Should You Get a Jeep Wrangler or a Toyota 4Runner?

Many SUVs out there bill themselves as “off-road vehicles,” but if you want to truly get off the beaten path, you’ll need to invest in something with a little more pedigree than the average people mover. The Wrangler and 4Runner are two such vehicles that fit the bill nicely. 

Both off-road SUVs exist in slightly different lanes, though. So, if it’s a toss-up between Wrangler vs. 4Runner, how do you pick the right one? Well, we’ve done the research, so you don’t have to. Here are some key questions to ask yourself before you buy your next adventure vehicle. 

Which SUV is More Affordable? 

Both trail conquerors come in a variety of available trims, but which one is the easiest on the wallet? 

Here’s a breakdown of the pricing for a Jeep Wrangler, as of this writing: 

• Wrangler 2-Door Sport: $31,995

• Wrangler 4-Door Sport: $36,595 

• Wrangler 2-Door Sport S: $35,595

• Wrangler 4-Door Sport S: $40,690 

• Wrangler 2-Door Willys: $40,090 

• Wrangler 4-Door Willys: $44,590 

• Wrangler 4-Door Sahara: $49,790 

• Wrangler 2-Door Rubicon: $47,390 

• Wrangler 4-Door Rubicon: $51,890 

• Wrangler 2-Door Rubicon X: $57,390 

• Wrangler 4-Door Rubicon X: $61,295 

• Wrangler 4-Door Rubicon 392: $92,140 

And here’s the price structure of the 4Runner: 

• 4Runner SR5: $40,705 

• 4Runner TRD Sport: $43,565 

• 4Runner SR5 Premium: $43,765 

• 4Runner TRD Off-Road: $44,550 

• 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium: $47,130 

• 4Runner Limited: $49,940 

• 4Runner TRD Pro: $55,170 

While the top-tier Wrangler has a higher price ceiling, the base price is nearly 10 grand less than the 4Runner, and even the Rubicon models, which come packed with tons of upgrades and extra features, are more affordable. 

Which SUV is More Powerful? 

The 4Runner has but one engine option—a 4.0-liter V6, which cranks out 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. It also comes with two-wheel drive as standard on most trims, and four-wheel drive is an additional upcharge. It’s also rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds. 

The Wrangler has multiple powertrain options. The base engine is a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with 285 horsepower and up to 5,000 pounds of towing capacity. Many models can also be optioned with a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder that puts out 270 ponies and benefits from improved gas mileage thanks to its ESS technology. Then, we also have the 4xe models, which come with a powerful plug-in hybrid powertrain. 

Unlike the 4Runner, the Wrangler comes with standard 4WD and can be customized with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or an 8-speed automatic transmission. 

But the reigning champ in terms of power is the monster 6.4-liter HEMI V8 found in the Rubicon 392 models, which has 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, allowing it to so a 0 to 60 run in just 4.5 seconds. 

Which One Gets Better Gas Mileage? 

If you’re looking to save money at the pump, the Jeep Wrangler 4xe is your best bet—its 2.0-liter DI Turbo engine boasts plug-in hybrid technology, which allows it to get up to 49 MPGe while also delivering 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. 

Even if you prefer to stick with a more classic engine option, the Wrangler’s 2.0-liter Turbo gas engine is rated for a respectable 23 MPG on the highway, while the 4Runner only gets about 19 miles per gallon on the highway. 

Which One Has More Space?

The Wrangler is available in 2-door and 4-door body styles, but the 4Runner is still the biggest of the two, with seating for up to 7 and up to 89.7 cubic feet of cargo space. 

However, the 4-Door Wrangler still has a decent amount of interior space, with 72.4 cubic feet of maximum cargo volume. 

Which One Has Better Tech Features? 

Since it hasn’t gotten a major update in quite some time, the 2024 4Runner’s tech features feel a bit dated. All models come with an 8.0-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth, plus access to Connected Serviced like Wi-Fi. It also has a version of Toyota Safety Sense but lacks many of the ADAS features that other modern SUVs have. 

Regardless of which trim you select, all Wrangler models come with a 12.3-inch touch screen, which runs Uconnect 5 for lightning-fast operating speeds. It also features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot with up to a 50-foot range. The Wrangler can be optioned with a long list of safety and driver assist features, including Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, and Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Path Detection.

Which One is More Customizable? 

Both SUVs have loads of options for customization, but the Wrangler is simply second to none when it comes to making it your own. Not only does it have two different body styles, but there are tons of available wheels and Mopar accessories available, and the easy-to-remove doors and top make it a breeze to switch into summer mode. 

Find the Jeep Wrangler for Sale Near Destin, FL 

There are plenty of reasons why the Wrangler is one of the most beloved SUVs of all time. The 4Runner is an exciting machine, but it just can’t hold a candle to the original off-road king. 

Our Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership in Fort Walton Beach has tons of Wrangler models for sale at a great price, and we also have new vehicle specials and exclusive Step One offers. 

Contact us online or call us at (850) 750-8170 to learn more.