2025 Ford Bronco vs. 2025 Toyota 4Runner

The 2025 Ford Bronco stays true to its heritage with a bold, boxy shape and adventure-ready features like removable doors, roof panels, and soft or hardtop options. It also offers a variety of styling packages, including the new Free Wheeling trim, which adds retro-inspired graphics and unique accents. The 4Runner receives a long-awaited redesign that modernizes its look while keeping its signature rugged appeal. It features a muscular stance, with standout design elements like large rear quarter windows and the classic roll-down rear window in the liftgate. For those who prioritize a unique and customizable design, the Bronco has the edge.

The Bronco comes standard with a 300-horsepower turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, with an optional 330-horsepower twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6. A seven-speed manual transmission is available for the four-cylinder, while both engines can be paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The 4Runner, now built on Toyota's TNGA-F body-on-frame platform, offers a 278-horsepower 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder as the base engine. A hybrid powertrain is available on most trims, increasing output to 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. When it comes to towing, the 4Runner has a higher capacity at 6,000 pounds, compared to the Bronco's 3,500-pound limit.

The Bronco's cabin is designed for adventure, featuring rubberized flooring, marine-grade vinyl upholstery, and a dashboard-mounted accessory rack for securing devices like smartphones and action cameras. It also has removable doors and roof panels, adding to its open-air driving experience. The 4Runner takes a more traditional SUV approach, offering a sculpted dashboard with a mix of physical controls and a modern digital display. The Bronco features a 12.0-inch touchscreen running Ford's Sync 4 system, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and over-the-air updates. The 4Runner offers a slightly larger 14.0-inch touchscreen with similar connectivity features.

The Bronco offers Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite, which includes forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Additionally, it provides off-road safety enhancements like Trail Control, which acts as low-speed cruise control for rough terrain. The 4Runner comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense, offering similar features such as pre-collision braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, and blind-spot monitoring. Both SUVs have multiple off-road driving aids. The Bronco features a sway-bar disconnect for improved wheel articulation, while select 4Runner trims include Toyota's Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select system.

According to Car & Driver, the Bronco's most fuel-efficient variant is the 2.3L turbocharged four-cylinder with the automatic transmission, which achieves 20 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. The 2.7L twin-turbo V6, especially when equipped with the Sasquatch package, sees fuel economy drop to 17 mpg city and highway. The 4Runner offers better efficiency, according to Car & Driver, especially in its hybrid models. The standard 2.4L turbocharged engine gets 21 mpg combined, while the hybrid variant improves to 23 mpg combined.

The Bronco provides more customization options and a lower starting price, making it a more accessible choice for adventure seekers. The Bronco starts at $37,995 for the base model and goes up to $90,035 for the Raptor. The 4Runner starts at $40,770, slightly higher than the Bronco, and reaches $66,900 for the TRD Pro and Trailhunter models. For buyers looking for the most off-road capability per dollar, the Bronco delivers more options and customization at a lower price point.

The 2025 Ford Bronco and 2025 Toyota 4Runner are both built for adventure, but the Bronco delivers more versatility, better customization, and a more engaging driving experience—all at a lower starting price. With its removable doors and roof, independent front suspension for smoother handling, and off-road-ready trims like the Sasquatch Package, the Bronco is the perfect SUV for those who want both rugged capability and everyday comfort. While the 4Runner introduces a hybrid option and has a slightly higher towing capacity, Car & Driver noted that its added weight impacts responsiveness, and higher trims approach luxury SUV pricing without the same refinement. For drivers looking for the ultimate combination of off-road power, daily drivability, and open-air freedom, the Ford Bronco is the clear choice.