Toyota Highlander vs Jeep Wrangler

The 2022 Toyota Highlander had a modern and somewhat aggressive front-end design that successfully blended functionality with aesthetic appeal. The vehicle’s flared fender arches and the rising third-row window line tricked the eye into perceiving a smaller, more agile SUV. However, stepping inside revealed a cavernous cabin with innovative storage solutions perfect for daily family activities, accommodating iPads and juice boxes with ease.

The XSE trim of the Highlander stood out for its bold red optional leather interior paired with a sedate navy-blue exterior, giving it a unique flair. This trim featured distinctive exterior styling, ambient interior lighting, and a sport-tuned suspension, distinguishing it from other trims. Across the lineup, starting from the base L trim, the Highlander offered increasing levels of luxury and convenience. The base L trim came with 18-inch alloy wheels, a pushbutton start, proximity keyless entry, three-zone climate control, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with smart-device integrations.

Higher trims like the LE, XLE, and XSE added features such as LED fog lights, leather-wrapped steering components, a power liftgate, synthetic leather upholstery, power-adjustable seats, a moonroof, and wireless device charging. The Limited and Platinum trims went further by adding high-end features like heated and ventilated seats, genuine leather, noise-reducing windows, a hands-free liftgate, and advanced safety and tech options, culminating in a luxurious driving experience.

In stark contrast, the 2023 Jeep Wrangler embodied a rugged and boxy design that prioritized functionality over sleekness. This fourth-generation JL Wrangler came in both two-door and four-door versions, with the option to remove doors for a more open driving experience. The model retained classic Jeep features such as a fold-down windshield, robust fenders bearing the American flag, and the iconic seven-slot grille.

Functionality carried through to the Wrangler’s rear, where the tailgate swung out and the rear glass lifted for easy access to the cargo area. The limited-edition purple paint called Reign accented our tester, adding an eye-catching pop of color.

Interior design focused on practicality, with easy-to-clean floor mats and seats. The dashboard was straightforward, featuring chunky HVAC controls and a manual transfer case shifter, emphasizing utility over luxury. The Wrangler did away with unnecessary frills, keeping the form true to its rugged off-road nature.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came equipped with a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The transmission featured a tap-shift function on the shifter and select trims included steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. A trio of driving modes (Sport, Normal, and Eco) allowed drivers to personalize their driving experience, while the AWD system came with selectable modes like Mud/Sand and Rock.

While the V6 offered more horsepower than torque, making it better suited for highway cruising and overtakes, it did sometimes feel sluggish off the line. However, once in motion, the engine provided ample pickup with a pleasant exhaust note. The sport-tuned suspension of the XSE trim reduced body roll significantly and maintained a soft ride over bumps. The Highlander’s towing capacity stood at 5,000 pounds, which was average for its class, and it had a maximum payload of 1,685 pounds in FWD L and LE trims.

Conversely, the 2023 Jeep Wrangler was built for off-road prowess. The standard engine was a V6 producing 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, or an optional 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder generating 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. These engines came with either an eight-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission. There were also specialized powertrains such as the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6, offering 260 horsepower and a substantial 442 pound-feet of torque, and the high-performance 6.4-liter V8 in the Rubicon 392 delivering a monumental 470 horsepower and torque.

The Wrangler 392 excelled in raw power and off-road capability, with the performance to do burnouts and tackle the harshest terrains thanks to its Off-Road Plus mode and advanced transmission and throttle settings. However, on-road performance was hindered by underperforming brakes and vague steering. Other, less powerful Wrangler trims handled better on-road but still fell short of more refined competitors like the Ford Bronco.

In terms of interior space and utility, the 2022 Toyota Highlander excelled with a maximum cargo capacity of 84.3 cubic feet with the second- and third-row seats folded. With the second row in use, the Highlander provided 48.4 cubic feet, and with all rows up, it offered 16 cubic feet of space. The ease of lowering and lifting the seats via quick-release latches and pull-straps enhanced its practicality. The cockpit was well-appointed with an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, spacious storage compartments, and numerous cupholders.

For the 2023 Jeep Wrangler, the interior was more confined, particularly in the rear. The rear seat, while theoretically capable of seating three, felt cramped, and access through the small rear doors was awkward. The Wrangler offered 72.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, which was less than its competitors. The process of removing and reinstalling the soft top rear windows could also be cumbersome.

The Highlander showcased its family-friendly design with features like a hands-free power liftgate on higher trims and abundant USB ports for device charging. The Wrangler maintained its off-road emphasis with removable tops for open-air experiences, though cabin storage was limited, and larger cargo space was compromised.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander featured a well-rounded technology suite that included a standard WiFi hotspot, five USB ports, and an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The infotainment system was intuitive, with hard buttons complementing the touchscreen interface for ease of use. Higher trims offered amenities like a wireless charging pad and an optional 12.3-inch display and JBL premium stereo system.

In comparison, the 2023 Jeep Wrangler’s standard tech offering included a 7-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect system. Our tester’s 8.4-inch screen proved comprehensive, although it lacked physical buttons, relying on a touchscreen interface. The Uconnect system did an excellent job of delivering relevant off-road data and was compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Wrangler also featured practical tech inclusions like a forward-facing trail camera and auxiliary switches for aftermarket accessories, but it did not possess the extensive tech offerings seen in the Highlander.

Safety was a priority for the 2022 Toyota Highlander, which came with the Toyota Safety Sense suite. This package included forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, and automatic high beams. Additional features available on higher trims included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, a surround-view camera, and a head-up display.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler, however, was less equipped in the safety department. Standard features were limited to a rearview camera, electronic roll mitigation, and stability control. Key safety features such as blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control were only standard on the top Rubicon 392 trim; other trims required an optional package for these features. The Wrangler’s safety ratings were mixed, with decent frontal crash protection but lower scores for rollover and side crashes.