Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vs Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe expanded its lineup with the introduction of the 30th Anniversary edition, bringing the total to six trim levels. Starting at $61,660, the price could climb to $80,320 for the Summit Reserve, excluding optional upgrades like paint colors and a wireless smartphone charger. Our test vehicle, a Trailhawk trim, featured a panoramic sunroof and advanced tech packages, raising its MSRP to $72,630. Despite its high cost, a federal tax credit of $3,750 was available for eligible buyers. The Trailhawk was distinguishable by its sky blue detailing and matte-black hood decal, designed to reduce glare. However, the interior fell short of luxury expectations, with excessive plastic and glossy surfaces that attracted dust and fingerprints. The controls were often hard to read, except for the matte-black steering wheel controls, which were user-friendly.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, built on the TNGA-K platform, was a spacious crossover, larger than its competitors like the Kia Telluride. It offered three trims: XLE, Limited, and Platinum, with Softex synthetic leather on the XLE and real leather on higher trims. The Grand Highlander boasted a roomy interior with ample head, leg, and shoulder room, even in the third row. It provided 97.5 cubic feet of cargo space, making it a viable alternative to minivans. The design was conservative yet rugged, with a trapezoidal grille and narrow headlights reminiscent of the 4Runner. The Grand Highlander was praised for its comfortable ride and quality materials, promising durability over time.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured a plug-in hybrid powertrain combining a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with a 17.3-kWh battery and an 8-speed automatic transmission, producing 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. It had a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds and a 4WD system with multiple terrain modes. The Trailhawk excelled off-road, with features like a sway bar disconnect and height-adjustable air suspension. However, its on-road performance was less impressive, with uneven power delivery and a noisy engine. The EPA estimated 25 miles of electric range and 23 mpg in hybrid mode, but real-world tests showed lower efficiency. The regenerative braking system was also criticized for making smooth stops difficult.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options: a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine with 265 horsepower, a 2.5-liter hybrid with 245 horsepower, and a Hybrid Max powertrain with 362 horsepower. The Hybrid Max provided impressive acceleration, with a 0-60 time of 6.3 seconds. The Grand Highlander was available in FWD and AWD, with additional drive modes for AWD models. While its size made it less maneuverable, the brakes were solid, and the turbocharged engine offered adequate power. The Grand Highlander was equipped with Sport, Eco, and Normal drive modes, with Sport mode enhancing steering and throttle response.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe struggled with practical storage and cargo space, offering only 37.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 70.8 cubic feet with seats folded. The interior featured eight-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, but comfort was lacking due to firm, flat seats and limited rear legroom. The rear seat cushion was low, and protruding hooks on the front seatbacks could be uncomfortable.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander excelled in space and comfort, with a length of 201.4 inches and a wheelbase of 116.1 inches. It offered 97.5 cubic feet of cargo space, with 57.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 20.6 cubic feet with all seats up. The interior was spacious, with ample room in all rows, and the third row could accommodate six-foot adults comfortably. The Grand Highlander provided a comfortable ride with good visibility and quality materials.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured up to six screens, including a 10.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Uconnect 5 technology. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and an Alpine sound system. However, the low-contrast display and average voice recognition were drawbacks. The Trailhawk included a 10.3-inch passenger screen, but it was rarely used. Optional tech included wireless charging and a digital rearview mirror.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering a visually stunning interface. An intelligent assistant and cloud-based navigation were available via subscription. Standard features included dual-device Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an 11-speaker JBL stereo. Streaming audio integration and SiriusXM were also available. Toyota's tech had improved significantly, but buyers were advised to review subscription options carefully.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe was equipped with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Trailhawk added active blind-spot monitoring and an intersection assist system. The Grand Cherokee 4xe received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, though the latter did not specifically test the 4xe model.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander had not yet been crash-tested, but it came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, lane-tracing assist, and more. Adaptive cruise control with four following-distance settings was also standard.