2024 Jeep Wrangler vs 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was a standout in Toyota's lineup of crossovers and SUVs, offering a range of options from all-gas to hybrid-powered models. Built on the TNGA-K platform, it shared its underpinnings with the regular Highlander, RAV4, Sienna, and Camry, distinguishing itself from the body-on-frame Sequoia. With a length of 5,115 millimetres and a wheelbase of 2,950 mm, it was larger than competitors like the Kia Telluride, providing a spacious interior. Its design, inspired by rugged vehicles, featured a blockier style with a trapezoidal grille and narrow headlights, reminiscent of the 4Runner. The Grand Highlander was available in three trims: XLE, Limited, and Platinum, with interior options ranging from black Softex synthetic leather to real leather in higher trims. It offered a comfortable and well-built interior, making it an excellent choice for road trips.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler maintained its iconic burly, body-on-frame look, with new features like a redesigned grille for improved airflow and an integrated windshield antenna. It offered various roof options, including soft-top, hard top, and power-retractable sunroof, along with removable doors and foldable windshields for a customizable adventure experience. The Wrangler's rugged design was complemented by 10 new wheel designs and a range of powertrains, including the Rubicon X and Rubicon 392 trims with larger all-terrain tires. The Wrangler was built for off-road adventures, with options like full-time 4WD Selec-Trac and Rock-Trac transfer cases, making it a versatile choice for those seeking rugged exploration.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options, starting with a 2.4-litre turbo four-cylinder engine producing 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. For those prioritizing fuel efficiency, a 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid option delivered 245 combined net horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. At the top of the range, the Grand Highlander Hybrid Max powertrain boasted 362 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. All powertrains came with all-wheel drive in Canada, providing solid acceleration, especially with the Hybrid Max's 6.3-second zero-to-60 time. While the Grand Highlander excelled in road manners, it was less agile than its smaller counterpart, the Highlander. The brakes offered a linear pedal feel, and the steering, though somewhat numb, was adequate for most driving situations. The Grand Highlander featured three drive modes—Sport, Eco, and Normal—with additional off-road modes for gas-only and Hybrid Max models.

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 pound-feet of torque, a 3.6-litre V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, and a powerful 6.4-litre V8 engine with 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. The Wrangler's off-road capabilities were enhanced by various transfer cases, including the Command-Trac, Selec-Trac, and Rock-Trac systems. The 4xe PHEV Wrangler stood out with its 35-kilometre all-electric range and impressive power. The Wrangler's solid axles provided excellent articulation for off-road traction, while the new Offroad+ mode optimized performance for sand dune driving and rock crawling. Despite its off-road prowess, the Wrangler's ride quality on pavement was bumpy, though sound deadening improvements made the cabin quieter.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was notably larger than its rivals, with a length of over 5 metres and a 2,950 mm wheelbase. This extra length translated to impressive cargo capacity, with a total of 2,761 litres, surpassing competitors like the Kia Telluride. Even with all seats in place, it offered 583 litres of cargo space. The Grand Highlander provided ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in all rows, ensuring comfort for passengers, including those in the third row.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler saw an upgrade in towing capacity, now rated to tow 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds) for specific models. Inside, it offered heated seats and a heated steering wheel, with new 12-way power-adjustable front seats that remained functional even when submerged. The Wrangler 4xe featured a 30-amp Power Box, allowing for powering accessories like blenders or power tools. Despite its rugged nature, the Wrangler's interior offered practical features for both adventure and comfort.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering a visually stunning interface. An intelligent assistant, accessible via a connected-services subscription, responded to voice commands for tasks like adjusting temperature and changing radio stations. The system included dual-device Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Grand Highlander Limited and Platinum trims featured an 11-speaker JBL stereo, providing excellent sound quality. While Toyota's tech offerings had improved, careful consideration of subscription options was recommended.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Uconnect5, with optional navigation. The system's speed and user-friendly interface were notable improvements, especially for accessing Off-Road Pages. The Wrangler offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless hotspot, dual Bluetooth phone pairing, and the ability to store up to five user profiles. The new system provided a seamless and efficient tech experience for Wrangler drivers.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander had not yet been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but it came with an impressive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) as standard. Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 included features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, road-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control with four following-distance settings was also standard, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler introduced first- and second-row side-curtain airbags, with forward collision warning standard on most models. However, many advanced driver aids were optional, including blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and park assist. The Wrangler had not yet been rated by NHTSA or IIHS for 2024, but previous ratings indicated areas for improvement in crash protection. The addition of side curtain airbags was expected to enhance safety ratings.