I fully expect to be flamed for this, but I need some feedback about my comparative analysis. I have been planning to purchase a 2014 4Runner Limited, but last week I drove a 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Despite my best efforts to hate it simply for being a Jeep, I failed.

I can hardly believe this, but I am actually considering purchasing a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. My original plan was to acquire a 4Runner and then modify it to have the features I wanted (eg. HID, tire pressure readout). However, the JGC ships with quite a litany of features that I really want—some of which aren't able to be added aftermarket. The convenience of having a vehicle ship from the factory with the features I want adds significant value to me.

Comparing a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit to a 2014 4Runner Limited:

Pros:

• 8 speed transmission
• Diesel option
• Self-leveling bi-xenon headlamps
• Automatic high beams (yes, these actually work)
• Heated second row seating
• Tire pressure values displayed in-dash
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• Radar-based cruise control/pre-collision braking
• Blind spot monitoring
• Lane departure warning
• Remote start that doesn't suck (ie. vehicle stays on when the door is opened)
• Air suspension with adjustable ride height

Cons:

• It's a Jeep
• It's not a Toyota (yes, this is worth restating)
• It's assembled by UAW workers
• Reliability is apparently not a paramount consideration for Jeep/Chrysler
• No sliding cargo tray
• A surfeit of chrome trim, which leads to excessive sunlight reflection

I have to say that I really like the diesel option even if it doesn't pay for itself in the long run.

Now, please remind me of all critical features of the 4Runner that the JGC lacks that I have overlooked in my wanton, unrestrained heresy. Perhaps I may still be saved...

Looks to me you're more concerned with highway features than offroad features. If that's the case, go with the Jeep. Good luck.

I think the value of the reliability of the 4Runner vs the Grand Cherokee can not be overstated. Odds are high that it will spend a great deal of time at the dealership being serviced. Regardless of what kind of warranty coverage you get w/ the Jeep, not having to pay for the repairs is a poor substitute for a reliable vehicle. I suggest you research the reliability a little more in depth before you purchase.

Best of luck with your choice.

David

Kinda like the car and driver comparison that contrasted the JGC limited vs the 4 runner trail. Big surprise they liked the jeep better.

Most people choose the 4 runner because of the reliability and offroad capability. If those issues are secondary to you then maybe it's not for you.

My family used to be a jeep family and I've had several including older model jeep grand cherokees and a regular cherokee. Once I tried my wife's toyota tacoma I never looked back.

I considered these same two vehicles prior to the purchase of my 4Runner. I do enjoy all the bells and whistles that the jeep offers and still catch myself envying them when walking past the jeep. That being said, I also smile every time I listen to my friends with jeeps and dodges complaining about all the trips to the service dept. That alone is enough to tell me I made the right choice.

Whenever i see what i consider a lower quality vehicle loaded up with bells and whistles i think this. You can put lipstick on a pig... but it's still a pig

Won't say much other than its tough to use all those cool features when its sitting still in a shop. Go to truedelta.com and go to the jeep forums. If you still want to buy one after reading about all the issues then by all means go for it.

If by some miracle Jeep had a reliability record like Toyota, I would dump my 4runner in a second for a Diesel jeep loaded to the gills. The only reason is reliability, also I like the 4Runners sheet metal a tiny bit more.

The 2014 summit diesel stickers at over $56,000. That is Lexus GX money, and they have most of the gizmos too.

The Mercedes influence is obvious in the grand cherokee but it has strayed far away from what once was a solid axle, capable, affordable off road SUV.

Reading this forum one would think all toyotas don't require a factory warranty and toyota dealerships don't have service departments because no toyota ever fails and nothing ever breaks...also no jeep has ever made it to 10k miles. Lol

It is not my money but if you want a big luxury car with a hatchback get the grand cherokee...

Well if you just need a grocery getter or whatever, then I guess the JGC will be okay; when its running...

But if you intend to do any off-roading...the JGC is still, as it always has been for some idiotic reason; Uni-Body.
Not to mention that in '07 Mercedes Benz was trying to dump ChryCorp on anyone they could (and yet VW/Audi who was buying everyone left and right at the time didn't even touch them) because they somehow managed to take MB parts and make them less reliable than they were on the Mercedes Benz! The JGC still shares a lot of components with the ML (or was it GL? I forget which one) class.

Wish you the best of luck either way you decide to go, just don't call your JGC an SUV.

I looked at the '12 GC when I was shopping -- on paper, things tilted towards the GC. In addition to what you mentioned, the Jeep has:

- Power rear hatch
- Locking fuel door (taken away on the '10+ 4R)
- In-glass antenna (vs. mast antenna on the '10-13 4R)
- Nicer interior materials (e.g. padded/leather-wrapped dash)
- Pricing for a Limited or Overland was pretty close to a 4Runner Limited
- The '14's UConnect 8" display is probably the best I've seen vs. any other manufacturer
- The '14 has a cool, configurable TFT display in the dash -- see it here:



Note that all of this has nothing to do with off-road capabilities or other things that are important to many other 4Runner buyers. I still went with the 4Runner. Why? Above all else, reliability and resale, especially in my state where Toyota has the highest market share of any manufacturer (=high demand for late-model Toyotas).

It seems odd to value resale that highly -- why sacrifice getting something better now for better resale when I get something better "next time." But I also know my own buying patterns. Resale is important to me.

Reliability and resale aside, there are things I enjoy about my 4Runner not found on the GC:

- Power rear-window -- driving with the sunroof open and the back window down allows the breeze to flow through the cabin without the noise and disruption you'd get from rolling down the side windows. I used to think sunroofs were useless...I actually use mine now.

- Power running-boards -- these are actually useful because they come down and out far enough to actually step on when entering and exiting

- Driving position -- for some reason, I couldn't get comfortable in the GC. I also didn't like the blind spot caused by the A-pillar and the side-mirror mount.

- This is so totally minor, but I noticed it when I drove a '14 GC recently: the 4Runner's windshield washer nozzles are hidden, while the GC's are still on the hood; the former looks much cleaner. Minor, but it bugged me as I drove the GC.

In the end, though, I wouldn't be swayed one way or another by opinions here. It's your money and you have your own priorities.

I believe that I am in a good position to chime in here as our family has one of each, both purchased in 2011.

There are two reasons why I would buy a JGC over a 4Runner. Power and fuel capacity. The diesel option would be awesome.

But...

My wife's JGC has randomly shut down at freeway speeds three times. They still don't know why because its an electrical problem and there is no way to log the error. I would take a serious look at resale value as well. We tried to sell it after it had the issues but we would have taken a MAJOR hit with less than 10k on the vehicle. They are also much smaller inside. Our cars seat barely fits and you have to move the front seats uncomfortably close to accommodate. JGCs require premium fuel while Toyotas do fine on mid grade. The adaptive cruise function is a great theory but whenever you someone pulls in front of you it slows you way down and then speeds back up, which hurts mileage.

A JGC would be a great improved dirt road traveler, but if you are planning on doing anything exciting in it, go with a T4R.

Better yet get a Lexus GX460. It's got a great V8, and all the other techno wonders that tickle your fancy. That way you'd get the best of both worlds. That's what we will be getting once our lease is up on our Jeep.

The owner's manual for the 4R only calls for 87/Regular and the GC's Pentastar calls for regular and the Hemi calls for mid-grade.... Unless you have the SRT as it does call for premium... Which is a whole different class of vehicle than the GC and 4R IMO.

Edit: not saying you didn't know that already..... Just clarifying for the OP in case he or someone else didn't know.

They also like to drop valve seats, so don't worry you won't be buying premium for too long anyways. :P

Edit- The Hemi (5.7L, 6.1L) engines I meant, not the Penta-crap engines, they have other issues.

I certainly appreciate all the responses.

It seems that reliability is the key differentiator. I have been impressed the reliability of my 14 year old Camry, but everything breaks from time to time: over the years it has needed a new EGR valve, a passenger side door latch replacement, a master cylinder replacement, etc. The apparent present lack of availability of a service manual for the WK2 JGC is more of a concern to me.

Several responses have raised the issue of resale value. That is definitely noteworthy, though likely not as applicable in my case as I plan to retain my next vehicle for 10+ years.

True. Furthermore, this is the general price range of the ML350 diesel.

Yes, I expected to need a few grains of salt. At least there were no allegations that unibody vehicles explode the first moment dirt touches their treads (haha).

In general, when I talk with people who own 4Runners, they are happy, and when I talk to people who own the NEW GC's, they can't wait to get rid of them. Chrysler has mastered the art of making cars that are built like sh**, but look good. They lure people in on the looks, make thousands on the sale - lure them back in with non-warranty covered issues, make thousands in service repairs - People sell their Chrysler products, get no trade in value, and they make thousands when they turn around and sell it. My uncle just bought a brand new GC Limited in Feb 2013. Already got rid of it. He hated it. Tons of issues, recalls, and service TSB's. Some covered, some not. And his previous vehicle was a Dodge Durango. That says a lot considering it was a 98 and he wanted it back over the GC.

As a former Chrysler employee, he lost faith in the company he retired from, and jumped over to Toyota - Finally.

Strong advice. Not worth it. I would still say the same thing to you even if you already bought one.