2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Toyota 4Runner

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner had not seen a complete redesign in 12 years, though it had received periodic updates. Despite its age, the 4Runner's design remained functional and timeless, with a two-box body, flared fenders, and trapezoidal wheel arches. The SUV's appearance was more utilitarian than attractive, with most versions featuring a bold, aggressive front end. The 4Runner Limited was an exception, with a more refined look. 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 4Runner's interior was rugged, featuring hard plastic materials, large knobs, and manual air conditioning. It also had a traditional key ignition, which added to its old-school charm.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was a new seven-passenger model, distinct from the existing two-row Grand Cherokee. It was an extended version of the upcoming 2022 Grand Cherokee, featuring a third-row seat and more cargo space. The Grand Cherokee L's design was modern and stylish, with a signature seven-slot grille and trapezoidal wheel arches. It was available in various trims, including Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve, with prices ranging from $36,995 to $64,235. The test vehicle, a Summit trim with 4WD, was priced at $64,770. The interior of the Grand Cherokee L was luxurious, with quilted and perforated leather seats, real wood trim, and advanced technology. However, some interior materials did not meet the high standards expected at this price point.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner was equipped with a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. The 4Runner's off-road capabilities were impressive, thanks to features like A-Trac, a standard off-road traction control system. During testing at Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreational Area, the 4Runner Trail Special Edition handled challenging terrain with ease. However, on paved roads, the 4Runner felt slow, heavy, and clunky, with unrefined steering and braking. Its fuel economy was also poor, averaging 16.8 mpg during testing, with an EPA rating of 17 mpg combined.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered brisk acceleration but was loud when revved. The Grand Cherokee L also had an optional 5.7-liter V8 engine, available only with 4WD, producing 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. This engine increased the towing capacity to 7,200 pounds but reduced fuel economy to 17 mpg combined. The test vehicle, equipped with the V6 engine and 4WD, averaged 17.8 mpg during testing. The Grand Cherokee L featured a Quadra-Lift adaptive air suspension, providing up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance and 24 inches of water fording capability. It also had various off-road modes, including Snow, Mud/Sand, and Rock, making it capable of tackling challenging terrain.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner's high ground clearance made it difficult for shorter individuals to climb aboard without running boards. However, once inside, the 4Runner offered comfortable seating with ample legroom and good visibility. The test vehicle did not have a third-row seat but featured a sliding cargo deck with a 440-pound capacity. Cargo space measured up to 47.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 89.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The Trail Special Edition also had a large roof rack for additional storage.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's Summit trim offered luxurious comfort with heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a four-zone automatic climate control system. However, the dashboard vents were too small, making it difficult to cool the cabin quickly. The second-row captain's chairs provided ample legroom and comfort, with manual side window sunshades for added convenience. The third-row seat was comfortable for all but the tallest adults, with large side windows for a great view. Cargo space measured 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.6 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded.

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 system was user-friendly, with physical shortcut buttons and knobs for easy operation.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, available with either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen. The test vehicle had the larger screen, which offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, and connected services, including a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system also had a natural voice-recognition system with a programmable wake phrase. The optional 19-speaker McIntosh audio system provided excellent sound quality, though the logo did not match the interior's aesthetic. Additional technology included a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel, a digital rearview mirror, a thermal-imaging night vision system, and a Fam Cam rear-seat monitoring system.

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 and rear cross-traffic warning. The 4Runner received a three-star rollover resistance rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a "Good" rating for roof crush strength from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, it received a Marginal rating for driver protection in a small overlap frontal-impact collision and a three-star rating for front passenger protection in a frontal-impact crash.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced Active Driving Assist, a hands-on driving-assistance system combining adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-centering assistance. The system worked well but felt artificial in the driver's hands. The Grand Cherokee L also featured Intersection Collision Assist, which could detect threats from either side at intersections and apply the brakes if necessary. Additional safety features included Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist. As of the review, crash-test ratings were unavailable for the Grand Cherokee L, but it was expected to improve upon the old Grand Cherokee's ratings.