Compare the2026 Toyota 4Runner VS 2027 Jeep Wrangler

The Toyota 4Runner has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Wrangler doesn’t offer knee airbags.

With its standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, the Toyota 4Runner is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Jeep Wrangler, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	4Runner	Wrangler
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	No Slowing
25 MPH	AVOIDED	No Slowing
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	No Slowing
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	No Slowing
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	No Slowing
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	No Slowing
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	No Slowing
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	No Slowing
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	No Slowing
Warning Issued-Brights	2 sec	No Warning
37 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	No Slowing
Warning Issued-Low beams	2.3 sec	No Warning

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Toyota 4Runner achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Jeep Wrangler has not been tested.

The 4Runner has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Wrangler doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 4Runner Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro has standard Parking Support Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Wrangler doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The 4Runner’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The Wrangler doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The 4Runner Premium/Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro has a standard Panoramic View/Multi-Terrain Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Wrangler only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The Toyota 4Runner comes with a standard Panoramic View/Multi-Terrain Monitor and it also offers an optional rear camera washer to make backing always safe, regardless of road dirt or grime, while the Jeep Wrangler doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

The 4Runner has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Wrangler’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 4Runner has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Parking Support Brake on the Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Jeep charges extra for Rear Cross Path Detection on the Wrangler and the Wrangler’s Rear Cross Path Detection does not include automatic braking.

The 4Runner’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Wrangler doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the 4Runner and the Wrangler have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, rearview cameras and available four-wheel drive.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4189-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Toyota 4Runner is safer than the Wrangler 4-door:

	4Runner	Wrangler
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	30	33
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	134 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.43 in	.59 in
Torso Max Deflection	.79 in	.83 in
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	6 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	446 lbs.	558 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	51	189
Neck Tension	67 lbs.	134 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Torso Deflection Rate	4 MPH	6 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	424 lbs.	915 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the 4Runner is 6.3% to 8.2% less likely to roll over than the Wrangler.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the 4Runner for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Jeep doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Wrangler.

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the 4Runner have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of the 6.4 V8 in the Wrangler.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the 4Runner has a standard 776-amp battery. The Wrangler’s 700-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the 4Runner’s reliability 69 points higher than the Wrangler.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 113 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jeep is ranked 33rd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota first in overall reliability. Jeep is ranked 24th.

The 4Runner has more powerful engines than the Wrangler:

	Horsepower	Torque
4Runner 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder	278 HP	317 lbs.-ft.
4Runner Trailhunter 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	323 HP	465 lbs.-ft.
4Runner 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	326 HP	465 lbs.-ft.
Wrangler 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	270 HP	295 lbs.-ft.
Wrangler 3.6 DOHC V6	285 HP	260 lbs.-ft.

On the EPA test cycle the 4Runner gets better mileage than the Wrangler 4-door:

			MPG
4Runner
RWD	Auto	SR5/TRD Sport 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/26 hwy
		Limited 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/24 hwy
AWD	Auto	2.4 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	23 city/24 hwy
		SR5/TRD Sport 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	19 city/25 hwy
		Limited 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/24 hwy
Wrangler 4-door
AWD	Manual	3.6 DOHC V6	16 city/22 hwy
AWD	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/22 hwy
		6.4 OHV V8	13 city/16 hwy
		3.6 DOHC V6	17 city/22 hwy

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota 4Runner uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Wrangler 4-door 392 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The 4Runner has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Wrangler 2-door’s standard fuel tank (19 vs. 17.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The 4Runner has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Wrangler. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota 4Runner higher (6 out of 10) than the Jeep Wrangler (1 to 6). This means the 4Runner produces up to 45.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Wrangler every 15,000 miles.

The Toyota 4Runner comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the Wrangler.

For better stopping power the 4Runner’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Wrangler:

	4Runner	Wrangler
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	12.9 inches
Rear Rotors	13.2 inches	12.9 inches

The 4Runner’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the Wrangler Sport are solid, not vented.

The 4Runner stops much shorter than the Wrangler:

	4Runner	Wrangler
70 to 0 MPH	170 feet	194 feet	Car and Driver

The 4Runner SR5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 70 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Wrangler Sport’s standard 75 series tires. The 4Runner TRD Sport/Limited/Platinum’s tires have a lower 55 series profile than the Wrangler Sahara’s 70 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 4Runner TRD Sport/Limited/Platinum has standard 20-inch wheels. The Wrangler’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The Toyota 4Runner’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Jeep Wrangler only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Toyota 4Runner’s independent front suspension is much lighter than the Jeep Wrangler’s solid front axle, which allows the 4Runner’s wheels to react more quickly and accurately to the road’s surface, improving both ride and handling.

The 4Runner offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Wrangler’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For much better steering response and tighter handling the 4Runner has rack and pinion steering, like Formula racecars, instead of the recirculating-ball type steering of the Wrangler.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 4Runner is 2 inches wider in the front and 2 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Wrangler.

The 4Runner’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (49.4% to 50.6%) than the Wrangler’s (52.2% to 47.4%). This gives the 4Runner more stable handling and braking.

The 4Runner Trailhunter handles at .74 G’s, while the Wrangler Moab 392 pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For excellent aerodynamics, the 4Runner has standard flush composite headlights. The Wrangler has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the 4Runner Limited 4x4 is quieter than the Wrangler Moab 392:

	4Runner	Wrangler
70 MPH Cruising	69 dB	75 dB

The 4Runner offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the Wrangler can only carry up to 5.

The 4Runner has 32.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Wrangler (136 vs. 103.7).

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the 4Runner’s middle and third row seats recline. The Wrangler’s rear seats don’t recline.

The 4Runner’s cargo area provides more volume than the Wrangler 2-door.

	4Runner	Wrangler
Third Seat Folded	44.8 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	48.4 cubic feet	12.9 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	84.4 cubic feet	31.7 cubic feet

The 4Runner’s cargo area provides more volume than the Wrangler 4-door.

	4Runner	Wrangler
Third Seat Folded	44.8 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	48.4 cubic feet	31.7 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	84.4 cubic feet	72.4 cubic feet

The 4Runner’s cargo area is larger than the Wrangler’s in almost every dimension:

	4Runner	Wrangler
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	10”/41.5”/65”	n.a./37”/65.8”
Max Width	56”	42”
Min Width	44”	39.5”
Height	40.1”	30”

The 4Runner’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Wrangler 2-door’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

The 4Runner’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The Wrangler’s swing out door blocks loading from the driver’s side.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the 4Runner Premium/Limited/platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro’s power cargo door can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Wrangler doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening cargo door.

The 4Runner’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Wrangler’s (6000 vs. 2000 pounds).

When two different drivers share the 4Runner Premium/Limited/Trailhunter/TRD Pro/Platinum, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position (with optional power wheel adjuster) and outside mirror angle. The Wrangler doesn’t offer a memory system.

The 4Runner Premium/Limited/Trailhunter/TRD Pro/Platinum’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Wrangler doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The 4Runner Platinum has a standard heads-up display that projects speed in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Wrangler doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The 4Runner’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Wrangler has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The 4Runner’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Wrangler’s power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its front windows open automatically.

The 4Runner’s standard power window controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Wrangler’s available power window controls are down in the center of the dashboard, away from the windows and mixed with controls for unrelated features.

If the windows are left open on the 4Runner the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Wrangler can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The 4Runner’s standard Smart Key allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from pocket or purse. Push Button Start standard on the Wrangler only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

The 4Runner Platinum’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Wrangler’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The 4Runner’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Wrangler’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The 4Runner’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Wrangler’s headlights are rated “Marginal” to “Poor.”

The 4Runner has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The Wrangler only offers an automatic headlight on/off feature as an extra cost option.

The 4Runner has standard power remote mirrors. The Wrangler only comes with remote mirrors at extra cost. Without them the driver will have to roll down the windows and reach across the car to adjust the mirrors.

The 4Runner’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Jeep charges extra for heated mirrors on the Wrangler.

When the 4Runner Limited/Trailhunter/TRD Pro/Platinum is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Wrangler’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Toyota 4Runner and Jeep Wrangler offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The 4Runner offers available power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Wrangler’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

Both the 4Runner and the Wrangler offer available heated front seats. The 4Runner Platinum also has standard heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Wrangler.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the 4Runner Premium/Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Wrangler doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Both the 4Runner and the Wrangler offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the 4Runner has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Wrangler doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Compared to traditional radio, the Toyota 4Runner’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio costs extra on the Wrangler.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota 4Runner TRD/Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The Wrangler doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The 4Runner is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Wrangler doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Toyota 4Runner retains 69.9% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 64.38% resale value of the 2026 Jeep Wrangler after five years, which can save the Toyota’s owner.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota 4Runner, based on reliability, safety and performance.