2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Toyota 4Runner

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner had not seen a complete redesign in over a decade, making it a familiar sight on the road. Despite periodic updates, the core design remained largely unchanged, with the exception of some modern infotainment and safety technologies. The 4Runner's appearance was more utilitarian than attractive, with most versions featuring a bold, aggressive front end. However, the overall design aged well, maintaining balanced proportions and a timeless, functional style. The 4Runner was available 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 plastics and an old-school dashboard with large knobs and buttons, emphasizing durability and simplicity.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was a new model that extended the standard two-row Grand Cherokee by 11.4 inches to accommodate a third row of seats. The design was elegant and unmistakably Jeep, with modernized lighting and improved paint finish and panel fit. The Grand Cherokee L was available in various trims, from the base Laredo to the luxurious Summit Reserve, each offering a distinct look with features like black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome. The interior was luxurious, with high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and a faux-suede roof, making it feel like a high-end vehicle. The Grand Cherokee L's interior was spacious and comfortable, with ample room in all rows and premium materials throughout.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner was equipped with a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 278 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. It featured a five-speed automatic transmission and a part-time 4WD drivetrain. The 4Runner excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to its A-Trac off-road traction control system, which helped it navigate challenging terrains like the Frame Twister at Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreational Area. However, on paved roads, the 4Runner felt slow, heavy, and clunky, with a rough ride and handling. Its fuel economy was also poor, averaging 16.8 mpg during testing, with an EPA rating of 17 mpg combined.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two familiar engine options: a 3.6-liter V6 with 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, and a 5.7-liter V8 with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in either RWD or 4WD. The V6 engine felt underpowered for the vehicle's size, especially when fully loaded, and the transmission's early upshifts didn't help. The V8 engine provided better performance and a more satisfying driving experience. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was impressive, offering a smooth and composed ride with excellent steering feel. The optional air suspension provided adjustable ride heights and improved comfort. The Grand Cherokee L's fuel economy was decent with the V6, at 21 mpg combined, while the V8 was less efficient at 17 mpg combined.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner's high ground clearance made it challenging for shorter passengers to enter, but once inside, the seats were comfortable and supportive. The rear seats offered good legroom, visibility, and amenities like air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The 4Runner's cargo space was generous, with up to 47.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 89.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The Trail Special Edition featured a sliding cargo deck and a large roof rack for additional storage.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a sleek and user-friendly interface. The system included physical switches for climate and audio controls, making it easy to use. The Grand Cherokee L offered ample space in all rows, with the third row accommodating average adults comfortably. The second-row captain's chairs were standard, with a 60/40 split bench seat available as an option. The panoramic roof, large windows, and multiple USB ports enhanced the cabin's comfort. However, the air vents were small and didn't provide sufficient airflow, requiring the fan to be kept on high, which was noisy.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner Trail Special Edition came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM satellite radio, and five USB ports. The premium audio upgrade added dynamic navigation, point-of-interest search, and voice recognition, along with a one-year subscription to Destination Assist concierge services. The system was user-friendly, with physical shortcut buttons and knobs that could be operated while wearing gloves.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered a range of advanced technology features, especially in the upper trims. These included multiple massage modes for the front seats, a head-up display, night vision with pedestrian and animal detection, a 360-degree camera system, and an Active Driving Assist system. The navigation system could take over the instrument panel, providing detailed route information. The Grand Cherokee L also featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with the ability to connect two phones simultaneously. New for 2022 were optional touchscreens for the front passenger and rear-seat passengers, equipped with Amazon Fire TV.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner came with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic 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 NHTSA and a "Marginal" rating for driver protection in a small overlap frontal-impact collision from the IIHS.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not yet been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. It came standard with driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert, trailer sway control, and various driver aids like adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors. Higher trims offered additional safety features like automatic parking, front cross-traffic alert, driver attention monitor, and traffic sign recognition.