4d Wrangler vs 4runner

It's time to get a wife a new car. She is stuck between a 4door Wrangler or a 4runner. What is everyones experience with either of these? Looking for very reliable for here daily driving in town. Mild off road capable (gravel roads and forest service roads on the weekends). Needs to be good for long road trips as well.


Thanks in advance!

 

Based off your wants I wouldn’t even be considering the Jeep

 

I owned a jeep once and road trips were horrible, like driving a tent down the road at 65 mph.

 

I chose a 2018 JLU Rubicon over a 2018 t4r Pro because the dash and interior seemed outdated and "plasticky" on the T4R and the lack of f/r lockers.
Styling? I mean it's a T4R Pro, they are pretty sweet.

But for that much money, ($48k) I got front/rear lockers, electronic sway bar connect, 3rd gen Dana 44 wide axles. The ability to run 35's and even 37's with no lift. Removable top and doors. Super low ratio tcase.
Manual 4x4 selector, not some silly electronic button.


With that being said....it is the 1st year JLU production. That worried me a bit in the beginning but not so much with a 7 yr/80k mile warranty.

I hit the trails (forest service type and gravel/dirt)
Frequently and have made 3 trips to northern ohio and back with zero issues. Gas mileage is 18mpg mixed and avg 22mpg on long trips.

People are going to rag on Jeeps, this is a Toyota forum. It's the nature of the beast.
Do your own research, browse the JLU forums and decide for yourself.

 

I've had 4 Wranglers going back 30 years. They are fun toys to be able to drive with the top and/or doors removed. I always preferred to leave the top on and leave the doors at home. Plenty of wind, but still in the shade. Not what I'd want to drive very far. We drove one of ours to Florida (about 350 miles one way) a couple of times and it wasn't a comfortable ride. Fuel mileage has gotten better but all of mine used more gas than a full size pickup.

I never had any mechanical issues and they have the potential to be a better hard core off road vehicle than just about anything. They do hold their value quite well if you buy used. All of mine were toys that my wife and I used but if something more important came up we'd sell the Jeep for very close to what we paid. I sold one of mine to pay for a new roof on the house.

 

The newer Jeeps are much different than they used to. I’ve road tripped in my YJs, TJs, Cherokees, etc and my wife’s ‘19 JLUR is like road tripping in our ‘16 4Runner. They no longer lack in the comfort department. However, they are rated as one of the least reliable vehicles. This worries me and probably later this year, we’ll get her something else (she’s been eyeing the Macans), and just park the JL and use it for just a fun vehicle and maybe a driver for my son when he gets his license.

 

Thanks all. She ended up liking more and got a 2020 4runner TRD Off Road!