How the 2025 Ford Bronco Outperforms the 2025 Toyota 4Runner
The off-road community is as strong as ever, and with so many great places to explore, you need an SUV that will deliver and still get you around town. The 2025 Ford Bronco and the Toyota 4Runner are two of the main challengers in the midsize 4×4 segment for people seeking a rugged vehicle but not necessarily wanting the heft of a full-size body-on-frame SUV.
With the Bronco having just returned a few years ago following a long hiatus, can it stand up to the 40-plus-year run the 4Runner is on? We went in-depth to compare the 2025 Ford Bronco vs 2025 Toyota 4Runner for people in the new SUV market. From the engine to the infotainment, see how the Bronco and 4Runner stack up so you can make the smart choice.
The Bronco Offers More Engine Options and More Power
Not every driver has the same power demands. Some want every ounce of horsepower and torque available to blast over roads and rough terrain. Others prefer something a little lighter for more control and everyday efficiency. The 2025 Ford Bronco offers the choices to please everyone. Its base EcoBoost 2.3L turbo-four engine is impressive, delivering 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque so you can take on your travels with confidence.
When you upgrade to the 2.7L twin-turbo V6, the power and adrenaline start taking over. Available on the Outer Banks, Heritage Edition, and Badlands trims, this heart pumps with 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque to give your adventures a fast pulse. Want to be the head of the herd? The 2025 Bronco Raptor has a 3.0L version pounding out 418 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque for your wild stallion.
By comparison, the 2025 4Runner has just two powertrains. The base powertrain on the 2025 4Runner is a 2.4L turbo-four that makes 278 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque, which nudges out the Bronco turbo-four but falls well short of the mid-level 2.7L twin-turbo engine. The top-end 4Runner option is an i-Force Max hybrid that adds an electric motor to the turbo-four and still only reaches 326 hp—nearly 100 hp behind the Bronco Raptor. For the most potential power and the choices you demand, the 2025 Bronco is the right play.
The Bronco Was Made for Off-Road Adventure
There are a lot of places to explore in upstate New York, and adventurers need the right vehicle to explore them. The 2025 Bronco steps to the plate as a 4×4 that can handle off-road life right out of the box. For starters, all Bronco trims come standard with 4WD while some 4Runner trims still default to RWD—and any experienced off-roader knows that more drive wheels equal more traction. The Bronco also has electronic stability control and Hill Start Assist on all models, which the 4Runner can’t say.
Even more crucial is Ford’s HOSS (High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension) system with specially tuned hydraulic rebound front struts, monotube rear shocks, and soft springs to feel smooth on the roughest terrain. Lower Bronco trims have the HOSS 1.0 system, while higher trims get the HOSS 2.0. With the 4Runner, you must buy one of the expensive models to receive a suspension geared towards off-roading; Ford throws in the goods from the get-go.
The 4Runner also can’t compete with the removable doors and top on the Bronco to boost visibility and enjoy the open air. Finally, drivers who prefer the customized control of a manual transmission will be happy to know the 2025 Bronco still has a seven-speed manual option for the EcoBoost engine. With the manual transmission, you also get hill descent control to reign your SUV in on steep inclines.
Looking for More Space for Passengers? Check Out the Bronco
Whether driving around downtown or tackling New York’s mountains and trails, you need room inside your SUV. The 2025 Ford Bronco provides it so people, luggage, and equipment can be spread out. All Broncos have 43.1 inches of first-row legroom; the second row has 35.7 inches in the two-door Bronco and 36.3 inches in the four-door. The fact the Bronco comes in a two-door or four-door is another huge advantage, as buyers can get the shorter two-door 4×4 for nimbleness or the longer four-door to increase passenger and cargo area. The 2025 4Runner can’t compete with 41.7 inches of first-row legroom and 34.8 inches of second-row legroom in its lone configuration—more than last year, but still not on the Bronco’s level.
Headroom is also far superior in the 2025 Bronco, with 41/40.8 inches (two-door/four-door) in the front and 39.8/40.1 inches in the rear for the Bronco hardtop. The soft top makes headspace even more spacious so tall people don’t have to hunch. In the 4Runner, the most you get is 39.7 inches in the front and 37.8 inches of rear headroom; some trims have even less. Add more front hip room and up to 83 cu.ft. of cargo space for the ultimate comfort on all terrain.
Ford Sets the Tech Bar Higher
Are you tired of automakers skimping out with the lower trims and saving the best tech for expensive premium models and option packages? Ford heard the cries and responded. On the 2025 Bronco, a 12-inch infotainment touchscreen and matching digital instrument cluster are standard across all trims from the entry-level Base to the Badlands and Raptor. Conversely, the main screens on the Toyota 4Runner are only eight and seven inches. If you want the swank 14-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch gauge cluster, then you guessed it—you have to shell out more cash.
Ford supports these large screens with everything you need for entertainment, performance, and safety. Let’s start with entertainment. Features like wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay and even SiriusXM are practically a given in 2025. The Bronco steps it up, though, with multiple first- and second-row USB ports, 12V power plug-ins, and a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot. Traditionalists will love that the Bronco still has terrestrial AM/FM radio for when mountains and buildings block digital signals—and unlike the 4Runner, you can add built-in navigation to guide you to your destination without killing your phone battery or data plan.
The driving modes are better on the Bronco, too. The Bronco Base model includes Ford’s Terrain Management System with five standard G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) modes: Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, and Sand. A high-level Bronco adds modes like Baja, Mud/Ruts, and Rock Crawl for extreme adventuring. On the Toyota SR5 intro model, all you get are Eco, Normal, and Sport. Even the best trims don’t have anything resembling Slippery or Sand modes; instead, you get setups like Sport S and Comfort, which are fine for the main roads but won’t help you on unmaintained land.
Finally, there’s safety tech. We’ll admit Toyota has closed the gap by adding Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 on the 2025 4Runner. Even so, it’s no match for the Ford Co-Pilot 360 driver assistance suite. It comes with Pre-Collision Assist, Blind Spot Assist, a rear-view camera, Adaptive Cruise Control, and automatic high-beams standard on all trims. Add features like Intersection Assist and a 360-degree camera so you have the aids you need.
Spend Less and Get More
There’s no denying that money is a sticking point when vehicle shopping, so choose the Bronco and get the best deal possible. Ford saw vehicle prices soaring across the U.S. and decided to zig where others zag, dropping the starting MSRP on the Bronco by almost $2,000. The Base model begins at less than $38,000, and it’s clear you get more in the way of performance and convenience than the Toyota 4Runner SR5 which starts at nearly $41,000.[a]
The lower price also includes an excellent warranty for your peace of mind. You get three years/36,000 miles bumper to bumper, five years/60,000 miles on the powertrain and safety restraints, and five years/unlimited miles against corrosion. Ford also throws in five years/60,000 miles of free emergency roadside assistance.
Come in and Experience the 2025 Ford Bronco for Yourself
The Bronco is a legend of off-roading, and the new generation has only continued its legacy. When looking at the 2025 Bronco and 4Runner, what we keep coming back to is that while there are plenty of great trims and add-ons to customize your Bronco, you don’t necessarily need them to get a great SUV. On the other hand, with the 4Runner, jumping to the higher trims and packages is practically a requirement if you want a serious SUV. When you combine a better powertrain and more standard features with a lower price tag, the choice is clear.
Visit DePaula Ford or give us a call to talk about how the 2025 Ford Bronco is the right SUV for your needs. Choosing the correct dealership is just as important as the right vehicle, and at DePaula Ford, we’re here to forge a lasting relationship built on automotive passion. We’ll go the extra mile to help you select the right vehicle, evaluate your trade-in, and arrange for competitive financing. Come see why we’re the leading Ford dealer in Albany!
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