2022 Ford Bronco vs 2023 Toyota 4Runner

The 2022 Ford Bronco sported an attractive retro styling that harked back to its off-road roots. Its go-anywhere attitude and versatile lineup made it one of the most sought-after vehicles of its time. The Bronco offered seven distinct trims including the highly specialized Everglades model, which was built for swamp trekking and featured an intake snorkel, a Warn winch, and 35-inch Goodyear mud-terrain tires. All Broncos, whether two-door or four-door, emphasized off-road readiness with short overhangs, low-profile bumpers, tall ride heights, and utilitarian design features like large recovery hooks and removable fender flares. The interior continued the rugged theme, offering marine-grade vinyl upholstery, drain plugs, large rubberized toggle switches, and the G.O.A.T. mode dial for traversing various terrains. Advanced technology like the digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen further enhanced its modern appeal.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota 4Runner emphasized a blend of modern amenities and nostalgic touches with its 40th Anniversary Special Edition (40 ASE) model. This edition based on the SR5 Premium trim added $4,505 to its price and featured retro body stripes, a heritage grille, bronze 17-inch wheels, and unique bronze stitching and badges. The 4Runner had a strong SoCal vibe with its groovy 1970s-inspired stripes and overall truck-based SUV stance. Inside, it offered comfortable seats, idiot-proof controls, and a solid build quality, though it had a lot of plastic components. Its back window that powered down into the tailgate was a unique feature, adding to its versatility and user experience.

The 2022 Ford Bronco came with a base turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. An optional turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine provided 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The four-cylinder engine could be paired with a seven-speed manual transmission featuring a special crawl gear for low-speed, high-torque driving, while a 10-speed automatic transmission was standard with the V6 and optional with the four-cylinder. Equipped for serious off-roading, even the base models performed impressively in rugged terrains, while top trims like the Wildtrak and Everglades handled extreme conditions with ease. Notably, the Bronco balanced impressive off-road prowess with decent on-road behavior, offering better steering and ride quality compared to its rival, the Jeep Wrangler.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. The SUV could tow up to 5,000 pounds and offered two 4WD systems: a part-time 4WD and a full-time 4WD available on the Limited trim. The 4Runner boasted a minimum of nine inches of ground clearance and included tools like Hill-Start Assist Control, Downhill Assist Control, and Active Traction Control. Off-road models came with further enhancements like locking differentials, Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Select. Despite these capabilities, the 4Runner's performance on paved roads left much to be desired; it felt heavy, sluggish, and imprecise in steering, and offered a less refined driving experience.

The 2022 Ford Bronco not only looked rugged but also offered substantial interior space thanks to its squared-off design. The two-door model with a hard top provided up to 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 52.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The four-door model offered even more, at 35.6 cubic feet and up to 77.6 cubic feet with seats down. Clever storage solutions like netted door pockets, a large armrest bin, and stowable doors added to the utility. However, the rear seats didn’t fold flat, complicating the loading of larger items.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner provided several storage options inside, though many lacked a rubber liner, causing items to rattle. The second-row seating area was spacious and comfortable, with good legroom and headroom. The 4Runner offered an optional third-row seat, although it was cramped and compromised cargo space. Without the third row, the 4Runner provided 46.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, growing to a substantial 89.7 cubic feet with the second row folded. The tailgate’s integrated seat was a nice touch for outdoor activities.

The 2022 Ford Bronco adeptly used technology to enhance its off-road capabilities while keeping the driver engaged. The G.O.A.T. modes offered optimized settings for various terrains, and seasoned off-roaders could tailor the setup manually. A forward-looking trail camera with overlay lines provided crucial visibility, while the Trail Turn Assist allowed sharper turns in tight spots. The Sync 4 infotainment system featured a large touchscreen, quick responses, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, complete with a wireless charging pad.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner kept things simple with traditional analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen being the largest available. Despite this, the infotainment system was excellent, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. Upgrades included a navigation system and a JBL premium sound system. While the graphics seemed dated, the system's voice recognition was nearly flawless, making the basic setup a functional delight.

For the 2022 Ford Bronco, safety features included hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Optional safety features in the Mid, High, and Luxe packages included forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and evasive steering assist, all performing without false alarms. The NHTSA gave the four-door Bronco four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover. The IIHS awarded it "Good" in key categories and an "Acceptable" for head restraints and seats.

Standard safety features in the 2023 Toyota 4Runner included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and a rear-seat reminder. New for 2023, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert became standard. While adaptive cruise control worked well, lane-departure warnings could become annoying. The NHTSA gave the 4Runner four stars overall, but with problematic three-star ratings for both frontal crash and rollover resistance. The IIHS rated it "Marginal" for driver protection in the small overlap frontal-impact test.