2025 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Comparison Overview
The primary divergence between the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport and the 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), with the Highlander Hybrid commanding a premium of $15,325 over the Bronco Sport's starting price of $31,695. This price gap correlates with substantial powertrain differences: the Highlander Hybrid delivers 243 hp, significantly more than the Bronco Sport's 181 hp. Fuel economy also marks a critical difference, as the Highlander Hybrid achieves a 35 MPG combined rating versus the Bronco Sport's 27 MPG combined. While the Bronco Sport is more compact at 172.7 inches long, the Highlander Hybrid offers greater interior volume despite having only 16 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Bronco Sport's 32.5 cu ft. Furthermore, the Bronco Sport's dimensions (70.2 inches high) suggest greater ground clearance suitability for rugged excursions.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
The 2026 Highlander Hybrid offers superior fuel efficiency at 35 MPG combined compared to the Bronco Sport's 27 MPG combined.
2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
The Highlander Hybrid is substantially longer at 194.9 inches, suggesting greater passenger capacity, although its listed cargo capacity of 16 cu ft is surprisingly lower than Car 1's.
2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
The 243 hp engine in the Highlander Hybrid provides 62 more horsepower than the Bronco Sport's 181 hp output.
2025 Ford Bronco Sport
The Bronco Sport undercuts the Highlander Hybrid's price by $15,325, offering an AWD crossover experience at a substantially lower entry cost.
Choose the Ford Bronco Sport if...
- Budget is the primary constraint, as the MSRP starts at $31,695, significantly undercutting Car 2.
- Maximum flexible cargo volume is required, as the Bronco Sport offers 32.5 cu ft versus Car 2's 16 cu ft.
- A taller stance is preferred, evidenced by the Bronco Sport's 70.2-inch height compared to Car 2's 68.1 inches.
Choose the Toyota Highlander Hybrid if...
- Maximizing powertrain output is crucial, given its 243 hp versus Car 1's 181 hp.
- Highest fuel economy is necessary, with the Highlander Hybrid achieving 35 MPG combined.
- A longer wheelbase vehicle (194.9 inches vs. 172.7 inches) is desired for road stability.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Ford Bronco Sport | Toyota Highlander Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 3 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | hybrid |
| Horsepower | 181 hp @ 6000 rpm | 243 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 190 lb-ft @ 3000 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 | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | all wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Ford | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 25/30 MPG | 35/35 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 27 MPG | 35 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 400.0/480.0 mi. | 598.5/598.5 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 16.0 gal. | 17.1 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 | P235/65R18 |
| 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. |
| Hybrid Component Warranty | — | 8 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport and 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid.
What is the primary difference in running costs between the 2025 Bronco Sport and the 2026 Highlander Hybrid?
The primary difference lies in fuel consumption; the Highlander Hybrid achieves 35 MPG combined, whereas the Bronco Sport is rated for 27 MPG combined, leading to substantial long-term fuel savings for the hybrid model despite its higher initial cost.
How does the power difference impact driving dynamics between the two AWD crossovers?
The Highlander Hybrid generates 243 hp, a 62 hp advantage over the Bronco Sport's 181 hp, suggesting significantly quicker acceleration capabilities, even when managing the different transmission types (CVT vs. 8-speed automatic).
Why is the Bronco Sport significantly cheaper despite both being AWD crossovers?
The Bronco Sport has a starting MSRP of $31,695 compared to $47,020 for the Highlander Hybrid, indicating a difference of $15,325; this reflects the higher cost associated with hybrid powertrain components and the Highlander's larger overall footprint.
Which vehicle offers better utility for hauling cargo?
Surprisingly, the smaller Bronco Sport lists a superior maximum cargo capacity at 32.5 cu ft, compared to the larger Highlander Hybrid's listed 16 cu ft.
Are both vehicles limited to premium fuel?
No, both the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport and the 2026 Toyota Highlander Hybrid are specified to run on regular unleaded fuel, simplifying fuel choice for both owners.
How much larger is the 2026 Highlander Hybrid physically compared to the 2025 Bronco Sport?
The Highlander Hybrid is 22.2 inches longer (194.9 inches vs. 172.7 inches) and slightly wider, but it is shorter in height (68.1 inches vs. 70.2 inches).
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