Compare the2025 Toyota 4RunnerVS 2024 Ford Bronco

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Toyota 4Runner are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Ford Bronco doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Toyota 4Runner 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 Bronco doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 4Runner Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro has standard Parking Support Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Bronco doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The 4Runner’s standard 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. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Bronco.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 4Runner has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Parking Support Brake on the Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Ford charges extra for Cross Traffic Alert on the Bronco and the Bronco’s Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

Both the 4Runner and the Bronco have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available four-wheel drive and around view monitors.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the 4Runner for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Ford doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Bronco.

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 Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota second in reliability, above the industry average. With 92 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 23rd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Ford is ranked 22nd.

The 4Runner’s optional 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 25 lbs.-ft. more torque (465 vs. 440) than the Bronco Raptor’s optional 3.0 turbo V6.

On the EPA test cycle the 4Runner gets better mileage than the Bronco 4-Door:

			MPG
4Runner
RWD	Auto	SR5/TRD Sport 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/26 hwy
		Limited 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/24 hwy
AWD	Auto	2.4 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	23 city/24 hwy
		SR5/TRD Sport 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	19 city/25 hwy
		Limited 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/24 hwy
Bronco 4-Door
AWD	Manual	2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/21 hwy
		Black Diamond 2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	16 city/18 hwy
		Badlands 2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	16 city/18 hwy
		Sasquatch 2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	16 city/18 hwy
AWD	Auto	3.0 turbo V6	15 city/16 hwy
		2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/21 hwy
		2.7 turbo V6	19 city/21 hwy
		Black Diamond 2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	18 city/18 hwy
		Black Diamond 2.7 turbo V6	18 city/18 hwy
		Sasquatch 2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	18 city/17 hwy
		Badlands 2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	17 city/17 hwy
		Badlands 2.7 turbo V6	17 city/17 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the 4Runner i-FORCE MAX’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Bronco doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota 4Runner uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Bronco requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The 4Runner has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Bronco 2-Door’s standard fuel tank (19 vs. 16.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the 4Runner’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Bronco:

	4Runner	Bronco
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	12.2 inches
Rear Rotors	13.2 inches	12.1 inches

For better traction, the 4Runner has larger tires than the Bronco (265/70R17 vs. 255/75R17).

The 4Runner SR5’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 Bronco Big Bend’s standard 75 series tires. The 4Runner TRD Sport/Limited/Platinum’s tires have a lower 55 series profile than the Bronco’s optional 70 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 4Runner TRD Sport/Limited/Platinum has standard 20-inch wheels. The Bronco’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The 4Runner has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the 4Runner flat and controlled during cornering. The Bronco’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The 4Runner offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the Bronco can only carry up to 5.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the 4Runner’s middle row seats recline. The Bronco’s rear seats don’t recline.

The 4Runner’s cargo area provides more volume than the Bronco 2-Door.

	4Runner	Bronco
Third Seat Folded	44.8 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	48.4 cubic feet	22.4 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	84.4 cubic feet	52.3 cubic feet

The 4Runner’s cargo area provides more volume than the Bronco 4-Door.

	4Runner	Bronco
Third Seat Folded	44.8 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	48.4 cubic feet	38.3 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	84.4 cubic feet	83 cubic feet

The 4Runner’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The Bronco’s swing out door blocks loading from the passenger’s side.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the 4Runner’s power cargo door can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Bronco doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening cargo door.

The 4Runner’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Bronco’s (6000 vs. 3500 pounds).

When different drivers share the 4Runner Premium/Limited/Trailhunter/TRD Pro/Platinum, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Bronco doesn’t offer a memory system.

The 4Runner Premium/Limited/Trailhunter/TRD Pro/Platinum’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver's seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Bronco doesn't offer an easy entry system.

The 4Runner Platinum has a standard heads-up display that projects speed in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Bronco doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The 4Runner’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 Bronco’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The 4Runner’s standard power window controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Bronco’s available power window controls are spread out on the center console where they can’t be seen without the driver completely removing his eyes from the road.

If the windows are left open on the 4Runner 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 Bronco can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The 4Runner’s standard Smart Key allow you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Push Button Start standard on the Bronco only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

The 4Runner Platinum’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Bronco’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The 4Runner’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Bronco’s power mirror controls are on the center console where they can’t be seen without the driver completely removing his eyes from the road.

Both the Toyota 4Runner and Ford Bronco offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The 4Runner offers available power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Bronco’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

Both the 4Runner and the Bronco offer available heated front seats. The 4Runner Platinum also has standard heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Bronco.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the 4Runner Premium/Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Bronco doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Both the 4Runner and the Bronco offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the 4Runner has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Bronco doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The 4Runner is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Bronco doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Toyota 4Runner outsold the Ford Bronco by 13% during 2023.