2024 Toyota 4Runner vs 2025 Jeep Wrangler

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner was a nostalgic nod to the past, with its design largely unchanged since its 2010 redesign. Despite its dated appearance, the 4Runner's boxy shape and flared fenders gave it a robust and stable look, ideal for off-road adventures. The TRD Pro model enhanced this rugged persona with underbody skid plates and all-terrain tires, making it seem ready for any challenge. However, the interior showed its age with old-school styling and outdated technology, including an analog instrument panel and a small eight-inch infotainment touchscreen. While some might find charm in its retro feel, others could mistake it for a well-preserved used vehicle.

In contrast, the 2025 Jeep Wrangler Sport S, despite its heat-absorbing black color scheme, offered a more modern take on ruggedness. The Wrangler's design paid homage to its military roots, with a focus on American freedom and off-road capability. The interior, though not luxurious, was functional, with comfortable front seats and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Wrangler's appeal lay in its ability to tackle diverse terrains, supported by its high ground clearance and four-wheel drive. However, its ride was rough, and the steering felt disconnected, especially at higher speeds. Despite these quirks, the Wrangler remained a popular choice for those seeking adventure.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner was powered by a 4.0-liter V6 engine, delivering 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. While these figures were competitive, the 4Runner's five-speed automatic transmission lagged behind the more advanced transmissions of its rivals, affecting acceleration and fuel economy. The TRD Pro model came with standard four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case, making it adept at off-roading. However, on highways, the 4Runner felt sluggish, with noticeable rear-end squat during acceleration and a loud engine noise. Its soft suspension, while beneficial off-road, resulted in body roll and floatiness on paved roads.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler offered a choice between a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a six-speed manual transmission and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The latter produced 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, offering a lively performance, especially at higher elevations. The Wrangler's fuel economy was slightly better with the turbocharged engine, achieving an EPA rating of 21 mpg in combined driving. Despite its rough ride and slow steering, the Wrangler excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to its high ground clearance and four-wheel drive. However, its three-star rollover resistance rating was a concern for lateral driving on slopes.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's interior, though outdated, was practical, with easy-to-use controls and excellent outward visibility. The front seats offered ample space, but the steering wheel's limited telescoping range could be an issue for taller drivers. The second row provided generous legroom, though headroom was restricted due to the elevated bench. The 4Runner's cargo space was impressive, with up to 89.7 cubic feet available when the rear seats were stowed. However, accessing this space required manual effort, as there were no remote seat releases. The sliding glass rear window and hitch receiver added convenience and utility.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler's high ground clearance and narrow door openings made entry and exit challenging. Inside, the front seats were comfortable, with cloth upholstery and optional heated features. The rear seats offered adequate legroom, but taller passengers risked hitting their knees on the front seatback hooks. Storage was limited, with small bins and door nets. The Wrangler's cargo space was accessible through a tailgate and rear window, offering 31.7 cubic feet, expandable to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. However, accessing the cargo area could be cumbersome if space was tight.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's infotainment system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but its small eight-inch touchscreen was challenging to use while driving. The TRD Pro model featured a 15-speaker JBL audio system, though road noise often obscured its quality. Additional terrain controls were available, but their pictogram labels required consulting the owner's manual for full understanding. The system included Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select, enhancing off-road capabilities.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler boasted a Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, even with the roof panels removed. The Convenience Group pack added a 7-inch digital display and features like passive entry and remote engine start. The Active Safety Group option included rear parking sensors, aiding in reversing. Jeep Connect offered a Wi-Fi hotspot and off-road navigation tools, enhancing the Wrangler's technological appeal.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner received mixed safety ratings, with four stars from NHTSA for overall and frontal crash protection, and five stars for side impacts. However, it scored three stars in rollover evaluations. The IIHS gave it a "Good" rating for moderate frontal overlap and side protection tests, but "Marginal" and "Poor" results in the small overlap frontal test. The 4Runner came with a full suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning, though some alerts were overly sensitive.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler added side curtain airbags as standard, a significant safety enhancement. However, advanced driver assistance systems were mostly optional. The Wrangler received a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating from NHTSA. The IIHS rated it "Good" for side-impact protection and moderate overlap frontal-impact tests, but "Marginal" for the small overlap frontal-impact test. The Wrangler offered optional safety features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control, though our rental lacked these upgrades.