Toyota 4Runner vs Jeep Grand Wagoneer

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer shared its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer, resulting in a similar traditional SUV styling. It featured a tall hood, broad shoulders, trapezoidal wheel arches, and an upright profile reminiscent of the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L. The Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a standard black roof, model-specific hood, front fascia, and grille. The grille leaned forward slightly, with laser-etched knurling in the slots, and the wheel centre caps had an acrylic glass covering to protect the “Wagoneer” logo. The vehicle's body-on-frame architecture allowed for independent front and rear suspension, with an aluminum hood and doors, and a composite tailgate to save weight. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer offered high-end features like 24-way power front seats with memory, massage, lumbar support, and four-way power headrests, along with standard heated first- and second-row seats and a heated steering wheel. Nappa leather upholstery was standard, with higher-grade Palermo leather available, complemented by aluminum and American Walnut wood trim.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner, particularly the 40th Anniversary Special Edition (40 ASE), was based on the SR5 trim level and added retro body stripes, a heritage grille design, bronze 17-inch wheels, and bronze badges. It was available in black, white, or red paint with a black artificial leather interior. The 4Runner maintained a truck-based SUV look, reminiscent of past models, with a purposeful interior featuring plenty of plastic but solid quality. The controls were idiot-proof and easy to use, even with gloves. The 40 ASE model had a nostalgic appeal with its 1970s-inspired design elements, and the interior was functional, with a focus on practicality over luxury.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine, delivering 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. It featured cylinder deactivation for improved fuel efficiency and was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Grand Wagoneer could accelerate from zero to 100 kilometres per hour in approximately six seconds, despite its hefty weight of around 2,900 kilograms. It came standard with a Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system, including a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential, along with Jeep’s Selec-Terrain system offering five drive modes. The Quadra-Lift air suspension system was standard, providing adjustable height for off-roading or highway driving. With a maximum ground clearance of 25.4 centimetres, the Grand Wagoneer could handle various terrains, although its size limited its off-road capabilities. The vehicle offered a quiet cabin and smooth ride, but its handling was less precise at higher speeds.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner was equipped with a 4.0-litre V6 engine, producing 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. It featured a five-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive in Canada, with a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. The 4Runner offered two 4WD systems: a part-time system and a full-time system on the Limited trim. It had a fuel economy rating of 13.8 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The 4Runner boasted 24.4 centimetres of ground clearance and standard Active Traction Control, with additional off-roading technologies available depending on the trim. The TRD Sport and Limited trims focused on on-road performance, while the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims enhanced off-road capabilities. The 4Runner excelled in off-road conditions, providing a sense of invincibility, although it was less refined on paved roads, with leisurely acceleration and heavy steering.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered seating for seven with standard second-row captain’s chairs or eight with an optional third-row bench seat. It provided more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than competitors like the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, and Infiniti QX80. However, front-row space was more limited compared to the Escalade and Navigator. The Grand Wagoneer had a cargo capacity of 775 litres with all seats in place and 2,007 litres with the third row stowed. With all rear seats folded, it offered 2,667 litres of cargo space. The vehicle had a maximum towing capacity of 4,472 kilograms, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its extra weight. Standard features included a sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and large storage bins. The Grand Wagoneer’s hood limited forward visibility, but the standard 360-degree camera system helped mitigate this issue.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured a unique rear window that powered down into the tailgate, providing excellent ventilation when combined with the sunroof and automatic windows. The 4Runner’s interior offered comfortable seats, with ventilated leather seats available on the Limited trim. The 40 ASE model had SofTex artificial leather upholstery. The vehicle provided dual-zone climate control and numerous storage locations, although some lacked rubber liners. The second-row seating area was spacious, with good legroom and headroom, while the optional third-row seat was less comfortable and reduced cargo space. The 4Runner’s cargo area included storage cubbies, trays, and a 120-volt AC power outlet. With the third-row seat option, cargo capacity was limited to 254 litres, but without it, the 4Runner offered a substantial 1,337 litres of cargo space.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with 3D graphics, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a McIntosh audio system. It supported simultaneous pairing for two Bluetooth-enabled phones and had a 4G-LTE Wi-Fi hotspot for up to eight devices. Second-row passengers had a 10.25-inch centre console touchscreen, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Grand Wagoneer’s infotainment system, Uconnect 5, had an Android-based operating system and over-the-air software update capability. While the screen was sometimes slow to respond, the head-up display was clear and legible.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner had traditional analog gauges with a narrow digital driver information centre. The largest infotainment display was an 8-inch touchscreen, with real knobs and buttons for easy use. The infotainment system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio, with available upgrades like a navigation system and JBL premium sound system. Despite its small display and dated graphics, the system’s home screen showed multiple functions simultaneously. The voice recognition system performed well, handling most commands accurately.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. Standard safety features included a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. Optional features included intersection collision assist, driver-attention monitor, night vision, and traffic-sign recognition. The Active Lane Management System combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centring, with a hands-free version planned for future release.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner came with Toyota Safety Sense, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all trims. The adaptive cruise control provided smooth braking, but the lane-departure warning could be irritating. The 4Runner received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with three-star ratings for front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave it a Marginal rating for driver protection in the small overlap frontal-impact test.