2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2026 Ford Bronco
Comparison Overview
The most significant divergence between the 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the 2026 Ford Bronco is fuel economy, presenting a stark 16 MPG combined difference (35 MPG vs. 19 MPG). Priced at $46,820, the Highlander Hybrid commands a premium of $6,325 over the Bronco's $40,495 MSRP. However, the Bronco delivers 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque, significantly outclassing the Highlander Hybrid's 243 hp output. Cargo space is another differentiator, with the boxier Bronco offering 20.6 cu ft compared to the Highlander's 16 cu ft. Conversely, the Highlander Hybrid utilizes a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission and regular unleaded fuel, aiming for efficiency, whereas the Bronco mandates premium unleaded for its robust powertrain paired with a 7-speed manual transmission. This comparison pits efficiency and urban driving ease against raw power and utility.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
The 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid's 35 MPG combined fuel economy drastically reduces running costs for daily mileage compared to the Bronco's 19 MPG.
2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
While the Bronco has slightly more cargo capacity at 20.6 cu ft, the Highlander Hybrid's smoother AWD system and automatic transmission offer superior daily passenger comfort.
2026 Ford Bronco
The 2026 Ford Bronco appeals more to enthusiasts with its 300 hp, 325 lb-ft of torque, and engaging 7-speed manual transmission.
2026 Ford Bronco
The 2026 Ford Bronco provides a much higher horsepower figure (300 hp vs 243 hp) for $6,325 less than the Highlander Hybrid.
Choose the Toyota Highlander Hybrid if...
- Your primary concern is fuel economy, benefiting from 35 MPG combined.
- You prefer the ease of an automatic transmission for city driving.
- You require a lower initial purchase price of $46,820 combined with lower expected fuel expenses.
Choose the Ford Bronco if...
- You prioritize performance, utilizing the 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque.
- You want the versatility of a 7-speed manual transmission.
- You need maximum utility, utilizing the 20.6 cu ft of cargo space.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Toyota Highlander Hybrid | Ford Bronco |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 194.9" | 173.7" |
| Width | 76.0" | 75.9" |
| Height | 68.1" | 71.9" |
| Wheelbase | 112.2" | 100.4" |
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 Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Fog Lights | ✓ | — |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | — |
| Brake Preparation System | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.5 L | 2.3 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | hybrid | gas |
| Horsepower | 243 hp @ 6000 rpm | 300 hp @ 5700 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
| Torque | — | 325 lb-ft @ 3400 rpm |
Drive Train
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | continuously variable-speed automatic | 7-speed manual |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | four wheel drive |
| 4WD System Type | — | Part Time |
| Transfer Case Gearing | — | Electronic Hi-Lo |
| Locking Hubs | — | Automatic |
| [object Object] | — | ✓ |
| [object Object] | — | ✓ |
| Hill Descent Control | — | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | premium unleaded (recommended) |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 35/35 MPG | 18/21 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 35 MPG | 19 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 598.5/598.5 mi. | 304.2/354.9 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.1 gal. | 16.9 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | ✓ | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | — |
| Universal Remote Transmitter | ✓ | — |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | — |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | — |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | — |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Three Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | ✓ | — |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.0 in | 12.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 7 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Subwoofer Count | — | 1 |
Power Feature
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 2 |
| Moonroof Type | 1st Row Power Glass | — |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Remote Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 39.6 in. | 41.0 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 42.0 in. | 43.1 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 59.0 in. | 57.1 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 57.2 in. | 56.3 in. |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | — |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 6-way |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 6-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.4 in. | 39.8 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.7 in. | 35.7 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 58.4 in. | 51.8 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 57.0 in. | 43.3 in. |
| Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | — |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | — |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | — |
| Wheel Diameter | 18 in | 16 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P235/65R18 | 255/70R16 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Full Size Matching |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | Outside Rear Mounted |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Steel |
Suspension
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | — |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Front Suspension Type | — | Independent |
| 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 Highlander Hybrid and 2026 Ford Bronco.
What is the main fuel consumption difference between these two SUVs?
The 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid achieves 35 MPG combined, while the 2026 Ford Bronco manages only 19 MPG combined. This results in a 16 MPG efficiency gap favoring the Highlander Hybrid for long-term fuel savings.
Which vehicle offers superior engine performance based on specifications?
The 2026 Ford Bronco is significantly more powerful, producing 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. The Highlander Hybrid lags substantially with 243 hp and does not list torque figures.
How do the MSRP and required fuel types compare?
The Highlander Hybrid starts at $46,820 and uses regular unleaded fuel. The Bronco is considerably cheaper at $40,495 but recommends the more expensive premium unleaded fuel.
Is the Highlander Hybrid larger than the Ford Bronco?
No, the Highlander Hybrid is longer at 194.9 inches compared to the Bronco’s 173.7 inches. However, the Bronco is notably taller at 71.9 inches versus the Highlander's 68.1 inches.
Does the Bronco offer more space for cargo than the Highlander Hybrid?
Yes, the 2026 Ford Bronco provides a larger capacity of 20.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats. The 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is restricted to 16 cubic feet in the same configuration.
What type of transmission does each vehicle use?
The Highlander Hybrid employs a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission optimized for efficiency. In contrast, the Bronco appeals to drivers who prefer more engagement with its 7-speed manual transmission.
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