 4Runner felt slow, heavy, and clunky, with steering and braking requiring effort. Its truck-like driving characteristics were part of its charm, but they might not suit everyone for daily driving. Fuel consumption was rated at 13.8 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with an average range of about 620 kilometres.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered seating for five and cargo space of 1,028 litres behind the backseat, expanding to 1,934 litres with the backseat folded down. The front seats were heated and power-adjustable, but ventilated seats were not available in the Limited X trim. The interior featured a leather-wrapped steering wheel and padded armrests, providing comfort. Rear passengers enjoyed air conditioning vents and USB ports, with adequate legroom for adults. Interior storage was decent, with a centre console tray and door-panel bins, though the glovebox was small.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner sat high off the ground, which could be challenging for shorter individuals without running boards. Once inside, the 4Runner offered comfortable seating with good support and generous legroom in the back. The rear seat had air conditioning vents and USB ports, and the vehicle provided an open-air feeling with the moonroof and power windows. Cargo space measured up to 1,337 litres behind the back seat and 2,540 litres with the rear seat folded down, complemented by a large roof rack for additional storage.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A 4G LTE WiFi data plan was available, and the test vehicle had a 9-speaker Alpine audio system. The Uconnect system included Off-Road Pages for off-roading information and Performance Pages for performance metrics in SRT and Trackhawk models.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner's entry-level Trail grade had limited technology features but included a windshield wiper de-icer and a 120-volt AC power outlet. The standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system offered Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Several packages upgraded the audio system and added dynamic navigation. The system featured physical buttons and knobs for easy operation, even with gloves.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered three collections of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). ProTech I was standard, including a reversing camera, parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. ProTech II added forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Advanced ProTech II included full-speed forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control. The Grand Cherokee received a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and had mixed ratings from the IIHS.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner came with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, it lacked blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The 4Runner received a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA and a "Good" roof crush strength rating from the IIHS. Its driver protection in a small overlap frontal-impact collision was rated Marginal by the IIHS.