Compare the2023 Ford BroncoVS 2023 Toyota 4Runner

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Ford Bronco 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 Toyota 4Runner doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The Bronco has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The 4Runner 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the Bronco. But it costs extra on the 4Runner.

Both the Bronco and the 4Runner have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

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 Ford Bronco 4-Door is safer than the 4Runner:

	Bronco	4Runner
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Head injury index	52	142
Peak Head Forces	0 G’s	0 G’s
Steering Column Movement Rearward	1 cm	12 cm
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Femur Force R/L	.2/.2 kN	3.9/2.4 kN
Hip & Thigh Injury Risk R/L	0%/0%	1%/0%
Lower Leg Evaluation	MARGINAL	ACCEPTABLE
Tibia forces R/L	1.2/.8 kN	5/2.9 kN

Warranty

There are over 2 times as many Ford dealers as there are Toyota dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Bronco’s warranty.

Reliability

The Bronco has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in initial quality. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated lower.

Engine

The Bronco’s standard 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 30 more horsepower (300 vs. 270) and 47 lbs.-ft. more torque (325 vs. 278) than the 4Runner’s 4.0 DOHC V6. The Bronco’s optional 2.7 turbo V6 produces 60 more horsepower (330 vs. 270) and 137 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 278) than the 4Runner’s 4.0 DOHC V6. The Bronco Raptor’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 148 more horsepower (418 vs. 270) and 162 lbs.-ft. more torque (440 vs. 278) than the 4Runner’s 4.0 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Ford Bronco is faster than the Toyota 4Runner (automatics tested):

	Bronco turbo 4 cyl.	Bronco turbo V6	4Runner
Zero to 60 MPH	6.5 sec	6.3 sec	7.8 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	19.9 sec	19.5 sec	22 sec
Quarter Mile	15.1 sec	15 sec	16.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90 MPH	91 MPH	88 MPH
Top Speed	106 MPH	106 MPH	105 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Bronco 4-Door
AWD	Manual	2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/21 hwy
	Auto	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
4Runner
	Auto	4.0 DOHC V6	16 city/19 hwy
AWD	Auto	4.0 DOHC V6	16 city/19 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Bronco’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The 4Runner doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Bronco has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

The Bronco offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

A 10-speed automatic is available on the Ford Bronco, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a five-speed automatic is available for the 4Runner.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Bronco Raptor	4Runner
Front Rotors	13.8 inches	13.3 inches
Rear Rotors	13.2 inches	12.3 inches

The Bronco stops much shorter than the 4Runner:

	Bronco	4Runner
70 to 0 MPH	189 feet	201 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	132 feet	138 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Bronco has larger standard tires than the 4Runner (255/70R16 vs. 245/60R20). The Bronco Raptor’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 4Runner (37 x 12.5R17 vs. 265/70R17).

Suspension and Handling

The Bronco offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The 4Runner’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Bronco’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The 4Runner doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Bronco 4-Door’s wheelbase is 6.3 inches longer than on the 4Runner (116.1 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Bronco is 4.7 inches wider in the front and 4.9 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the 4Runner.

The Bronco Outer Banks 4-Door handles at .75 G’s, while the 4Runner TRD Off-Road pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Bronco Outer Banks 4-Door executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the 4Runner TRD Off-Road (28.7 seconds @ .57 average G’s vs. 29.5 seconds @ .55 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Bronco 2-Door’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the 4Runner’s (35.5 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

Chassis

The Bronco 2-Door is 1 foot, 4.5 inches shorter than the 4Runner, making the Bronco easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Bronco uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The 4Runner doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the Bronco Outer Banks 4-Door is quieter than the 4Runner TRD Off-Road (41 vs. 43 dB).

Cargo Capacity

The Bronco 4-Door has a much larger cargo volume than the 4Runner with its rear seat up (38.3 vs. 9 cubic feet).

Towing

The Bronco can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Bronco can be unhitched and driven around locally. The 4Runner can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Bronco uses the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The 4Runner doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

An Intelligent Oil Life Monitor is standard on the Bronco to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes based on actual driving conditions. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Toyota doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the 4Runner.

Ergonomics

The Bronco (except Base/Manual) offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The engine computer on the Bronco automatically engages the starter until the car starts with one twist of the key and disables the starter while the engine is running. The 4Runner’s starter can be accidentally engaged while the engine is running, making a grinding noise and possibly damaging the starter and ring gear.

The Bronco’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The 4Runner does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Bronco’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The 4Runner’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The power windows standard on both the Bronco and the 4Runner have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Bronco is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The 4Runner prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Bronco’s available exterior PIN entry system. The 4Runner doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Bronco’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The 4Runner’s power mirror and cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Bronco 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 4Runner has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the Limited/TRD Pro.

The Bronco’s power mirror controls are mounted on the center console for easy access. The 4Runner’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

On extremely cold winter days, the Bronco Outer Banks/Badlands/Wildtrak/Raptor’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Ford Bronco Outer Banks/Badlands/Wildtrak/Raptor offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The 4Runner doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Model Availability

The Ford Bronco comes in four door and soft top bodystyles; the Toyota 4Runner isn’t available as a soft top.

Recommendations

The Bronco was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2022. The 4Runner has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.