Off-Road Capability Comparison
The Wrangler is a true off-road machine, and it comes with everything needed to tackle challenging terrain with ease while also having the basics needed for daily driving. Its standard off-road equipment includes a four-wheel-drive system, skids plates protecting the vehicle off-road, sport bar, front and rear stabilizer bars, and Dana axles. To maximize off-road performance further, you can opt for higher trims with limited rear slip differential, rock protection sill rails, larger tires for off-roading, and more specialized four-wheel-drive systems.
On the other hand, the Toyota 4Runner is also an acceptable vehicle for light off-road travelling, but it's not quite as capable as the Wrangler in its standard form. Many packages are available to make the 4Runner more competitive off-road, featuring notable features such as Fox shock absorbers, skid plates, a full-time four-wheel-drive system, a locking rear differential, and multi-terrain select.
Engine Options & Performance Comparison
Performance and capability are endless with the Wrangler's many engine options, featuring as standard a 3.6-litre V6 Pentastar engine with ESS and a six-speed manual, allowing for output figures of 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard on the remaining engine options, including the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 with eTorque, 270-horsepower 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, 260-horsepower 3.0-litre EcoDiesel, and 470-horsepower 6.4-litre HEMI V8 engine.
Compared to the Wrangler's engine options, the 4Runner only has one, which is a 4.0-litre V6 engine that cranks out 270 horsepower. With such lower output from the Toyota engine, the Wrangler's standard V6 engine has considerably more performance. Pairing with the standard engine of the 4Runner is a five-speed automatic transmission, resulting in very high fuel consumption.
