2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Toyota 4Runner: We Compared the Data

By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score

Our pick: the 4Runner — it leads our weighted scorecard 2–2 across 7 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (61.2% vs 44.4%) and fewer recalls on the 2023–2025 model years (3 vs 28). Choose the Grand Cherokee if the lower sticker matters most ($37,995 vs $43,490 to start).

Scorecard: Grand Cherokee 2 pts · 4Runner 2 pts across 7 scored categories.

The scorecard

Grand Cherokee vs 4Runner scorecard: each category, both values and the category winner
Category (weight)2027 Grand Cherokee2027 4RunnerWinner
Starting MSRP (2)$37,995$43,490Grand Cherokee
NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2)0.59—No data
5-year value retained (1.5)44.4%61.2%4Runner
Best EPA combined (1.5)23 mpg23 mpgTie
Most horsepower available (1)324 hp326 hpTie
Max towing (1)6,200 lb6,000 lbTie
Cargo behind rear seats (1)—48.4 cu ftNo data
Standard seats (1)55Tie
Median discount verified buyers got (1)—4.9% off MSRPNo data
Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5)2834Runner
Weighted points224Runner

Which one we'd buy, and for whom

  • Commuter. Commuters: it's a wash — Grand Cherokee 23 mpg vs 4Runner 23 mpg (best EPA combined).
  • Family. Families: it's a wash — Grand Cherokee 5 vs 4Runner 5 (standard seats).
  • Budget. Tight budgets: the Grand Cherokee — $37,995 vs $43,490 (starting MSRP). Used, the median asking price is $22,023 for the Grand Cherokee vs $37,101 for the 4Runner.
  • Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the 4Runner — 61.2% vs 44.4% (5-year value retained).
  • Towing. Towing: it's a wash — Grand Cherokee 6,200 lb vs 4Runner 6,000 lb (max towing).

Price: sticker and what buyers paid

The Grand Cherokee starts at $37,995 and tops out at $61,990; the 4Runner runs $43,490 to $68,870 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified 4Runner buyers paid a median 4.9% off MSRP across 59 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 6.7% off. Used, the median asking price is $22,023 for the Grand Cherokee and $37,101 for the 4Runner (all model years, US dealer listings).

Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls

  • Grand Cherokee: 0.59 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 37th percentile among the SUVs we track).
  • 4Runner: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
  • Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Grand Cherokee 28, 4Runner 3.

Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Grand Cherokee 2016 (solid), 2017 (solid).

Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.

Specs side by side

Grand Cherokee vs 4Runner specifications
2027 Grand Cherokee2027 4Runner
Starting MSRP (base trim)$37,995$43,490
Top-trim MSRP$61,990$68,870
Horsepower293–324 hp278–326 hp
Max torque332 lb-ft465 lb-ft
EPA combined21–23 mpg21–23 mpg (hybrid avail.)
Max towing6,200 lb6,000 lb
Max payload1,280 lb—
Seats (standard / max)5 / 55 / 7
Cargo behind rear seats—48.4 cu ft

Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.

Resale: 5-year value retained

A 5-year-old (2021) Grand Cherokee lists for a median $22,179 — 44.4% of today's median new price of $49,974. A 5-year-old (2021) 4Runner lists for a median $37,050 — 61.2% of today's median new price of $60,580.

Shop both

Negotiating either one?

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Related head-to-heads

FAQ

Is the Grand Cherokee better than the 4Runner?

On our data, no — the 4Runner comes out ahead. Our pick: the 4Runner — it leads our weighted scorecard 2–2 across 7 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (61.2% vs 44.4%) and fewer recalls on the 2023–2025 model years (3 vs 28). Choose the Grand Cherokee if the lower sticker matters most ($37,995 vs $43,490 to start).

Which is more reliable, the Grand Cherokee or the 4Runner?

We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet. NHTSA lists 28 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Grand Cherokee and 3 for the 4Runner.

Which holds its value better, the Grand Cherokee or the 4Runner?

The 4Runner: a 5-year-old example lists for 61.2% of the new price, versus 44.4% for the Grand Cherokee, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.

Which is cheaper, the Grand Cherokee or the 4Runner?

The Grand Cherokee starts lower: $37,995 vs $43,490 starting MSRP (before destination).

Which has better gas mileage, the Grand Cherokee or the 4Runner?

It's a wash: 23 mpg vs 23 mpg best EPA combined.

How we score

Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.

  • Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
  • NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
  • 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
  • Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
  • Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
  • Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
  • Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
  • Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
  • Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
  • Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.

Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.

Cite this page: CarWhere, "2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Toyota 4Runner: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/jeep-grand-cherokee-vs-toyota-4runner, updated November 8, 2026.