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2018 Wrangler JL Unlimited vs 2018 Toyota 4Runner

Alan A

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Hello everyone!

I plan to buy either a 2018 JL Wrangler Unlimited or the 2018 4runner. With that said, which rig will be more reliable? I currently own a 2005 Tacoma, but the access cab is a bit too large for tight trails and city streets. When looking for a car, reliability is my number one concern.
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The Great Grape Ape

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Wrangler.
 

freegld

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On paper, the 4Runner will win every time when you compare technicals, features, reliability, safety, and certainly PRICE. The reason to choose the jeep is more of a subjective desire - sense of community, being creative with mods, heritage, etc...

A late model Toyota will blow the doors off a 1st year FCA product in terms of reliability
 

The Great Grape Ape

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On paper, the 4Runner will win every time when you compare technicals, features, reliability, safety, and certainly PRICE.
4-Runner MSRP is higher, has less features (it needs a refresh as much as the JK and Tacoma did) and the technicals favour the Wrangler too.

So not sure you actually even bothered to verify any of those.

As for Safety and Reliability, they’re very subjective, even with IIHS testing Toyota was shown only build to meet artificial tests, not to protect the occupants.
 

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freegld

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4-Runner MSRP is higher, has less features (it needs a refresh as much as the JK and Tacoma did) and the technicals favour the Wrangler too.

So not sure you actually even bothered to verify any of those.

As for Safety and Reliability, they’re very subjective, even with IIHS testing Toyota was shown only build to meet artificial tests, not to protect the occupants.
I'm very familiar with 4Runner, as I have researched the crap out of it and test driven one. Just because you disagree doesn't mean I'm not making an informed opinion
 
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Alan A

Alan A

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It is interesting that the 2018 4runner is not as fuel efficient as the JL.
 

MotorMan

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He’s asking about reliability. Betting against the 4runner with a brand new gen Wrangler doesn’t make much sense. The 4runners for sale right now are *almost* bulletproof. The 2018 JL will almost definitely have its share of issues because almost everything about it is brand new.

Of course the coolness factor is much higher with a Jeep, and the off road capability is much higher in the Jeep. But reliability is a different discussion and Toyota wins every time (especially when stacked up against new FCA products)
 

Armycop

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The 4runner has a horrible face. The front end design alone would slowly kill me if I had to look at it in the driveway every morning. The Wrangler styling JK and JL makes me happy.
 

Rubiwon

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There are rumors that the 4Runner will be all new in 2019. The JL is new now. Just something to consider.
 

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The Great Grape Ape

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I'm very familiar with 4Runner, as I have researched the crap out of it and test driven one.
The you’ll easy be able to explain the Higher MSRP on the 4 Runner, contrary to your comment.

And the ‘superior technicals’ like the 4Runner’s older & weaker engine with an aging transmission that provides lower MPGs?

As for features, is that the aging interior with the 6.1” Etune? Less headroom?

Sure doesn’t sound like winning every time. Sounds more like a give and take when you compare the overall packing with the JLU giving back on towing/payload or cargo space, and the 4Runner giving back in those areas and more.

Just because you disagree doesn't mean I'm not making an informed opinion
No, and the later doesn’t make your poorly generalized statement any truer either.
 

TroyBoy

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Screw the 4runner! Wrangler or nothing!
 

randyp

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theoretically the toyota is going to be more reliable than an FCA product.

But keep in mind the 4Runner is sooo dated. old transmission, old gas hog engine.

There's really no point in getting a brand new 4runner. Save a few bucks and get a slightly used one a couple years old.
 

freegld

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The you’ll easy be able to explain the Higher MSRP on the 4 Runner, contrary to your comment.

And the ‘superior technicals’ like the 4Runner’s older & weaker engine with an aging transmission that provides lower MPGs?

As for features, is that the aging interior with the 6.1” Etune? Less headroom?

Sure doesn’t sound like winning every time. Sounds more like a give and take when you compare the overall packing with the JLU giving back on towing/payload or cargo space, and the 4Runner giving back in those areas and more.



No, and the later doesn’t make your poorly generalized statement any truer either.
Ok I'll play...

Throwing more money at anything will make it better, therefore a true test of a vehicle's prowess is at its base model so we can compare apples to apples.

A base SR5 vs Base sport:
-engine: yota 270 HP, 278 (4400 rpm) T; jeep 285 HP, 260 (4800 rpm) T. I'll take the higher torque, and it's at lower rpm
- trans: yota 5 A/T vs 6MT which equates to 18 vs 19 combined. I'll edge jeep here, but not by much
- towing you mentioned already. Yota
- interior: seat comfort is taste, but yota's rear seats recline and head restraints are adjustable
- head unit: entune is garbage, but there's nav
- msrp is higher, but the two jeep dealers I went to said they sell themselves and didn't budge (no TL discount of course). I imagine a JL will be even more of the same if TL is not accepted. Yota dealer, gave good deal. Although, I see folks getting good deals on JKs so it may just be a product of where I live
 

Spank

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theoretically the toyota is going to be more reliable than an FCA product.
Oh, that's not a theory. Toyota has always been far more reliable than Chrysler. But yeah, the current 4Runner is dated.
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