2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs 2023 Toyota 4Runner

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe lineup expanded to six trim levels, including the base trim, 30th Anniversary, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve. Prices started at $61,660, with the Summit Reserve reaching $80,320 before upgrades. Our test vehicle, a Trailhawk, came with a panoramic sunroof, Luxury Tech Group II, and Advanced ProTech Group II, bringing the MSRP to $72,630. A federal income tax credit of $3,750 could reduce the cost to $68,880. The Trailhawk featured sky blue exterior detailing, a matte-black hood decal, unique wheels with all-terrain tires, and the Trail Rated badge. However, the interior fell short of luxury expectations, with excessive plastic and glossy surfaces that attracted dust and fingerprints.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition (40 ASE) was based on the SR5 Premium trim level, adding $4,505 to its price, with $1,875 covering the standard four-wheel-drive system. The remaining $2,630 included retro body stripes, a heritage grille, bronze 17-inch wheels, and various bronze badges and stitching. The 40 ASE was available in black, white, or red paint with a black artificial leather interior. The 4Runner lineup included SR5, TRD Sport, SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, 40 ASE, Limited, and TRD Pro trims, with prices ranging from $39,555 to $54,020. Our 40 ASE test vehicle had an MSRP of $48,455. The 40 ASE's retro design and solid interior, despite some plastic, provided a nostalgic yet functional appeal.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain combining a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a 17.3-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack and an 8-speed automatic transmission. This setup produced 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. The Trailhawk had a standard four-wheel-drive (4WD) system with a two-speed transfer case, Selec-Terrain technology, and a hill descent control system. It also boasted a front-axle sway bar disconnect system and a height-adjustable air suspension, providing 10.9 inches of ground clearance. The Grand Cherokee 4xe offered an EPA-estimated 25 miles of all-electric range and 23 mpg in combined driving. However, during testing, it only achieved 21.2 miles of electric range and 19.3 mpg in hybrid mode. The Trailhawk excelled off-road but had issues with drivetrain power delivery, regenerative braking, and handling on paved roads.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner had a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. It offered a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. Two 4WD systems were available: a part-time 4WD system and a full-time 4WD system on the Limited trim. The 4Runner had a minimum of nine inches of ground clearance, Hill-Start Assist Control, and additional off-roading technologies like locking differentials, Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Select. The TRD Sport and Limited trims had suspensions for improved on-road performance, while the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims focused on off-road capabilities. During testing, the 4Runner handled thick mud and standing water well but struggled with acceleration, braking, and steering on paved roads. It averaged 16.9 mpg in combined driving.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe had limited practical storage and cargo space due to its off-roading hardware and upscale interior design. The Trailhawk featured eight-way power-adjustable front seats with leather and artificial suede upholstery, heating, and ventilation. The rear seats were less comfortable, with low-mounted cushions and tight legroom. The Grand Cherokee offered 37.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 70.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down, which was small for a midsize SUV.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner's back window powered down into the tailgate, providing excellent ventilation. The 40 ASE had SofTex artificial leather seats with heating for the front seats. The 4Runner offered numerous storage locations, though some lacked rubber liners. The second-row seating area was spacious and comfortable, with good legroom and headroom. A third-row seat was available but reduced cargo space and comfort. The 4Runner had 46.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row seat and up to 89.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The tailgate bumper doubled as a seat, and the cargo area included storage cubbies, trays, and a 120-volt AC power outlet.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured up to six screens, including a 10.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, a 10.3-inch front passenger infotainment screen, and a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Uconnect 5 system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, and Jeep Connect services. The Trailhawk had an Alpine premium sound system, but the graphics and voice recognition system had issues. The front passenger infotainment screen supported Bluetooth, USB, and HDMI connectivity but was rarely used. Optional tech included wireless smartphone charging and a camera-based digital rearview mirror.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner had traditional analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Connected services plans were available, and the 4Runner could be transformed into a Wi-Fi hotspot. Upgrades included a navigation system and a JBL premium sound system. The infotainment system's home screen displayed multiple functions simultaneously, and the voice recognition system performed well, though it had limitations with certain commands.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe came with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and a reversing camera with rear parking sensors. The Trailhawk added an active blind-spot monitoring system. The Advanced ProTech Group II included an intersection assist system, a surround-view camera, front parking sensors, automatic reverse braking, and a Night Vision system. The Grand Cherokee 4xe received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), though the latter did not specifically test the 4xe model.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights, and a rear-seat reminder system. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all trims. The adaptive cruise control performed well, but the lane-departure warning could be annoying. 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.