2025 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2025 Toyota Highlander
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport kicks off the adventure with rugged charm, leveraging its compact 172.7-inch frame and standard All-Wheel Drive for nimble exploration, powered by 181 hp. Conversely, the 2025 Toyota Highlander commands the road with superior muscle, boasting a robust 265 hp and a hefty 310 lb-ft of torque, instantly appealing to those prioritizing highway passing power. While the Bronco Sport offers more utility upfront with 32.5 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Highlander's 16 cu ft, the Highlander’s larger dimensions promise more interior space overall, despite its higher $40,320 MSRP versus the Bronco Sport’s $31,695 entry point. The difference in performance is stark: an 84 hp gap favoring the Toyota, though the Bronco Sport narrowly wins on efficiency with 27 combined MPG versus the Highlander's 25.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Ford Bronco Sport
The Bronco Sport wins for commuters due to its superior fuel economy, achieving 27 combined MPG versus the Highlander's 25.
2025 Toyota Highlander
The Highlander is the family choice as its larger overall footprint likely translates to better long-distance passenger comfort and safety ratings, despite having less base cargo space.
2025 Toyota Highlander
Enthusiasts will prefer the Highlander's massive performance advantage, delivering 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque.
2025 Ford Bronco Sport
The Bronco Sport offers excellent utility and AWD capability for $8,625 less than the Highlander.
Choose the Ford Bronco Sport if...
- You prioritize saving money, given the $8,625 lower MSRP ($31,695).
- You need maximum immediate cargo flexibility, benefiting from 32.5 cu ft behind the seats.
- You prefer standard All-Wheel Drive capability for mild off-road excursions.
Choose the Toyota Highlander if...
- You require significant power for towing or quick merging, thanks to 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque.
- You need the longer overall vehicle length (194.9 inches) for superior passenger volume.
- You desire the highest standard horsepower rating in this comparison by an 84 hp margin.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Ford Bronco Sport | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 172.7" | 194.9" |
| Width | 74.3" | 76.0" |
| Height | 70.2" | 68.1" |
| Wheelbase | 105.1" | 112.2" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Ford | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | — |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Brake Preparation System | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Folding Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | — | ✓ |
| Front Fog Lights | — | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Ford | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 1.5 L | 2.4 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 3 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 181 hp @ 6000 rpm | 265 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 190 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm | 310 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 12 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Ford | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | front wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Ford | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 25/30 MPG | 22/29 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 27 MPG | 25 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 400.0/480.0 mi. | 393.8/519.1 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 16.0 gal. | 17.9 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Ford | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | — | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | — | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | — | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Ford | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.0 in | 8.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
Power Feature
| Feature | Ford | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Ford | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 41.5 in. | 41.2 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 42.4 in. | 42.0 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.3 in. | 59.0 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 55.2 in. | 57.2 in. |
| Seat Material: Premium Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | 4-way |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | — | 8-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Ford | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 41.7 in. | 39.4 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 36.9 in. | 38.7 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.6 in. | 58.7 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.4 in. | 57.0 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Ford | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Diameter | 17 in | 18 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 225/65R H | P235/65R V |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Underbody Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Ford | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Ford | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 2 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport and 2025 Toyota Highlander.
What is the biggest performance difference between the 2025 Bronco Sport and the 2025 Highlander?
The Toyota Highlander has a commanding lead in performance, generating 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The Bronco Sport trails significantly with only 181 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque.
How does the MSRP and general running cost compare for these two crossovers?
The Bronco Sport is the clear budget winner with an MSRP of $31,695, while the Highlander starts at $40,320, an $8,625 premium. The Bronco Sport also edges out the Highlander slightly in fuel economy at 27 combined MPG versus 25 combined MPG.
Which vehicle offers better hauling and storage capacity right out of the box?
The Ford Bronco Sport is surprisingly adept at cargo hauling, offering 32.5 cubic feet, which is nearly double the Highlander's 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats.
Are these vehicles similarly sized for urban driving?
No, the Bronco Sport is significantly smaller and more maneuverable at 172.7 inches long and 74.3 inches wide. The Highlander is substantially larger at 194.9 inches in length.
Do both vehicles come standard with All-Wheel Drive?
The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport comes standard with All-Wheel Drive. In contrast, the base 2025 Toyota Highlander model compared here is listed with Front Wheel Drive.
How does the fuel requirement differ between the two models?
Both the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport and the 2025 Toyota Highlander specify the use of regular unleaded fuel, meaning neither requires premium octane for standard operation.
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