2025 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport is the nimble adventurer, sparking excitement with its rugged, compact dimensions (172.7 inches long) and standard All-Wheel Drive, built for spirited exploration rather than outright speed. Conversely, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander arrives as the muscular people-hauler, boasting a commanding 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque—a substantial 84 hp advantage over the Bronco Sport. While the Bronco Sport sips fuel, achieving 27 MPG combined, the larger Grand Highlander manages 24 MPG combined, reflecting its bulkier profile. A major divergence is size: the Grand Highlander offers a vast 201.4-inch length, dwarfing the Bronco Sport's usable space, though surprisingly, the smaller Bronco Sport wins on pure cargo volume with 32.5 cu ft compared to the Grand Highlander's 20.6 cu ft (likely due to the Grand Highlander's seating configuration). Finally, the $9,665 MSRP gap ensures that value is a core deciding factor for prospective buyers.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Ford Bronco Sport
The Bronco Sport wins for commuting due to its superior 27 MPG combined fuel economy and smaller dimensions aiding city maneuverability.
2026 Toyota Grand Highlander
The significantly larger 201.4-inch length and higher power output of the Grand Highlander make it the better choice for hauling families and cargo over long distances.
2026 Toyota Grand Highlander
The Grand Highlander’s 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque offer a demonstrably faster and more engaging powertrain experience than the Bronco Sport’s 181 hp.
2025 Ford Bronco Sport
The Bronco Sport offers compelling utility starting at $31,695, significantly undercutting the Grand Highlander's $41,360 entry price.
Choose the Ford Bronco Sport if...
- You prioritize maximum dedicated cargo space, as the Bronco Sport provides 32.5 cu ft compared to the larger vehicle's 20.6 cu ft.
- Fuel efficiency is critical, evidenced by the Bronco Sport's 27 MPG combined rating running on regular unleaded.
- You prefer the inherent grip and stability of a standard All-Wheel Drive system over the Grand Highlander's FWD base configuration.
Choose the Toyota Grand Highlander if...
- You require substantial on-road power, utilizing the Grand Highlander's 265 hp engine for effortless highway merging.
- Passenger capacity is paramount, as the Grand Highlander's extended 201.4-inch length accommodates larger groups comfortably.
- The significant performance difference, featuring 310 lb-ft of torque, is worth the extra $9,665 investment.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Ford Bronco Sport | Toyota Grand Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 172.7" | 201.4" |
| Width | 74.3" | 78.3" |
| Height | 70.2" | 70.1" |
| Wheelbase | 105.1" | 116.1" |
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 Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| 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 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 | 21/28 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 27 MPG | 24 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 400.0/480.0 mi. | 373.8/498.4 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 16.0 gal. | 17.8 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 | — | ✓ |
| 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 | 12.3 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. | 41.5 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 42.4 in. | 41.7 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.3 in. | 60.2 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 55.2 in. | 56.5 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. | 40.2 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 36.9 in. | 39.5 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.6 in. | 58.8 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 | — |
| Wheel Diameter | 17 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 225/65R H | 255/65R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Material | — | Alloy |
| Wheel Size | — | 18 x 7.5 in |
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 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander.
How much more powerful is the 2026 Grand Highlander than the 2025 Bronco Sport?
The Toyota Grand Highlander possesses a significant performance edge, delivering 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. This means it generates 84 more horsepower than the Ford Bronco Sport’s 181 hp output.
Which crossover is substantially cheaper to purchase initially?
The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport is the clear budget winner with an MSRP of $31,695. This price is $9,665 less than the starting MSRP of the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander at $41,360.
Which vehicle offers better fuel economy for daily driving?
The Bronco Sport is more economical, achieving a combined 27 MPG compared to the Grand Highlander's 24 MPG combined rating. The Bronco Sport also benefits from a slightly better highway rating of 30 MPG.
Despite its smaller size, why does the Bronco Sport have more cargo capacity?
The 2025 Bronco Sport provides 32.5 cu ft of cargo space, which exceeds the 20.6 cu ft offered by the 2026 Grand Highlander. This difference suggests the Grand Highlander prioritizes a larger passenger cabin, likely utilizing three rows of seating.
Does the standard drivetrain favor off-road capability?
Yes, the Ford Bronco Sport comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, suggesting better capability when conditions are rough. The base Toyota Grand Highlander uses a Front Wheel Drive configuration for its powertrain setup.
Are both vehicles able to run on standard gasoline?
Both the Ford Bronco Sport and the Toyota Grand Highlander utilize regular unleaded fuel, meaning neither requires premium gasoline for optimal performance.
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