2014 Toyota 4Runner vs 2014 Jeep Wrangler San Diego CA

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2014 Toyota 4Runner vs 2014 Jeep Wrangler San Diego CA

2014 Toyota 4Runner

2014 Jeep Wrangler

Back in the day, real sport-utility vehicles like the Toyota 4 Runner ruled the roads, the dirt ones and the paved ones. Today, Toyota's RAV4 and Venza crossovers outsell the 4Runner by a factor of 10, but the 4 Runner survives as one of the few true-blue SUVs that still give drivers an alternative to the softer, rounder utes of today.

When it comes to charging up a steep incline or trudging through a muddy, rutted trail, only the 4Runner will make it through without any complaints. There aren't many substitutes for that kind of hardcore sport-ute capability. The 4Runner is nearly in a class by itself these days, along with its two-door FJ Cruiser companion, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the Nissan Xterra--not to mention the Jeep Wrangler original.

The 4Runner's rugged SUV look isn't some conjured image. It's the reverse: a long time ago it was spun off from truck-based hardware and given a wagon body, with few concessions made to style. That's held true for decades now, and while we might like a ground-up fresh start every generation or so, the 4Runner at least remains honest to its mission. The beltline is high, the proportions are chunky, and the downward slope of the rear pillars are a direct callback to the ur-4Runner. Inside, the same fundamental approach works, and works well: the knobs and controls are big and laid out in an uncluttered way, and the controls and gauges are framed with simple materials and the barest dash of metallic trim. For 2014, the 4Runner adds more soft-touch trim inside on base SR5 and Trail models, and the SR5 gets Toyota's sharp, bright Optitron gauges.

Overall, the Toyota 4Runner drives much better—and more athletically—than its trail-crawling appearance might suggest. Steering feel and maneuverability are unexpected delights in the 4Runner; at low speeds especially, the 4Runner handles with better precision and control than you might expect from such a big, heavy model, and visibility isn't bad. But you'll be reminded you're in a tall vehicle with soft sidewalls and a safe suspension calibration if you attack corners too quickly. A 4.0-liter V-6 engine, makes 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, and feels plenty quick either off the line or at highway speeds.

Toyota San Diego of San Diego CA serving Kearny Mesa, Escondido, El Cajon, Carlsbad is one of the finest Toyota dealerships.

5910 Mission Gorge Rd San Diego, CA 92120

Sales: 888-781-3388 ||Service: 877-854-7575

Website: www.toyotasandiego.com

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