Compare the2023 Toyota TacomaVS 2023 Jeep Wrangler

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Payload and Towing
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Toyota Tacoma has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Wrangler doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Tacoma has standard head airbag curtains for front and rear seats which act as a forgiving barrier between the driver and outboard passenger's upper bodies and the window and pillars. Combined with high-strength steel door beams and lower side airbags this system increases head protection in broadside collisions. The Wrangler doesn't offer side airbag protection for the head and are only available for the front seats.

The Tacoma has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Wrangler doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Tacoma’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. The Wrangler doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The Tacoma offers an optional Panoramic View/Multi-Terrain Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Wrangler only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The Tacoma’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Wrangler doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Tacoma and the Wrangler 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 four-wheel drive, blind spot warning systems 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 Toyota Tacoma is safer than the Jeep Wrangler:

	Tacoma	Wrangler
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Compression	69 lbs.	72 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	230/374 lbs.	926/731 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Compression	12 lbs.	81 lbs.

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

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Toyota Tacoma Access Cab is safer than the Wrangler 4-door:

	Tacoma	Wrangler
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Peak Head Forces	0 G’s	0 G’s
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Max Chest Compression	19 cm	23 cm
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Lower Leg Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	GOOD

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Tacoma, with its four-star roll-over rating, is 7.6% to 13.2% less likely to roll over than the Wrangler, which received a three-star rating.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, rear impact and roof-crush tests, its standard front crash prevention system, its “Acceptable” rating in the new passenger-side small overlap crash test, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Tacoma the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2019, a rating granted to only 184 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Wrangler was not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2016.

Reliability

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the Tacoma have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of the 6.4 V8 in the Wrangler.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Tacoma’s reliability 34 points higher than the Wrangler.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in initial quality. With 27 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jeep is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Jeep is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Jeep is ranked 19th.

Engine

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota Tacoma V6 is faster than the Jeep Wrangler turbo 4 cyl. (automatics tested):

	Tacoma	Wrangler
Zero to 60 MPH	6.8 sec	8.1 sec
Quarter Mile	15.2 sec	16.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91.6 MPH	82.6 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Tacoma uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Wrangler Rubicon 392 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Tacoma has 3.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Wrangler 4Xe/2-door’s standard fuel tank (21.1 vs. 17.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

The Toyota Tacoma comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the Wrangler.

Brakes and Stopping

The Tacoma stops much shorter than the Wrangler:

	Tacoma	Wrangler
70 to 0 MPH	185 feet	211 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	132 feet	150 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	158 feet	163 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

The Toyota Tacoma’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Jeep Wrangler only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

Suspension and Handling

The Toyota Tacoma’s independent front suspension is much lighter than the Jeep Wrangler’s solid front axle, which allows the Tacoma’s wheels to react more quickly and accurately to the road’s surface, improving both ride and handling.

For much better steering response and tighter handling the Tacoma has rack and pinion steering, like Formula racecars, instead of the recirculating-ball type steering of the Wrangler.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tacoma Access Cab’s wheelbase is 30.6 inches longer than on the Wrangler 2-door 4x4 (127.4 inches vs. 96.8 inches). The Tacoma Long Bed Double Cab’s wheelbase is 22.2 inches longer than on the Wrangler 4-door 4x4 (140.6 inches vs. 118.4 inches).

The Tacoma Short Bed SR5 Double Cab handles at .71 G’s, while the Wrangler Rubicon 392 pulls only .67 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Tacoma Short Bed TRD Off-Road Double Cab 4x4 handles at .71 G’s, while the Wrangler Rubicon 2-door pulls only .63 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Tacoma Short Bed SR5 Double Cab executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Wrangler Rubicon 4-door (29.4 seconds @ .57 average G’s vs. 29.9 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

The Tacoma Short Bed TRD Off-Road Double Cab 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.7 seconds quicker than the Wrangler Rubicon 2-door (28.6 seconds @ .58 average G’s vs. 31.3 seconds @ .48 average G’s).

Chassis

For excellent aerodynamics, the Tacoma has standard flush composite headlights. The Wrangler has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

Passenger Space

The Tacoma Access Cab has 1.7 inches more front legroom, 3.3 inches more front hip room, 2.5 inches more front shoulder room and 6.7 inches more rear hip room than the Wrangler 2-door.

The Tacoma Double Cab has 1.7 inches more front legroom, 3.3 inches more front hip room, 2.5 inches more front shoulder room and 3.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Wrangler 4-door.

Cargo Capacity

The Tacoma Double Cab has a much larger cargo volume with its short-bed bodystyle than the Wrangler 2-door with its rear seat up (34.8 vs. 12.9 cubic feet). The Tacoma Double Cab has a much larger cargo volume with its long-bed bodystyle than the Wrangler 2-door with its rear seat folded (42.6 vs. 31.7 cubic feet).

The Tacoma Access Cab has a much larger cargo volume than the Wrangler 4-door with its rear seat up (42.6 vs. 31.7 cubic feet).

The Tacoma Access Cab has a much larger cargo area than the Wrangler 2-door with its rear seat up (42.6 vs. 12.9 cubic feet). The Tacoma Access Cab has a much larger cargo area with its long-bed bodystyle than the Wrangler with its rear seat folded (42.6 vs. 31.7 cubic feet).

The Tacoma’s cargo area is larger than the Wrangler’s in almost every dimension:

	Tacoma Access Cab	Tacoma Double Cab	Wrangler
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	73.7”	60.5”/73.7”	37”/65.8”
Max Width	56.7”	56.7”	42”
Min Width	41.5”	41.5”	39.5”
Height	19.1”	19.1”	30”

The Toyota Tacoma has a standard tailgate assist feature, which prevents the heavy tailgate from falling with a crash and causing injury. It allows adults and children to easily open and close the tailgate with one hand to better facilitate loading and unloading. The Jeep Wrangler doesn’t offer a tailgate assist.

Payload and Towing

The Tacoma’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Wrangler’s (3500 vs. 2000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Jeep Wrangler 4-door is only 3500 pounds. The Tacoma Access Cab offers up to a 6800 lbs. towing capacity.

The Tacoma has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the Wrangler (1685 vs. 1351 lbs.).

Ergonomics

The Tacoma’s standard power windows allow the driver or passenger to lower and raise the windows without leaning over or being distracted. Power windows cost extra on the Wrangler.

The Tacoma TRD/Limited’s front power windows both open or close with one touch of the switches. The Wrangler’s power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

The Tacoma’s standard power window controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Wrangler’s optional power window controls are down in the center of the dashboard, away from the windows and mixed with controls for unrelated features.

The Tacoma’s standard power locks allow the driver or passenger to lock or unlock all the doors at a touch without leaning over. Power locks cost extra on the Wrangler.

In addition to a parabolic reflector, optical-grade lenses in the Tacoma’s standard projector headlights precisely focus the beam, providing more even illumination of the road for better visibility and a sharp cut-off that prevents blinding oncoming drivers. The sharp cutoff allows the use of a stronger light. The Wrangler’s standard uses a simple reflector to direct its standard headlights.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Tacoma’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Wrangler’s headlights are rated “Marginal” to “Poor.”

The Tacoma has standard power remote mirrors. The Wrangler only comes with remote mirrors at extra cost. Without them the driver will have to roll down the windows and reach across the car to adjust the mirrors.

The Tacoma’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Jeep charges extra for heated mirrors on the Wrangler.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota Tacoma TRD/Limited has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) for the front seat. The Wrangler doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Model Availability

The Tacoma is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Wrangler doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Tacoma is less expensive to operate than the Wrangler because typical repairs cost less on the Tacoma than the Wrangler, including $57 less for front brake pads and $38 less for front struts.

Recommendations

The TRD Off-Road was selected by Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road magazine as their 2016 4x4 of the Year. The Wrangler was 4x4 of the Year in 2012.

The Toyota Tacoma outsold the Jeep Wrangler by 22% during the 2022 model year.

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