2023 Toyota 4Runner vs 2023 Ford Bronco

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner had a unique appeal with its 40th Anniversary Special Edition (40 ASE), which was built on the SR5 Premium trim level. It introduced retro body stripes, a heritage grille design, bronze 17-inch wheels, and various bronze badges and stitching. This special edition was limited to three paint options: black, white, or red, and boasted a black artificial leather interior. The entire 4Runner lineup consisted of multiple trims, each with its own distinctive features. The 40 ASE cost an additional $4,505 on the SR5 Premium, mainly due to the standard four-wheel-drive system it included.

Despite being based on an older design, the 4Runner's retro elements and rugged truck-like stance gave it a timeless appeal. Its interior, though laden with plastic, felt solid and functional, making it easy to use, especially with its user-friendly controls that remained operable even with gloves on.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Bronco offered nine distinct trims, each embodying a perfect blend of nostalgic and modern design. The Bronco's boxy, upright shape with a wide horizontal grille and prominent round headlights made it instantly recognizable. Trims varied from the basic, no-frills Base trim with steel wheels to the top-tier Raptor with its aggressive stance, elevated height, and massive tires.

A standout was the new Heritage trim, which leveraged nostalgic elements like a white grille, roof, and wheels, along with unique plaid seat upholstery. The Bronco's design wasn't just about aesthetics; it integrated functional elements like cleats above the headlights for securing cargo and limb-lifter cables. The raised "fins" also helped drivers gauge the vehicle's corners in relation to obstacles. The interior maintained this rugged theme with practical features such as waterproof seals on the switches and buttons, making it easy to clean after a day off-roading.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured a 4.0-liter V6 engine delivering 270 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 278 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. The SUV could tow up to 5,000 pounds, which was complemented by a part-time or optional full-time 4WD system in the Limited trim. Regardless of the drivetrain, the 4Runner’s fuel efficiency struggled at 17 mpg in combined driving, with real-world tests averaging 16.9 mpg. The vehicle boasted a minimum of nine inches of ground clearance and came equipped with Hill-Start Assist Control, Downhill Assist Control, and Active Traction Control in 4WD models. Off-road enthusiasts could benefit from advanced features like locking differentials, Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Select.

While driving in urban settings, the 4Runner’s heavy and slow steering, sluggish acceleration, and less responsive brakes were notable shortcomings. However, it was robust off-road, easily tackling mud and water, a testament to its rugged truck-based architecture.

On the other hand, the 2023 Ford Bronco had three engine options: a 2.3-liter four-cylinder producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, available with either a seven-speed manual transmission or a 10-speed automatic; a twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 offering 330 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, only with the automatic; and a high-performance 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 for the Raptor, cranking out 418 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque. All Broncos came with four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case, making them highly capable off-roaders.

The Bronco excelled in both on-road comfort and off-road prowess. It offered a more stable and less bouncy ride than the Jeep Wrangler, and its interior was significantly quieter. Despite its high-riding dimensions, the Bronco managed curvy roads confidently, especially with its multiple camera views aiding tight maneuvers. Even the larger four-door model felt manageable, further enhanced by numerous advanced off-road features like Trail Turn Assist.

The Toyota 4Runner distinguished itself with a back window that powered down into the tailgate, creating an open-air experience when combined with the sunroof and downed side windows. However, climbing into the 4Runner posed a challenge for shorter individuals. The interior offered comfortable seats, with SofTex artificial leather and heated front seats present in the 40 ASE trim. Despite an abundance of storage compartments, the lack of rubber liners in these compartments could result in items sliding and rattling.

The second-row provided ample legroom and a comfortable seating arrangement with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. An optional third-row seat cramped both legroom and cargo capacity, reducing it drastically to just 9 cubic feet. Without the third-row, the 4Runner provided a spacious 46.3 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 89.7 cubic feet with the second row folded down, making it a practical choice for cargo space.

The Ford Bronco's design benefited its interior space, especially in the four-door model, which made access to the rear seats significantly easier. Up front, it offered practical storage solutions like netted door pockets and a rubberized tray for securing items, with options for dash-mounted accessory rails.

In terms of cargo capacity, the two-door Bronco offered 22.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 52.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The four-door model provided more space, with 35.6 cubic feet behind the seats and 77.6 cubic feet with them down. Unfortunately, the rear seats didn’t fold flat, complicating the loading of long items and negating the possibility of sleeping in the vehicle. However, it featured robust storage design, emphasizing ease of cleaning and modularity for overlanding setups.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner had a relatively traditional approach to technology, featuring analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen for infotainment which included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Despite the dated graphics, the infotainment interface was functional and intuitive, handling multiple functions on the home screen efficiently. Voice recognition was reliable, enhancing the overall experience.

Optional upgrades included a navigation system, additional connected services, and a JBL premium audio system, though both the standard and upgraded systems necessitated adjustments for better sound quality. The manual climate controls ensured ease of use even with gloves, maintaining the 4Runner’s rugged appeal.

The 2023 Ford Bronco, conversely, leveraged technology not just for infotainment but also to enhance off-road capabilities significantly. Its G.O.A.T. drive modes automated terrain optimization, empowering drivers to tackle diverse conditions with ease. Features like multiple camera views for tight spaces, Trail Turn Assist, and predictive lines further added to its off-road prowess.

For infotainment, the Bronco included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto complemented by Ford’s SYNC 4 system. A wireless charging pad was optional, with most trims featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, though a 12-inch display was recommended for better usability.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense, offering fundamental features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights, and a rear-seat reminder system. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard across all trims.

However, its age showed in crash-test ratings. The NHTSA awarded it four stars overall, with specific concerns on front passenger protection and rollover resistance, each rated at three stars. The IIHS rated it "Marginal" for driver protection in a small overlap frontal-impact test.

The Ford Bronco’s safety features included standard forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, hill-start assist, hill-descent control, trailer sway assist, and Trail Turn Assist. Additional driver assistance features could be added through various packages, offering enhancements like blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and a 360-degree camera system.

NHTSA ratings for the Bronco showed four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection for the four-door model. The IIHS gave it "Good" ratings in most crashworthiness tests, but "Acceptable" for head restraints and seats.