Toyota 4Runner vs Jeep Cherokee

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee's styling had become more palatable over time. Initially, the short grille opening and swept-back headlights were points of contention, but after seven years, the Cherokee's proportions seemed more balanced. The exterior appearance varied significantly with trim levels. The entry-level Latitude with 17-inch wheels and FWD looked quite basic, while the 80th Anniversary Edition with 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels and painted lower body cladding appeared much more refined. Jeep's knack for maximizing roof utility was evident in the Cherokee's optional panoramic sunroof, which covered the entire top surface. The Cherokee's distinctive look ensured it stood out in a crowded parking lot, bearing a resemblance to the larger Jeep Grand Cherokee from the front.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner retained its rugged roots, tracing back to the SUV craze of the 1980s. Unlike many modern SUVs that evolved to car-based platforms, the 4Runner stayed true to its pickup truck lineage, sharing underpinnings with the Toyota Tacoma. Toyota's strategy allowed the 4Runner to cater to off-road enthusiasts, while the Highlander handled family duties. The 4Runner's adventurous spirit was evident in its high ride height, boxy proportions, and sharply angled front bumper designed for obstacle approach. Inside, the 4Runner's functional design was a reminder of its last full redesign in 2009, with a dash layout reminiscent of the late 2000s. The 4Runner offered various trims, each with unique features, from the basic SR5 to the off-road-ready TRD Pro and the road-oriented Limited.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three engine options. The base Latitude and Latitude Plus trims came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower. The mid-tier engine was a 3.2-liter V-6, delivering 271 hp. The top-tier engine was a 2.0-liter GMET4 turbocharged four-cylinder, generating 270 hp and 295 pound-feet of torque, available on the Latitude Lux and Limited trims. Despite these options, none provided outstanding acceleration, with the V6 and turbo-four achieving 0-60 mph in about 7.2 and 7.4 seconds, respectively. All engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, which had improved over time. The Cherokee's off-road capabilities were notable, especially in the Trailhawk model, which featured Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control. However, the Cherokee was also available in FWD, making it more affordable for rental fleets.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner came with a single engine option, a 4.0-liter V6 producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission, powered either the rear wheels or available 4WD with low range. The 4Runner's ride was harsh and cumbersome on paved roads, with significant body roll and jostling over bumps. However, off-road, the 4Runner excelled, with its suspension effortlessly absorbing rocks and bumps. The TRD Pro and TRD Off-Road models included Crawl Control and a locking differential, enhancing their off-road capabilities. The 4Runner could tow up to 5,000 pounds, more than most car-based crossovers but less than compact pickups.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee fit between the smaller Renegade and larger Grand Cherokee, competing with compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. However, it fell short in utility, offering only 26 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 55 cubic feet with them folded, less than competitors like the Mazda CX-5 and Ford Escape. The Cherokee provided about 102 cubic feet of passenger volume, competitive with the Escape and slightly larger than the Sportage. The interior layout was simple and businesslike, varying in quality with trim levels. The Latitude featured rubberized black plastic, while the Trailhawk offered suede seat inserts and contrasting stitching, and the Latitude Lux had perforated Nappa leather upholstery.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner offered a maximum of 89.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity in the two-row version, slightly more than the three-row model's 88.8 cubic feet. With the second-row seats in use, the two-row 4Runner provided 47.2 cubic feet of cargo space. The three-row model offered 46.3 cubic feet behind the second row and just 9 cubic feet behind the rear seats. The third row was optional on the SR5, SR5 Premium, and Limited models, increasing seating capacity to seven. The 4Runner lacked a power rear liftgate but featured a power-open/close rear window, making stowing items easier. Despite its age, the 4Runner's cabin was functional, though not as spacious or efficient as more modern SUVs.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee featured the Stellantis Uconnect infotainment system, praised for its user-friendly interface. The system was available with a 7-inch touchscreen on the Latitude, Latitude Plus, and Latitude Lux trims, and an 8.4-inch touchscreen on the Limited and Trailhawk. Both screens were responsive and easy to use. The Cherokee supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wired), a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Amazon Alexa integration. Remote start was also available. The Uconnect system was consistent across Stellantis vehicles, providing a familiar experience for users.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring hard buttons and dials for easy use. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth connectivity, Satellite Radio, and multiple USB ports. While the screen size couldn't be upgraded, navigation, HD radio, and a 15-speaker JBL premium audio system were available. The infotainment system was straightforward and relied on tactile controls, making it user-friendly, especially for those wearing gloves. However, it lacked advanced features like a head-up display.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee did not earn a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS but received top "Good" scores in every crashworthiness category and a G+ score for LATCH child seat anchors. The Cherokee's headlights received mixed ratings, with upper trims rated "Acceptable" and others "Marginal." The NHTSA gave the Cherokee a four-star overall safety rating, with a slight demerit for front driver side crash protection. Standard safety features included lane departure warning, lane keep assist, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was available only on the Limited and Trailhawk trims.

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner featured the Toyota Safety Sense suite, including forward automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane-departure warning. Additional safety features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera system were available. The TRD Pro included an off-road camera system. The NHTSA gave the 4Runner four stars for frontal and side-impact testing and three stars for rollover testing. The 4Runner had not been evaluated by the IIHS. It came with a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.