Jeep Wrangler vs Toyota 4Runner

Earlier, we called the Wrangler an icon—and so it is, and so it has been for the greater part of 35 years. People of all ages recognize the Wrangler. Even though the 4Runner has been around longer, it lacks the same fun factor that drives many to the Jeep SUV.

Consider these iconic Wrangler features—ones you won’t find in the 4Runner:

• Removable doors (and available half doors)
• Removable tops (soft tops and hardtops)
• Fold-down windshield

A true adventure vehicle makes you feel at one with your surroundings. The Wrangler is exactly that, especially with so many available conveniences. You can:

• Retract and replace the Sky One-Touch® Power Top at the push of a button.
• Remove the doors but keep your mirrors with the Mopar® Door-Off Mirror Kit.
• Resist cracks from off-road debris with the Windshield with Corning® Gorilla® Glass.

The 4Runner may have an available moonroof, but other than that, it offers no way to connect you with the elements outside the vehicle. For that reason, the 2022 Wrangler retains its title as the icon of adventure.

The Jeep Wrangler and Toyota 4Runner share a commitment to off-road capability. You’ll find either SUV easy to navigate on the toughest trails, with available 4×4 traction and selectable terrain driving modes. On the roads, however, the Wrangler outperforms the 4Runner.

In the 4Runner, you have just one engine option: a 270-horsepower V6 engine. It’s a bit slow to accelerate and earns bottom-of-the-barrel fuel economy. You’ll see up to an EPA-estimated 16 city/19 highway MPG from the 4Runner.

By contrast, the Wrangler offers a full menu of powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid option! Let’s look closer at the specs you can expect from these powerplants:

• 2.0L Turbo engine: 270 HP, EPA-estimated 21 city/24 highway MPG
• 3.0L EcoDiesel engine: 260 HP, EPA-estimated 22 city/29 highway MPG
• 3.6L Pentastar® V6 engine with eTorque: 285 HP, EPA-estimated 19 city/24 highway MPG
• 3.6L Pentastar® V6 engine with Engine Stop/Start: 285 HP, EPA-estimated 17 city/23 highway MPG
• 4xe: 375 HP, EPA-estimated 49 MPGe

As you can see, any of the Jeep Wrangler engines will outperform the 4Runner in terms of fuel economy. If you choose the EcoDiesel or 4xe plug-in hybrid, you really will see the difference as you save more fuel than you ever imagined in a body-on-frame SUV like this.

Meanwhile, the Wrangler tops out with far more power than the 4Runner, with up to 375 horsepower on tap, compared to the 4Runner’s 270 horsepower.