Toyota 4Runner vs Jeep Grand Wagoneer

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, four years into its lifecycle, received a refresh that maintained its upright stance, low belt line, and large windows. However, the new illuminated grille and welcome-lighting sequence gave it a fresh vibe, inspired by the all-electric Wagoneer S. The Upland trim added front recovery hooks that enhanced utility without compromising its elegant design. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer boasted a modern interior with clean design and strong horizontal lines. Although the 12-inch infotainment screen seemed small for such a large vehicle, it was complemented by redundant HVAC and audio controls. The seats, while plain in appearance, offered comfort and adjustability, making long drives pleasant. The cabin's trim and materials were premium, with options for Nappa and Palermo leather, and a suede headliner, contributing to a high-quality fit and finish.

The 2026 Toyota 4Runner shared design elements with the Tacoma pickup, making them hard to distinguish from the front. It had a muscular look with pronounced haunches and black wheel flares for off-road models. The sheet metal was heavily creased, especially along the sides. The grille sat high, with heritage-inspired front ends on the TRD Pro and Trailhunter models, featuring "Toyota" lettering and an integrated light bar. The rear side windows extended into the roof, reminiscent of the original 4Runner. Wheel sizes ranged from 18 to 20 inches. Inside, the 4Runner had a utilitarian look with chunky control dials and abundant hard plastic. Cloth upholstery was standard, with synthetic leather on higher trims for easy cleaning. Even with leather, the cabin never reached a high-end feel.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 3.0-liter Hurricane twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine, delivering 420 horsepower and 468 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided smooth and effortless power, even for a vehicle weighing around 6,000 pounds. Although the high-output Hurricane engine was no longer available, the standard engine still offered impressive performance. The Grand Wagoneer was also set to receive a range-extended electric powertrain, combining a 92-kilowatt-hour battery pack and a 3.6-liter V6 gasoline engine, delivering an estimated 647 hp and 620 lb-ft of torque. Despite its large size, the Grand Wagoneer was agile and easy to drive, with excellent visibility and a quiet cabin.

The 2026 Toyota 4Runner offered two powertrains: a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, and the i-Force Max hybrid system, which increased output to 326 hp and 465 lb-ft. Our TRD Off-Road Premium tester had the hybrid powertrain, which provided adequate performance for daily needs but wasn't particularly quick. The eight-speed automatic transmission was well-matched to the engine, with more aggressive tuning in Sport mode. The 4Runner excelled off-road, with features like a locking rear differential, Bilstein dampers, and a Multi-Terrain System. However, its on-road dynamics were compromised, with a firm suspension and notable lean in corners.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer excelled as a people mover, with three rows offering ample leg and hip room. The optional bench seat in the second row allowed for up to eight passengers, with the third row accommodating three people comfortably. While using the third row reduced cargo space to 27.9 cubic feet, the long-wheelbase version nearly doubled this capacity. The Grand Wagoneer could tow up to 10,000 pounds when properly equipped. Features like three-zone automatic climate controls, heated-and-ventilated front seats, and Quadra-Lift air suspension added to its appeal.

The 2026 Toyota 4Runner offered two or three rows of seating, with the front seats being the most comfortable. Heated front seats were standard on most trims, with power adjustments available on higher trims. The second row provided decent space but lacked comfort due to low seat bottoms. The three-row version was less accommodating, with limited legroom. Cargo space was competitive, with two-row models offering up to 90.2 cubic feet. However, the hybrid powertrain reduced space due to a higher load floor.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came equipped with a 12-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10.25-inch digital cluster, and a wireless phone charger. Higher trims offered features like a 23-speaker McIntosh sound system and a front passenger interactive display. While the tech generally performed well, the wireless phone charger had issues, and the 12-inch screen felt small for the vehicle's size.

The 2026 Toyota 4Runner featured a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and an 8-inch touchscreen, with larger screens available on higher trims. The 14-inch screen was easy to use but lacked distinctive design elements. The 4Runner included a one-year trial of Remote Connect, Safety Connect, and Service Connect, along with a Wi-Fi hotspot. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster provided useful vehicle-status information. Standard tech features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a 14-speaker JBL audio system on higher trims.

The 2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was equipped with safety features like lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors, and rear cross-traffic alert. Available features included automated parking assist and a surround-view camera system. The Grand Wagoneer received mixed safety ratings, with a four-star rating from the NHTSA and a mix of Good and Marginal scores from the IIHS.

The 2026 Toyota 4Runner came with Toyota's Safety Sense 3.0 suite, including forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. It also featured blind-spot monitors and traffic-jam assist. The 4Runner received four out of five stars from the NHTSA and mixed results from the IIHS, with some lower scores in crash tests.