2024 Jeep Wrangler vs 2024 Toyota Sequoia

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler stayed true to its rugged roots with its burly, body-on-frame construction and recognizable design. The latest model brought a new grille, reminiscent of the 2023 20th Anniversary edition of the Wrangler Rubicon, which was shorter and wider, enhancing airflow into the engine bay. Enthusiasts appreciated the antenna being integrated into the windshield—rectifying the old snag-prone design. Additionally, Jeep offered ten new wheel designs, broadening customization options. Buyers had their pick of roof styles, including traditional soft-top, full hard top, hard tops with retractable sunroofs, power-retractable sunroofs, and even configurations that allowed the windshield to fold down and the doors to be removed. These versatile configurations underscored the Wrangler's adventurous spirit.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared its platform with the Tundra pickup, featuring similar design cues such as hexagonal grilles and muscular stances. However, the Sequoia took its aesthetic game up a notch with a significant influence from its exterior color. The Capstone model, in particular, flaunted a lot of chrome detailing, giving it a somewhat dated look in Celestial Silver, reminiscent of a "cop car." Yet, with a paint swap to Solar Octane orange and black accents, it transformed into a playful "Tonka truck," showcasing the model's ability to shift drastically based on color choices. Inside, the Sequoia had an almost identical layout to the Tundra and the new Tacoma with geometric dashboards, easy-to-use dials and buttons, and unique upholstery options across trims, from fabric to semi-aniline leather.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler offered a range of powertrains to satisfy varying driving preferences. Starting with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, to a plug-in hybrid variant of the same engine producing an impressive 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. For more traditionalists, a 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine provided 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. The standout was the 6.4-liter V8 engine delivering 470 horsepower and equal torque. Various transfer cases were available, enhancing the Wrangler's off-road capabilities. The Command-Trac 4WD system in Sport and Sahara trims was suitable for lighter off-road adventures, while the 392 trim featured a more robust Selec-Trac system. The 4xe PHEV version was a crowd favorite, offering 21 miles of all-electric range and impressive efficiency. The inclusion of solid front and rear axles, locking differentials, and BF Goodrich KO2 tires enhanced its trail performance, though the ride quality on pavement left much to be desired. New sound-deadening materials and an optional WARN winch upgraded the 2024 model's features, setting it apart.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia, exclusively a hybrid now, utilized the iForce MAX hybrid powertrain with a twin-turbo V6 engine paired with an electric motor, generating 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. This represented a significant performance boost over its V8 predecessor. The hybrid system also improved fuel economy, now rated at 20 mpg combined for 4WD versions. For off-road enthusiasts, the Sequoia TRD Pro trim offered extensive capabilities, including a part-time 4WD system, skid plate, and specific driver-assist features. Other trims required a $3,000 upgrade for 4WD. The 10-speed automatic transmission performed smoothly, and towing capacity surged to 9,520 pounds in RWD SR5 trims. Optional TRD Off-Road packages on SR5, Limited, and Platinum trims added robustness without necessarily pushing into heavy-duty off-roading.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler expanded its towing capacity to 5,000 pounds for the first time, provided it was a four-door Rubicon-trim with specific engines and options like the 2.0-liter or 3.6-liter engines, automatic transmission, and 33-inch tires. This updated axle design optimally distributed the vehicle's weight, enhancing towing capabilities. Inside, new heated and 12-way power adjustable front seats were a welcomed addition, particularly given their waterproof mechanisms. The 30-amp Power Box with the 4xe variant allowed for convenient powering of electrical accessories, leveraging its 17.3-kWh battery.

Conversely, the 2024 Toyota Sequoia boasted a maximum cargo space of 86.9 cubic feet with both the second and third-row seats folded. Practical space behind the second row was 49 cubic feet, and behind the third row ranged from 11.5 to 22.3 cubic feet, depending on the seat position. The third-row design, positioned above the hybrid battery, created uneven flooring, which slightly compromised comfort and ease of loading. Legroom was respectable but not leading in class, offering 28.1 to 33.7 inches in the third row, 39.2 inches in the second row, and 41.2 inches in the first row. The second-row seats were easier to maneuver compared to some rivals, but overall cargo and interior flexibility didn't quite match leading competitors like the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler featured a 12.3-inch center infotainment screen with the Uconnect5 system. Despite optional navigation, the interface was user-friendly, complemented by several USB-A and -C ports and standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Off-Road Pages on the system offered instantaneous data, and the new Trails Offroad feature guided users through over 200 trails, with options to subscribe for access to more. Functional features like a wireless hotspot, dual Bluetooth phone pairing, and customizable user profiles added to the appeal.

In the 2024 Toyota Sequoia, advanced technology was evident. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto came standard, with SR5 trims featuring an 8-inch screen and higher trims a 14-inch touchscreen. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system, though simple in design, was praised for its usability. A 12.3-inch driver-information display was standard across all trims, and high-end features like the Panoramic View monitor made maneuvering this large SUV more manageable. Higher trims could also benefit from a 10-inch color head-up display and a 14-speaker JBL Premium Audio system, ensuring comprehensive infotainment and safety support.

Safety-wise, the 2024 Jeep Wrangler made notable improvements by adding first- and second-row side-curtain airbags. Forward collision warning was standard across all but the base trim, although other advanced safety features like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and park assist were optional. The Wrangler lacked lane-keeping and highway assist features. Previous safety ratings showed moderate performance, but the 2024 additions were likely to enhance its standing.

Toyota, however, equipped the Sequoia with an impressive array of standard safety features under the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.5 suite. This included pre-collision systems with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alerts with steering assist, adaptive cruise control, road-sign recognition, and convenient assists like parking sensors with automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring. The Trailer Merge Warning feature was a thoughtful addition, extending the monitored area when a trailer was detected. Optional aids bundled in the Tow Technology Package further enhanced maneuverability and rear visibility, crucial for a vehicle often used for towing.