Compare the2026 Ford BroncoVS 2026 Toyota 4Runner

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Ford Bronco achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Toyota 4Runner has not been tested.

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, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, 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.

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.

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.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Bronco has a standard 800-amp battery. The 4Runner’s 776-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. With 7 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Ford higher than Toyota.

The Bronco has more powerful engines than the 4Runner:

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

Regardless of its engine, the Bronco’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Toyota only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the 4Runner Limited/i-FORCE MAX.

The Bronco 4-Door’s standard fuel tank has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the 4Runner (20.8 vs. 19 gallons).

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.

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 an eight-speed automatic is available for the 4Runner.

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

For better traction, the Bronco has larger standard tires than the 4Runner (255/75R17 vs. 245/70R17). The Bronco Raptor’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 4Runner (37 x 12.5R17 vs. 265/55R20).

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 3.9 inches longer than on the 4Runner (116.1 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

The Bronco Outer Banks 4-Door handles at .75 G’s, while the 4Runner Trailhunter pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Bronco 2-Door’s turning circle is 3.9 feet tighter than the 4Runner’s (35.5 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Bronco 2-Door has a greater minimum ground clearance than the 4Runner SR5 (8.3 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Bronco to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Bronco 4-Door is 5.5 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.

The Bronco 4-Door has a much larger cargo volume than the 4Runner with its rear seat up (38.3 vs. 12.1 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Bronco easier. The Bronco’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 31 inches, while the 4Runner’s liftover is 32.7 inches.

The Bronco 4-Door’s optional sliding cargo floor makes loading and unloading cargo easier and safer. The 4Runner doesn’t offer a sliding load floor.

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.

The Bronco (except 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.

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

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Bronco as the 2022 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The 4Runner has never been chosen.

The Ford Bronco outsold the Toyota 4Runner by 12% during 2024.