Compare the2024 Toyota TacomaVS 2023 Jeep Wrangler

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Payload and Towing
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Tacoma have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Jeep Wrangler doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Toyota Tacoma has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Wrangler doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Tacoma has standard head airbag curtains for front and rear seats which act as a forgiving barrier between the driver and outboard passenger's upper bodies and the window and pillars. Combined with high-strength steel door beams and lower side airbags this system increases head protection in broadside collisions. The Wrangler doesn't offer side airbag protection for the head and are only available for the front seats.

The Tacoma has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Wrangler doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Tacoma has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Wrangler doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Tacoma offers an optional Parking Support Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Wrangler doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Tacoma’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The Wrangler doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The Tacoma (except SR/SR5/PreRunner) offers an optional Panoramic View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Wrangler only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

Both the Tacoma and Wrangler offer rear cross-traffic warning, but the Tacoma with Blind Spot Monitor also has Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Wrangler’s Rear Cross Path Detection doesn’t automatically brake.

The Tacoma’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Wrangler doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Tacoma and the Wrangler have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, rearview cameras, available four-wheel drive and blind spot warning systems.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Toyota Tacoma Double Cab is safer than the Wrangler 4-door:

	Tacoma	Wrangler
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Peak Head Forces	0 G’s	0 G’s
Steering Column Movement Rearward	0 cm	2 cm
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Hip & Thigh Injury Risk R/L	0%/0%	0%/0%
Lower Leg Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Toyota Tacoma Double Cab is much safer than the Wrangler 4-door:

	Tacoma	Wrangler
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	178 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.31 in	.43 in
Shoulder Force	112 lbs.	134 lbs.
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	96	363
Head Peak Forces	no contact	134 G’s
Neck Tension	67 lbs.	312 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Torso Max Deflection	.83 in	1.3 in
Torso Deflection Rate	8 MPH	10 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	535 lbs.	825 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	POOR

The Toyota Tacoma achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Wrangler is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

Reliability

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the Tacoma have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of the 6.4 V8 in the Wrangler.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Tacoma has a standard 776-amp battery. The Wrangler’s standard 650-amp battery and largest (optional) 700 amp battery aren’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in initial quality. With 8 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jeep is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota second in reliability, above the industry average. With 43 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jeep is ranked 9th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Jeep is ranked 26th.

Engine

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota Tacoma turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Jeep Wrangler turbo 4 cyl. (automatics tested):

	Tacoma	Wrangler
Zero to 60 MPH	7.2 sec	8.1 sec
Quarter Mile	15.5 sec	16.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91.2 MPH	82.6 MPH

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota Tacoma (326 HP engine) is faster than the Jeep Wrangler 2.0 (automatics tested):

	Tacoma	Wrangler
Zero to 30 MPH	2.3 sec	2.5 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.1 sec	8.1 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	12 sec	15.1 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	3.7 sec	4.6 sec
Quarter Mile	15.4 sec	16.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	87.7 MPH	82.6 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Tacoma uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Wrangler Rubicon 392 requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota Tacoma higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the Jeep Wrangler (1 to 7). This means the Tacoma produces up to 47 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Wrangler every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The Toyota Tacoma comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the Wrangler.

The Toyota Tacoma manual has a downshift rev synchronizer that automatically raises engine speed to make downshifts perfectly smooth. This keeps the pickup from lurching during downshifts, preventing loss of control during cornering. The Wrangler doesn’t offer a downshift rev synchronizer.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Tacoma i-Force Max’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Wrangler:

	Tacoma i-Force Max	Wrangler
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	12.9 inches

The Tacoma’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the Wrangler 4x4 Sport are solid, not vented.

The Tacoma stops much shorter than the Wrangler:

	Tacoma	Wrangler
70 to 0 MPH	171 feet	211 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	114 feet	150 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

The Tacoma’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 70 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Wrangler Sport’s standard 75 series tires.

The Toyota Tacoma’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Jeep Wrangler only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

Suspension and Handling

The Toyota Tacoma’s independent front suspension is much lighter than the Jeep Wrangler’s solid front axle, which allows the Tacoma’s wheels to react more quickly and accurately to the road’s surface, improving both ride and handling.

For superior ride and handling, the Tacoma has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Jeep Wrangler has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The Tacoma offers an available. The Wrangler’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For much better steering response and tighter handling the Tacoma has rack and pinion steering, like Formula racecars, instead of the recirculating-ball type steering of the Wrangler.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tacoma XtraCab’s wheelbase is 35.1 inches longer than on the Wrangler 2-door 4x4 (131.9 inches vs. 96.8 inches). The Tacoma 6-ft. bed Double Cab’s wheelbase is 26.7 inches longer than on the Wrangler 4-door 4x4 (145.1 inches vs. 118.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Tacoma is 2.1 inches wider in the front and 2.1 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Wrangler.

The Tacoma 5-ft. bed TRD Off-Road Double Cab handles at .77 G’s, while the Wrangler Rubicon 2-door pulls only .63 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Tacoma 6-ft. bed TRD Sport Double Cab executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.4 seconds quicker than the Wrangler Rubicon 2-door (27.9 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 31.3 seconds @ .48 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Tacoma XtraCab has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Wrangler Sport 2-door (10.7 vs. 9.7 inches), allowing the Tacoma to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Tacoma 5-ft. bed TRD Pro Double Cab’s minimum ground clearance is 11.5 inches higher than on the 0 (11.5 vs. inches).

Chassis

For excellent aerodynamics, the Tacoma has standard flush composite headlights. The Wrangler has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

Passenger Space

The Tacoma XtraCab has .6 inches more front legroom, 2.9 inches more front hip room and 2.5 inches more front shoulder room than the Wrangler 2-door.

The Tacoma Double Cab has .6 inches more front legroom, 2.9 inches more front hip room, 2.5 inches more front shoulder room and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Wrangler 4-door.

The front step up height for the Tacoma Double Cab is 1.3 inches lower than the Wrangler 4-door (23.7” vs. 25”). The Tacoma Double Cab’s rear step up height is 1.3 inches lower than the Wrangler 4-door’s (24.5” vs. 25.8”).

Cargo Capacity

The Tacoma Double Cab has a much larger cargo volume than the Wrangler 4-door with its rear seat up (39.8 vs. 31.7 cubic feet).

The Tacoma Double Cab has a much larger cargo area with its short-bed bodystyle than the Wrangler 2-door with its rear seat up (39.8 vs. 12.9 cubic feet). The Tacoma Double Cab has a much larger cargo area with its long-bed bodystyle than the Wrangler with its rear seat folded (48.5 vs. 31.7 cubic feet).

The Tacoma’s cargo area is larger than the Wrangler’s in almost every dimension:

	Tacoma XtraCab	Tacoma Double Cab	Wrangler
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	73.5”	60.3”/73.5”	37”/65.8”
Max Width	56.4”	56.4”	42”
Min Width	44.7”	44.7”	39.5”
Height	20.2”	21.2”	30”

The Toyota Tacoma has a standard easy lower and lift tailgate, which prevents the heavy tailgate from falling with a crash and causing injury. It allows adults and children to easily open and close the tailgate with one hand to better facilitate loading and unloading. The Jeep Wrangler doesn’t offer a tailgate assist.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Tacoma (except SR/SR5/PreRunner) offers an optional power cargo door, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Wrangler doesn’t offer a power cargo door.

Payload and Towing

The Tacoma’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Wrangler’s (3500 vs. 2000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Jeep Wrangler 4-door is only 3500 pounds. The Tacoma offers up to a 6500 lbs. towing capacity.

The Tacoma has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the Wrangler (1690 vs. 1351 lbs.).

Ergonomics

The Tacoma Limited/Trailhunter/TRD Pro has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Wrangler doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Tacoma’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Wrangler has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Tacoma’s standard power windows allow the driver or passenger to lower and raise the windows without leaning over or being distracted. Power windows cost extra on the Wrangler.

The Tacoma’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Wrangler’s optional power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its front windows open automatically.

The Tacoma’s standard power window controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Wrangler’s optional power window controls are down in the center of the dashboard, away from the windows and mixed with controls for unrelated features.

If the windows are left open on the Tacoma the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Wrangler can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Tacoma’s standard power locks allow the driver or passenger to lock or unlock all the doors at a touch without leaning over. Power locks cost extra on the Wrangler.

The Tacoma’s standard Smart Key allow you to unlock the doors from the driver’s outside door handle and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Push Button Start standard on the Wrangler only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

The Tacoma’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Wrangler’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Tacoma’s headlights were rated “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Wrangler’s headlights are rated “Marginal” to “Poor.”

The Tacoma has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The Wrangler has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the Sport S/Sahara/Rubicon.

The Tacoma has standard power remote mirrors. The Wrangler only comes with remote mirrors at extra cost. Without them the driver will have to roll down the windows and reach across the car to adjust the mirrors.

The Tacoma’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Jeep charges extra for heated mirrors on the Wrangler.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Tacoma (except SR/SR5/PreRunner) keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Wrangler doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota Tacoma (except SR/SR5/PreRunner) offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The Wrangler doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Model Availability

The Tacoma is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Wrangler doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Recommendations

The Toyota Tacoma outsold the Jeep Wrangler by 50% during 2023.

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