2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid vs 2026 Ford Bronco Sport
Comparison Overview
Prepare for a fascinating clash where efficiency meets sheer capability: the long-haul efficiency champion, the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, takes on the rugged, urban adventurer, the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport. The Highlander Hybrid astounds with a combined 36 MPG, translating into far fewer stops at the pump than the Bronco Sport’s 27 MPG, making it a phenomenal long-distance cruiser. Furthermore, the Toyota boasts a substantial 245 hp output, significantly outclassing the Bronco Sport's 181 hp for effortless merging. However, the Bronco Sport claws back ground with a compelling MSRP of $31,845, drastically undercutting the Highlander’s $44,210 starting price. Despite being nearly 29 inches shorter, the Bronco Sport surprisingly offers more maximum utility with 32.5 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Highlander’s 20.6 cu ft, appealing to weekend adventurers who need room for gear.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid
The 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid wins decisively for daily commuting due to its exceptional 36 combined MPG rating.
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid
The larger size and higher horsepower of the Toyota make it a superior choice for moving more passengers and cargo over long distances comfortably.
2026 Ford Bronco Sport
The Ford Bronco Sport, with its 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission and rugged branding, offers a more engaging, off-road-ready driving feel.
2026 Ford Bronco Sport
The 2026 Ford Bronco Sport provides significantly more utility for $12,365 less MSRP than its hybrid counterpart.
Choose the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid if...
- You prioritize class-leading fuel economy, expecting to achieve 37 MPG in city driving.
- You need the smooth power delivery from 245 hp for highway merging and full passenger loads.
- You require a vehicle 201.4 inches long that prioritizes overall interior volume for three rows of seating.
Choose the Ford Bronco Sport if...
- Your budget is strict, capitalizing on the $31,845 MSRP versus the other option's higher cost.
- You value maximum cargo space in a compact footprint, boasting 32.5 cu ft versus 20.6 cu ft.
- You prefer the tangible feedback of an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission over a CVT.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid | Ford Bronco Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 201.4" | 172.7" |
| Width | 78.3" | 74.3" |
| Height | 72.1" | 70.2" |
| Wheelbase | 116.1" | 105.1" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Third Row 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 |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | — | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | — | ✓ |
| Rear Folding Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.5 L | 1.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 3 |
| Base Engine Type | hybrid | gas |
| Horsepower | 245 hp @ 6000 rpm | 181 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 12 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
| Torque | — | 190 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm |
Drive Train
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | continuously variable-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 37/34 MPG | 25/30 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 36 MPG | 27 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 636.4/584.8 mi. | 400.0/480.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.2 gal. | 16.0 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | — |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | — |
| Three Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 12.3 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 | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 1 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 41.5 in. | 41.5 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.7 in. | 42.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 60.2 in. | 57.3 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 56.5 in. | 55.2 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | 4-way |
| Seat Material: Premium Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 6-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 40.2 in. | 41.7 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.5 in. | 36.9 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 58.8 in. | 55.6 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 57.0 in. | 53.4 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | — |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | — |
| Wheel Diameter | 18 in | 17 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 255/65R18 | 225/65R H |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
| Spare Tire Location | — | Inside Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Hybrid Component Warranty | 8 yr./ 100000 mi. | — |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 2 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid and 2026 Ford Bronco Sport.
How much more expensive is the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid?
The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid carries an MSRP of $44,210, which is exactly $12,365 more than the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport’s starting price of $31,845.
Which vehicle is better for long road trips based on fuel efficiency?
The Grand Highlander Hybrid is the superior choice for long trips, achieving a combined 36 MPG versus the Bronco Sport's 27 combined MPG, which results in fewer required fuel stops.
Does the smaller Bronco Sport have less cargo space than the large Highlander?
Surprisingly, no; the smaller 2026 Ford Bronco Sport offers superior peak utility with 32.5 cubic feet of cargo room compared to the 20.6 cubic feet offered by the larger 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid.
What is the performance difference in horsepower between the two crossovers?
The Toyota boasts a significant power advantage with 245 hp, whereas the Ford offers 181 hp, a gap of 64 horsepower that will be noticeable during spirited driving.
Are there any major drivetrain differences impacting traction?
Both vehicles feature all-wheel drive, but the Toyota uses a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission while the Ford utilizes a more traditional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.
Which vehicle requires less frequent fill-ups for routine driving?
With a 9 MPG advantage (36 MPG combined vs. 27 MPG combined), the Grand Highlander Hybrid allows commuters to pass the gas station nearly one-third less often than owners of the Bronco Sport.
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