2024 Jeep Wrangler vs 2023 Toyota 4Runner

Toyota based the 2023 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition on the SR5 Premium trim level, adding a retro flair for an extra $4,505. This upcharge included a $1,875 standard four-wheel-drive system while the remaining $2,630 was spent on retro body stripes, a heritage grille design, bronze 17-inch wheels, bronze badges and stitching, floor mats, and a numbered plaque on the dashboard. Available only in black, white, or red paint with a black artificial leather interior, this model brought back 1970s nostalgia. The fifth-generation 4Runner embodied truck-based SUVs of the past with a purposeful interior. Despite the prevalence of plastic materials, the cabin exuded quality and practicality. The controls were designed to be user-friendly, even when wearing gloves.

Meanwhile, the 2024 Jeep Wrangler carried its signature burly, body-on-frame look across all models, from the new Rubicon X to the Rubicon 392. Identifiable by a redesigned grille originally featured on the 2023 20th Anniversary edition of the Wrangler Rubicon, the new version was shorter and wider, improving airflow to the engine bay. New upgrades included an antenna integrated into the windshield and 10 new wheel designs, offering aesthetic and functional advancements. The Wrangler came with various roof options ranging from soft-tops to hard tops with a retractable sunroof, and even a fully retractable power sunroof. Its doors could be fully removed, replaced with either half doors or tube doors, adding to its rugged versatility.

Every 2023 Toyota 4Runner came equipped with a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 278 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission that defaulted to rear-wheel drive unless upgraded to a four-wheel-drive system. With a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, the 4Runner provided various off-roading technologies like Hill-Start Assist Control, Downhill Assist Control, and Active Traction Control. Different trims offered specialized suspensions for both on-road and off-road performance. Despite its off-roading prowess, the 4Runner's everyday driving revealed its flaws, such as heavy steering, slow acceleration, and inconsistent braking. Nonetheless, it excelled in challenging conditions, proving its invincibility in thick mud and standing water during tests.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler offered a myriad of engine options, from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, to a 6.4-liter V8 delivering a robust 470 horsepower and torque. It featured various transfer cases for different levels of off-road capability, including the Selec-Trac and Rock-Trac systems. The 4xe plug-in hybrid variant combined a turbocharged four-cylinder with electric motors for a combined output of 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, providing 21 miles of all-electric range. The Wrangler's solid front and rear axles ensured excellent wheel articulation, and models like the Rubicon came equipped with locking differentials and other off-road enhancements. However, its solid axle made for a bumpy on-road ride. This year, Jeep added sound deadening material and introduced a factory-installed WARN winch on Rubicon models for enhanced utility.

One distinctive feature of the Toyota 4Runner was its power-retractable rear window, providing exceptional ventilation when combined with the sunroof and other windows. The seating arrangement offered comfort, with the SofTex artificial leather and heated front seats in the 40 ASE model. Storage bins were numerous but lacked rubber liners, causing contents to rattle. The second-row seating presented ample legroom and comfort, while the optional third-row seat was less desirable due to its discomfort and space consumption. Without this third-row seat, the 4Runner boasted 46.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expandable to 89.7 cubic feet when the second-row seats were folded, making it spacious for a midsize SUV.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler saw an upgrade in its towing capacity, with certain models now able to tow 5,000 pounds. This applied only to four-door Rubicon trims with specific engine and transmission combinations. Interior-wise, Jeep added 12-way power-adjustable front seats, ensuring ease of adjustments even when submerged in water. Heated seats and a heated steering wheel were available, but ventilated seats were not. An intriguing feature was the 30-amp Power Box in the 4xe model, which could power various accessories through its battery. Despite its ruggedness, the Wrangler managed to provide a degree of functionality, making it a versatile off-roader with practical utility for adventure enthusiasts.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner offered a straightforward approach to technology with traditional analog gauges and a modest 8-inch touchscreen. However, it excelled in user-friendliness, featuring large knobs and buttons for ease of use in cold conditions. The infotainment system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio, with additional connectivity options such as a Wi-Fi hotspot. Although the display was small and the graphics outdated, the system’s performance was reliable, with nearly flawless voice recognition.

In contrast, the 2024 Jeep Wrangler featured a 12.3-inch center display running Uconnect5, which was praised for its faster processing speeds and user-friendly interface. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto complemented the clean and easy-to-use graphics. The Off-Road Pages now provided instant access to vital data like transmission temperature and battery charge. The new Trails Offroad feature offered descriptions and difficulty ratings for over 200 trails, with an option to subscribe for broader access. Additional technology included a wireless hotspot, dual Bluetooth phone pairing, and the ability to store multiple user profiles, making the Wrangler a tech-savvy choice.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner included essential Toyota Safety Sense features like forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert became standard across all trims. The adaptive cruise control performed well during tests, although lane-departure warning could become irritating. Safety ratings revealed its age, with the NHTSA awarding it four stars overall and three stars for front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave it a Marginal rating for driver protection in small overlap frontal-impact tests.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler introduced first- and second-row side-curtain airbags for the first time, enhancing its safety suite. While forward collision warning was standard on most trims, other advanced driver aids like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were optional, except on the High Altitude and 392 models. Unlike the 4Runner, the Wrangler lacked lane-keeping assist and other highway assist features. The 2024 model had no official ratings, but the 2023 version received four out of five stars for frontal crash protection and three out of five for rollover protection from the NHTSA. The IIHS rated the four-door Wrangler as Good in roof strength and head restraints but only Moderate in frontal and side crashes.