2024 Jeep Wrangler vs 2023 Toyota 4Runner

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition, or 40 ASE, was a nod to the past with its retro body stripes and heritage grille design. It featured bronze 17-inch wheels and badges, both inside and out, along with bronze stitching on the seats and interior. This special edition was based on the SR5 trim and added $3,330 to its price, with a total MSRP of $54,380. Available in black, white, or red paint, the 40 ASE had a black artificial leather interior. The 4Runner lineup for 2023 included various trims, with prices ranging from $51,050 to $66,220, plus a $1,930 destination charge. The 4Runner's design was reminiscent of truck-based SUVs from the past, offering a solid and quality feel with easy-to-use controls.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler maintained its iconic burly, body-on-frame look, with larger all-terrain tires on models like the Rubicon X and Rubicon 392. A redesigned grille, first seen on the 2023 20th Anniversary edition of the Wrangler Rubicon, was shorter and wider, improving airflow into the engine bay. The antenna was integrated into the windshield to prevent snagging during off-roading. The Wrangler offered a variety of roof options, including traditional soft-top, full hard top, retractable sunroof, and power-retractable sunroof. The windshield could fold down, and the doors could be removed, with options for full doors, half doors, or tube doors from Mopar.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner was powered by a 4.0-litre V6 engine, delivering 270 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 278 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. It featured a five-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive (4WD), with a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds). The 4Runner offered two 4WD systems: a part-time 4WD system and a full-time 4WD system on the Limited trim. Its fuel economy was rated at 13.8 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with an average of 13.9 L/100 km in the 40 ASE. The 4Runner had 24.4 centimetres of ground clearance and standard Active Traction Control, with additional off-roading technologies available on certain trims.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler offered a range of powertrains, including a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, a plug-in hybrid version with 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, a 3.6-litre V6 with 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, and a 6.4-litre V8 with 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. The Wrangler featured various transfer cases, with the Command-Trac 4WD system on Sport and Sahara trims, and the Rock-Trac transfer case on Rubicon trims. Most models had an eight-speed automatic transmission, with a six-speed manual option for the 3.6-litre engine. The 4xe PHEV Wrangler offered 35 kilometres of all-electric range and matched the 392 trim in torque. The Wrangler's solid front and rear axles provided excellent articulation, and the Offroad+ mode optimized performance for different terrains.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured a unique rear window that powered down into the tailgate, providing excellent ventilation when combined with the sunroof and automatic windows. The interior offered comfortable seats, with ventilated leather seats available on the Limited trim. The 40 ASE had SofTex artificial leather seats. Dual-zone climate control and numerous storage locations were provided, though some lacked rubber liners. The second-row seating area was spacious, with good legroom, headroom, air conditioning vents, and USB charging ports. A third-row seat was available but compromised cargo space. The cargo area offered 1,337 litres of space with the standard five-passenger seating.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler's towing capacity increased to 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds) for four-door Rubicon trims with specific engines and tires. Inside, heated seats and a heated steering wheel were available, with new 12-way power adjustable front seats. The Wrangler 4xe featured a 30-amp Power Box, running off the 17.3-kWh battery, to power accessories. The Wrangler's interior was designed for rugged use, with features like removable doors and a fold-down windshield.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner's technology was straightforward, with traditional analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio, with optional navigation and a JBL premium sound system. The infotainment system's voice recognition performed well, though it couldn't change cabin temperature due to manual controls.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Uconnect5, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was faster and more user-friendly, with Off-Road Pages providing detailed data. New features included a wireless hotspot, dual Bluetooth phone pairing, and the ability to store up to five user profiles.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner came with Toyota Safety Sense, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard. The 4Runner received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with three-star ratings for front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS rated it Marginal for driver protection in the small overlap frontal-impact test.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler added first- and second-row side-curtain airbags. Forward collision warning was standard on all but the base model, with optional blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and park assist. The 2023 Wrangler received four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection from the NHTSA. The IIHS rated the four-door Wrangler as Good in roof strength and head restraints, but Moderate in frontal and side crashes.