2024 Toyota 4Runner vs 2025 Jeep Wrangler

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner was a nostalgic nod to the past, with its design largely unchanged since 2010. Its boxy shape and rugged features, such as flared fenders and a beefy tubular roof rack, gave it a robust appearance suitable for off-road adventures. The TRD Pro model further enhanced this rugged persona with underbody skid plates and all-terrain tires. However, the interior revealed its age with outdated technology, including an analog instrument panel and a small eight-inch infotainment touchscreen. While some might appreciate the nostalgic feel, others could mistake it for a well-maintained used vehicle. The interior materials, like the hard plastic and vinyl-like upholstery, were typical for off-road vehicles, prioritizing durability over luxury.

In contrast, the 2025 Jeep Wrangler Sport S presented a more modern yet classic design, rooted in its World War II military vehicle heritage. Despite its black-on-black colour scheme, which was less than ideal for tropical climates, the Wrangler's design remained appealing. The interior was functional, with a focus on utility over luxury. The Sport S trim offered comfortable cloth seats with optional heated features, though storage space was limited. The Wrangler's high ground clearance and narrow width made it capable of tackling various terrains, but its ride was rough, and handling was sloppy. The Wrangler's design and capability made it a popular choice, despite its lack of sophistication compared to newer vehicles.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner was powered by a 4.0-litre V6 engine, producing 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. While these figures were comparable to competitors like the Bronco and Wrangler, the 4Runner's five-speed automatic transmission held it back, especially in terms of acceleration and fuel economy. The TRD Pro model came standard with four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case, making it adept at off-roading. However, on pavement, the 4Runner felt sluggish, with noticeable rear-end squat during acceleration and a loud engine that seemed overworked. The soft suspension, while beneficial for off-road articulation, resulted in significant body roll and nosedive during braking, affecting on-road handling.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler offered a choice between a 3.6-litre V6 engine with a six-speed manual transmission and a turbocharged 2.0-litre 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 standard four-wheel drive, high ground clearance, and generous approach and departure angles made it a formidable off-road vehicle. However, its on-road performance was less impressive, with a rough ride and disconnected steering feel. The Wrangler's fuel economy was slightly better with the turbocharged engine, achieving 11.0 L/100 km in combined driving.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's interior, though outdated, was functional with easy-to-use controls and excellent outward visibility. The front seats offered ample space, but the steering wheel's limited telescoping range might have been an issue for taller drivers. The second row provided generous legroom, though headroom was limited due to the elevated bench height. The 4Runner offered a third-row option and plenty of storage space, with a maximum cargo capacity of 2,540 litres when the rear seats were stowed. However, accessing the cargo area required manual seat adjustments, and there was no option for a powered liftgate.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler's high ground clearance and narrow door openings made entry and exit challenging. The front seats were comfortable, with optional heated features, but the rear seats offered limited legroom and uncomfortable plastic hooks. Storage space was limited, with small bins and cupholders being the primary options. The Wrangler's cargo area was accessible through a tailgate and rear window, but the process was cumbersome, especially with the spare tire mounted on the tailgate. The four-door model offered a maximum cargo capacity of 2,050 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's infotainment system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the 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 the sound quality. Additional terrain controls were available, but their pictogram labels required consulting the owner's manual for full understanding. The system lacked off-road-specific apps and gauges found in competitors.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler boasted a Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was easy to use, even with the roof panels removed, and offered optional navigation and Jeep Connect services for off-road navigation. The Convenience Group package added a 7-inch digital display and features like passive entry and remote engine start. Rear parking sensors were available in the Safety Group package, enhancing the Wrangler's practicality.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner received mixed safety ratings, with four out of five 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 included driver assistance features like adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning, though some alerts were overly sensitive.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler introduced standard side curtain airbags for front and rear seats, a significant safety upgrade. Advanced driver assistance systems were optional, with features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert available on most trims. 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 due to tipping onto its side.