2024 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2024 Ford Bronco

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, known for its iconic design, maintained its classic boxy shape with a flat roof, reminiscent of its predecessors. Each of the three trims featured elements that paid homage to earlier models, such as the heritage grille with "TOYOTA" spelled out, round headlights on the base and top trims, and rectangular ones on the mid-tier trim. All lighting was upgraded to LED, blending classic inspiration with modern standards. The higher trims offered color-selectable fog lights, adding a contemporary twist. The lowered beltline improved driver visibility, and the First Edition trim came with additional off-road gear like a roof rack and skid plate. Inside, the base trim had cloth seats, while the mid-tier offered SofTex, and the First Edition boasted real leather with unique logos. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard across all trims, with the Premium Package adding a moonroof and ventilated seats. The cabin emphasized comfort with cushy seats and attractive stitching, allowing drivers to focus on the terrain ahead.

The 2024 Ford Bronco embraced a retro design, drawing inspiration from the 1960s, particularly in the two-door model. The Sasquatch Package, a popular upgrade, enhanced its rugged appearance with a suspension lift and 35-inch mud-terrain tires. The Bronco offered nine trim levels, with the Big Bend as the standard, and a choice between two-door and four-door body styles. Prices ranged from $41,525 to $71,580, with the Raptor model priced at $91,930. Our test vehicle, a four-door Big Bend in Hot Pepper Red, included the Sasquatch Package and had an MSRP of $55,415. The marine-grade upholstery, while durable, was not breathable, making it uncomfortable in hot conditions. The interior featured an 8-inch digital display and a 12-inch touchscreen, with grab handles for easy entry. Compared to the Jeep Wrangler, the Bronco's interior was more refined, with effective square side mirrors and a nearly vertical windshield offering good visibility.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a 1.87-kWh battery pack, and a 48-hp electric motor, producing a total of 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. It came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard full-time 4WD, with an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case. The Multi-Terrain Select system, available on mid-tier and First Edition models, operated in both 4Hi and 4Lo. The Land Cruiser also included an automatic limited-slip differential and rear- and center-locking differentials. The push-button disconnect for the front sway bar allowed for better articulation off-road. The updated CRAWL control function offered five speed settings and operated silently, enhancing the off-road experience.

The 2024 Ford Bronco Big Bend came with a standard turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, delivering 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. It offered a seven-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic transmission, with a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The optional 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine provided 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, while the Raptor's 3.0-liter V6 produced 418 hp and 440 lb-ft. The Bronco featured a part-time 4WD system, with an advanced system available as an upgrade. Off-roading technologies included Trail Control, Trail One-Pedal Drive, and Trail Turn Assist. The base engine and part-time 4WD system offered good acceleration and clean shifts, but the Bronco's fuel efficiency was lacking, with an EPA rating of 18 mpg combined. During testing, the Bronco averaged 16.9 mpg. The Bronco excelled off-road, handling trails with ease, but its on-road performance was noisy due to the mud-terrain tires.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, based on the Prado, offered two rows of seating with headroom measuring 36.1 inches in the front and 35.3 inches in the back. Legroom was 33.0 inches in the front and 26.7 inches in the rear. The center console provided easy access to off-road features, and the infotainment screen was conveniently placed. The cargo area, with a raised load floor, offered 37.5 cubic feet of space and included a 120-volt AC outlet and USB-C ports in higher trims.

The 2024 Ford Bronco, available in two-door and four-door body styles, provided comfortable seating for four adults in the two-door model. The four-door version offered more space and lacked a rollbar in front of rear-seat passengers, unlike the Jeep Wrangler. The marine-grade vinyl upholstery was durable but not breathable. The Bronco featured removable roof panels and doors, allowing for an open-air experience. Interior storage was good, with MOLLE panels for customization. The two-door model offered 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 53.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The four-door model provided 38.3 cubic feet, increasing to 83 cubic feet with the seats down.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser featured the Multi-Terrain Monitor (MTM) system, standard on higher trims, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen display. MTM activated automatically at low speeds, aiding off-road navigation. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with USB-C ports for front and rear passengers. The base trim had an 8-inch display and six-speaker sound system, while higher trims offered a 10-speaker system or an optional 14-speaker JBL system. The Premium Package added a head-up display and digital rear-view mirror.

The 2024 Ford Bronco came with a 12-inch touchscreen Sync 4 infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FordPass Connect, and SiriusXM 360L. Higher trims included a connected navigation system and a Bang & Olufsen sound system. The Sync 4 system experienced connectivity issues with Apple CarPlay and inconsistent voice recognition. The Bronco Trail App provided access to trail maps and information. The 8-inch digital instrumentation panel had a short learning curve but could be distracting to use while driving.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but its platform-mate, the Tundra, received a Top Safety Pick award. The Land Cruiser came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and lane-tracing assist. The Premium Package added lane-keep assist, front cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assist.

The 2024 Ford Bronco Big Bend included standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and a backup camera. The Mid Package added Ford Co-Pilot360 technologies, including lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The IIHS rated the Bronco four-door favorably, except for its headlight performance. The NHTSA gave it a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating.