4Runner vs new bronco

[Pedro367]

I've seen some cool broncos around now, but I feel they have to be in the right color with the right package (Orange Sasquatch). Otherwise, it's fairly underwhelming. Only thing I'd say it has that I miss from my Wrangler is removeable doors. Otherwise I think I'd rather have a Rubicon if I were to pick between the two. I wouldn't sell my 4R for either, however. It's much more practical, reliable, bigger inside, can tow more, and still has plenty of capability with a good set of tires, rear locker, etc.

 

[Jbatman]

I'll give my .02 cents as an owner of both...

Was lucky enough to land a Bronco First Edition reservation when they first released and took receipt of it late Feb. The First Edition trim comes with every option and package available which likely plays into my opinion vs other trim levels. I've put ~1,000 miles on it since and I have to say it is pretty fun. I also have a lifted 2019 TRD ORP w/ 285's, gobi, etc etc all the typical things we have. I told my friends I'd never get rid of the 4Runner but as I neared the pickup date of the Bronco I was a little nervous that I would become a liar.

As cool and fun as the Bronco is it hasn't swayed my opinion on the 4Runner. Call it habitual comfort maybe but I do find myself getting in the 4Runner and thinking to myself 'man I missed this'.

What I do like about the Bronco:

• On nice days being able to go topless (and quickly) is pretty awesome.
• Power...took it up to Vail the other weekend and had to laugh (and cry on the inside) as I passed my fellow 4Runner owners with ease on mountain roads.
• Factory 35's are sweet.
• The ride is cushy and absorbs bumps well but is still confident and planted.
• Sound - The upg B&O audio is wayyyyy better than the stock or JBL system.

Size: They're both roughly the same on the exterior. The interior of the Bronco is slightly smaller, noticeably in the trunk.

Overall it is a cool truck and has a place and purpose. In my case it will likely turn into the "fun" summer truck for day trips into the mountains and around town. The Bronco is also the perfect scapegoat for the 4Runner as I can now focus more on it being the go-to truck for adventures and wheeling and less on DD'ing.

 

[hoobhoob]

I still maybe want a Bronco as Player #2, just to have an SUV with a MT in it.

Considering a super barebones 2dr with the mid tier offroading package.

 

[bayaz]

I’ve also parked the 4runner (on 33s) next to a bronco Sasquatch and they appear to be about the same size. But there are clearly kings that haven’t been worked out by ford. For example, it seems like both soft too and hard top either leak or make noise and appear to be due for a recall.

But I find it fascinating that Ford actually listens to what it’s buyers want. Putting 35s on the 4runner seems to be a constant struggle, while people put 37s on the bronco just fine - so, it’s not the IFS that’s the limiting factor but the design. Factory switches…man, how much time and effort that saves to not have to fish wires through the firewall or drill for switches. Front locker, done - again, IFS isn’t the limiting factor contrary to what Toyota said about not putting one in our trucks. It’s just so refreshing when the manufacturer actually listens: ford people clearly read forums like this to understand what people do with their trucks, unlike Toyota.

 

[agloukhoff]

I’ve also parked the 4runner (on 33s) next to a bronco Sasquatch and they appear to be about the same size. But there are clearly kings that haven’t been worked out by ford. For example, it seems like both soft too and hard top either leak or make noise and appear to be due for a recall.

But I find it fascinating that Ford actually listens to what it’s buyers want. Putting 35s on the 4runner seems to be a constant struggle, while people put 37s on the bronco just fine - so, it’s not the IFS that’s the limiting factor but the design. Factory switches…man, how much time and effort that saves to not have to fish wires through the firewall or drill for switches. Front locker, done - again, IFS isn’t the limiting factor contrary to what Toyota said about not putting one in our trucks. It’s just so refreshing when the manufacturer actually listens: ford people clearly read forums like this to understand what people do with their trucks, unlike Toyota.

Man I love my 4Runner, had a 3rd,4th and now 5th gen - but yeah you're 100% right.

Toyota has consistently taken the role of the parent that acts like they know what's best for you when it comes to the vehicles they design, and it's not even limited to the 4Runner.

The TRD PRO roof rack is imo the perfect example. An intern could have told Toyota that not a single after market rack ever put on a 5th gen by a customer was anything like what they intended to put on the PRO after 3 minutes of research.

Imagine if the TRD PRO just came with an OEM Gobi....like come on it ain't hard!

Maybe the Bronco will eat up enough of the market share that Toyota will give a damn.

Maybe they'll go "Oh gee - maybe we shouldn't have killed off the FJ when it's sales were down after we failed to make any meaningful updates to it for nearly a decade during an economic downturn - maybe we should have actually taken that chance to do a proper refresh...."

 

[BearBio]

Look at my post on the prevalence of used Broncos on the local lots. Appears many have engine failure! I'll stick to my "tried and true" Toyotas.

Ford= "Fix-Or-Repair-Daily"!

 

[DallasTRDPro]

Look at my post on the prevalence of used Broncos on the local lots. Appears many have engine failure! I'll stick to my "tried and true" Toyotas.

Ford= "Fix-Or-Repair-Daily"!

Yeah we don't have to worry about those things on our 4R's.

 

[Todd308]

Vehicles are always going to be trade offs. The 4 runner is probably a better family vehicle, the bronco is a better play vehicle. If you buy a new 4runner today at full MSRP, your someone that prioritizes reliability over all else. Ford is definitely still working out the kinks, and covid isn't helping. All the car brands reliability is taking a hit the last two model years. Reliability scores are lower across the board for 2021 and 2022.

I feel like the Bronco is for people that have always wanted a Jeep but can't bring themselves to give up that much daily driver quality for a serious off-road vehicle. Both jeep and ford have realized that you can offer massive off-road capability with tech and creature comforts and people will pay for it.

The bronco has significantly more off-road capability, more power, more creature comforts, more tech, more available safety features, better crash ratings, much better cameras, there's the topless option, easier to modify to bigger tires etc. However they have their own issues, they can be noisy, they don't feel like they are that well put together, the materials etc. feel cheap in a lot of areas, the back seat especially is not as nice. The bronco drives quite nice compared to a jeep but it won't drive like a KDSS 4runner if you toss it into a corner doing 60. The rear seats don't fold anywhere near flat so putting anything long and heavy into one is really annoying.

The 4runners I've been feel like they are more solid, quieter, perhaps slightly more comfy seats, reliability of course, and they have more cargo room and I'd say more useable cargo room as well. However, that's about where the good stops, the lack of power, tech, features, but premium price tag. Getting into a new 4runner almost feels like getting a 10 year old well taken care of used SUV with the tech and features or lack of.

The only problem with a Bronco is you can still find 4runners for MSRP on lots, but you find a loaded Bronco badlands with a Bigfoot package on it and it will be $20k over MSRP if you're lucky. Order one and you might not see it till 2025, and if supply doesn't improve when your order comes in the dealer still pay screw you with huge markups, and Ford is letting them get away with it.

Honestly the better comparison for the 4-runner is the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk (RIP for 23' now that you can only get it as a hybrid), more power and off-road capability than the 4-runner, better on-road ride, better off road ride, way more comfortable, better fuel efficiency, more tech and comfort. Only downside is reliability (it's a jeep!) and slightly less cargo room and loaded it's about $5k more than a TRD Pro.

 

[DallasTRDPro]

Vehicles are always going to be trade offs. The 4 runner is probably a better family vehicle, the bronco is a better play vehicle. If you buy a new 4runner today at full MSRP, your someone that prioritizes reliability over all else. Ford is definitely still working out the kinks, and covid isn't helping. All the car brands reliability is taking a hit the last two model years. Reliability scores are lower across the board for 2021 and 2022.

I feel like the Bronco is for people that have always wanted a Jeep but can't bring themselves to give up that much daily driver quality for a serious off-road vehicle. Both jeep and ford have realized that you can offer massive off-road capability with tech and creature comforts and people will pay for it.

The bronco has significantly more off-road capability, more power, more creature comforts, more tech, more available safety features, better crash ratings, much better cameras, there's the topless option, easier to modify to bigger tires etc. However they have their own issues, they can be noisy, they don't feel like they are that well put together, the materials etc. feel cheap in a lot of areas, the back seat especially is not as nice. The bronco drives quite nice compared to a jeep but it won't drive like a KDSS 4runner if you toss it into a corner doing 60. The rear seats don't fold anywhere near flat so putting anything long and heavy into one is really annoying.

The 4runners I've been feel like they are more solid, quieter, perhaps slightly more comfy seats, reliability of course, and they have more cargo room and I'd say more useable cargo room as well. However, that's about where the good stops, the lack of power, tech, features, but premium price tag. Getting into a new 4runner almost feels like getting a 10 year old well taken care of used SUV with the tech and features or lack of.

The only problem with a Bronco is you can still find 4runners for MSRP on lots, but you find a loaded Bronco badlands with a Bigfoot package on it and it will be $20k over MSRP if you're lucky. Order one and you might not see it till 2025, and if supply doesn't improve when your order comes in the dealer still pay screw you with huge markups, and Ford is letting them get away with it.

Honestly the better comparison for the 4-runner is the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk (RIP for 23' now that you can only get it as a hybrid), more power and off-road capability than the 4-runner, better on-road ride, better off road ride, way more comfortable, better fuel efficiency, more tech and comfort. Only downside is reliability (it's a jeep!) and slightly less cargo room and loaded it's about $5k more than a TRD Pro.

$65K for any Jeep product is stupid. I don't care if the new Trailhawk gets 60mpg, I still wouldn't spend that much. I'm sticking with simple and reliable as long as I can.

 

[2021nightshade4x4]

$65K for any Jeep product is stupid. I don't care if the new Trailhawk gets 60mpg, I still wouldn't spend that much. I'm sticking with simple and reliable as long as I can.

I trust Mopar up to about 2009/10. The products rolling off the line thereafter were either latent effects of the Cerberus acquisition, or more immediate effects of the Fiat acquisition.

The problems before that were many people having one of a handful of problems. There was community among owners on forums, etc. and there was support to be had when dealers failed us.

Now, everything is an electrical issue (or an OEM part that is eternally backordered). This keeps us more dependent on dealers (and subject to their obscene markups on parts, too).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Pedro367]

I trust Mopar up to about 2009/10.

You're still about 5 years too long. 05-10 Jeep/Dodge was peak awful except the 05-06 Wrangler. Everything else was trash, especially with the V6 options. FCA turned them around with nice new body styling, snazzy interiors, and the pentastar is a good V6 they put in everything (aside from a few early on issues). Unfortunately, it's the other issues that kill the reliability aspect.

 

[Nalcyon]

from what i understand (correct me if wrong) is the Bronco is basically a Ranger chassis with different body. While the Ranger may be decent, it seems like you are paying a hefty premium (given markups) for basically a fancy ranger. and FWIW at least in my era, I also associated the Ranger as a cheap (price and quality) truck. I know that times have changed, but that is lodged in my brain from the 80s and 90s.

You and I have the same associations of the Ranger in our mind of being a budget beater, (used to drive one for work in the late 90's).

I changed my mind a bit about the current one when I realized that they are extensively used as overland builds in Australia and actually out sell the Hilux as a build platform. I tend to romanticize the overland builds of Australia but even so it has to have quite a bit of toughness to take the long tracks they often take on their trips.

When I found the US Ranger is very close to identical to the Aussie one including awesome payload, motor and transmission, I changed my mind.

I don't worry about the bronco's Ranger parts for reliability. I don't see the bronco and the 4runner as quite the same, I see the Bronco as more of a Wrangler competitor. While I think the Bronco looks better and I love the turbo 4, (same as Ranger), and that awesome idea of a 7speed manual, I would probably still choose a 2 door willys sport manual soft top Wrangler over a similar Bronco. Slightly cheaper, solid front axle, and a little more tried and true at this point. (plus you still have a manual transfer case manual locks, manual windows etc.)

 

[4r-4ever]

a turbo charged engine and driving it in a deep water crossing, i don't think so. you do know a turbo gets really really hot.

 

[Nalcyon]

a turbo charged engine and driving it in a deep water crossing, i don't think so. you do know a turbo gets really really hot.

Sure but deep water crossings can jack up all sorts of things. 70 series landcruisers come with turbo charged diesels and I don't believe there is too much hand wringing about their serviceability in harsh environments.

I used to love to play in mud and water but found that even if you don't drown your engine you run into many other problems such as clogged radiators and fans etc. Now I just go through mud when necessary and get real nervous when crossing deep water.

 

[cbreze]

I’ll stick to the proven master of reliability, Toyotas. They are already having issues with the engines in these new broncos with valve stems coming apart. No Fords for me.

 

[Muskrat14]

I’ve also parked the 4runner (on 33s) next to a bronco Sasquatch and they appear to be about the same size. But there are clearly kings that haven’t been worked out by ford. For example, it seems like both soft too and hard top either leak or make noise and appear to be due for a recall.

But I find it fascinating that Ford actually listens to what it’s buyers want. Putting 35s on the 4runner seems to be a constant struggle, while people put 37s on the bronco just fine - so, it’s not the IFS that’s the limiting factor but the design. Factory switches…man, how much time and effort that saves to not have to fish wires through the firewall or drill for switches. Front locker, done - again, IFS isn’t the limiting factor contrary to what Toyota said about not putting one in our trucks. It’s just so refreshing when the manufacturer actually listens: ford people clearly read forums like this to understand what people do with their trucks, unlike Toyota.

The Ford folks spent a lot of time w the members of my Bronco Club along w a ton of aftermarket companies focused on off road upgrades.

Job well done listening to their customers, and probably Jeep customers too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Todd308]

I suppose it's a perspective, and a business decision. It's easier to make something reliable and profitable when you don't change it for 10-12 years and just make small tweaks. As long as you can convince customers to keep buying the product. Toyota has done this. Others listen to customers and go for say a more "extreme" market share by taking more risk. Ford, Ram/Dodge/Jeep definitely fit in this, the clearly listen to enthusiasts (not just soccer moms) but that comes with a reliability hit. More often you bring new features and designs to market the more likely you are going to have issues and it's much more expensive. It's like Mac -vs- Windows, Mac's just work, but the new product cycles are boring, predictable, and disappointing for many. Just like Toyota you know when Apple releases a new version of an iPhone people are going to complain because it's not new/different enough and it seems they haven't listed to the herds of customers screaming to fix or add this or that.

GM is really bad at listening to customers as well on the pickup side, I'm pretty sure GM doesn't have a single engineer that actually uses a pickup or does any off-roading. They do seem to cater a lot more on the performance street vehicle side though.

 

[Finslayer83]

The lack of cargo area kills it for me.

glad these are on the market.

For $4k you get lockers, gears, lift, and 35's.... can't do that any other way.

Jeep has kinda responded and hopefully Toyota will, doubtful but it's a new benchmark for the market.

 

[BearBio]

I suppose it's a perspective, and a business decision. It's easier to make something reliable and profitable when you don't change it for 10-12 years and just make small tweaks. As long as you can convince customers to keep buying the product. Toyota has done this. Others listen to customers and go for say a more "extreme" market share by taking more risk. Ford, Ram/Dodge/Jeep definitely fit in this, the clearly listen to enthusiasts (not just soccer moms) but that comes with a reliability hit. More often you bring new features and designs to market the more likely you are going to have issues and it's much more expensive. It's like Mac -vs- Windows, Mac's just work, but the new product cycles are boring, predictable, and disappointing for many. Just like Toyota you know when Apple releases a new version of an iPhone people are going to complain because it's not new/different enough and it seems they haven't listed to the herds of customers screaming to fix or add this or that.

GM is really bad at listening to customers as well on the pickup side, I'm pretty sure GM doesn't have a single engineer that actually uses a pickup or does any off-roading. They do seem to cater a lot more on the performance street vehicle side though.

I chose Toyota BECAUSE of the reliability, not for "current fad" gimmicks. Toyotas (with one exception) have always got me there and back, unlike FORDS and Dodges and Internationals!

MY SR5 Premium takes be where I want to go (through mud, 3-5 months of winter snows, long hi-way trips comfortably) and back without breaking down and without needing a degree in computer science to do it.

Maybe I'm just old school but I learned on old school 4WDs.

BTW: The one-time a Toyota failed me was on a muddy pig hunt and I slid into a rain gully and laid on its side. It was one of my FJ40s and it took a tow truck (couldn't get within 1 mile of the FJ), another FJ40 (Couldn't get enough traction to pull me out), a winch with 300 feet of cable (burned out the winch!) and a chainsaw (to cut down fallen trees to exit by another route!). Was stuck for 3 days!

Yes, I'm a Toyota fan!

 

[osugsxr]

Wife has the itch for a new car, keeping the 17 4runner. She likes the bronco and itll be her daily driver. Trying to talk her into waiting for the next gen 4runner hopefully 2024.

current options
sequioa : not the best new design for rear cargo space
yukon/tahoe
bronco 4 door
4runner next gen

electrical cars of interest
model Y
ford lighting $7k rebate if still applicable