To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the Wrangler. But it costs extra on the 4Runner.

Both the Wrangler and the 4Runner 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, available crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Wrangler is much safer than the 4Runner:

There are almost 2 times as many Jeep dealers as there are Toyota dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Wrangler's warranty.

The Wrangler has a solid front axle with a floating power axle for durability that the 4Runner 4x4's independent front suspension and exposed front driveshafts don't offer.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Wrangler second among compact suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The 4Runner isn't in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Jeep vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Jeep above average in initial quality. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated below average.

The Wrangler has more powerful engines than the 4Runner:

As tested in Car and Driver the Wrangler Moab 392 6.4 V8 is faster than the 4Runner Trailhunter 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid (automatics tested):

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine's cylinders helps improve the Wrangler 392's fuel efficiency. The 4Runner doesn't offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Wrangler 4-door's standard fuel tank has 2.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the 4Runner (21.5 vs. 19 gallons).

The Wrangler offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The 4Runner doesn't offer a manual transmission.

The Wrangler 392's launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM's precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The 4Runner doesn't offer launch control.

For better traction, the Wrangler 4-door Moab 392/Xteme 35's tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 4Runner (315/70R17 vs. 265/55R20).

The Wrangler has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle's integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The 4Runner doesn't offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Wrangler 4-door's wheelbase is 6.2 inches longer than on the 4Runner (118.4 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Wrangler 2-door's turning circle is 6.7 feet tighter than the 4Runner's (32.7 feet vs. 39.4 feet). The Wrangler 4-door 4Xe's turning circle is .5 feet tighter than the 4Runner's (38.9 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Wrangler 2-door has a 1.6 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the 4Runner SR5 (9.7 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Wrangler to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Wrangler Rubicon 4-door Xtreme 35's minimum ground clearance is 2.8 inches higher than on the 4Runner Trailhunter/TRD Pro (12.9 vs. 10.1 inches).

The Jeep Wrangler may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 450 pounds less than the Toyota 4Runner.

The Wrangler 4-door is 6.5 inches shorter than the 4Runner, making the Wrangler easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Wrangler 4-door has a much larger cargo volume than the 4Runner with its rear seat up (31.7 vs. 12.1 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Wrangler easier. The Wrangler's cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.7 inches, while the 4Runner's liftover is 32.7 inches.

The Wrangler can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Wrangler can be unhitched and driven around locally. The 4Runner can't be towed flat on the ground.

The Wrangler Automatic offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The 4Runner doesn't offer a remote starting system.

The Wrangler's speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn't have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The 4Runner's standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Jeep Wrangler JL comes in four door and soft top bodystyles; the Toyota 4Runner isn't available as a soft top.

Motor Trend selected the Wrangler as their 2019 Sport Utility of the Year. The 4Runner has never been chosen.

The Jeep Wrangler outsold the Toyota 4Runner by 53% during 2024.