2024 Toyota 4Runner vs 2023 Ford Bronco

The 2023 Ford Bronco was a standout with its retro-cool styling and modern engineering, offered in nine distinct trim levels. Its blocky, upright shape, wide horizontal grille, and big round headlights were unmistakable, even from afar. The Base trim had a primitive, bare-bones look with steel wheels, while the Raptor trim boasted a wide stance, elevated height, and massive tires. The Heritage Edition trim added nostalgic elements like a white grille, roof, and wheels, along with unique plaid seat upholstery. The Bronco's rugged theme extended to its interior, with a broad dash, sealed switches, and waterproof marine-grade vinyl upholstery, making it easy to clean after off-road adventures. Despite some creaking over bumps, the Bronco was quieter than a Jeep Wrangler, emphasizing durability over luxury.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner was a throwback to an earlier era, with its last redesign dating back to 2010. Its boxy shape and flared fenders gave it a brawny stance, suitable for off-road exploration. The TRD Pro model featured underbody skid plates and all-terrain tires, enhancing its rugged personality. Inside, the 4Runner showed its age with old-school styling and last-generation technology features. The analog instrument panel and small eight-inch infotainment touchscreen felt outdated, though they might evoke nostalgia for some. The interior had hard plastics, but cushioned panels and grained seat upholstery provided some comfort. Despite its age, the 4Runner's design remained functional, with excellent outward visibility and ample space for passengers.

The 2023 Ford Bronco offered three engine choices, starting with a 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. It was available with a seven-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic transmission. The optional twin-turbo 2.7-litre V6 engine increased power to 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, while the top-of-the-line Raptor featured a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 with 418 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque. All Broncos came with a four-wheel drive (4WD) drivetrain and a two-speed transfer case. The Bronco's ride quality was bouncier than a typical family SUV, but it tracked straight on highways and was quieter than a Jeep Wrangler. Despite its high-riding dimensions, the Bronco felt confident on curving roads, and maneuvering the larger four-door model was less stressful than expected.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner was powered by a 4.0-litre V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. Its five-speed automatic transmission lagged behind the Bronco's ten-speed, affecting acceleration and fuel economy. The TRD Pro model came standard with four-wheel drive (4WD) and a two-speed transfer case. On pavement, the 4Runner felt slow, with noticeable rear-end squat during acceleration. The engine sounded taxed, and the sportier exhaust was loud. The soft suspension resulted in body roll when cornering and residual bounces over bumps. However, the 4Runner's tall tire sidewalls and soft suspension absorbed larger road imperfections, making it suitable for off-road adventures.

The 2023 Ford Bronco's boxy shape provided ample interior space, with the four-door model offering easier access to rear seats. Up front, there were plenty of storage options, including netted door pockets and a rubberized tray for phones. The two-door Bronco had up to 634 litres of cargo space, while the four-door offered up to 1,008 litres. However, the rear seats didn't fold flat, creating a step-up that hindered sliding longer cargo. The Bronco's fenders and doors were easily removable, appealing to hardcore off-roaders.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's interior design felt outdated, but its layout was user-friendly. The front seats provided ample space, though the steering wheel's limited telescoping range might be an issue for taller drivers. The second row offered generous legroom, but headroom was limited for taller passengers. The 4Runner could hold up to 1,337 litres of cargo behind the rear seats, expanding to 2,540 litres with the seats stowed. The load floor was almost flat, making it more practical than the Bronco's stepped floor. The 4Runner featured a sliding glass rear window and a hitch receiver with a 2,268-kilogram towing capacity.

The 2023 Ford Bronco featured G.O.A.T. drive modes, optimizing engine and suspension settings for various terrains. Off-road novices could easily conquer challenging terrain, while seasoned off-roaders could manually select features. The Bronco's numerous camera views and Trail Turn Assist feature enhanced its off-road capabilities. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an available 12-inch display for ease of use.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's infotainment system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the small eight-inch touchscreen was challenging to use while driving. The TRD Pro model featured a 15-speaker JBL premium audio system, but road noise often obscured the music. The 4Runner's terrain controls were located in the headliner console, with Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select systems for off-roading.

The 2023 Ford Bronco received mixed safety ratings, with the four-door model earning four out of five stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection from NHTSA. The IIHS awarded it "Good" ratings in most crashworthiness tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and hill-start assist. Optional packages added features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner also received mixed safety ratings, with four out of five stars for overall and frontal crash protection from NHTSA. The IIHS gave it "Good" ratings for moderate frontal overlap and side protection tests. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning. The 4Runner's alerts were sometimes oversensitive, but adjustments could be made.