Compare the2023 Jeep WranglerVS 2023 Toyota 4Runner

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the Wrangler. But it costs extra on the 4Runner.

Both the Wrangler and the 4Runner have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Jeep Wrangler is safer than the Toyota 4Runner:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Jeep pays for scheduled maintenance (up to 3 oil changes) on the Wrangler for 1 year and -25000 miles longer than Toyota pays for maintenance for the 4Runner (3/unlimited vs. 2/25000).

There are almost 2 times as many Jeep dealers as there are Toyota dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Wrangler’s warranty.

The Wrangler has a solid front axle with a floating power axle for durability that the 4Runner 4x4’s independent front suspension and exposed front driveshafts don’t offer.

The Wrangler’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 17 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 278) than the 4Runner’s 4.0 DOHC V6. The Wrangler’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 15 more horsepower (285 vs. 270) than the 4Runner’s 4.0 DOHC V6. The Wrangler 4Xe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 105 more horsepower (375 vs. 270) and 192 lbs.-ft. more torque (470 vs. 278) than the 4Runner’s 4.0 DOHC V6. The Wrangler Rubicon 392’s optional 6.4 V8 produces 200 more horsepower (470 vs. 270) and 192 lbs.-ft. more torque (470 vs. 278) than the 4Runner’s 4.0 DOHC V6.

The Wrangler’s 3.0 turbo V6 diesel produces 164 lbs.-ft. more torque (442 vs. 278) than the 4Runner’s 4.0 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Jeep Wrangler turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Toyota 4Runner (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Wrangler 4-door running on electricity gets better mileage than the 4Runner:

On the EPA test cycle the Wrangler 4-door running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the 4Runner:

The Wrangler 4Xe can travel with zero emissions for 22 miles. The 4Runner can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Wrangler Rubicon 392’s fuel efficiency. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the Wrangler 2.0 Turbo/3.6 eTorque/4Xe’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Wrangler (except Rubicon 392)’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The 4Runner doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Wrangler offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

An eight-speed automatic is available on the Jeep Wrangler, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a five-speed automatic is available for the 4Runner.

The Wrangler Rubicon 392’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The 4Runner doesn’t offer launch control.

The Wrangler stops much shorter than the 4Runner:

For better traction, the Wrangler’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 4Runner (315/70R17 vs. 265/70R17).

The Wrangler Sahara 4Xe’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 4Runner Limited/TRD Sport’s 60 series tires.

The Wrangler has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The 4Runner doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Wrangler 4-door 4x4’s wheelbase is 8.6 inches longer than on the 4Runner (118.4 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Wrangler is 1.1 inches wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the 4Runner.

The Wrangler Sahara 4-door handles at .74 G’s, while the 4Runner TRD Off-Road pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Wrangler Rubicon 4Xe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the 4Runner TRD Off-Road (27.8 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 29.5 seconds @ .55 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Wrangler 2-door’s turning circle is 2.9 feet tighter than the 4Runner’s (34.5 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Wrangler Sport 2-door has a greater minimum ground clearance than the 4Runner (9.7 vs. 9.6 inches), allowing the Wrangler to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Jeep Wrangler may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 500 pounds less than the Toyota 4Runner.

The Wrangler 2-door 4x4 is 1 foot, 11.4 inches shorter than the 4Runner, making the Wrangler easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Wrangler Sport 4-door is quieter than the 4Runner TRD Off-Road:

The Wrangler 4-door has a much larger cargo volume than the 4Runner with its rear seat up (31.7 vs. 9 cubic feet).

The Wrangler can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Wrangler can be unhitched and driven around locally. The 4Runner can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Wrangler uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The 4Runner doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Wrangler has a maintenance free battery for long life without checking the battery’s water level. The 4Runner doesn’t have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery’s cells must be checked often to prevent damage.

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Wrangler to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes based on actual driving conditions. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Toyota doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the 4Runner.

The Wrangler (except Manual/Sport) offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The engine computer on the Wrangler automatically engages the starter until the car starts with one twist of the key and disables the starter while the engine is running. The 4Runner’s starter can be accidentally engaged while the engine is running, making a grinding noise and possibly damaging the starter and ring gear.

The Wrangler’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The 4Runner does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The power windows available on both the Wrangler and the 4Runner have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Wrangler is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The 4Runner prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Wrangler’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The 4Runner’s power mirror and cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Wrangler’s speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The 4Runner’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Wrangler has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the 4Runner only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Wrangler’s optional power mirror controls are mounted on the door for easy access. The 4Runner’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

On extremely cold winter days, the Wrangler Sport S/Sahara/Rubicon’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Jeep Wrangler JL comes in four door and soft top bodystyles; the Toyota 4Runner isn’t available as a soft top.

Insurance will cost less for the Wrangler owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Wrangler will cost $645 less than the 4Runner over a five-year period.

The Wrangler will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Wrangler will retain 70.15% to 81.11% of its original price after five years, while the 4Runner only retains 62.96% to 69.47%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Wrangler is less expensive to operate than the 4Runner because it costs $155 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Wrangler than the 4Runner, including $234 less for a water pump, $173 less for a muffler, $363 less for a starter, $82 less for fuel injection, $40 less for a fuel pump, $930 less for a timing belt/chain and $241 less for a power steering pump.

Four Wheeler performed a comparison test in its May 2019 issue and the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4-door won out over the Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro.

Motor Trend selected the Wrangler as their 2019 Sport Utility of the Year. The 4Runner has never been chosen.

The Jeep Wrangler outsold the Toyota 4Runner by 41% during the 2022 model year.