Compare the2026 Toyota 4Runner VS 2026 Ford Bronco

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Toyota 4Runner are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Ford Bronco doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Toyota 4Runner has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Bronco doesn’t offer knee airbags.

With its standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, the Toyota 4Runner is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Ford Bronco, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	4Runner	Bronco
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	-10 MPH
25 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-3 MPH
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-23 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-10 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-21 MPH
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-22 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	2 sec	1 sec
37 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-8 MPH
Warning Issued-Low beams	2.3 sec	.6 sec

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Toyota 4Runner achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Ford Bronco, which scored only an “Acceptable” in these critical safety features.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The 4Runner Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro has standard Parking Support Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Bronco doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Toyota 4Runner comes with a standard Panoramic View/Multi-Terrain Monitor and it also offers an optional rear camera washer to make backing always safe, regardless of road dirt or grime, while the Ford Bronco doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 4Runner has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Parking Support Brake on the Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Ford charges extra for Cross Traffic Alert on the Bronco and it’s not available on the Base and the Bronco’s Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

Both the 4Runner and the Bronco 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 four-wheel drive and around view monitors.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the 4Runner is 5.2% to 7.1% less likely to roll over than the Bronco.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the 4Runner for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Ford doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Bronco.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the 4Runner’s reliability 55 points higher than the Bronco.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 46 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 13th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota first in overall reliability. Ford is ranked 11th.

The 4Runner has more powerful engines than the Bronco:

	Torque
4Runner Trailhunter 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	465 lbs.-ft.
4Runner 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	465 lbs.-ft.
Bronco 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder	325 lbs.-ft.
Bronco 2.7 turbo V6	415 lbs.-ft.
Bronco Raptor 3.0 turbo V6	440 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota 4Runner turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Ford Bronco turbo V6 (automatics tested):

	4Runner	Bronco
Zero to 30 MPH	2.6 sec	2.9 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.3 sec	8.4 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	11.9 sec	14.9 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	3.6 sec	4.5 sec
Quarter Mile	15.6 sec	16.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91.3 MPH	83.5 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the 4Runner gets better mileage than the Bronco 4-Door:

			MPG
4Runner
RWD	Auto	SR5/TRD Sport 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/26 hwy
		Limited 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/24 hwy
AWD	Auto	2.4 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	23 city/24 hwy
		SR5/TRD Sport 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	19 city/25 hwy
		Limited 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/24 hwy
Bronco 4-Door
AWD	Manual	2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	18 city/22 hwy
		Badlands 2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	17 city/18 hwy
		Sasquatch 2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	16 city/18 hwy
AWD	Auto	3.0 turbo V6	15 city/16 hwy
		2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	18 city/22 hwy
		Outer Banks 2.7 turbo V6	19 city/21 hwy
		Sasquatch 2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	17 city/19 hwy
		Big Bend 2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	17 city/19 hwy
		Badlands 2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	17 city/17 hwy
		Badlands/Stroppe/Heritage 2.7 turbo V6	17 city/17 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the 4Runner i-FORCE MAX’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Bronco doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota 4Runner uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Bronco requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The 4Runner has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Bronco 2-Door’s standard fuel tank (19 vs. 16.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The 4Runner has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Bronco. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota 4Runner higher (6 out of 10) than the Ford Bronco (5 to 6). This means the 4Runner produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Bronco every 15,000 miles.

The Toyota 4Runner comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the Bronco.

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

	4Runner	Bronco
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	12.2 inches
Rear Rotors	13.2 inches	12.1 inches

The 4Runner stops much shorter than the Bronco:

	4Runner	Bronco
70 to 0 MPH	170 feet	221 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	117 feet	144 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	150 feet	168 feet	Consumer Reports

The 4Runner SR5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 70 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Bronco Big Bend’s standard 75 series tires. The 4Runner TRD Sport/Limited/Platinum’s tires have a lower 55 series profile than the Bronco’s optional 70 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 4Runner SR5 has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Bronco Base. The 4Runner TRD Sport/Limited/Platinum’s 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Bronco Outer Banks.

The 4Runner has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the 4Runner flat and controlled during cornering. The Bronco’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The 4Runner’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (49.4% to 50.6%) than the Bronco’s (54.5% to 45.5%). This gives the 4Runner more stable handling and braking.

The 4Runner Trailhunter handles at .74 G’s, while the Bronco Raptor pulls only .68 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.9 seconds quicker than the Bronco 4-Door (28 seconds @ .6 average G’s vs. 30.9 seconds @ .51 average G’s).

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the 4Runner Limited 4x4 is quieter than the Bronco Outer Banks 4-Door (69 vs. 71 dB).

The 4Runner offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the Bronco can only carry up to 5.

The 4Runner has 27.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Bronco 4-Door (136 vs. 108.2).

The 4Runner’s cargo area provides more volume than the Bronco 2-Door.

	4Runner	Bronco
Third Seat Folded	44.8 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	48.4 cubic feet	20.6 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	84.4 cubic feet	52 cubic feet

The 4Runner’s cargo area provides more volume than the Bronco 4-Door.

	4Runner	Bronco
Third Seat Folded	44.8 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	48.4 cubic feet	38.3 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	84.4 cubic feet	83 cubic feet

The 4Runner’s cargo area is larger than the Bronco’s in almost every dimension:

	4Runner	Bronco 2-Door	Bronco 4-Door
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	10”/41.5”/65”	n.a./n/a	n.a./32”/68.8”
Max Width	56”	n/a	43”
Min Width	44”	n/a	42.9”
Height	40.1”	n/a	40”

The 4Runner’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The Bronco’s swing out door blocks loading from the passenger’s side.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the 4Runner Premium/Limited/platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro’s power cargo door can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Bronco doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening cargo door.

The 4Runner’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Bronco’s (6000 vs. 3500 pounds).

The 4Runner has a much higher standard payload capacity than the Bronco (1390 vs. 1100 lbs.).

The 4Runner has a higher maximum payload capacity than the Bronco (1550 vs. 1452 lbs.).

When two different drivers share the 4Runner Premium/Limited/Trailhunter/TRD Pro/Platinum, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position (with optional power wheel adjuster) and outside mirror angle. The Bronco doesn’t offer a memory system.

The 4Runner Premium/Limited/Trailhunter/TRD Pro/Platinum’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Bronco doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The 4Runner Platinum has a standard heads-up display that projects speed in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Bronco doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The 4Runner’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Bronco’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The 4Runner’s standard power window controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Bronco’s available power window controls are spread out on the center console where they can’t be seen without the driver completely removing his eyes from the road.

If the windows are left open on the 4Runner the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Bronco can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The 4Runner’s standard Smart Key allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from pocket or purse. Push Button Start standard on the Bronco only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

The 4Runner Platinum’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Bronco’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the 4Runner has a standard rear wiper. The Bronco Soft Top doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The 4Runner’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Bronco’s headlights are rated “Marginal.”

The 4Runner’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Bronco’s power mirror controls are on the center console where they can’t be seen without the driver completely removing his eyes from the road.

When the 4Runner Limited/Trailhunter/TRD Pro/Platinum is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Bronco’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Toyota 4Runner and Ford Bronco offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The 4Runner offers available power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Bronco’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

Both the 4Runner and the Bronco offer available heated front seats. The 4Runner Platinum also has standard heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Bronco.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the 4Runner Premium/Limited/Platinum/Trailhunter/TRD Pro keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Bronco doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Both the 4Runner and the Bronco offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the 4Runner has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Bronco doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The 4Runner is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Bronco doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Toyota 4Runner retains 69.9% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 45.81% resale value of the 2026 Ford Bronco after five years, which can save the Toyota’s owner up to $8861 in depreciation.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota 4Runner, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Ford Bronco isn't recommended.