The comparison of the 2024 Jeep Wrangler versus the 2024 Toyota 4Runner is a battle between two longtime rivals but with an interesting twist. The 2024 4Runner is on the verge of being replaced by an all-new 2025 version with a significant change under the hood. The SUV's well-regarded V6 engine is giving way to a turbocharged four-cylinder.
With the current 4Runner's successor waiting in the wings, Toyota decided to stand pat for the 2024 model year. Hence, the 2024 4Runner is a virtual carbon copy of the 2023 model, similar to the vehicle first introduced during the Obama Administration.
In the other corner is the Jeep Wrangler, which isn't the newest platform on the block, either, but it received significant upgrades for the 2024 model year. The most welcome of these is the substitution of a new iteration of its Uconnect infotainment system, complete with a newly standard 12.3-inch touchscreen display. Jeep has also made the 4xe plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain available on additional Wrangler trim levels.
While both models have solid off-road chops, they present very differently. The 4Runner is a traditional, truck-based body-on-frame SUV. Buyers can configure it as a two- or three-row vehicle, seating as many as seven.
The Jeep Wrangler is, well, the Jeep Wrangler—a unique all-terrain vehicle that leverages the legend of the original World War II military Jeep. It is now available in two-door models seating four and four-door models seating five. Unlike the 4Runner and its single V6 powerplant, the Wrangler offers buyers the choice of several drivetrains.
While these two models are very different, anyone looking for a rugged, capable all-terrain vehicle is well-advised to take a long look at both. This comparison of the 2024 Jeep Wrangler and 2024 Toyota 4Runner will help you do that.
2024 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
The 2024 Jeep Wrangler has seven trims: Sport, Sport S, Willys, Rubicon, Sahara, Rubicon X, and Rubicon 392. The Sahara and Rubicon 392 are four-door only; the others offer two- and four-door options. Pricing ranges from the Sport, which starts at $31,995, to the Rubicon 392, which starts at $91,545. (Prices do not include the $1,895 destination charge.) Jeep treats the Wrangler 4xe PHEV as a separate model in Sport S, Willys, Sahara, Rubicon, and High Altitude trims.
Through its Jeep Wave program, the Wrangler offers three years of complimentary oil changes and tire rotations. Roadside assistance is available for five years or 60,000 miles. All 2024 Wranglers come with a three-month trial of the Jeep Connect Assistance package, five years of the Vehicle Performance package, and ten years of the Safety and Security package.
The 2024 Toyota 4Runner lineup offers seven trims: SR5, TRD Sport, SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, Limited, and TRD Pro. Most trims offer rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel-drive (4WD) options. The TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, and TRD Pro are 4WD only. At $40,705, not including the destination charge, the rear-drive SR5 is the least costly 4Runner. At the top of the lineup, the TRD Pro ($55,170) includes a laundry list of off-road-oriented equipment.
The 2024 4Runner offers ToyotaCare, which includes free scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles and free roadside assistance for two years with no mileage restriction. Most trims offer one-year trial subscriptions to Safety Connect and Remote Connect, a 10-year trial of Service Connect, and a 30-day trial of a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Advantage: Jeep Wrangler
Why? The Wrangler is generally less expensive and offers a plug-in hybrid version.
2024 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro
The Jeep Wrangler does not rank among the top three models in the Compact SUV segment in the JD Power 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), which assesses owner-reported problems during the third year of ownership.
The Wrangler ranks third (in a tie) in its segment in the JD Power 2023 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS), which tracks problems experienced by owners during the first 90 days.
The 2024 Jeep Wrangler offers a standard warranty of three years, or 36,000 miles, and a powertrain warranty of five years, or 60,000 miles.
The Toyota 4Runner does not rank among the top three models in the Upper Midsize SUV segment in the 2024 VDS but ranks highest in its segment in the 2023 IQS. Its warranty coverage matches the Wrangler’s.
Advantage: Toyota 4Runner
Why? The 4Runner ranks higher in its segment in initial quality than the Wrangler.
2024 Jeep Wrangler Willys 2-Door
The 2024 Jeep Wrangler offers several powertrains. The base engine is a 3.6-liter V6 rated at 285 horsepower; a 270-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is widely available. Jeep equips the Rubicon 392 with a 470-hp 6.4-liter Hemi V8. The Jeep Wrangler 4xe offers a plug-in hybrid drivetrain with a total output of 375 hp. Jeep says the Wrangler 4xe provides 21 miles of all-electric range.
The plug-in hybrid Wrangler 4xe offers an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rating of 49 MPGe in combined driving. The base 3.6-liter V6 delivers 20 mpg combined, and the 2.0-liter turbo engine is EPA-rated at 21 mpg combined. The high-powered 6.4-liter V8 offers 14 mpg combined fuel economy.
The 2024 Toyota 4Runner is available with just one engine—a normally aspirated 4.0-liter V6. It delivers 270 hp backed by a five-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is the standard configuration. Buyers can get part-time 4WD across much of the lineup, and the Limited has a full-time 4WD system.
In both RWD and 4WD 4Runners, the 4.0-liter V6 delivers fuel economy of 17 mpg in combined driving.
Advantage: Jeep Wrangler
Why? The Wrangler offers more powertrain choices and better fuel economy.
2024 Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport
At this point, it is reasonable for any consumer to expect a brand-new vehicle to include the following safety features:
So, how do the Wrangler and 4Runner stack up? Let's take a look.
Compared to many competitors, the 2024 Jeep Wrangler is light on standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control are standard on all but the base Sport trim. The optional Jeep Safety Group includes blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability is optionally available on all but the base model and standard on top trims.
As of this writing, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not rated the 2024 Wrangler for safety. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) did not name it a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+.
All 2024 Toyota 4Runners have the Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) roster of ADAS, which includes most of the systems mentioned above, plus automatic high-beam headlights and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warnings are not part of TSS-P but are also standard. The 4Runner offers a surround-view camera system.
The 2024 Toyota 4Runner received an overall safety rating of four (out of five) stars from the NHTSA. The IIHS did not name it a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+.
Advantage: Toyota 4Runner
Why? The 4Runner offers more standard ADAS.
2024 Jeep Wrangler
The 2024 Jeep Wrangler offers the Uconnect 5 infotainment system standard. It features a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a three-month trial subscription to SiriusXM 360L. Higher trims offer a similar Uconnect 5 system with integrated voice command, GPS navigation, and HD Radio. Most trims also offer a nine-speaker Alpine premium audio system.
The 2024 Wrangler offers buyers a robust collection of connected services through Jeep Connect, including an Assistance package with a three-month trial. Using connectivity, the Wrangler can access more than 200 off-road destinations through its Off-Road Trail Guides, which has a two-year free trial. Even the base Wrangler offers a Wi-Fi hotspot connecting up to eight devices.
Navigation-equipped Wranglers offer an available “Send & Go” function that enables the Jeep smartphone app to search for a destination and send the address directly to the vehicle’s navigation system. Owners can perform the search and send from anywhere the phone has service.
The base 2024 Toyota 4Runner SR5 has an 8-inch touchscreen display with wired Android Auto, wired Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth connectivity, and a SiriusXM satellite radio trial plan. The SR5 Premium and TRD Off-Road Premium up the ante with connected navigation and natural-voice recognition. The Limited and TRD Pro trims add 15 JBL speakers plus an amplifier but don't offer a larger touchscreen.
The 4Runner offers Wi-Fi Connect, which makes the vehicle a hotspot. Safety Connect offers automatic collision notification and SOS services with a one-year complimentary trial. Limited and TRD Pro trims add a one-year Remote Connect trial, including door lock/unlock and vehicle location services. Service Connect, free for 10 years, provides personalized maintenance information.
The TRD Off-Road's Crawl Control acts like an all-terrain, low-speed cruise control, limiting the vehicle speed to a pre-determined number. The five-mode Multi-Terrain Select system regulates wheelspin by automatically adjusting the engine throttle and brakes.
Advantage: Jeep Wrangler
Why? The Wrangler has a more up-to-date infotainment system with a significantly larger touchscreen.
2024 Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport
The 2024 Jeep Wrangler’s cabin stresses functionality. The center-mounted infotainment display is easy to see, and its controls are easy to manipulate. Cloth-covered seats are standard through most of the lineup, while the Rubicon X and Rubicon 392 get standard Nappa leather seats. The rear-seat area in the four-passenger two-door Wrangler is much more confined than in the five-passenger four-door.
The up-level trims offer standard eight-way power-adjustable driver's seats with four-way power lumbar support, also available on most lower trims. Heated seats are available on all but the base Sport trim. The Wrangler offers a variety of roof configurations, including folding soft tops, modular hardtops, and a power top.
With both rows of seats in use, the Wrangler two-door offers 12.9 cubic feet of cargo area; with the rear seat folded, it has 31.7 cubic feet. The four-door Wrangler has a 31.7-cubic-foot cargo area behind the rear seat; with the rear seat folded, it has 72.4 cubic feet of luggage space.
Despite its age, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner has an attractive interior that would look right at home in any number of current SUVs. It is typically a five-passenger vehicle but gives buyers the option of a third row, increasing seating capacity to seven. Seat upholstery choices include cloth, synthetic leather, and genuine leather, depending on the trim level.
Toyota equips many 4Runner trims with heated front seats and eight-way power-adjustable driver's seats. The Limited trim adds a four-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, and the front seats are heated and ventilated. The third-row seatbacks in the seven-passenger 4Runners offer a 50/50 split-folding feature.
Five-passenger 4Runners offer 47.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. With the rear row folded, space increases to 89.7 cubic feet. 4Runners with the optional third-row seat have just 9.0 cubic feet of storage behind it. With the third row folded, the cargo area is 46.3 cubic feet, and with both rows folded, the total cargo space is 88.8 cubic feet. An available sliding cargo deck makes loading and unloading the 4Runner easier.
Advantage: Toyota 4Runner
Why? Though Toyota is about to replace it with a new generation, the 2024 4Runner has a roomier and more comfortable interior and boasts significantly more cargo space.
If you’d like to learn more about these SUVs, be sure to read our expert reviews of the 2024 Jeep Wrangler and the Toyota 4Runner. To find out how people like you rate models in this segment, check out our ratings from verified vehicle owners.
Also, please remember that while the information in this article was accurate and valid on April 24, 2024, it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker’s website or your local dealership.
Jack R. Nerad has reviewed cars, trucks, vans, and sport utilities for over three decades. He also managed the editorial efforts of Motor Trend magazine, JD Power, and Kelley Blue Book. Jack currently hosts the Sports Byline Network program "America on the Road," available on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, Audacy, and other outlets.
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