Toyota 4Runner vs Jeep Grand Cherokee
Midsize SUVs · head to head, 2010–2027
The Toyota 4Runner and Jeep Grand Cherokee were both sold for 18 model years (2010–2027). Among the 4Runner's own years, its best bet is 2023; years to avoid: 2010, 2025; the newest year rated a good buy is 2024. Among the Grand Cherokee's own years, its best bet is 2020; years to avoid: 2022–2023; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025.
Toyota 4Runner
SUV · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2023
- Newest good buy 2024
- Avoid 2010, 2025
- Be careful 2011–2012, 2015
Jeep Grand Cherokee
SUV · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2020
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid 2022–2023
- Be careful 2011–2015, 2024
How to read this: each model's verdicts compare that model's own years with each other (serious owner complaints per car on the road against that model's usual year, using New York registrations). They are not a reliability ranking of one model against the other, so a good-buy 4Runner year says nothing about whether it beats a Grand Cherokee. (How we judge.)
Year by year, side by side
| Year | Toyota 4Runner | Jeep Grand Cherokee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Not rated | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2026 | Not rated | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | Side by side |
| 2025 | AVOIDSerious complaints 7.8× usual, mostly brakes and structure | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
| 2024 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.2× usual, mostly engine and fuel system | Side by side |
| 2023 | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | AVOIDSerious complaints 3.6× usual, mostly engine and suspension | Side by side |
| 2022 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | AVOIDSerious complaints 3.5× usual, mostly engine and collision avoidance | Side by side |
| 2021 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual, mostly steering and engine | Side by side |
| 2020 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2019 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.5× usual, mostly steering and suspension | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
| 2018 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2017 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | Side by side |
| 2016 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2015 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly air bags and suspension | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.2× usual, mostly power train and engine | Side by side |
| 2014 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual, mostly structure and air bags | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.0× usual, mostly power train and engine | Side by side |
| 2013 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.7× usual, mostly brakes and engine | Side by side |
| 2012 | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.3× usual, mostly air bags and brakes | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.9× usual, mostly engine and brakes | Side by side |
| 2011 | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.1× usual, mostly air bags and structure | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.1× usual, mostly engine and brakes | Side by side |
| 2010 | AVOIDSerious complaints 2.7× usual, mostly air bags and structure | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | Side by side |
Each chip rates that year against the same model's other years. Tap a chip for the year's details; "Side by side" compares both models that year, trim by trim.
Compare any year, trim by trim
2026: the newest shared year with full data, at a glance
Newer years (up to 2027) have thinner price and equipment data for one or both models, so this table uses 2026. Use "Compare any year" above for the others.
| 2026 Toyota 4Runner | 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict (vs the model's own years) | Not rated | TOO NEW |
| Starting price (MSRP range) | $41,870 to $67,900 base price by trim, 9 trims | — |
| Engines and horsepower | 2.4L 4-cyl turbo, 275–278 hp 2.4L 4-cyl turbo hybrid, 275–278 hp | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 324–375 hp 3.6L 6-cyl |
| Fuel economy (EPA combined) | 21–23 mpg | 22–23 mpg |
| Seats | 5 | — |
| Third row | Yes | — |
| Cargo behind last row | 42.6–48.4 cu ft | — |
| Max cargo | 82.6–90.2 cu ft | — |
| Max towing | 6,000 lb | — |
| NHTSA crash rating | 4 of 5 stars | 5 of 5 stars |
| Recalls · owner complaints (NHTSA) | 0 · 0 | 6 · 22 |
Sources: OpenSpec and the makers' equipment guides, NHTSA vPIC, EPA and NHTSA ratings. Cargo, towing and bed length rows appear when we have them. "—": not in our data. Compare every 2026 trim →
Key features: base trim vs top trim
| 4Runner SR5 lowest price, $41,870 | 4Runner TRD Pro highest price, $67,900 | Grand Cherokee Base 4XE, Altitude 4XE first listed | Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4XE last listed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Apple CarPlay | Standard | Standard | — | — |
| Adaptive cruise control | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Blind-spot warning | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Heated front seats | — | Standard | — | — |
| Ventilated front seats | — | Standard | — | — |
| Sunroof or moonroof | — | Standard | — | — |
| Power liftgate or tailgate | No | Standard | — | — |
| Remote start | Standard | Standard | — | — |
"Standard" and "Optional" are for that trim as the 2026 data lists it (a package or option adds an "Optional" item); "—": not verified in our sources, never a guess. The cheapest and most expensive trim of each model; every trim is on the model's 2026 page (4Runner, Grand Cherokee).
Known fixes and extended coverage
Toyota 4Runner
14 manufacturer programs on file: 10 extended coverage, 4 repair programs.
- Extended coverage Customer Support Program ZKG ? (Z3G, 2010–2017 models)
- Extended coverage On July 30, 2018, a settlement of claims for Economic Loss related to Takata airbag inflators was approved for full implementation. The settlement includes Toyota's agreement to provide a Customer Support Program (?CSP?) for 2002-2019… (22TE04, 2010–2016 models)
- Extended coverage CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM ZKG Multiple Models and Model Years Vehicles Painted with Blizzard Pearl (070) or Super White (040) Paint Color Coverage for Peeling of Factory-Applied Paint (2010–2015 models)
- Extended coverage Repair is Now Available Multiple Models and Model Years Vehicles Painted with Blizzard Pearl (070) or Super White (040) Paint Color Coverage for Peeling of Factory-Applied Paint. (2010–2015 models)
Jeep Grand Cherokee
21 manufacturer programs on file: 9 extended coverage, 12 repair programs.
- Extended coverage Customers may comment on the following:The AHR is deployed on one or both front seats and will not reset. (23-018-20, 2011–2018 models)
- Extended coverage Some customers may comment on one of the following: The carbon fiber inner doors and instrument panel appliques are delaminating. (23-001-19, 2012–2017 models)
- Extended coverage 3.0L Diesel Crankshaft Tone Wheel Loss of Signal - X95 Warranty Extension This bulletin involves replacing the crankshaft tone wheel. (14-008-21, 2014–2018 models)
- Extended coverage Customers may comment on the following:The upper leather IP cover is delaminating or separating. (23-036-19, 2011–2014 models)
From manufacturer bulletins filed with NHTSA, counted per program. A count is how many programs exist, not how good or bad a model is: a maker that extends coverage is paying for a known problem. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
Which should you buy?
- Buying used, years both are rated a good buy: 2016–2021. In those years, choose on price, size and features.
- Shopping around 2025: the Grand Cherokee is rated good buy (serious complaints 0.9× usual), while the 4Runner is rated avoid (serious complaints 7.8× usual, mostly brakes and structure). Each against its own other years.
- Shopping around 2023: the 4Runner is rated best buy (serious complaints 0.6× usual), while the Grand Cherokee is rated avoid (serious complaints 3.6× usual, mostly engine and suspension). Each against its own other years.
- Shopping around 2022: the 4Runner is rated good buy (serious complaints 1.0× usual), while the Grand Cherokee is rated avoid (serious complaints 3.5× usual, mostly engine and collision avoidance). Each against its own other years.
- Years to skip: 4Runner 2010, 2025; Grand Cherokee 2022–2023.
- Newest year rated a good buy: 4Runner 2024; Grand Cherokee 2025.
- Before you buy either: run the VIN for open recalls and ask the dealer whether the extended-coverage repairs above were done.
Rules applied to the data on this page: no overall winner is declared, because our verdicts compare each model with itself.