JGC is not faster unless you are looking at a V8. According to consumer reports, the 4Runner is just a few tenths slower than the Jeep V8 but gets the gas mileage of the Jeep V6. (Beats the V8 mileage by a decent margin, beats the V6 acceleration by a margin.) That said, the 8AT that Jeep is now offering probably closed both of those gaps to some degree. I don't think CR has tested the new 8AT JGC.

You are correct about the nicer interior, better handling, and more gizmos, though. After nearly 4 years, my 4Runner still looks and feels brand new inside and out. Everything still feels taut. I've had it up mountains, through streams, and shoved all sorts of junk in the cargo area. I'm very happy with the truck other than wishing I'd have purchased a Trail Edition instead (80% of that is for the looks). My only mods are A/T tires that I put on this summer, Husky mudguards, and all weather floormats.

I'd suggest limiting yourself to 2012 and up Jeeps, especially if your looking at V6's.

I believe 2012 was the first year for the newer Pentastar engine. The 3.8L they used before that was a slug. It could barely move my 2dr. Wrangler along and that weighed considerably less.

I'd cast my vote for the T4R in any case. Reliability and resale value alone are two HUGE factors.

Good luck with your decision though and hope you enjoy whichever vehicle you choose!


Jeff

The press seems to love that 8AT, and generally dislike the T4R's "dated" 5AT. I gotta say, the T4R's tranny seems totally fine to me. I don't feel like the truck needs a taller gear for cruising, and it accelerates well enough for me, for a truck. I guess better mpg's could be had via gearing, which would be nice.

Anyway, my 2014 T4R is the first automatic I've owned in almost 20 years, so maybe I don't know what I'm missing in regards to Jeep's new-fangled unit. IMO the T4R 5AT shifts smoothly, quickly, and quietly, which is good enough for me. If I have any complaints about the tranny, it's only that a manual isn't offered.

I read your post on the WK2 forums here: Grand Cherokee vs 4Runner - JeepForum.com

They actually seem like a reasonable bunch.They acknowledge Toyota's reliability and a couple even suggested the 4R depending in your use. Don't think I saw anyone bashing the 4R, just stating the facts.

Definitely seems to be more issues reported in their forum though.

so why go for the sr5 then?

I've had Wranglers my whole life and one JGC Hemi. I absolutely love my new '14 Trail Premium. I can't imagine more bells & whistles on a JGC. They feel too much like a car to me. If I wanted a sedan...I would get one. This is my third T4R and hands down Chrysler sadly doesn't hold a candle in quality. It's admittedly very hard living in Colorado and not owning my Rubicon Unlimited any more...but the T4R keeps calling me back. It's the most balanced/responsible and "grown up" car decision I've made...as long as I hang onto it.

I do not understand why some magazine writers keep harping/criticizing the so-called dated or older technology of the 4runner. the 4runner is an suv or off-road vehicle designed to go to the far corners of earth, hence it needs an engine that is extremely reliable. Such an engine can only come about through careful, deliberate and incremental development of the engine. This is the exact reason why I waited a few years after the introduction of 5th generation engine for any issues(if any) to be ironed out.

introducing radical, flashy technology too often in vehicles is fraught with risks and recalls not to mention teething mistakes during the manufacturing process. we are talking here about vehicles that we entrust our lives with not some Iphone or samsung galaxy whose model features get replaced yearly or even several times a year.

Why? I often run into groups of built Rubicons on trails, effectively join their group (because I can't pass them), run all of the same obstacles, and at the end of the trail, most of them load on to trailers, while I stop to air up.

I've had my 2010 SR5 for just over a year and absolutely love it. I feel totally safe in this tank. I'm biased as a long-time believer in the Toyota/Lexus reliability and will never go elsewhere again. If you are looking for leather, some SR5's like mine have a "Premium Package" with leather seats and even the butt warmers for the front two seats, so they are out there, but will be a bit harder to find. If you see some SR5's with the same amount of miles as others but are slightly more expensive, there's the possible clue they have various premium packages included, so be on the look out.

I recommend listening to those well-done Jeep "Built Free" commercials and buy a vehicle built free of massive repair bills -- The 4Runner.

Good luck!

I am going to try and help as best I can and furthermore I come from a unique perspective a loyal GM fan. I have had roughly a dozen GM cars over the years and I swore to myself I would never buy a foreign vehicle especially a Toyota!

Regarding my 4Runner you can read my FULL six month review here.

I was considering a Grand Cherokee Laredo and looked at one... Impressive vehicle - sharp looking, great "gadgets", the promise of slightly better fuel economy, and a better ride. I also considered a Chevrolet Equinox AWD V6, Chevrolet Traverse AWD, Chevrolet Tahoe 4WD, GMC Acadia AWD, Buick Enclave AWD, GMC Yukon 4WD, Ford Explorer AWD and the 4Runner 4WD. When I purchased my '07 Torrent I planned to step up to an Envoy or Trailblazer next time around and well that wasn't going to happen after 2009 when they were dropped. I purchased the Torrent for a fire-sale price because my wife simply wanted a CUV. It was priced right, looked sharp and could be serviced at my local dealer it was a easy sell. We figured if we enjoyed having a hatch and the 5 door body style we could upgrade to a truck based 4WD unit next time around. I simply wasn't ready for a new vehicle or to rotate another one through the fleet in 2009 to get a GMT-360. After that I kept praying GM would come out with another mid-size BOF SUV and I put the purchase off an extra year and they still DIDN'T.

The GC made my list because it checked most of my boxes and was the "right size" bigger than a Equinox but smaller than a Tahoe or Traverse. It was also RWD based for light towing and could be purchased for large amounts below sticker/invoice with mounds of incentives. Furthermore it was American - it was an impressive vehicle but I had two main concerns first was the truck itself or in this case lack thereof the GC lacked real BOF construction for towing. In my experience towing with even a small BOF vehicle is far better than a similarly sized uni-body. Not that I am ever going to tow 5K with it but even a few thousand pounds behind a BOF vehicle is so much better than a uni-body. So I wanted the BOF platform the 4Runner offered and then you have the entire reliability argument. I have had pretty good luck with my GM products but I have never heard a happy Chrysler owner. So despite the Jeep's better looks the 4Runner came out ahead. I pretty much went through this same process with all the other vehicles listed above. Obviously they all had pro's and con's but ultimately the 4Runner was the best fit.

It has been getting decent fuel economy for a truck, not that much worse than my FWD Torrent believe it or not and the ride is very impressive as well for a truck. The handling surely isn't as good as my Bonneville SLE or Impala LTZ but again not bad for high profile truck. The 4Runner was a wonderful purchase and I wouldn't hesitate for a minute to buy another one. The next time around I won't waste my time driving anything else unless GM has a new Trailblazer/Envoy on the new Colorado platform. The 4Runner is a great truck but if you are after a car-like ride/handling look elsewhere. BTW the GC has a great interior but will most likely rattle like hell after 100K and 10 years.

Buy the Grand Cherokee SRT8 (in black, obviously), a Member's Only Jacket, Aviators, and grow a sweet 'stache. A pair of tight fitting acid wash jeans wouldn't hurt, either.

Drive up to your local community college and sit at a stop light, rev that big ass hemi until the ladies come-a-runnin'. Disengage skid control, launch control, ABS, VSC, ESP, CIA, TIA, EMP, and whatever else you can push.

Put one Converse on the brake, and one on the gas then do a four wheel burnout a quarter mile long and watch the panties drop.

Sure the little fillies are just trying to put themselves thru night school with a job at Waffle House, but that doesn't mean they can't endure a night of lovin from SRT8 Cherokee Man!

Why would you ask this to a bunch of people who like 4runners. Its like asking Obama if he is republican......

Thanks for sharing..

I found this to be interesting

"The more electronic gizmos you add to a Jeep the less reliable it is, Chrysler/Jeep seems to have a problem with quality electronics and computer software. But all that will be covered under warranty for the most of the vehicles life if you're only planning on keeping the vehicle for 100,000 miles. Which IMO isn't very long, pretty much every vehicle made today will last at least that long with regular maintenance.

What will you be using the vehicle for? If its just on road transport and you're not towing or carrying payload then the Jeep will be your get vehicle. But if you're looking for a rugged and reliable "truck" that will take you to remote locations and doesn't mind carrying a load of payload then the Toyota is your better choice.

I think you're going to lean toward the first rather than the latter."

People really buy a car to only go a 100k? Why waste all that money over and over again to not have it pay off. To each his one

This is the best advice ever given on an online forum

^^^^^^^^ possibly the best visual a person could ever ask for! That made me laugh out loud!