If you’re the head of a family, you know how important it is to find a reliable vehicle that can keep your most precious cargo safe and secure. A good vehicle is always an important investment, and a decision to buy a new SUV is not one that should be taken lightly. There are plenty of family-friendly vehicle options on the automotive market today, but these vehicles are not all created equal. This is particularly true comparing the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 Toyota 4Runner. While both of these adventurous midsize SUVs may seem like a good buy, one of them will leave parents and children happier.
What Families Need in an SUV
When shopping for a new vehicle, most parents keep a few things in mind. Affordability is an important one. Raising a family is expensive, so finding something at a good price point can be important. That doesn’t mean just sticker price, but also fuel efficiency. A car with a low MSRP won’t save you money in the long run if it is a gas guzzler. Families need a vehicle that has a low MSRP and a high fuel efficiency rating.
Reliability and dependability are the next important features to consider when shopping for a new family car. You don’t want to end up broken down at the side of the road with a back seat full of kids. Nor do you want to have to replace your vehicle every other year. That can add up real fast. A discerning shopper will make sure to only consider vehicles that have a history of being reliable for many years and several thousands of miles.
Safety is another important factor to consider – not just crash test ratings, but the availability of driver assist features that can help you avoid accidents and keep you safe when you are distracted by your kids fighting in the back seat. If you live in an area with bad weather and bad roads, having an advanced 4×4 system can be critical to making sure you can get to school on time and in one piece, no matter the conditions on the way there.
Both the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the 2021 Toyota 4Runner are affordable and reliable vehicles with low MSRPs and positive mechanic histories. They are also two of the most capable midsize SUVs available when it comes to bad weather and off-road performance. However, when it comes to details like fuel economy and safety, there are some significant differences between these two models.
Fuel Efficiency
Driving a fuel-efficient car can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars on gasoline over the course of just a few years. Even buying a vehicle with just a one or two-digit difference in MPG can save you hundreds of dollars in a 12-month period. These kinds of savings can make a big impact on a family’s budget, which is why anybody shopping for a family vehicle should take a close look at fuel efficiency.
When it comes to fuel efficiency, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee definitely beats out the 2021 Toyota 4Runner. The 2021 Grand Cherokee gets a fuel economy rating of 19 MPG in the city and up to 26 MPG on the highway. On the other hand, the 2021 4Runner only gets 16 MPG in the city and 19 MPG on the highway. That’s a huge difference and will save the average family the better part of a thousand dollars every single year.
The Grand Cherokee also has a larger gas tank and can go over 500 miles without refueling, while the 4Runner will struggle to make it 400 miles. That means more gas station stops, taking time out of your busy schedule while your kids are impatiently waiting in the car. If you are interested in saving your time and keeping more money in your pocket, then the Jeep Grand Cherokee is going to be the best choice for your family.
If the idea of taking your family out for an occasional family fun day sounds more enticing than yet another expensive trip to the gas station, maybe it’s time you take a closer look at the Jeep Grand Cherokee. In a head-to-head showdown between the Grand Cherokee and the 4Runner, the Jeep Grand Cherokee comes out on top in the fuel efficiency category.
Safety Features
When you’re entrusting the lives of your loved ones to an automobile, you want one that comes equipped with all the very best safety features. You can’t control the actions of the drivers around you or the conditions of the road, so you want a vehicle that will go above and beyond in terms of safety and security. You want a vehicle that is most likely to get your family home safe and sound every single time.
When it comes to basic safety features, both the Grand Cherokee and the 4Runner have plenty of good options. Both of these vehicles are definitely considered safe, and you really can’t go wrong with either choice. However, if you want a vehicle that comes with the option of premium safety features that the most discerning families insist on, you’re going to want to go with the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Grand Cherokee just has more modern and sophisticated safety features than the 2021 Toyota 4Runner.
One of the safety features that the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee has and the 2021 Toyota 4Runner don’t is Parallel and Perpendicular Parking Assist. This sophisticated bit of technology helps take the hard part out of parking, so you never have to worry about bumping into anybody or anything again. This might seem like a small thing, but believe me, failing at a difficult parking job can really ruin your day, and in this area, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has got your back.
While both the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Toyota 4Runner have their own versions of cruise control, the Jeep’s cruise control is definitely more sophisticated than the Toyota’s. The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee comes with Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, which any busy driver is going to love. The adaptive portion of this cruise control feature will easily be able to maintain a safe speed and following distance behind the vehicle in front of you in normal, everyday conditions. But it’s the Stop and Go technology that really makes the Grand Cherokee shine.
While Toyota’s Dynamic Radar Cruise Control only works at speeds above 25 mph, with Jeep’s Stop and Go Adaptive Cruise Control, that’s no longer an issue. When you have your Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go enabled, you’ll be able to just sit back and relax. When traffic stops, your vehicle will slow and stop automatically, and when it speeds up again, your vehicle will speed up to your pre-programmed speed without needing any attention from you. The Jeep Grand Cherokee really takes the frustration out of stop-and-go traffic, which can go a long way in saving lives as well as tempers.
Grab Your Family’s Dream Car Today!
It’s plain to see that both the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the 2021 Toyota 4Runner are quality vehicles. However, only one vehicle will make the best addition to your family’s driveway. The Grand Cherokee is more affordable, safer, and more convenient than the 4Runner – there is no surprise that it makes families happier.
