Thinking about making the switch from Jeep Wrangler

[JayTraumaRN]

Hey All!

I have been thinking about making the switch to the 4runner from a 2020 Jeep Wrangler JL Sahara. I really do love my Jeep but I really dont need all of the things that make it a great vehicle. I have only taken it off-road 3 time and all of those were too the 4x4 beaches in the Outer Banks, NC. I have only take. The top off twice, and the doors off once. I live in Northwest OH so my main use is for driving in the snow. We are a family if 5 and I have just been thinking that it would be nice to have something that is still really capable if we want to get into some sand/snow/mud but was more comfortable as a daily driver.

All that being said, I am leaning toward the offroad premium trim because I would like a moonroof. Is that overkill and a waste of money. Again, im looking for comfort but not really interested in the Limited. Is the offload trim silly coming from a 4 door wrangler JL sahara

Hit me with the suggestions and thanks in advance!

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[shine]

Can you elaborate on why you're not interested in the Limited trim?

If I wasn't planning to take mine off road much I would pick the Limited or Platinum trim. Like the Wrangler Sahara, the 4Runner Limited/Platinum are more focused towards on road comfort and capability instead of being a hard core off roader.

For example, they do not have a rear locker, but they do have full time 4 wheel drive. This means they're less focused on getting you unstuck but are better at keeping you from losing traction in the first place.

Just my $.02

 

[JayTraumaRN]

Can you elaborate on why you're not interested in the Limited trim?

If I wasn't planning to take mine off road much I would pick the Limited or Platinum trim. Like the Wrangler Sahara, the 4Runner Limited/Platinum are more focused towards on road comfort and capability instead of being a hard core off roader.

For example, they do not have a rear locker, but they do have full time 4 wheel drive. This means they're less focused on getting you unstuck but are better at keeping you from losing traction in the first place.

Just my $.02

I dont know if the price difference, going to the Limited is worth the loss in capability, even if I might not ever use it. The Limited jumps the price up to the +60k range really quick. Is the ride quality that much better over the SR5 in the middle 40k's? No matter what you do, its not going to drive like a Cadillac. I could be completely wrong and looking for opinions.

 

[brumey]

As you stated your main use is driving in the snow, the AWD models would seem best.

i would say the SR5 is probably a bit more comfortable than a modern jeep but it is body on frame and you do feel the road imperfections. No full time AWD, but has manual 4WD which is good enough in my opinion. The SR5 is clearly the best value.

 

[HVLA]

Offroad Premium is sweetspot I think. Gets you the nicer interior and bigger screen.

 

[4RunnerTony]

I had a 2017 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Hard Rock Edition. At the time I was doing more offroad than I do now. I mostly drive on the highway now. Traded the Jeep in for a 6gen TRD Sport Premium. It has a moon roof and 20inch Nitto Ridge Grappler tires. Its a much better ride than the Jeep was and the turning is much much better. If you were to do more hard core off roading in the future you can get all kinds off mods, skid plates etc. It has 2wd, 4high and 4 low. I enjoyed the Jeep but enkoy the 4Runner more.

 

[rocktheroad]

I live in Northwest OH so my main use is for driving in the snow. We are a family if 5 and I have just been thinking that it would be nice to have something that is still really capable if we want to get into some sand/snow/mud but was more comfortable as a daily driver.

If you’re mainly driving in the snow, I’d go with the Limited model since it has all-wheel drive (AWD). This is my first time using four-wheel drive (4WD), but I’ve had a bunch of AWD systems before, like 4Motion, Quattro, and Haldex. I didn’t realize you’re not supposed to use 4WD High on dry roads. I thought that was just for 4WD Low. I would be totally confused about when to use it and when not to, and is it slippery enough.

Having a two-wheel drive (2WD) setup on dry pavement and then running into icy conditions later could really throw me off.

All that being said, I am leaning toward the offroad premium trim because I would like a moonroof. Is that overkill and a waste of money. Again, im looking for comfort but not really interested in the Limited. Is the offload trim silly coming from a 4 door wrangler JL sahara

I have Offroad Premium, and I was thinking about the moonroof option, but I decided against it. All my cars had panoramic sunroofs, and I decided that this bunker-sized opening is not worth it. But Limited has that option as well.

 

[chasedstream641]

I made the switch from a 2015 Wrangler this summer and im very happy with my decision. I had to do a similar cost benefit analysis after having my jeep for 7 years and taking it on trails probably 3-4 times a year (maybe once on a trail that actually required a jeep, the rest a stock 4runner would be fine with). I also wanted the moon roof but made a list of the features that separated the SR5 from the higher trims that i actually cared about/ wouldn't be able to install after the fact. In the end, I was looking at paying 10k more for a moon roof and ventilated seats which to me was not worth it since when im in my car im looking out the windshield not the moonroof anyway. I went with the SR5 W/ PT4wd and put 1K into a trailhunter grille and used trailhunter wheels and tires. So far im completely happy with my decision and genuinely blown away by how I never knew how awful my jeep drove since it was my first car. The only thing I was on the fence with is gas vs hybrid considering I want to drive this car for the next 20 years and how the MPG difference might have eventually paid the difference for a nicer trim

 

[sscarter]

Having driven in snow all my life (New England), I've never had 4WD until I got my 4Runner TRD ORP in 2019. In all those years, only a few times on steep hills where I ever felt I needed 4WD (and didn't have it back then). No one in my family (living in hilly, snowy country) ever had 4WD. We never felt it was necessary. Most of the time, roads are bare and dry, especially as temps get warmer, and a bucket of sand in the trunk or pickup bed sufficed if things were really slippery.

My point is that snow is not why I'd want 4WD. Most of the risk in slippery conditions is stopping, not going, and 4WD doesn't help with stopping. Since I've had the 4Runner, I think I've used 4WD in snow once or twice, and that was just a precaution and not really needed.

You'll find the 4Runner cabin much quieter than the Jeep, and if my recent experience with a Rubicon in remote areas is any indication, much tighter against dust. While I'd rent a Rubicon for really tough driving (like Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument where I drove a Rubicon for 10 days this spring), I'd much rather use my 4Runner for daily driving and lighter off-roading on rough mountain roads and 2-tracks.

My $0.02.

 

[GrayWulf]

I just made the switch two weeks ago. I went through this debate for years. What finally put me over the edge was a desire for better ride quality but ultimately it was the quality. I wanted a set it and forget it car that looked awesome, performed well, and had a back window that went down.

The old beast -
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/showcase/the-grey-wolf.1721/

 

[ModernDay4Runner]

Any 4Runner is better than any Jeep from a reliability standpoint. Look at any list of Top XX reliable vehicles and you will see many Toyota models and not a single Jeep model. So, you are making a smart decision to make that switch. Good luck dialing in the exact trim model that suits your needs. Maybe take a few for test drives if they are available.

 

[Iced_Out_Audemars]

Having driven in snow all my life (New England), I've never had 4WD until I got my 4Runner TRD ORP in 2019. In all those years, only a few times on steep hills where I ever felt I needed 4WD (and didn't have it back then). No one in my family (living in hilly, snowy country) ever had 4WD. We never felt it was necessary. Most of the time, roads are bare and dry, especially as temps get warmer, and a bucket of sand in the trunk or pickup bed sufficed if things were really slippery.

My point is that snow is not why I'd want 4WD. Most of the risk in slippery conditions is stopping, not going, and 4WD doesn't help with stopping. Since I've had the 4Runner, I think I've used 4WD in snow once or twice, and that was just a precaution and not really needed.

You'll find the 4Runner cabin much quieter than the Jeep, and if my recent experience with a Rubicon in remote areas is any indication, much tighter against dust. While I'd rent a Rubicon for really tough driving (like Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument where I drove a Rubicon for 10 days this spring), I'd much rather use my 4Runner for daily driving and lighter off-roading on rough mountain roads and 2-tracks.

My $0.02.

honestly this.^. To be honest OP it sounds like a grand Cherokee trail hawk or a ford timberline or the ford expedition might be more up your ally with the family . the outer banks has some soft sand so I wouldn't go lower then the trailhawk/timberline imo.

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