2021 Jeep Cherokee vs 2021 Toyota 4Runner

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee's styling had mellowed since its debut. Initially, the very short grille opening and swept-back headlights were not universally loved, but over seven years, the Cherokee's proportions seemed better balanced. The exterior appearance varied significantly with trim levels. An entry-level Latitude with 17-inch wheels and front-wheel drive (FWD) looked quite basic, while an 80th Anniversary Edition with 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels and painted lower body cladding appeared much more refined. Jeep's expertise in roof design was evident, with the Cherokee offering an optional panoramic sunroof that covered the entire top surface. The Cherokee stood out in a crowded field of crossover SUVs, bearing a striking resemblance to the larger Jeep Grand Cherokee, especially from the front.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota 4Runner had not seen a redesign in 12 years. Despite updates over the years, a used 4Runner was almost identical to a new one, minus some modern infotainment and safety technologies. The 4Runner's design was not conventionally attractive, with most versions adopting a gape-mouthed and aggressive look, except for the chrome-festooned Limited trim. However, its two-box body with flared fenders and trapezoidal wheel arches had aged well, offering balanced proportions, timeless styling, and undeniable utility. The 4Runner was like a reliable tool, not requiring frequent redesigns. Toyota offered the 4Runner in various trims, including SR5, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro, with special editions like the Trail Special Edition, which was priced at $38,565 MSRP for the RWD model. The Trail Special Edition featured dark gray TRD Off-Road wheels, a Yakima RoadWarrior rooftop cargo basket, black cloth upholstery with tan stitching, all-weather floor mats, a sliding rear cargo tray, and a custom-made 40-quart cooler. The interior was dominated by hard plastic, which was easy to clean and in line with the SUV's rugged mission. The dashboard was old-school, with big knobs and buttons, and the 4Runner required a traditional key to start. These qualities endeared the 4Runner to its owners, representing a simple, durable vehicle that could last for decades.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three engine options depending on the trim level. The Latitude and Latitude Plus came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower. The 3.2-liter V-6 engine, available on higher trims, significantly improved output to 271 hp. The top-tier engine was the 2.0-liter GMET4 turbocharged four-cylinder, delivering 270 hp and 295 pound-feet of torque, making it optional on the Latitude Lux and Limited trims. Despite these options, none of the engines provided outstanding acceleration. Testing showed a 2019 Cherokee with the V6 engine did zero to 60 mph in about 7.2 seconds, and the turbo-four in about 7.4 seconds. All Cherokee models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission from ZF, which had proven to be a capable and fuel-saving transmission. The Cherokee's off-road capability was notable, especially in the Trailhawk model, which featured Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control. However, the Cherokee was also available in FWD, making it more affordable for rental fleets.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner, equipped with a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, was paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. The 4Runner's off-road capabilities were highlighted during a test at Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreational Area, where the A-Trac off-road traction control system proved beneficial. The 4Runner Trail Special Edition handled mud, hills, and ruts with ease. Higher trims like the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro offered additional features like a locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select, and Crawl Control. However, on pavement, the 4Runner felt slow, heavy, and clunky, with challenging steering and braking. The 4Runner's truck-like driving characteristics were part of its charm, but its fuel efficiency was poor, averaging 16.8 mpg during testing.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee filled a space between the smaller Renegade and the larger Grand Cherokee, competing with compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. However, it fell short in utility, offering only 26 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 55 cubic feet with them folded, which was less than competitors like the Mazda CX-5, Ford Escape, and Kia Sportage. The Cherokee provided about 102 cubic feet of passenger volume, making it competitive in that metric. The interior layout was simple and businesslike, with satisfaction varying by trim level. The Latitude trim featured rubberized black plastic, while the Trailhawk offered suede seat inserts and contrasting stitching. The Latitude Lux trim had perforated Nappa leather upholstery for a more upscale appearance.

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 proper support in both the front and rear. The back seat provided generous legroom, good visibility, air conditioning vents, and USB charging ports. The 4Runner could create an open-air feeling similar to a Jeep Wrangler by opening the sunroof, powering down all four windows, and lowering the rear tailgate glass. A third-row seat was available, but the test vehicle featured a sliding cargo deck that could hold up to 440 pounds. Cargo space measured up to 47.2 cubic feet behind the back seat and 89.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The Trail Special Edition's big roof rack added to the cargo capacity, making it suitable for various adventures.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee featured the Stellantis brands' highly regarded infotainment system and climate control interfaces. The Uconnect system was available with a 7-inch touchscreen on lower trims and an 8.4-inch touchscreen on higher trims. Both screen sizes offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Amazon Alexa integration. The Cherokee could also be equipped with remote start, a feature not offered by all manufacturers. The Uconnect system was consistent across Stellantis vehicles, providing a user-friendly experience.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner Trail Special Edition had limited technology features. It included a windshield wiper de-icer system and a 120-volt AC power outlet in the cargo area. The standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system offered Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM satellite radio, and five USB ports. The premium audio upgrade added dynamic navigation, dynamic point-of-interest search, dynamic voice recognition, and a one-year subscription to Destination Assist concierge services. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with physical shortcut buttons and knobs that could be operated while wearing gloves.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee did not earn a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS but received top "Good" scores in every crashworthiness category and a G+ score for the ease of use of the LATCH child seat anchors. The Cherokee's headlights received mixed ratings, with upper trims rated "Acceptable" and others rated "Marginal." The NHTSA gave the Cherokee a four-star overall safety rating, with a slight demerit for front driver side crash protection. The Cherokee offered advanced safety features as standard, including lane departure warning, full-speed forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring. However, adaptive cruise control with stop and go was only available on higher trims.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner came with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic forward emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, it lacked a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic warning. The NHTSA gave the 4Runner a three-star rollover resistance rating and a three-star rating for front passenger protection in a frontal-impact crash. The IIHS rated the 4Runner's roof crush strength as "Good" but gave a "Marginal" rating for driver protection in a small overlap frontal-impact collision. These ratings reflected the 4Runner's age and older safety design principles.