Which Off-Road SUV Can Unleash Your Wild Side? The Ford Bronco or Toyota 4Runner?

Craving some off-road adventure that takes you to far-off places? So far-off that you almost forget that spreadsheets and Wi-Fi routers even exist? Well then, you’re going to need a vehicle that can go where no other vehicle can go. You’re going to need a serious off-road SUV. For many drivers, the choice comes down to the Ford Bronco versus the Toyota 4Runner. They’re both solid contenders in the off-road space. But after thoroughly checking both out, we’ve discovered the Bronco is the most ready for those ultra-remote and rugged destinations. If you’re looking for a Ford Bronco for sale near Westcliffe, we’d love to take you for a spin in this iconic off-road SUV. But first, let’s go over why we’re confident the Bronco is the one to choose if you want the freedom to really unleash your wild side.

Only the Bronco Offers Open-Air Freedom, No Holds Barred

Only the Bronco has a removable roof and doors. You won’t get that in the 4Runner. This is a pretty major benefit of the Ford Bronco. For some drivers, this alone makes them choose it over the 4Runner—they don’t need any more convincing. There’s just something irresistible about connecting with nature in an open-air vehicle. When you venture into the mountains or explore some sand dunes, you want to really experience your surroundings—the sights, smells, and sounds. You want that fresh air blowing through your hair. You want to feel one with nature. Maybe you want a little bird to land on your passenger seat. A roof and doors get in the way of that. 

Even when you have to stay in town, you’ll simply enjoy your regular commutes more if you can remove the roof and doors. It lets you take in those nice summer days in Westcliffe. The air is so uplifting during the springtime here—you just want to let it in your SUV. For many drivers, a door-free, roof-free experience is essential in an off-road SUV. Only the Bronco offers it.

The Bronco Has (Much) Greater Ground Clearance

When you’re outside of city streets, away from pavement and stop signs, there’s nobody to clean up the trails. If a tree falls or some boulders shake loose from a hillside, the street cleaning crew isn’t coming through to remove the debris. You need an off-road vehicle that can drive over it. You’ll be better off in the Bronco when large objects fall in your path, thanks to the higher ground clearance. The Ford Bronco has an impressive ground clearance of 13.1 inches, while the 4Runner’s ground clearance sits at just 10.1 inches. So you get a whole three extra inches in the Bronco. Sometimes, those few inches make the difference between rocks on the road scraping the bottom of your SUV and not.

The Bronco Has More Powerful Engines & A Manual

Want to feel that exhilarating roar of an engine when you turn on your ignition? The type that sounds like a beast about to dominate the jungle? You’re best off with the Bronco, which has several V6 engine options—a 2.7L EcoBoost turbocharged V6 and a 3.0L EcoBoost turbocharged V6. The most powerful of the two produces an impressive 418 hp. Meanwhile, the Toyota 4Runner’s engine options max out with a turbocharged I-4, the most powerful of which only has 326 hp. The 4Runner just won’t give you that oomph that the Bronco will, and you’ll notice it when it’s time to accelerate or go uphill.

The Bronco also offers a seven-speed manual transmission in addition to its ten-speed automatic option, providing more precise control over tough terrain and an overall more engaging experience. The 4Runner only has an eight-speed automatic transmission, which doesn’t quite deliver that rugged and gritty experience many off-roaders crave from their transmission.

Only the Bronco Has Trail 1-Pedal Drive

If you plan on tackling tricky trails and utilizing some of the Bronco’s off-road modes, like Rock Crawl or Mud/Ruts, you’re going to need to focus on steering. That’s when you’ll like the Bronco’s Trail 1-Pedal Drive feature. It lets you use only the accelerator to speed up and slow down. Just lift your foot off of it, and the brakes will take over. Press down on the gas pedal, and the brakes will release. This relieves you of moving your foot back and forth between the two pedals, so you can focus fully on steering around streams and boulders. The 4Runner does not offer this feature, so you’ll need to keep managing a variety of functions when navigating tricky terrain in the 4Runner.

The Bronco Is More Water-Ready

After the rain and snow season in Colorado, the mountains start melting, and the rivers and streams start flowing. You never know when you’ll encounter a body of water during your adventures outside of Westcliffe. Many off-roaders actually go out in search of waterfalls and rivers—it’s part of the fun. And they want an SUV that can handle getting wet. The Bronco is better equipped than the Toyota 4Runner to tackle streams. It can handle fording up to 37 inches of water. That’s more than three feet! Thanks to sealed components, the Bronco gives you the freedom to go ahead through that unexpected puddle instead of having to turn around.

Inside the Bronco, you’ll also find cool rubberized floor mats with drain plugs. Their rubberized design makes them easy to hose off. Then, their drain plugs allow for quick and simple removal of water, preventing mold and mildew from forming inside your SUV. So go ahead and take a spontaneous swim in that lake. Let your furry companions hop in your SUV covered in mud. Walk under that waterfall. These design features make it easy to keep your Bronco’s interior looking clean. 

The Bronco Has Tires and Differentials to Tackle Sticky Situations

When you find yourself in low traction situations (which is pretty common for off-roaders), you’ll be better off in the Bronco for two reasons: it has bigger tires, and it has front and rear locking differentials. The 4Runner only has a locking rear differential, which might be fine in modest mud. However, when you’re truly in a rut, you need all four wheels to spin at the same speed to get you out of tough spots. The Bronco also boasts beefy 35-inch tires, giving you better ground clearance and traction. The 4Runner’s largest tires are just 33 inches, and those two inches will make a difference on seriously rough roads.

Find Your Bronco at The Faricy Boys Ford

We understand that itch to get out and explore nature. Many people move to Colorado specifically to explore all of the stunning landscapes and terrain here. At the end of the day, the Bronco is better equipped to handle all sorts of environments than the 4Runner. With higher ground clearance, more powerful engine options, one-pedal driving for focused trail exploration, and superior water fording capabilities, the Bronco lets you explore just about any far-off mountain or desert that catches your eye. The 4Runner might leave you feeling limited, with its more modest performance, ground clearance, and water fording capabilities—not to mention a completely absent one-pedal drive function. When you’re ready to get the best off-road SUV on the market, come find your Bronco here at The Faricy Boys Ford!