Whether you want to spend the weekend rock crawling, driving fire roads, or just looking like you do, the Jeep Wrangler has been the de facto choice for off road adventures for decades. That said, Toyota’s 4Runner is also a storied name among rugged SUVs, long before they became as popular as they are today. So in 2024, which of these venerable off-road capable machines reigns supreme?
Key Takeaways
- The Jeep Wrangler offers a plethora of variety with two-door, four-door, hardtop, and convertible options, all with removable body panels like doors.
- Jeep updates a classic with some newer powertrain options like a powerful V8 engine, a hybrid, and the 4xe plug-in hybrid that’s both efficient and good for the planet.
- Though perhaps not as rugged, the 4Runner offers more space for passengers and gear, as well as a more quiet and comfortable ride.
- Both SUVs are known for excellent resale value, which protects your automotive investment.
Is the 2024 Toyota 4Runner bigger than the 2024 Jeep Wrangler?
Jeep continues to offer the 2024 Wrangler in a classic two-door body style like the Jeeps of old. To be sure, this shorter configuration is handy for its compact footprint and maneuverability on the trails, but families may find it lacking in space. For that, there’s also a much more commodious and versatile four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited that handily outsells its two-door counterpart by a wide margin.
Still, the 4Runner does have slightly more cabin space, with 47.2 cubic feet of storage with all seats in place. That’s versus 31.7 cubic feet for the Wrangler Unlimited (four door). With all seats folded down behind the front row, maximum cargo space for the 4Runner 89.7 cubic feet versus 72.4 cubic feet for the Wrangler Unlimited.
The 2024 Wrangler is less expensive than the 4Runner
The 2024 Toyota 4Runner MSRP starts at $41,600 and tops out at $56,565 depending on the trim and options. The popular TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road models come in at $45,445.
In comparison, the 2024 Jeep Wrangler is less expensive than the 4Runner at entry level trims, but specialty models like the Rubicon 392 can get pricey in a hurry. The MSRP of the 2024 Wrangler begins at $33,890 and ranges up to $93,440 depending on which of its 13 different trims and many a’la carte options are selected.
The popular 2020 Jeep Wrangler Willys model, which blends off-road equipment with value, starts at 41,390. Note that the prices listed for both Jeep and Toyota include mandatory destination fees.
The 2024 Jeep Wrangler has more horsepower.
Buyers of the 2024 Jeep Wrangler are spoiled for choice when it comes to what’s under the hood with a whopping five different powertrain options. A traditional V6 is standard, followed by an optional 4-cylinder hybrid with electric motor assist. A second hybrid exists, but with the electric motor assisting a gasoline V6 rather than the aforementioned 4-cylinder.
There’s also a plug-in electric hybrid Wrangler, dubbed the 4xe. Fully charged, the 4xe can travel up to 21 miles on battery power alone without using a drop of fuel. That might not sound like very far, but studies show that many errands are only within a few miles of driver’s homes. When it comes time for the gasoline motor to kick in, drivers will enjoy a combined output of 375 horsepower for sporty maneuvers.
Finally, there’s the outrageous Rubicon 392 with its 6.4-liter (392 cubic inches) V8 engine that packs a 470 horsepower wallop. In a Car and Driver test, the Rubicon 392 ripped from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 4.0 seconds, which is amazing for an off-road oriented SUV.
In sharp contrast to the Wrangler, every 2024 Toyota 4Runner is powered by the exact same 4.0-liter V-6 making 270 horsepower. However, the 4Runner is particularly handicapped by its five-speed automatic transmission, which is easily three to five gears short of optimal by modern standards. It hurts the SUV’s fuel economy as well.
Final thoughts
These two rivals of off-road adventuring have represented the more rugged sector of the SUV market for many years. They’re also both known for excellent resale value, keeping the value of your automotive investment intact. However, we think the 2024 Jeep Wrangler has so much more to offer with its superior selection of engines and transmissions to suit every taste. Plus, you can still remove the roof panels and doors (two doors or four) or drop the fabric convertible top for al fresco motoring on our beautiful Florida days.
With 13 different Jeep Wrangler models to choose from, we know it can be intimidating to pick the perfect one, so let our friendly and knowledgeable team give you a hand. Plus, they’ll explain any special financing or eligible discounts to make your Jeep dreams a reality.