I've recently sold a 99 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WJ) and bought an 06 4Runner. Both are top-of-the-line Limited models with most of the options. The 4Runner arrived eight weeks ago and the Jeep left about three weeks ago. This puts me in a good position to compare the niggling details of the two. My Jeep was not the current generation, of course, but you can interpolate.
I bought the 4Runner rather than upgrading to the next generation Jeep mainly because I like to try different brands and not get stuck in a single manufacturer's vibe. The Toyota reputation for reliability was also appealing, although my personal experience with Jeep has been fine. Also, although I love the small size of the WJ for maneuverability (especially off-road), I seem to carry a ton of stuff back and forth from the mountains. The 4Runner is roomier.
Another reason I bought a 4Runner was because it performed much better on the freeway. I use my SUV for commuting from the San Francisco bay area to the mountains near Lake Tahoe. The Jeep was terrific off road and fine around town, but it was out of its element on the freeway. The steering never feels great and the handling dangers of an SUV loom large. The 4Runner feels at home on the freeway and even curvy roads (I have X-REAS).
The Jeep was absolutely fantastic off-road. I participated in several events as well as exploring on my own, and WJ flat-out amazed me. Its 4WD drive system is simply unstoppable on anything I'm brave enough to tackle. The rocks it can swallow leave a lump in my throat. You have to go with experienced guides to urge you on or you'd never believe what it can do.
I strongly believe that the 4Runner can hold its own with Jeep in the dirt, but I don't actually have the experience yet to prove it. (Summer is coming!) I have tried it in deep snow, and it performed very well. It is a little fussier than the jeep, because I had to manually lock the center differential to get unstuck, whereas the Jeep would lock it automatically. Nevertheless, the 4Runner got through the drifts just fine.
As I got to know the 4Runner, I observed that Jeep tries harder to be an upscale vehicle. Even in 99, it had things like seat and mirror memory tied to the key fob, full electric adjustability on the passenger seat, and automatic gas-cap unlock that aren't available at all on the 4Runner. I think this is because Toyota has this Lexus thing going and they don't want to dress the 4Runner up TOO much. If you want that luxury stuff, step up to Lexus.
There are a few places where the 4Runner seems deficient, both in general and specifically by comparison to the Jeep. The high floor pan makes for a rather weird seating position, but I think I can learn to tolerate it. Stranger, the design seems to targeted to people with no toes. Both front and rear passengers get no toe space. This is not uncommon in rear seats, but it is the first time I've ever found it in the front seat. Even the driver suffers a bit because the gas pedal is really low. It hits my foot about midway--as though I had no toes.
Other obvious failings: The backlit LCD panel in the dash is way to hard to read--particularly if you're wearing sunglasses. That thing is an abomination. And the clock set buttons sit right there next to the mode/reset buttons so it is way too easy to change your clock accidentally. I don't like those pin-point things, but this is ridiculous.
Another great irritant of the 4Runner is the running boards. They may help children and old ladies get aboard. They may help you reach the roof rack (although not the rear, where you usually need to work), but they are constant pain in the butt for normal people. I can't figure out a way to get in and out easily. If I step in with my inboard foot as usual, I get my pants dirty on the outboard leg. I can step up with the outboard leg first, but then I need a handhold to swing in and that doesn't work very well if I'm carrying something. I don't think the running boards improve the look either, so I intend to take them off this summer. After seven years with no running boards on the Jeep, I can't see what their purpose is.
I also hate the electric shift of the transfer case. The Jeep didn't have a 2WD option, but when you shifted into low range it happened right now--no waiting for invisible gremlins to signal you that it was okay. The Jeep also offered a neutral position which is good for towing. (Did you ever get stuck? You will!) The new generation Grand Cherokee gave up this feature as well, though, so I guess I have to get a Lexus for a manually shifting transfer case!
In spite of these details, though, the 4Runner shines with greatness. I gave up the lovely Jeep 4.7 liter engine, but the 4Runner 4.0 V6 is up the task in every situation I've met so far. It gets 10% better mileage than the Jeep (or the Toyota 4.7 V8) and really leaves the Jeep V6 in the dust. The feel of the 4Runner drive train is wonderful. Jeep has updated their drive train in every way since mine was built, but even so I think it would be hard to match the 4Runner.
Finally the ride, steering, cornering, shifting, and general demeanor of the 4Runner are simply much more sophisticated than the Jeep. I love driving the 4runner. I recently rented a Highlander for a week, and think the 4Runner surpasses even it in all driving aspects. The 4Runner (with X-REAS) is simply amazing in this regard. I'm looking for a long and happy relationship with this vehicle.
I bought the 4Runner rather than upgrading to the next generation Jeep mainly because I like to try different brands and not get stuck in a single manufacturer's vibe. The Toyota reputation for reliability was also appealing, although my personal experience with Jeep has been fine. Also, although I love the small size of the WJ for maneuverability (especially off-road), I seem to carry a ton of stuff back and forth from the mountains. The 4Runner is roomier.
Another reason I bought a 4Runner was because it performed much better on the freeway. I use my SUV for commuting from the San Francisco bay area to the mountains near Lake Tahoe. The Jeep was terrific off road and fine around town, but it was out of its element on the freeway. The steering never feels great and the handling dangers of an SUV loom large. The 4Runner feels at home on the freeway and even curvy roads (I have X-REAS).
The Jeep was absolutely fantastic off-road. I participated in several events as well as exploring on my own, and WJ flat-out amazed me. Its 4WD drive system is simply unstoppable on anything I'm brave enough to tackle. The rocks it can swallow leave a lump in my throat. You have to go with experienced guides to urge you on or you'd never believe what it can do.
I strongly believe that the 4Runner can hold its own with Jeep in the dirt, but I don't actually have the experience yet to prove it. (Summer is coming!) I have tried it in deep snow, and it performed very well. It is a little fussier than the jeep, because I had to manually lock the center differential to get unstuck, whereas the Jeep would lock it automatically. Nevertheless, the 4Runner got through the drifts just fine.
As I got to know the 4Runner, I observed that Jeep tries harder to be an upscale vehicle. Even in 99, it had things like seat and mirror memory tied to the key fob, full electric adjustability on the passenger seat, and automatic gas-cap unlock that aren't available at all on the 4Runner. I think this is because Toyota has this Lexus thing going and they don't want to dress the 4Runner up TOO much. If you want that luxury stuff, step up to Lexus.
There are a few places where the 4Runner seems deficient, both in general and specifically by comparison to the Jeep. The high floor pan makes for a rather weird seating position, but I think I can learn to tolerate it. Stranger, the design seems to targeted to people with no toes. Both front and rear passengers get no toe space. This is not uncommon in rear seats, but it is the first time I've ever found it in the front seat. Even the driver suffers a bit because the gas pedal is really low. It hits my foot about midway--as though I had no toes.
Other obvious failings: The backlit LCD panel in the dash is way to hard to read--particularly if you're wearing sunglasses. That thing is an abomination. And the clock set buttons sit right there next to the mode/reset buttons so it is way too easy to change your clock accidentally. I don't like those pin-point things, but this is ridiculous.
Another great irritant of the 4Runner is the running boards. They may help children and old ladies get aboard. They may help you reach the roof rack (although not the rear, where you usually need to work), but they are constant pain in the butt for normal people. I can't figure out a way to get in and out easily. If I step in with my inboard foot as usual, I get my pants dirty on the outboard leg. I can step up with the outboard leg first, but then I need a handhold to swing in and that doesn't work very well if I'm carrying something. I don't think the running boards improve the look either, so I intend to take them off this summer. After seven years with no running boards on the Jeep, I can't see what their purpose is.
I also hate the electric shift of the transfer case. The Jeep didn't have a 2WD option, but when you shifted into low range it happened right now--no waiting for invisible gremlins to signal you that it was okay. The Jeep also offered a neutral position which is good for towing. (Did you ever get stuck? You will!) The new generation Grand Cherokee gave up this feature as well, though, so I guess I have to get a Lexus for a manually shifting transfer case!
In spite of these details, though, the 4Runner shines with greatness. I gave up the lovely Jeep 4.7 liter engine, but the 4Runner 4.0 V6 is up the task in every situation I've met so far. It gets 10% better mileage than the Jeep (or the Toyota 4.7 V8) and really leaves the Jeep V6 in the dust. The feel of the 4Runner drive train is wonderful. Jeep has updated their drive train in every way since mine was built, but even so I think it would be hard to match the 4Runner.
Finally the ride, steering, cornering, shifting, and general demeanor of the 4Runner are simply much more sophisticated than the Jeep. I love driving the 4runner. I recently rented a Highlander for a week, and think the 4Runner surpasses even it in all driving aspects. The 4Runner (with X-REAS) is simply amazing in this regard. I'm looking for a long and happy relationship with this vehicle.
because you have to!
