Some will tell you that in the heart of every man and woman there is a child, but only the price of the toys has changed. Many share this idea and with this in mind, we present you with two toys that are great fun, if you enjoy playing in the mud of course, and that have undeniable off-road capabilities that will allow you to get lost in the wilderness on occasion, far away from the city of Montreal and the West Island. Here’s a 4Runner vs Wrangler comparison.
Let’s start with the 2021 Toyota 4Runner, which gains two special editions for this new vintage, the Nightshade and the Trail, and starts at just over $48,500 for the Trail version. The other variants, the SR5, TRD Off Road, Limited 7-Passenger, Venture, Nightshade 7-Passenger and TRD Pro are also available with prices going up to just under $65,000.
2021 Wrangler pricing
As for the 2021 Jeep Wrangler, it requires a minimum of just over $37,000 for the Sport version, and offers a total of 16 models, including the Willys Sport, Sport S, Islander, Willys, 80th Anniversary Edition, Unlimited Sport 80th Anniversary Edition, Rubicon, Unlimited Sport S, Unlimited Islander, Unlimited Sport Altitude, Unlimited Willys, Unlimited Sahara, Unlimited Sahara Altitude, Unlimited Rubicon, and Unlimited Sahara High Altitude, with the latter costing around $60,000. Let’s also not forget about the Wrangler 4xe, the plug-in hybrid electric version.
The major price difference is immediately noticeable, amounting to over $11,000 in their respective entry-range versions. The question is, is this difference justifiable? Let’s take a closer look. When choosing the base versions, we already know that the 2021 4Runner costs a lot more than the Jeep Wrangler, so it makes sense to compare models with relatively similar prices. We’ll go with the 2021 Wrangler Unlimited Sport Altitude, which costs just under $48,000, and the Trail version of the Toyota 4Runner, which costs just over $48,500.
Powertrains: point for the 2021 Jeep Wrangler SUV
Let’s start with the engines, the Toyota 4Runner offers a 270-horsepower 4.0-litre V6 with 278 lb-ft of torque, coupled with a 5-speed automatic transmission for all its models. The Jeep comes standard with the famous 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 with 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic. You can also choose between the 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine or the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6. No manual gearbox for the 4Runner unfortunately, and in addition to being more powerful, the Jeep‘s engine is also more fuel efficient, averaging 12.2 L/100 km versus 13.8 L/100 km.
Among the features that contribute to the Jeep‘s off-road capabilities, let’s mention the Command-Trac 4×4 drive system, which splits torque between the front and rear axles for maximum traction in all road conditions, Dana front and rear axles, front and rear stabilizer bars, a heavy-duty suspension with gas shocks, and a transfer case that allows for smooth shifting from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive at speeds of up to 72 km/h.
The press is unanimous: the 2021 Jeep Wrangler wins this duel
Also, according to The Car Guide’s automotive journalists, the best SUV between the two is without a doubt the Jeep, which, with a score of 71% vs. 59%, has better energy efficiency and is safer, on top of offering a much more efficient and user-friendly multimedia system, not to mention a much better overall rating. So, the choice seems more than obvious because not only will the Toyota cost you more, but it won’t offer you as many choices in engines, models, off-road capabilities, as well as costing you more in fuel.
So, come test drive one and you’ll understand why the Jeep Wrangler is a big step above the 4Runner in many ways, and only the Jeep will let you drive with your hair in the wind. Come check out its innumerable qualities at your Des Sources Jeep dealer in DDO, in the West Island of Montreal.
