2024 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2025 Ford Bronco

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser was a nod to its iconic past with a boxy design and flat roof, reminiscent of its predecessors. It featured a heritage grille with "TOYOTA" spelled out, round headlights on the First Edition, and rectangular ones on other trims, all LED-lit. The vehicle's design was a blend of classic inspiration and modern standards, with colour-selectable fog lights adding a contemporary twist. The lowered beltline improved visibility, and the First Edition came with off-road gear like a roof rack and skid plate. Inside, the base trim had cloth seats, while higher trims boasted SofTex or real leather with unique logos. Heated front seats and a steering wheel were standard, with additional features like a moonroof and ventilated seats in higher trims. The cabin was comfortable, with cushy seats and attractive stitching, allowing drivers to focus on the terrain without discomfort.

The 2025 Ford Bronco evoked the classic 1960s model with a modern twist, featuring a boxy design with rounded corners. Its wide, horizontal shapes were prominent, especially the full-width grille flanked by round headlamps. The Bronco offered multiple removable top options for an open-air experience. The Sasquatch package added 17-inch wheels with 35-inch tires, enhancing off-road capability and giving the Bronco a menacing look. With seven versions, including the high-performance Raptor, the Bronco catered to various preferences. The Big Bend model, tested with the Sasquatch package, impressed with its Velocity Blue Metallic finish. The Bronco's design was versatile, appealing to a wide range of buyers.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a 1.87-kWh battery, and a 48-hp electric motor, producing 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. It had an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD with a two-speed transfer case. The Multi-Terrain Select system operated in 4Hi or 4Lo, and the vehicle had standard rear- and centre-locking differentials. A push-button disconnect for the front sway bar was available, enhancing off-road articulation. The updated CRAWL control function offered five speed settings for challenging terrain, operating silently. The Land Cruiser excelled in off-road conditions, with its transmission unobtrusive during testing.

The 2025 Ford Bronco offered two engines, with the base 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder producing 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. The optional 2.7-litre EcoBoost V6 delivered 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Bronco Raptor had a unique engine with a 2,040-kilogram towing capacity. The standard seven-speed manual transmission included a low gear for off-road crawling, while a 10-speed automatic was optional. The Sasquatch package enhanced off-road capability with locking differentials and large tires. The Bronco's 4WD system, with independent front suspension, offered comfort on tarmac. Advanced 4WD systems were available on higher trims, improving performance in various conditions.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser had two rows of seating, with headroom measuring 917 mm in the front and 897 mm in the back. Legroom was 838 mm front and 678 mm rear. The centre console provided easy access to off-road features, and the wireless charging pad was conveniently placed. The cargo area, with a raised load floor, offered 1,063 litres of space and included a 120-volt AC outlet and USB-C ports in higher trims.

The 2025 Ford Bronco's two-door model offered ample space for two, while the four-door version provided more room and easier access. The Sasquatch package's big tires required a step up into the cabin. Two-door Broncos had 634 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,509 litres with seats folded. The four-door model offered up to 2,350 litres with the soft top. The Bronco featured numerous storage cubbies, MOLLE mounting points, and sturdy handles for easy entry. The four-door model had dedicated rear-seat air conditioning vents and improved insulation for reduced road noise.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser featured the Multi-Terrain Monitor system, standard above the base trim, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with USB-C ports for front and rear passengers. The base infotainment system had an 8-inch display and six speakers, while higher trims offered a 10-speaker system or an optional 14-speaker JBL premium sound system. Additional features included a head-up display and a digital rear-view mirror.

The 2025 Ford Bronco came with a 12-inch touchscreen running Sync 4 software, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A seven-speaker audio system was standard, with an optional Bang & Olufsen system available on higher trims. A second 12-inch screen served as a digital gauge cluster, customizable with various modes. The Bronco featured five G.O.A.T. modes, with additional modes on higher trims for off-road conditions. The digital gauge cluster displayed useful information for off-road features and safety settings.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser had not been rated by IIHS or NHTSA, but Toyota's track record and the Tundra's Top Safety Pick award provided confidence in its safety. It came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and more. Higher trims added lane-change assist, front cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assist.

The 2025 Ford Bronco did not come standard with Co-Pilot360 but included it from the Big Bend trim. Standard features included post-collision braking, hill start assist, and hill descent control. Optional safety features included a 360-degree camera system and evasive steering assist. The Bronco received "Good" ratings from IIHS in several crash tests but had a "Marginal" headlight rating. NHTSA gave it four stars for frontal crash safety and three stars for rollover testing.