The Jeep Grand Cherokee and Toyota 4Runner are two of the best off-road SUVs available. Both midsize SUVs offer an advanced four-wheel drive system and a range of off-road features to aid adventures off the beaten path. However, the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee is better than the 2023 Toyota 4Runner in one key way: more powerful engines.

2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee offers more powerful engines than the 2023 Toyota 4Runner

Whether heading off-road to your favorite wilderness spot or driving on-road around the city, the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee boasts plenty of power to get you where you need to go. The potent engine lineup is one of the Grand Cherokee’s greatest strengths. 

Regardless of what engine is in the Grand Cherokee, the midsize SUV generates more power than the 2023 Toyota 4Runner. The base-level 3.6-liter V-6 delivers 293 horsepower, while the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 doles out 357 horsepower. Also, there’s a plug-in hybrid 4xe variant, which has a total system output of 375 horsepower. 

While the Grand Cherokee has a range of robust engine options, you only have one choice for the 4Runner: a 4.0-liter V-6. It produces 270 horsepower, which is less than all of the Grand Cherokee’s engines, including the base-level one. If you place a priority on beefy engines, then the Grand Cherokee is likely the better SUV for you.

2023 Grand Cherokee also has higher gas mileage than the 2023 4Runner

In addition to the 2023 Grand Cherokee’s engines being more powerful than the one for the 2023 Toyota 4Runner, they are more efficient too. The fully gas-powered Grand Cherokee gets an estimated fuel economy of up to 22 combined mpg. However, the standout model for efficiency is the 4xe model. With its plug-in hybrid system, it gets an estimated fuel economy of up to 56 combined MPGe when driving in electric mode and 23 combined mpg in hybrid mode.

Compared to the Grand Cherokee, the 4Runner is a gas-guzzler. It has an estimated gas mileage of up to 17 combined mpg.

With gasoline a major cost of vehicle ownership, opting for Grand Cherokee over the 4Runner results in more savings over the long haul. This is especially the gas with the 4xe plug-in hybrid model. Another benefit is convenience. With lower fuel consumption, the Grand Cherokee requires fewer stops at gas stations compared to 4Runner. 

Other advantages of the Jeep Grand Cherokee over the Toyota 4Runner

The 2023 Grand Cherokee midsize SUV has some other advantages over the 2023 4Runner. This includes towing capabilities. The Grand Cherokee has a maximum towing capacity of 7,200 pounds, compared to 5,000 pounds for the 4Runner. 

Another advantage of the Grand Cherokee is considerably more cabin space for passengers. For the two-row model, it has a total passenger volume of 144.6 cu-ft — and 152 cu-ft for the three-row Grand Cherokee L. In comparison, the 4Runner provides only 93.7 cu-ft for the two-row model and 128.0 cu-ft for the three-row version.

Furthermore, the Grand Cherokee offers a more generous complimentary maintenance plan — with three years or 36,000 miles of coverage. The plan for the 4Runner only has two years or 25,000 miles.

With its more powerful engine options, the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee is better than the 2023 Toyota 4Runner in a key way. When choosing between the two midsize SUVs, the potent engines are a factor to consider.