Compare the2023 Toyota 4RunnerVS 2022 Jeep Cherokee

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Payload and Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the 4Runner are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Cherokee doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The 4Runner offers an optional Multi-Terrain/Panoramic Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Cherokee only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The 4Runner’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Cherokee doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the 4Runner and the Cherokee have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available four-wheel drive.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota 4Runner is safer than the Jeep Cherokee:

	4Runner	Cherokee
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota 4Runner is safer than the Jeep Cherokee:

	4Runner	Cherokee
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	41	64
Hip Force	233 lbs.	363 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	89	264
Spine Acceleration	36 G’s	53 G’s
Hip Force	381 lbs.	938 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the 4Runner’s reliability 41 points higher than the Cherokee.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 4Runner first among midsize suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Cherokee isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in initial quality. With 27 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jeep is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Jeep is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Jeep is ranked 19th.

Engine

The 4Runner has more powerful engines than the Cherokee:

	Torque
Cherokee 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	295 lbs.-ft.
Cherokee 3.2 DOHC V6	239 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota 4Runner is faster than the Jeep Cherokee V6:

	4Runner	Cherokee
Zero to 30 MPH	2.6 sec	2.9 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.6 sec	8.3 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	13 sec	14.3 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	3.9 sec	4.4 sec
Quarter Mile	15.8 sec	16.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	88 MPH	84.9 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota 4Runner uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Cherokee with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The 4Runner has 7.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Cherokee (23 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the 4Runner’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Cherokee:

	4Runner	Cherokee
Front Rotors	13.3 inches	13 inches
Rear Rotors	12.3 inches	10.95 inches

The 4Runner’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Cherokee are solid, not vented.

The 4Runner stops shorter than the Cherokee:

	4Runner	Cherokee
60 to 0 MPH	131 feet	138 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	145 feet	153 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the 4Runner has larger standard tires than the Cherokee (245/60R20 vs. 225/60R17). The 4Runner’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Cherokee (265/70R17 vs. 245/65R17).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 4Runner Limited/TRD Sport has standard 20-inch wheels. The Cherokee’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Toyota 4Runner’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Jeep Cherokee only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

Suspension and Handling

The 4Runner has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Cherokee’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The 4Runner TRD Off-Road offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Cherokee doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 4Runner’s wheelbase is 3.3 inches longer than on the Cherokee (109.8 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

The 4Runner’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53.6% to 46.4%) than the Cherokee’s (57% to 43%). This gives the 4Runner more stable handling and braking.

The 4Runner TRD Off-Road handles at .73 G’s, while the Cherokee Trailhawk 4x4 pulls only .72 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the 4Runner’s turning circle is .2 feet tighter than the Cherokee’s (37.4 feet vs. 37.6 feet). The 4Runner’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the Cherokee 4x4 Trailhawk’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

For greater off-road capability the 4Runner has a 1.7 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Cherokee (9.6 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the 4Runner to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The 4Runner’s minimum ground clearance is .9 inch higher than on the Cherokee Trailhawk (9.6 vs. 8.7 inches).

Chassis

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the 4Runner TRD Off-Road is quieter than the Cherokee Trailhawk 4x4:

	4Runner	Cherokee
At idle	42 dB	44 dB
Full-Throttle	73 dB	82 dB
70 MPH Cruising	67 dB	68 dB

Passenger Space

The 4Runner offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the Cherokee can only carry 5.

The 4Runner has 24.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Cherokee (128 vs. 103.5).

The 4Runner has .6 inches more front legroom, 2.7 inches more front hip room, .2 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear headroom, 5.8 inches more rear hip room and 2.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Cherokee.

Cargo Capacity

The 4Runner’s cargo area provides more volume than the Cherokee.

	4Runner	Cherokee
Third Seat Folded	46.3 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	47.2 cubic feet	27.6 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	89.7 cubic feet	54.7 cubic feet

The 4Runner 5-Passenger’s optional sliding cargo floor is capable of supporting 440 pounds, to make loading and unloading cargo easier and safer. The Cherokee doesn’t offer a sliding load floor.

The 4Runner’s cargo area is larger than the Cherokee’s in almost every dimension:

	4Runner	Cherokee
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	42”/66.3”	33.9”/67.6”
Max Width	57.7”	49.2”
Min Width	42.4”	39.4”
Height	39.5”	28.8”

The 4Runner’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Cherokee’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

Payload and Towing

The 4Runner’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Cherokee’s (5000 vs. 2000 pounds).

The 4Runner has a much higher standard payload capacity than the Cherokee (1625 vs. 1000 lbs.).

The 4Runner has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the Cherokee (1700 vs. 1000 lbs.).

Servicing Ease

The engine in the 4Runner is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Cherokee. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The 4Runner’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Cherokee’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the 4Runner the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Cherokee can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Consumer Reports rated the 4Runner’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Cherokee’s headlights, which were rated “Poor” to “Good” (depending on model and options).

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the 4Runner is less expensive to operate than the Cherokee because typical repairs cost much less on the 4Runner than the Cherokee, including $364 less for a muffler, $85 less for front brake pads, $69 less for a fuel pump, $174 less for front struts and $39 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

4-Wheel & Off-Road performed a comparison test in its March 2015 issue and they ranked the Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road first. They ranked the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk 4x4 fourth.

The TRD Pro was selected by Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road magazine as their 2015 4x4 of the Year. The Cherokee has never been chosen.

The Toyota 4Runner outsold the Jeep Cherokee by 27% during the 2021 model year.

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