2024 Jeep Wrangler vs 2024 Toyota 4Runner

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler exhibited its time-honored, rugged aesthetic, which was synonymous with adventurous spirit. This model retained its body-on-frame layout and burly look. Its appearance was consistent across the range, no matter what powertrain or off-road capabilities were included. Some enthusiasts might have discerned the slightly larger tires on more capable trims like the new Rubicon X and the Rubicon 392, but the iconic look largely remained unchanged.

One of the noticeable new features for 2024 was the redesigned grille, which debuted in the 2023 20th Anniversary edition of the Wrangler Rubicon. This grille design was shorter and wider, facilitating better airflow to the engine bay. Another subtle upgrade was the windshield-integrated antenna, replacing the old, snag-prone traditional antenna. Wheel choice also saw an enhancement, with 10 new designs becoming available for the Wrangler.

The Wrangler was built for rugged adventures with various roof options. Buyers could choose from a traditional soft-top, a full hard top, a hard top with a retractable sunroof over the front seats, or a power-retractable sunroof for the entire cabin. Its design allowed the windshield to fold down and offered the option to remove the doors completely, reflecting Jeep’s dedication to providing a full-on open-air experience. Choices included full doors, half doors, or tube doors from Mopar.

Meanwhile, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner felt like a blast from the past, having retained much of its 2010 design with a few refreshes along the way. The 4Runner’s boxy shape remained appropriate for an all-terrain vehicle, evoking a classic yet slightly outdated look. The flared fenders imparted a sturdy and stable presence, essential for off-road adventures. Further enhancing its rugged persona were the chunky shapes in the grille and liftgate, with our TRD Pro model boasting underbody skid plates and all-terrain tires for a robust look. The beefy tubular roof rack suggested it was equipped to handle the toughest terrains.

However, the 4Runner's interior showed its age with outdated technology and old-school styling. The analog instrument panel stood out, a stark contrast to the digital displays common in contemporary vehicles. The eight-inch infotainment touchscreen looked small and dated, matched by traditional gear and transfer case levers and an old LED clock and temperature display. Although nostalgic for some, it might have appeared like a well-maintained older vehicle to others.

The 4Runner’s cabin utilized a lot of hard plastic, which is typical for off-road vehicles. However, commonly touched surfaces had cushioned panels providing some comfort. Despite the ‘grained leather’ look of the upholstery, the thin material appeared more like vinyl, a practical choice for easy maintenance.

Also worth noting was the nostalgia-laden design of the Ford Bronco and the familiar silhouette of the Jeep Wrangler. While these rivals integrated modern touches within their classic frameworks, the 4Runner’s interior hinted only faintly at its off-road heritage.

For the 2024 Jeep Wrangler, buyers had several engine options to choose from. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produced 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. This engine was also available in a plug-in hybrid variant, the 4xe, which boasted 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. Another option was a 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine, delivering 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The most powerful choice was the 6.4-liter V8 engine in the Wrangler 392, putting out 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque.

Transfer cases varied by trim, each offering different levels of off-road capability. Most trims came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, although a six-speed manual option was available for models equipped with the 3.6-liter V6. For those seeking pure speed, the Wrangler 392 came with the Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system. The Rubicon added the Rock-Trac transfer case, offering part-time or full-time 4WD.

The 4xe variant stood out by combining a 2.0-liter turbo engine with electric motors and a battery, offering 21 miles of all-electric range. Our review favored the 4xe Rubicon, which included front and rear locking differentials and an Offroad+ button, optimizing throttle, traction control, and shift points for specific off-road conditions. The solid front and rear axles provided plenty of articulation, while features like BF Goodrich KO2 tires ensured excellent off-road grip and durability.

On road, the Wrangler’s ride quality was hampered by its solid front axle, resulting in a bumpy ride and vague steering. However, for 2024, Jeep improved cabin quietness with added sound-deadening material. The optional WARN winch with an 8,000-pound capacity made the Rubicon trims even more capable.

Conversely, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner came with a standard 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. The 4Runner lagged behind competitors due to its five-speed automatic transmission, which paled in comparison to the Bronco's ten-speed and the Wrangler’s eight-speed. The TRD Pro model featured 4WD and a two-speed transfer case, while other trims offered rear-wheel drive with optional 4WD.

On pavement, the 4Runner felt slow and required heavy throttle input for highway merging. Its soft suspension, beneficial for off-road articulation, caused significant rear-end squat during acceleration and pronounced nose dive under hard braking. On winding roads, body roll was evident, and the ride felt bouncy over ruts and bumps. With a fully loaded cargo area, the ride smoothed out somewhat, but motion sickness could be an issue for passengers on rough roads.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler made headlines with its upgraded towing capacity, enhanced by a new full-float solid rear axle. Select four-door Rubicon models with the 2.0-liter or 3.6-liter engines, automatic transmission, and 33-inch tires could now tow up to 5,000 pounds. Previously, all Wranglers had a towing limit of 3,500 pounds.

Interior conveniences included heated seats and a heated steering wheel, though ventilated seats were not available. Jeep introduced 12-way power-adjustable front seats, designed to be functional even when submerged underwater, as might occur during fording. The 4xe models featured a new 30-amp Power Box, providing power for accessories through the 17.3-kWh battery.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's interior felt dated but functional. The layout was intuitive with large, easy-to-use climate-control dials and driveline levers that accommodated gloved hands. Robust handles aided passengers during off-road excursions, and outward visibility was excellent due to forward-positioned roof pillars.

Front passengers enjoyed ample space, although taller drivers might find the steering wheel's telescoping range insufficient. The second-row seats offered plenty of legroom but limited headroom for taller passengers due to the elevated bench height. A third-row seat was available on certain trims.

Cargo capacity was impressive in the 4Runner, with 47.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 89.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This nearly flat load floor was advantageous, and the sliding rear window offered easy access to gear. The 4Runner could tow up to 5,000 pounds, similar to the upgraded Wrangler, and included a hitch receiver with a seven-pin harness.

Every 2024 Jeep Wrangler featured a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with Uconnect5, with optional navigation. The interface was far more user-friendly, with rapid responsiveness, especially in the Off-Road Pages section. The Wrangler offered numerous USB-A and -C ports, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard.

The Trails Offroad feature provided guidance to over 200 U.S. trails, including all 62 Jeep Badge of Honor trails, with the option to access 3,000 trails via a subscription. Other advancements included a wireless hotspot, dual Bluetooth phone pairing, and the capability to store up to five user profiles.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner’s infotainment system covered the basics with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but its eight-inch touchscreen was challenging to use, especially on the move. Although the TRD Pro included a 15-speaker JBL premium audio system, road noise and the engine's grumble diminished the music's quality during travel.

Additional terrain controls were positioned on the headliner console, identified by pictograms. The Crawl Control functioned as a low-speed cruise control for off-roading, while the Multi-Terrain Select system allowed drivers to choose the appropriate surface setting. Rear and braking differential buttons improved traction on uneven surfaces.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler introduced first- and second-row side-curtain airbags. Forward collision warning was standard on all but the base model, while other advanced driver aids like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and park assist remained optional for most trims. Neither lane-keeping assist nor lane-follow or highway assist features were available.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler had not received ratings from NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review. The 2023 Wrangler secured a four-star frontal crash rating and a three-star rollover rating from NHTSA, with IIHS scores ranging from “Good” to “Moderate” for various crash tests. Improved side curtain airbags might influence future ratings positively.

NHTSA awarded the 2024 Toyota 4Runner four stars for overall and frontal crash protection, five stars for side impacts, and three stars for rollover evaluations. IIHS results were mixed, with top scores in some tests but “Marginal” and “Poor” ratings in newer small overlap frontal tests. The Ford Bronco performed better in these evaluations.

Toyota's suite of safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a blind-spot monitor. The TRD Pro and Limited trims featured a surround-view camera system, while the Limited also included front and rear parking sensors. Some of these systems proved to be overly sensitive, triggering alerts frequently.