2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2023 Toyota 4Runner

In Canada, the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe was available in five trim levels: base model, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve. Prices started at $72,395, with the Summit Reserve reaching $91,490 before options. The Trailhawk trim, which we tested, featured a panoramic sunroof, Luxury Tech Group III, and Advanced ProTech Group II, bringing the MSRP to approximately $85,000, including destination charges. Despite its high cost, the Grand Cherokee 4xe did not qualify for Canada’s EV sales incentives. The Trailhawk was distinguishable by its sky blue exterior detailing and matte-black hood decal, designed to reduce glare. It also boasted unique wheels with all-terrain tires and the Trail Rated badge, signifying its off-road prowess. However, the interior fell short of luxury expectations, with excessive plastic and gloss black surfaces that attracted dust and fingerprints. While the leather and artificial suede upholstery were appealing, the overall interior leaned more towards style than substance, with controls that were difficult to read and locate.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition (40 ASE) was based on the SR5 trim and added $3,330 to its price. This special edition featured retro body stripes, a heritage grille, bronze 17-inch wheels, and unique badges. Available in black, white, or red paint with a black artificial leather interior, the 40 ASE had an MSRP of $54,380. The 4Runner's design harkened back to truck-based SUVs of the past, offering a solid and quality feel despite the abundance of plastic. The interior was practical, with easy-to-use controls, even when wearing gloves. The 4Runner's retro styling and purposeful design gave it an enduring appeal, making it a favourite among those who appreciated its classic SUV look.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured a plug-in hybrid powertrain combining a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with a 17.3-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack and an 8-speed automatic transmission. This setup produced 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, with a towing capacity of 2,720 kilograms. The Trailhawk trim included a standard 4WD system with a two-speed transfer case, Selec-Terrain technology, and a hill descent control system. It also boasted a front-axle sway bar disconnect system and a height-adjustable air suspension, providing 27.6 centimetres of ground clearance. Despite its impressive off-road capabilities, the Grand Cherokee 4xe's performance in daily driving was less refined, with uneven power delivery and a regenerative braking system that made smooth stops challenging. The vehicle's fuel economy was also disappointing, averaging 14.6 L/100 km in Auto mode.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner was powered by a 4.0-litre V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. It offered a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms and a fuel economy rating of 13.8 L/100 km in combined driving. The 4Runner featured two 4WD systems, with the Limited trim offering a full-time 4WD system. It had 24.4 centimetres of ground clearance and various off-roading technologies, including a locking rear differential and Crawl Control. The 4Runner excelled in off-road conditions, handling mud and water with ease. However, its on-road performance was less impressive, with leisurely acceleration, heavy steering, and a brake pedal that lacked finesse. Despite these drawbacks, the 4Runner's powertrain performed reliably, maintaining speed on inclines without gear hunting or engine surging.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe struggled with practical storage and cargo space, partly due to its off-roading hardware. The Trailhawk trim featured artificial suede and leather seats with eight-way power adjustment, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, the front seats were firm and flat, and the rear legroom was tight. The cargo area offered 1,067 litres of space behind the rear seats, expanding to 2,004 litres with the seats folded down, which was small for a midsize SUV.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner offered a unique feature with its rear window that powered down into the tailgate, providing excellent ventilation. The 40 ASE trim had comfortable SofTex artificial leather seats, dual-zone climate control, and numerous storage locations. The second-row seating area was spacious, with good legroom and air conditioning vents. The cargo area provided 1,337 litres of space behind the second-row seats, with additional storage cubbies and a 120-volt AC power outlet. The optional third-row seat reduced cargo space significantly and was not recommended for comfort.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe boasted up to six screens, including a 10.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Uconnect 5 technology. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an Alpine premium sound system. However, the graphics were low-contrast, making them difficult to read. The Trailhawk also featured a 10.3-inch front passenger infotainment screen, which went unused during testing.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner had a more traditional approach to technology, with analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio, with available upgrades for navigation and a JBL premium sound system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large knobs and buttons that were easy to use, even with gloves. The voice recognition system performed well, handling most commands accurately.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe came equipped with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The Advanced ProTech Group II added features like intersection collision assist and a Night Vision system. The Grand Cherokee 4xe received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, though the latter did not specifically test the 4xe version.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner included standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. However, its crash-test ratings were less impressive, with a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Marginal rating from the IIHS for driver protection in the small overlap frontal-impact test.