Hey everyone, in this post, I’m going to compare the 2024 Ford Bronco to the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser to determine which one makes a better boxy off-road SUV.
Specs Comparison Table
| Feature | Ford Bronco | Toyota Land Cruiser |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Turbocharged 2.7L V6 | Turbocharged 2.4L 4-cylinder Hybrid |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Horsepower | 330 hp | 326 hp |
| Torque | 415 lb-ft | 465 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy (City) | 17 mpg | 22 mpg |
| Fuel Economy (Hwy) | 17 mpg | 25 mpg |
| Wheel Setup | 285/70R17 | 265/70R18 |
| Cargo Space | Decent, limited by factory cage | Ample, slight reduction due to battery |
| Roof | Soft top (removable), hard top option | Fixed roof |
| Price | $61,000 | $68,000 |
Engine and Performance
Under the hood of the Toyota Land Cruiser, you’ll find a turbocharged 2.4L 4-cylinder paired with a hybrid system and an 8-speed automatic transmission. The fuel economy is 22 mpg around town and 25 mpg on the highway, with power outputs of 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque.
On the other hand, the Ford Bronco is powered by a turbocharged 2.7L V6 paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It delivers 17 mpg both in the city and on the highway, with power outputs of 330 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque.
Exterior Design
Starting with the Land Cruiser, it features an old-school boxy design, complete with rectangular headlights that make it look even boxier. The front end looks generally good, with fog lights adding to its appeal. The Bronco, on the other hand, sports a retro design with circular headlights.
You can get circular headlights on the Land Cruiser too, by the way. The Bronco is more dedicated to off-roading, with an upgraded bumper designed to take more of an impact off-road. Right off the bat, you can see that the Bronco is more focused on off-roading, while the Land Cruiser leans towards being a traditional SUV.
Wheels and Tires
The wheel setup for the Land Cruiser is 265/70R18, while the Bronco comes with 285/70R17 tires. Both have pretty similar sidewall tires, but the Bronco’s tires are all-terrain, whereas the Land Cruiser’s tires are more street-oriented.
The Land Cruiser also has a bigger wheel. Additionally, the Land Cruiser comes with a fancy side step, while the Bronco features a rock rail. Both vehicles have boxy mirror caps, which are important for their design.
Roof and Fender Flares
The Land Cruiser has a traditional fixed roof, while the Bronco has a soft top, with an option for a hard top. The Bronco’s roof is removable, adding a convertible aspect to it. The fender flares on both vehicles also differ. Here’s a side profile of the Land Cruiser compared to the Bronco.
Rear Design and Cargo Space
In the rear, the Bronco features a swing gate with multiple compression points, and a decent-sized cargo area, though it’s somewhat limited by the factory-installed cage. It also has a cool spare tire mounted on the back, giving it that off-road vibe.
The Land Cruiser, on the other hand, has a power-operated lift gate and ample cargo space, although the battery pack reduces floor space slightly. No cage in the back means more vertical space in the Land Cruiser. It’s all power-operated and fancy.
Both vehicles have boxy tail lights, sticking to the overall theme. The Land Cruiser has a receiver hitch cover, while the Bronco has an exposed receiver hitch. Which one do you like the look of more?
Interior Comfort and Features
Now, let’s step inside the Bronco. The interior features soft-touch materials and similar seating. Legroom in the back is pretty good, with a storage net for the window controls. The boxy design offers good space.
Switching over to the Land Cruiser, the interior is much fancier, with luxurious door panels and super fancy seats. The legroom is similar to the Bronco, but the Land Cruiser has its own climate zone in the back and additional vents, which the Bronco lacks. Headroom is slightly less in the Land Cruiser due to the sunroof.
Front Cabin Design
Moving to the front of the Bronco, the door panel is cool with detached mirrors. The seats are utilitarian, fitting the Bronco’s design. The frameless windows give an interesting closing sound. Features include adaptive cruise control, a partially digital gauge cluster, and various drive modes for different conditions.
The Bronco has front and rear locking differentials, a stabilizer bar disconnect, and Trail Turn Assist. It also has a 360-degree camera system, dual-zone climate control with heated seats and steering wheel, and a center console with auxiliary switches. The seats are comfy and easy to clean, with plenty of headroom due to the soft top.
Land Cruiser Front Cabin
In the Land Cruiser, luxury continues with high-end materials, memory seat functions, power-folding mirrors with blind-spot monitoring, and perforated luxury seats. The power-adjustable steering wheel and full digital gauge cluster enhance the luxury feel.
The door sounds solid when closed. Adaptive cruise control and lane centering are included, and the drive modes are selected via a dial. The infotainment system is advanced, with a 360-degree camera system that shows underneath the vehicle. The dash is luxurious, with heated and ventilated seats, dual-zone climate control, and a multi-terrain crawl control shifter. There’s also a wireless charging pad and off-road features like a two-speed transfer case and a center locker.
Pricing Comparison
The Bronco, as equipped, has a sticker price of about $61,000, while the Land Cruiser is priced at around $68,000. There’s a $7,000 price difference. You could get a Bronco Wildtrack with 35-inch tires for the same price, but it won’t offer the same luxury as the Land Cruiser. The money is spent in different areas with these vehicles.
Driving the Toyota Land Cruiser
Let’s set off in the Toyota Land Cruiser with the premium package. I reviewed one of these without the premium package, which was priced at around $64,000. The premium package adds about $4,000. The Land Cruiser has beautiful torque and power right from the start.
It’s a body-on-frame SUV, but it’s very refined. The focus with this and its sibling, the GX, is on refinement and luxury, while maintaining off-road capability. The ride quality is excellent, with a little bit of busyness typical of body-on-frame vehicles, but it’s comfortable enough. The powertrain is impressive, especially the low-end torque from the hybrid and turbocharged engine. Overall, the Land Cruiser with this package is a great option.
Driving the Ford Bronco
Now, let’s set off in the Bronco. Even though both vehicles have independent front suspension, the Bronco’s steering is a bit heavier. The Bronco has good torque, though less than the Land Cruiser. It’s not as quiet or comfortable as the Land Cruiser, with more road noise and a firmer suspension. The Bronco feels like it has a stronger top end, but the Land Cruiser feels torquier overall.
My thoughts
To sum things up, it really depends on what you’re looking for. The Bronco offers more off-road capability per dollar, while the Land Cruiser offers more luxury per dollar. For day-to-day driving, the Land Cruiser is more comfortable and has better fuel economy.
Which one would you choose, the Bronco or the Land Cruiser? If it was a second vehicle, I’d lean towards the Bronco. But if it was a first, do-it-all type vehicle, the Land Cruiser is more well-rounded. It may not be as capable off-road in terms of ground clearance, but it’s a solid choice for a versatile SUV.
