The 2025 Jeep Wrangler and Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro are adventure-loving SUVs with the means of traversing the most grueling terrain. After many miles of test drives, we’ll admit there are more refined and cushy options if your driving routine strictly sticks to paved roads.
But when things get a little wilder and rougher, the Wrangler and 4Runner absolutely shine. We decided to see how they fare in a direct comparison by exploring the highlights of each SUV.
Let’s take a look at some of their best attributes to see which might be the best choice for you.
2025 Jeep Wrangler
A 2-door Jeep Wrangler starts at $33,990, including a delivery charge of $1,895. Opting for the base 4-door Wrangler ups the price to $38,590. If you plan on toting along more than one passenger with any frequency, then consider the 4-door model. It has a much roomier rear seat and offers space for five versus four in the 2-door. Not to mention more cargo space.
For this model year the Wrangler doesn’t see that many changes, but there’s one we’ll pour a beer out for. It no longer has manual door locks or window cranks. That’s right, even the base model comes with power on both. Additionally, you can no longer get the V6 with the 8-speed automatic — manual only. We cannot blame Jeep. If people were buying them, they’d still sell them.
What hasn’t changed is the variety of powertrains available with this go-anywhere machine. A 285-horsepower V6 serves as the base engine. Also on offer are a 270-hp turbo 4-cylinder, a plug-in hybrid called the 4xe, and a monstrous 470-horsepower Hemi V8 in the $100,000 Rubicon 392 model. But if you want one, get it now because, after this year, the sun sets on those roaring 8-cylinders. While the V6 only comes with a manual 6-speed transmission, the remaining engines all come with an 8-speed automatic. Being a Jeep, 4-wheel drive (4WD) comes standard across the board. And beware, driving on the road doesn’t offer up a refined experience.
Jeep Wrangler Highlights
Two body styles: We’re grateful Jeep continues to soldier on — pun intended — with both 2-door and 4-door body styles. Yes, the 4-door delivers more practicality, but the 2-door hits your wallet more easily and navigates more easily over tight off-road trails with its shorter wheelbase. True to tradition, the doors can be removed, the windshield folds flat, and there are numerous soft-top and hardtop options.
Rubicon models: These reside near the top of the Wrangler lineup for good reason. They increase all-terrain performance with features like 35-inch off-road tires, rock rails, heavy-duty shocks, steel bumpers, a full-float solid rear axle, and an integrated trail camera.
Upgraded infotainment: Jeep has also improved onboard tech by outfitting every Wrangler with a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as are satellite radio, voice recognition, and two USB ports.
Sky One-Touch Power-Top: Want to feel a little fancy when the sun comes out? The available Sky One-Touch top provides open-air Jeep driving thrills with the simple push of a button. It’s a great choice for anyone who dreads wrestling with removable panels or soft-tops.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Wrangler models near you.
2025 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro
The Toyota 4Runner, reintroduced for 2025 as an all-new model, remains a rugged body-on-frame SUV with an outstanding reliability record. There are nine trims in total: SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Sport Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, Limited, Platinum, Trailhunter, and TRD Pro. For this comparison, we’re focusing on the TRD Pro since it’s closest in spirit to the Jeep Wrangler. It does come with a premium price, however.
Pricing for a base 4Runner starts at $42,220, which jumps massively to $68,350 for the top-of-the-line TRD Pro, including the 4Runner’s $1,495 delivery fee. That’s over $10,000 more than last year’s TRD Pro base price. That might be on account of its complete redesign and brand-new hybrid powertrain, but wow, that’s a lot of dough for a Toyota, even a highly specialized one.
Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro Highlights
Powertrain options: Gone is the singular V6 for two turbocharged 4-cylinder engine options. The base i-FORCE makes 278 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. The i-FORCE MAX, which comes with a 48-volt hybrid motor, makes a formidable 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque.
Off-road prowess: The Jeep Wrangler isn’t the only vehicle here that has the hardware to surmount the toughest conditions. With the TRD Pro and new Trailhunter trims, a 4Runner buyer has plenty of all-terrain gear at their disposal. This includes stronger springs and shocks, beefier underbody skid plates, a multiview off-road camera, Toyota’s Crawl Control system, a locking rear differential, and now includes a disconnecting front sway bar for increased articulation.
Reliability and resale value: Reliability and resale value are two major benefits of choosing the 4Runner. With a new model year, that can be tricky to assess. However, even with both new powertrains remaining untested, if we’re buying a hybrid, we’re buying it from Toyota.
Upgraded tech: The Toyota 4Runner gets wireless charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the TRD Pro now gets an available 14-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard equipment. Toyota also offers buyers more advanced safety driving features that finally bring the 4Runner into the modern era.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the 4Runner models near you.
Similarities
The Jeep Wrangler and Toyota 4Runner are adventure-loving SUVs with outstanding capabilities when the path ahead becomes strewn with mud, rocks, gravel, or whatever else you wish to traverse. They’re also tame enough for school runs and morning commutes — though cushier, less extreme rival SUVs have smoother rides and sharper handling.
Pricing
New 2025 Toyota 4Runner i-FORCE MAX Prices
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (03060)
|
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
$53,440 |
$53,242 |
|||
$59,220 |
$59,000 |
|||
$61,650 |
$61,421 |
|||
$64,310 |
$64,072 |
|||
$68,350 |
$68,097 |
|||
$68,350 |
$68,097 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Jeep Wrangler 2 Door vehicles and New 2025 Toyota 4Runner i-FORCE MAX vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
2024 Jeep Wrangler (2-Door) | 2024 Toyota 4Runner (TRD Pro) | |
Popular Powertrains | ||
Engine | 3.6-liter V6 | 2.4-liter turbocharge 4-cylinder w/hybrid |
Horsepower | 285 hp @ 6,400 rpm | 326 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
Torque | 260 lb-ft @ 4,800 rpm | 465 lb-ft @ 1,700 rpm |
Transmission | 6-speed manual | 8-speed automatic |
Fuel economy MPG | 17 city/23 highway/19 combined, 16 city/22 highway/19 combined (4-Door) | 23 city/24 highway/23 combined |
Also Available | Turbo 2.0-liter 4-cyl, turbo 2.0-liter gas-electric 4-cyl, 6.4-liter V8, 8-speed automatic; 4-Door | Turbo 4-cylinder; 2WD (in lower trims) |
Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
NHTSA Overall Safety | Not rated | Not rated |
Max Seating Capacity | 4 or 5 (4-Door) | 5 |
Wheelbase | 96.8 inches/118.4 inches (4-Door) | 112.2 inches |
Overall Length | 166.8 inches/188.4 inches (4-Door) | 194.9 inches |
Width | 73.9 inches | 79.9 inches |
Height | 73.6 inches | 74.0 inches |
Turning Diameter | 32.7 feet/38.8 feet (4-Door) | 39.4 feet |
Headroom, Front | 42.6 inches | 38.3 inches |
Headroom, Rear | 41.7 inches | 37.3 inches |
Legroom, Front | 41.2 inches | 41.8 inches |
Legroom, Rear | 35.7 inches/ 38.3 inches (4-Door) | 34.8 inches |
Shoulder Room, Front | 55.8 inches | 58 inches |
Shoulder Room, Rear | 57.7 inches/55.8 inches (4-Door) | 57.8 inches |
Cargo Volume | 12.9/31.7 cubic feet; 31.7/72.4 cubic feet (4-Door) | 42.6/82.6 cubic feet |
Conclusion
The all-new Toyota 4Runner still proves itself a smart pick for SUV shoppers who crave loads of cargo room, a history of superb reliability, and the ability to venture places many other vehicles cannot. However, the pricing on higher off-road specialized trims such as the TRD Pro and Trailhunter (also $68,350) might be off-putting.
The recently redone Jeep Wrangler — with its choice of body styles, a wide range of drivetrains, and an excellent infotainment system — looks and feels more of the moment. That’s saying something for a vehicle that prides itself on never veering far away from tradition. Just know your on-road driving experience won’t be stellar.