2025 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2026 Toyota Highlander
Comparison Overview
Choosing between the ruggedly compact 2025 Ford Bronco Sport and the spacious, powerful 2026 Toyota Highlander often boils down to balancing initial cost against long-term passenger needs. Buyers face a steep $13,575 price jump from the Bronco Sport's $31,695 entry point to the Highlander's $45,270 MSRP. While the Highlander boasts significantly more muscle with 265 hp versus the Bronco Sport's 181 hp, the smaller Ford is more efficient, achieving 27 combined MPG compared to the Highlander's 24 combined MPG. Dimensionally, the Bronco Sport is shorter at 172.7 inches long, which aids city maneuvering, yet its 32.5 cu ft of cargo space surprisingly dwarfs the Highlander's 16 cu ft, highlighting the efficiency of its packaging. Ultimately, you are trading considerable power and size for efficiency and a substantial upfront saving.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Ford Bronco Sport
The Bronco Sport is the clear winner for daily commuting due to its better fuel economy, achieving 30 MPG on the highway.
2026 Toyota Highlander
Despite its lower cargo number, the Highlander's significantly larger exterior dimensions (194.9 inches long) suggest superior passenger space for family hauling.
2026 Toyota Highlander
Enthusiasts will prefer the Highlander's substantially higher output of 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque compared to Car 1's 181 hp.
2025 Ford Bronco Sport
The $13,575 lower MSRP makes the Bronco Sport the undeniable choice for budget-conscious buyers seeking value.
Choose the Ford Bronco Sport if...
- You prioritize saving money upfront, given the $13,575 lower MSRP compared to Car 2.
- You value superior fuel efficiency, as the Bronco Sport delivers 27 combined MPG.
- You need maximum usable cargo space for its size, offering 32.5 cu ft versus Car 2's 16 cu ft.
Choose the Toyota Highlander if...
- You require significantly more power for highway merging or towing, thanks to its 265 hp engine.
- You need the absolute maximum passenger volume, reflected in its 194.9-inch length.
- You prefer a slightly lower overall height at 68.1 inches, potentially fitting better in tighter garages.
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 | 2 |
| 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 | all wheel drive |
| Center Differential Type | — | Limited Slip |
| Hill Descent Control | — | ✓ |
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. | 375.9/501.2 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | — | ✓ |
| Universal Remote Transmitter | — | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | — | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | — | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | — | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | — | ✓ |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Moonroof Type | — | 1st Row Power Glass |
Frontseats
| Feature | Ford | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 41.5 in. | 39.6 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 | — |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | — | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | — | Power |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | — | 8-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
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. | 58.4 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.4 in. | 57.0 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | — |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | — |
| Folding Rear Seatback | — | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Ford | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | 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 |
| Wheel Material | — | Alloy |
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 Highlander.
How significant is the power difference between the 2025 Bronco Sport and the 2026 Highlander?
The difference is quite large; the Highlander produces 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, while the Bronco Sport only offers 181 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque, giving the Highlander a clear advantage in acceleration.
Is the Bronco Sport's smaller size a negative for its cargo capacity?
Surprisingly, no; the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport actually lists a much higher cargo capacity at 32.5 cu ft compared to the larger 2026 Highlander's 16 cu ft, indicating smarter interior packaging in the smaller SUV.
Which vehicle is more economical for long highway drives based on MPG?
The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport is the more efficient option, boasting a highway rating of 30 MPG versus the Highlander's 28 MPG, which will translate to fewer fuel stops.
What explains the $13,575 difference in starting price between these two AWD crossovers?
The price gap is largely due to the Highlander being a physically larger vehicle that offers considerably more horsepower and torque, positioning it in a higher segment than the more entry-level Bronco Sport.
If I mainly drive in the city, which vehicle's dimensions are better suited?
The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport is shorter in length (172.7 inches vs. 194.9 inches) and narrower, making it easier to maneuver and park in tight city settings.
Do either of these vehicles require premium fuel?
No, both the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport and the 2026 Toyota Highlander are specified to run on regular unleaded fuel, saving you money at the pump.
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