Family walking past a 4Runner parked on a rocky outlook.

Safety

  • The 4Runner comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense P. (TSS-P) You don't get many active safety features standard in the Wrangler.
  • To get the Advanced Safety Group package standard you'd need to buy the most expensive Wrangler model. This will set you back $73,745.

No matter what your travels entail, the 4Runner and Wrangler help provide an added sense of security with active safety technology.

Standard Safety Features

All models of the 2021 Toyota 4Runner have Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P). This suite of active safety features includes a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC).

The base model Wrangler Unlimited Sport doesn't have comparable versions of most of these features. For the Wrangler's available Advanced Safety Group package which has Advanced Brake-Assist, Automatic High-Beam Headlamp-Control and Full-Speed Forward-Collision Warning Plus, you'd need to get the Unlimited Sport S or higher. To get these features standard, plus Adaptive Cruise Control w/Stop, you'd need to select the most expensive model, the Unlimited Rubicon 392, which has a starting MSRP of $73,745.

All models of the 2021 4Runner come with eight airbags. The airbag system includes driver and front passenger TAP (Thorax, Abdomen, Pelvis) front seat-mounted side airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, and front and all row (third-row airbags on all models) Roll-Sensing Side Curtain Airbags (RSCA). While the Wrangler has Advanced Multistage Front Air Bags and Supplemental Front Seat Side Air Bags, it lacks a knee airbag.
Interior of 2021 4Runner

Interior

  • All 4Runner models come with the convenience of the Smart Key System which allows for remote control of some functions of your SUV.
  • Fit everything in one trip with lots of cargo space and seating in the 4Runner.
  • You can also enjoy the 4Runner's multitude of connectivity options and a larger standard touchscreen display.

Get the space you need and the interior technology features you want when you go with the Toyota 4Runner.

More Interior Space and Connectivity

One technological advantage of the 4Runner can be found even before you get into your SUV. With the 4Runner's Smart Key System, you can start your car, open the tailgate, and lock or unlock your 4Runner without taking the fob out of your pocket. Plus, the 4Runner has Push Button Start, so no need to turn the key to start the ignition. Comparatively, the Wrangler does not have Remote-Proximity Keyless-Entry or Push Button Start available across all models.

Once you step inside the 4Runner, you'll notice there’s a lot more space to work with, too. The cargo volume of the 2021 4Runner behind the front/second-row seats is 89.7/47.2 cu. ft. You won't find quite as much room with the Wrangler whether you choose the 2-door or 4-door model. The maximum interior cargo volume of the Wrangler 2-door is only 31.7 (cu. ft.) and 72.4 (cu. ft.) for the 4-door models.

If you aren't concerned with how much stuff you can fit but rather people you can seat, the 4Runner base model SR5 has standard seating for five people or optional third-row seating which gives you seating for seven people. The Wrangler 2-Door models can only seat four. If you get the Wrangler 4-Door, it still only seats a maximum of five.

If you want connectivity options, you'll be happy to know that the 4Runner has standard Android Auto™, Apple CarPlay®, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Plus, you get SiriusXM® with a Platinum Plan 3-month trial. To get Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™, and SiriusXM® compatibility standard on the Wrangler, you'll need the Unlimited Sport S or higher. On the base model Unlimited Sport, SiriusXM® is available as an add-on option, but you will need to spend an additional $295.

The base model 4Runner also has an 8-in. touchscreen for easy access to all your apps. The base model Wrangler Unlimited Sport only has a 5-in. display. To get a 7-in. touchscreen, you'd need to get the Unlimited Sport S.
2021 4Runner splashing through a puddle

Reliability

  • With ToyotaCare standard, you won't have to worry about extra upkeep expenses for the 4Runner.
  • The 4Runner has more standard towing power than the Wrangler.

Aside from all the extras, the 4Runner was built with Quality, Durability, and Reliability in mind and has the awards to show for it.

Built to Last

The 4Runner has received the Best Resale Value Award: Top 10 for eight years in a Row (2013-2020) from Kelley Blue Book®. The Jeep Wrangler 4-door did inch out the 4Runner for Kelley Blue Book’s® 2021 Best Off-Road SUV Resale Value winner, but the 4Runner was close behind.

To help keep up with your adventurous lifestyle, Toyota offers 4Runner drivers ToyotaCare, a factory-scheduled maintenance service for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first, and 24 hour Roadside Assistance for 2 years and unlimited mileage. As a new offering, Jeep now offers JEEP WAVE®. However, it only covers your first three oil changes and tire rotations. The Wrangler also comes with 24/7 roadside assistance, which is available for the duration of the 5-Year/60,000-Mile, Powertrain Limited Warranty period.

As an added bonus, the 4Runner can tow up to 5,000 lbs. across all models. The Wrangler 4x4 models can only tow up to 3,500 lbs.

Conclusion: 4Runner vs Wrangler

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner and Jeep Wrangler are among the leaders in the SUV market and both are fan favorites. But, the powerhouse 4Runner has some stand-out safety features, interior design elements, and reliability assurances that we think make it the clear winner.

  • The 4Runner has more seating space and room for transporting cargo.
  • More active safety features come standard with the 4Runner.
  • With the standard ToyotaCare factory-scheduled maintenance plan, you won't have to worry about extra maintenance expenses for the 4Runner.
  • The base model 4Runner comes with a larger touchscreen display and a multitude of connectivity options.
  • The convenient Smart Key System in the 4Runner allows for remote control of some SUV functions.
  • Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) comes standard with the 4Runner and includes active safety features that aren’t standard on the Wrangler.