2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2022 Toyota 4Runner

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner harkened back to its rugged 1980s roots. Unlike many modern SUVs that transitioned to car-based platforms, the 4Runner retained its truck-like construction. Its boxy design, high ride height, and sharply angled front bumper were all nods to its off-road capabilities. The 4Runner's relationship to the Toyota Tacoma pickup remained evident.

Toyota kept the 4Runner as a niche vehicle, catering to those who truly ventured off the beaten path. Its sense of adventure was evident from its exterior design, which was functional yet dated, especially with the dashboard layout reminiscent of late 2000s vehicles.

The 2022 lineup included the SR5, Trail Special Edition, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro, and Limited trims. Each trim offered unique features, from the standard amenities in the SR5 to the off-road enhancements of the TRD Pro. The Trail Special Edition, which we tested, boasted 17-inch dark gray alloy wheels, a Yakima LoadWarrior cargo basket, and a sliding rear cargo deck. On the contrary, the TRD Sport and Limited trims leaned towards on-road comfort with 20-inch wheels and sport suspensions.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, on the other hand, was a fresh design. Taking cues from its heritage, the Grand Cherokee mirrored the first Jeep SUV, the 1963 Wagoneer, with its forward-leaning grille, lowered beltline, and tapered rear roof pillars. Jeep also gave it a modern touch with the black roof option and promised more paint colors.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee ranged from basic to luxurious. The entry-level Laredo provided simplicity with cloth seats, while the Summit Reserve pampered occupants with quilted leather, a McIntosh audio system, and a large panoramic sunroof.

The Toyota 4Runner consistently came with a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. This dated engine paired with a five-speed automatic transmission, driving either the rear wheels or an available 4WD system. While it was reliable, the engine often felt underwhelming except during initial acceleration. The 4Runner's ride was harsh and cumbersome for those unaccustomed to traditional SUVs, but it excelled off-road, handling obstacles with ease. Models like the TRD Pro utilized features like Crawl Control and a locking differential to enhance their off-road prowess. The 4Runner could tow up to 5,000 pounds.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee offered more variety with a standard 3.6-liter V6 generating 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque or an available 5.7-liter V8 with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. The V8 increased towing capacity to 7,200 pounds. An eight-speed automatic transmission and multiple 4WD systems—Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II—provided various levels of capability, from light off-roading to serious terrain navigation.

The Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, specifically designed for off-roading, featured a Quadra-Drive II system, locking rear differential, Quadra-Lift air suspension, and skid plates, among other enhancements. The Trailhawk's off-road performance was impressive, handling rough trails and obstacles with ease. Fuel economy ranged from 17 mpg with the V8 to 21 mpg with the V6.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner provided 89.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the second-row seats folded in its two-row configuration. The three-row model offered slightly less at 88.8 cubic feet, with only 9 cubic feet available behind the third row. The 4Runner lacked a power rear liftgate but featured a unique power-operated rear window. Despite its age, the cabin had sufficient storage, although it could be more efficiently designed.

In comparison, the Jeep Grand Cherokee offered 37.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the rear seats and 70.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Grand Cherokee L version, with its three-row configuration, provided even more space. Inside, the Grand Cherokee was comfortable and well-appointed, especially at higher trims. The improved visibility and camera technologies increased driver confidence, and the panoramic sunroof added a sense of openness to the cabin.

The Toyota 4Runner came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system surrounded by tactile controls, making it easy to use, especially with gloves. This system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, Satellite Radio, and multiple USB ports. Optional upgrades were limited to navigation, HD radio, and a 15-speaker JBL audio system.

In contrast, the Jeep Grand Cherokee was a tech powerhouse. It featured a head-up display, Night Vision system, camera-based rearview mirror, and five interior touchscreens, including a 10.25-inch passenger display. The Uconnect 5 system, standard with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and available with a 10.1-inch screen, offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM 360L. The system was responsive and benefited from over-the-air updates. Upgrades included a McIntosh 19-speaker audio system and a dual-screen rear entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV.

Toyota equipped the 4Runner with the Toyota Safety Sense suite, which included forward automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera system. The 4Runner received four out of five stars from the NHTSA for frontal and side-impact testing and three stars for rollover testing.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee had an advanced suite of driver assistance systems, with 27% of its safety cage composed of mild-grade steel. New features included Intersection Collision Assist and Active Driving Assist, the latter providing Level 2 semi-autonomous driving assistance. Active Driving Assist was effective but required driver attention. Jeep planned to introduce a hands-free version in 2022. The Grand Cherokee's overall safety performance remained to be tested, but its design suggested improvements over its predecessor.