YONKERS, N.Y. -
For its December issue, Consumer Reports pitted the redesigned Jeep Grand Cherokee — which is Chrysler’s first post-bankruptcy new-vehicle launch — against the Toyota 4Runner in a comparison test. Which of the midsize SUVs fared better?
According to the publication, it gave the Grand Cherokee a “Very Good” score, while the 4Runner received a “Good” score.
The “ride, quietness and interior” of the Grand Cherokee — which the automaker modeled after the new Mercedes-Benz ML — helped the vehicle. However, the emergency handling on the Jeep hurt its score, officials noted.
“By contrast, the 4Runner, redesigned for 2010, fell short on the road (though it showed terrific off-road prowess) and scored at the bottom of its class,” they shared.
The Grand Cherokee is the first new model that Chrysler has released post-bankruptcy, and it’s based on the next generation Mercedes-Benz ML.
David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center in East Haddam, Conn., pointed out: “The Grand Cherokee is a big improvement over the previous model, with refinement on par with models that cost a lot more.
“The 4Runner, which still uses a body-on-frame design, is disappointing on the road. The 4Runner doesn’t let you forget you’re driving a truck,” he continued.
Neither vehicle, though, was recommended by the publication.
The new Jeep hasn’t been out long enough for there to be sufficient reliability data. Meanwhile, the 4Runner’s scores were not high enough in the publication’s tests.
As some may know, recommended models are required to have scored well in testing, earned average or better predicted reliability in the publication’s Annual Auto Survey and have satisfactory or better scores in crash-tests or government rollover tests (if those have been conducted).
Offering some more details about the two vehicles, officials said the engine on the Grand Cherokee Laredo X 4WD that was tested is 290-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6, which the publication called “smooth.” The overall fuel economy is 18 miles per gallon (based on the publication’s testing).
“The Grand Cherokee rides well and is quiet and steady on the highway,” they noted.
The publication added: “During CR’s emergency handling tests the Jeep was difficult to control in the avoidance maneuver. The five-speed automatic transmission is smooth and responsive.
“Braking is very good. The interior is nicely finished, with soft touch panels and nicely detailed leather seats. Cargo room can be increased by folding the rear seatbacks,” officials added.
As far as the Toyota, the engine on the 4Runner SR5 4X4 that was tested is a 270-horsepower, 4.0-liter V6. Consumer Reports called the engine “punchy.” Its overall fuel economy is also 18 mpg.

“The 4Runner’s ride has constant body motions and body lean is pronounced in corners, even at a leisurely pace. Its overly light steering is slow to respond,” officials noted.

“The five-speed automatic transmission is responsive,” they added. “Braking is very good. The interior is utilitarian and features cheap-looking plastics. Cargo room can be increased by folding the rear seatbacks.”