2025 Toyota 4Runner vs. 2025 Ford Bronco

The 4Runner spans 278 / 326 horsepower and 9 mapped trim positions; the Bronco spans 300–418 horsepower and 6. The better fit depends on the exact powertrain, drivetrain and equipment path. This comparison weighs powertrain range, drivetrain, trim structure, capability, seating & cargo, using each vehicle's own verified manufacturer and EPA-sourced facts instead of a single averaged rating. The 4Runner carries 9 mapped trim positions and 3 linked sources; the Bronco carries 6 and 3, so either side can be verified against its own primary record instead of taken on this page's summary alone. Configuration, not badge name, decides which one actually fits. Check the exact trim and powertrain before treating either vehicle's specification as settled.

Checked Aug. 17, 2026United States specifications6 linked sources

Decision fieldToyota 4RunnerFord Bronco

Power278 / 326 hp300–418 hp

DrivetrainRWD / 4WDStandard 4x4

Trim map9 published positions6 published positions

Seating5 or 74 or 5

Powertrain contextPowertrain: 2.4L turbo or i-FORCE MAX hybrid · Output: 278 / 326 hpPowertrain: 2.3L turbo four-cylinder, 2.7L twin-turbo V6 or 3.0L twin-turbo V6 · Output: 300–418 hp

Towing contextThe most the 2025 Toyota 4Runner is published to tow is 6,000 lb.The most the 2025 Ford Bronco is published to tow is up to 4,500 lb.

Ranges and maximums describe family-level possibilities. Open each vehicle record before treating a number or feature as applicable to a particular trim.

What separates them

Four decisions that change the answer.

This comparison does not force a universal winner. It identifies the configuration question that matters for each use case.

Powertrain range

4Runner: Powertrain 2.4L turbo or i-FORCE MAX hybrid; Output 278 / 326 hp. Bronco: Powertrain 2.3L turbo four-cylinder, 2.7L twin-turbo V6 or 3.0L twin-turbo V6; Output 300–418 hp.

Drivetrain

The 4Runner is represented with RWD / 4WD; the Bronco with Standard 4x4. Standard status must be checked by trim.

Trim structure

The 4Runner comes in 9 trims and the Bronco in 6. Package combinations can create additional builds.

Capability

The most the 2025 Toyota 4Runner is published to tow is 6,000 lb. The most the 2025 Ford Bronco is published to tow is up to 4,500 lb.

Seating & cargo

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner seats 5 or 7 (midsize off-road SUV). The 2025 Ford Bronco seats 4 or 5 (off-road SUV).

Model-year note: the Toyota 4Runner figures below come from EPA's 2026 records, the nearest model year EPA lists for it; the Ford Bronco figures below come from EPA's 2026 records, the nearest model year EPA lists for it.

Side-by-side matrix

The published fields that can change the decision.

Toyota 4Runner: 6 records · Ford Bronco: 9 records.

Decision field	Toyota 4Runner	Ford Bronco
Exact EPA records	6	9
Model / option labels	3	5
Drive layouts	4-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
Engines / propulsion	2.4L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI, 2.4L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI; Hybrid	2.3L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI, 2.7L 6-cyl SIDI & PFI, 3L 6-cyl SIDI
Transmissions	Automatic (S8)	Automatic (S10), Manual 7-spd
Fuel types	Regular	Regular
EPA classes	Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD	Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Combined efficiency	21–23 MPG/MPGe	15–20 MPG/MPGe
Electric range	Not listed	Not listed
Annual fuel / energy estimate	$2800–3100 per year	$3250–4300 per year

Head to head

Toyota 4Runner vs. Ford Bronco: size, power, capability and price.

Measure	Toyota 4Runner	Ford Bronco
Starting price (KBB base)	$43,565	$42,490
Top trim price (KBB base)	$60,195	$81,990
Horsepower	278 hp	300-418 hp
Torque	317 lb-ft	325-440 lb-ft
Curb weight	4,685-4,970 lb	4,504-5,814 lb
Length	194.9 in	189.4-191 in
Wheelbase	112.2 in	116.1 in
Cargo volume	90.2 cu ft	77.6-83 cu ft
Towing capacity	6,000 lb	3,500-4,500 lb
Seating	5-7 seats	5 seats
Basic warranty	3 years	3 years

Figures are ranges across each model’s trims from Kelley Blue Book records (2026 model year); prices are KBB base prices.

The Ford Bronco starts $1,075 lower: $42,490 against $43,565 before options and fees.
On peak horsepower, the Ford Bronco leads: 418 hp against 278 hp.
On peak torque, the Ford Bronco leads: 440 lb-ft against 317 lb-ft.
The Ford Bronco is lighter, comparing lightest trims: 4,504 lb against 4,685 lb.
On length, the Toyota 4Runner leads: 194.9 in against 191 in.
On wheelbase, the Ford Bronco leads: 116.1 in against 112.2 in.
On cargo volume, the Toyota 4Runner leads: 90.2 cu ft against 83 cu ft.
On maximum towing capacity, the Toyota 4Runner leads: 6,000 lb against 4,500 lb.
On seating capacity, the Toyota 4Runner leads: 7 seats against 5 seats.
Both list the same basic warranty: 3 years.

Background on each vehicle

What public sources say about the Toyota 4Runner and the Ford Bronco.

2026 Toyota 4Runner

NHTSA rated the 2025 Toyota 4Runner overall 4 of 5 stars, front crash 4 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 3 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (4 campaigns across the latest model years)

September 2026, Equipment:Other:Labels. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid, 2025 Tundra Hybrid, Tundra, 2026 RAV4 Hybrid, 4Runner i-Force Max Hybrid, and 4Runner vehicles. The load carrying capacity modification label may display inaccurate added weight values. As such, these… Consequence: A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
May 2026, Equipment:Other:Labels. Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2026 4Runner vehicles. The load carrying capacity modification label states the incorrect load carrying capacity. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire… Consequence: An incorrect load carrying capacity label may lead to improper loading of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
September 2025, Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and… Consequence: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Owners filed 57 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Toyota 4Runner, most often about service brakes (23), unknown or other (9), electrical system (8).

2026 Ford Bronco

The Ford Bronco is a model line of SUVs manufactured and marketed by Ford. The first SUV model developed by the company, five generations of the Bronco were sold from the 1966 to 1996 model years. A sixth generation of the model line was introduced for the 2021 model year.

Source: Ford Bronco (Wikipedia)

Chassis. The first-generation Bronco is built upon a chassis developed specifically for the model range, shared with no other Ford or Lincoln-Mercury vehicle. Built on a 92-inch wheelbase (sized between the CJ-5 and Scout; only an inch shorter than the later CJ-7), the Bronco used box-section body-on-frame construction.

Powertrain. At its August 1965 launch, the Bronco was offered with a 170-cubic-inch inline six. Derived from the Ford Falcon, the 105-hp engine was modified with solid valve lifters, a 6-US-quart (6 L) oil pan, heavy-duty fuel pump, oil-bath air cleaner, and carburetor with a float bowl compensated against tilting.

Recent recalls (29 campaigns across the latest model years)

September 2026, Air Bags:Side/Window:Curtain. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Bronco vehicles. The mounting bracket on the right-hand-side side curtain air bag may have a metal burr that can tear the air bag during deployment. Consequence: A torn air bag may fail to properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
August 2026, Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Mustang, and Ranger vehicles. The engine piston domes may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in piston dome failure and lead to a loss of drive power. Consequence: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
July 2026, Engine. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Bronco and Bronco Raptor vehicles. The engine compartment wiring harness may become damaged and short circuit. Consequence: A short circuit in the engine compartment can create heat or spark, increasing the risk of a fire.

Owners filed 74 complaints with NHTSA for the 2024 Ford Bronco, most often about unknown or other (21), electrical system (18), structure (13).

Comparison answer desk

13 answers for this exact pairing.

Q01Which is more efficient: the 2026 Toyota 4Runner or the 2026 Ford Bronco?

Efficiency

The 2026 Toyota 4Runner lists the higher combined-efficiency midpoint in this snapshot (22 vs. the 2026 Ford Bronco's 17.5 MPG/MPGe).