The Freak's Diary: Did Jeep Just Lose Ground to the New 4Runner?

If you've been on the fence about the all-new 2025 Toyota 4Runner, MotorTrend's recent head-to-head against the Jeep Wrangler 4xe Willys '41 might just tip you over the edge. They put two of today's most iconic off-roaders through their paces — on the highway, on a muddy mountain trail near Wrightwood, California, and at the test track — and the results were more lopsided than most people expected.

Key Takeaways

1. On the road, it's not even close. The 4Runner rides better, handles better, has a much larger screen, more cargo space, and better fuel economy. The Wrangler's cabin noise at highway speeds is genuinely bad — wind howl is a known Wrangler tax, and it hasn't been forgiven here.
2. The Wrangler is quicker — but stops worse. Thanks to its plug-in hybrid system (375 hp combined), the Wrangler sprints to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds vs. 7.8 for the 4Runner. But it needed 149 feet to stop from 60 mph compared to 127 for the Toyota. That's more than a car length of difference, and a real-world safety concern.
3. Off-road, the 4Runner held its own surprisingly well. On typical trail terrain — ruts, rocks, mud — the 4Runner felt composed and confident. The Wrangler crashed and bashed its way through the same stuff. On two more extreme obstacles, the Willys actually got stuck, something a Rubicon wouldn't have.
4. The Wrangler's off-road edge is theoretical without the right trim. Without a disconnecting front anti-roll bar (you need a Rubicon for that), the Wrangler couldn't fully exploit its solid front axle advantage. The 4Runner closed the gap significantly because of it.
5. The price gap is hard to ignore. The 4Runner tested at $57,670. The Wrangler? $69,100. For most buyers, the Toyota does more, costs less, and is easier to live with daily.

Freak's Take

I hear MotorTrend, and the numbers don't lie — but I'd still take the Wrangler. There's something the spec sheet can't capture: the feeling of driving something with real character, even if that character occasionally means wind noise and a firm ride. The 4Runner is the smarter, more rounded package, no question. But the Wrangler still wins the soul contest, and for me, that matters more than a quieter highway cruise.

Read the full comparison test at MotorTrend: 2025 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road vs. Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4xe Willys Comparison Test

The Freak's Diary - Your weekly dose of off-road knowledge, adventure, and maybe a little obsession.