2012 Tacoma vs 2012 Jeep Wrangler

I guess what it boils down to is what you are going to use it for the majority of the time. If it is going to be used daily then the truck seems to be more comfortable and versatile.

For fun times on the weekends, the Jeep seems to be the choice I would go for.

 

Your right driving a v6 Tacoma with sport seats is way different than a 4 banger Tacoma. I think they are very comfortable with the lumbar seats. That's part of what sold me on the off road and sport models. Can't speak on all jeeps especially the 2012 but every jeep I have ever ridden in was harsh! Then again jeeps have never fascinated me ever. GLWP!

 

All the way back in a 2011 (actually 3 of them because it was ridiculous) and hit my head so My height is in my abs not my legs but idk

 

Like a couple others, I own both a 2011 Tacoma, and a 2012 Wrangler. They are definitely two different animals, however there are several notable comparisons you can make.

First, interior comfort and quietness is better on the new Wranglers than on the Tacomas. TRD seats are stiff, where the Wrangler seats are more plush and forgiving. Road noise is about half with a hard top on in the Wrangler compared to the Tacoma.

Gas mileage is better on the Wrangler, though not by much. Granny footing the Tacoma with winter gas gets me about 17.4-17.6mpg. My wife manages 18.5+ in the Wrangler.

The ride has more bounce in the Wrangler (2 door, I've heard the 4 doors are more road friendly), but it has solid axles and springs. The Tacomas IFS setup with weak rear leafs is more forgiving.

Offroad, the Wrangler feels more stable, even with the shorter wheelbase. The composite bed doesnt help the Tacoma gain much purchase in the gravel roads without airing down. The Wrangler puts along at a happy pace with the new engine in both 4x2 and 4x4.

Speaking of the new engine, the gearing still feels a bit odd. The power is noticeable, however 1st gear is not peppy like the Tacoma. Though roll on power is much better than the Tacoma and doesnt generally need to downshift as much as the Tacoma does.

If you dont have kids or dogs, there is easily enough room to throw camping gear behind the front row seats. Having kids and dogs that enjoy camping though, I needed the truck first.

Last I paid 5k less for a loaded Sahara with heated seats/Nav than I did for the standard TRD Off Road.

 

If I lived in the SW, I would buy a Wrangler. Would love to drive around the wilds with the top off. My neighbors have a 4 door late model, not a '12, and I will say it in an absolute dog, grossly underpowered.

 

i've got buckets in my tacoma

 

Thanks! This is what I was looking for, feedback from someone that owned a 2012 Jeep Wrangler. How are you liking the 2012 reg cab 4x4 tacoma? Do you have manual? What MPG are you getting with the tacoma 4cyl 4x4?

 

Thanks for the great review of the 2012 Jeep Wrangler, this is what I was looking for. I know the older ones are not so good but I've been hearing great things about the 2012 Wrangler improvements.

 

It would seem driving out in the open with the top and doors off would be fun as hell, although not very safe should you get t-boned with the doors off.

 

Wear your seat belt, drive like youre on a motorcycle, and look ahead for idiots... Nothing really compares to the top down/doors off.

 

my parents bought a '12 2 door hardtop 5 speed and the thing drives very nice. they are no longer underpowered and loud at driving speed (with the hardtop of course). I looked at jeeps when i bought my tacoma, but in the end i needed a truck.

 

I like jeeps, But i hate the fact they have become such, Grocery getters. I mean the grand cherokees are nice, but seriously. WTF is a compass and a liberty... They both look like shit IMO Best jeeps out there are the Wrangler and ive come to really like the rubys, And older cherokees like 1990-1996 ones. But Tacomas are the 1# rated compact truck of the year so... Yodas take the cake.

 

have not read all the posts, but here's my $.02

I have had 13 Jeeps, built, raced, offroaded, wheeled, broke, fixed, modded. I love Jeeps.
I have owned 8 Toyotas, never did much to them other than stereos and minor stuff.
I say you can't beat Toyota reliability if you want an everyday vehicle that you will wheel sometimes. If you are going to wheel it every weekend, get a Rubicon SWB and skip all the 4 door stuff.

 

I like the Jeep and the new motor, solid front axle and it is very capable off road out of the box. But what I like about the Tacoma is the bed, the reliability and it is a little more comfortable as a daily driver that also work well off road.

 

I'm at that point now. The taco has more utility and better reliability but I could always rent a truck when I really need one. Tough decisions.....

 

The Jeep owner says the new 2012 is more comfortable and rides like a caddy.

 

My buddy reps a 08 wrangler
I rep a 08 Tacoma trd sport

Offroad and stock the wrangler can out perform the Tacoma. Although we were close and he had better tires. For off road jeep is 8.5/10 I would place the taco at 8. He had more clearance and a shorter from so less chance of a bottom out.

On the pavement is actually were my truck was way better then his. My 0-60 was a second faster. My ride is much smoother. Better turning radius. Fuel mileage was comparable cost me $40 canadian to drive 350 km. cost him 45. That being said I had myself and my girl at the time he had 4 people total.

Interior is split. I think mine is more comfortable he prefers his. I don't like the lay out. However his back seats are slightly more spacious. He can remove his doors and roof and is a water proof interior.

Reliability. Easy decision Toyota. My truck has 100,000 km more and rides better. He has had some sensors go and some other stuff on top of what he purchased for he paid another 2200 fixing it because of no warranty. My truck which I have put 50 000km on since buying it and all I have had to fix was a wheel beerimg $100 and an 02 sensor $40. My resale value is much better he has lost 5000 on the price ready were as I haven't.

In the end Toyota is more expensive but it lasts much longer.
They perform almost the same offroad but wrangler has an advantage at stock
The Tacoma performs much better on pavement
Wrangler has a more spacious interior however Tacoma is a truck so got a box
Tacoma has a much higher resale value
Maintenance costs are lower on the Tacoma
Fuel mileage is very similar

I like my buddies wrangler and I can't think of any other automaker that makes a better off road vehicle. Tacoma is close enough I would say

You will find the Tacoma more practical. In the end I could see you regretting getting a wrangler but who knows

 

I have been wanting to trade my truck in for a jeep for a long time

 

I have both an '05 4x4DCSB Off-Road Tacoma V6 & an '07 2-door Rubicon that I ordered from the factory. Neither is the '12 version you are wanting to compare, but this is my take:

My Rubicon is neither uncomfortable or underpowered for what I use it for. It is a ton of fun to mod, easy to work on, there are thousands of aftermarket items sold for it, and mine has never been in the shop in the 5+ years I have had it, save for software upgrades which took about 10 minutes each time. It does get lower gas mileage than my Tacoma. I've driven it hundreds of miles, and I have to say it is light years ahead of the TJ I previously had in terms of comfort, capability, and overall ease of driving. I am not one of those who wish for the old 4.0L straight six. The ones I had were dogs, with worse gas mileage than what I now drive. It is great to take off the top (I have dual tops for summer and winter) when you want to...the Rubi's electronic lockers and swaybar disconnects are great.

The Tacoma is more comfortable, powerful, and of course you can haul stuff. It gets better mileage, and is somewhat, if not much, quieter (even with my soft top on, the JK is pretty quiet). The Tacoma has also never been in the shop since I have owned it. It is the best truck I have ever owned, and I have had several. My truck is an automatic, and the JK a 6-speed, so each has it's advantages in that regard. I love them both, and would have a hard time parting with either one.

Off road, I would rather take my Jeep. On road, I prefer the Tacoma with the room and ride...

The new JK is supposed to be even better than mine, and I have enjoyed mine from day one. I am afraid to drive a new one, as I might get too attached...it would be hard to justify spending the $$ for the newer one, though; I could put in a supercharger for less than the difference in buying a new '12.

I don't know enough about the '12 Tacomas to have anything to add to that debate. Those who stated you need to get the vehicle you will use the most nailed it...

 

Blasphemy!