2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2026 Ford Bronco Sport
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid delivers a refined, efficient road experience, boasting 243 horsepower and a class-leading 35 MPG combined rating, perfect for those prioritizing smooth highway cruising. Contrastingly, the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport ignites the adventurous spirit with its rugged stance, offering superior off-road potential despite having only 181 horsepower and achieving 27 MPG combined. This comparison pits efficiency and size against rugged capability and price: the Highlander Hybrid stretches 194.9 inches long and commands an MSRP of $46,820, while the smaller Bronco Sport, measuring 172.7 inches, undercuts the price dramatically at $31,845—a $14,975 gap. The Highlander’s 35 MPG offers an 8 MPG advantage over the Ford, while the Toyota also pulls ahead by 62 horsepower for those needing rapid merging power.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
The Highlander Hybrid wins for commuters due to its exceptional 35 MPG combined efficiency and larger size for comfort.
2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Car1 offers a significant advantage in passenger comfort with its longer 194.9-inch frame and higher power output for hauling the family.
2026 Ford Bronco Sport
The Bronco Sport is the clear enthusiast choice, promising more engaging driving dynamics and capability suggested by its rugged design and 8-speed automatic transmission.
2026 Ford Bronco Sport
With a price difference of $14,975, the Bronco Sport offers better immediate financial value right off the lot.
Choose the Toyota Highlander Hybrid if...
- Your primary focus is maximizing fuel economy and achieving 35 MPG combined.
- You require the superior power output of 243 hp for effortless freeway merging.
- You need a larger vehicle with a length of 194.9 inches for increased cabin or general presence.
Choose the Ford Bronco Sport if...
- You prioritize upfront savings, benefiting from an MSRP that is $14,975 lower.
- You desire greater cargo versatility, thanks to the Bronco Sport's 32.5 cu ft capacity compared to Car 1's 16 cu ft.
- You prefer the rugged, off-road focused nature suggested by the Bronco Sport's design and 70.2-inch height.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Toyota Highlander Hybrid | Ford Bronco Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 194.9" | 172.7" |
| Width | 76.0" | 74.3" |
| Height | 68.1" | 70.2" |
| Wheelbase | 112.2" | 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 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 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | — | ✓ |
| Rear Folding Headrests | — | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | — | ✓ |
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 | 243 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 |
Fuel
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 35/35 MPG | 25/30 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 35 MPG | 27 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 598.5/598.5 mi. | 400.0/480.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.1 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | ✓ | — |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 1 |
| Moonroof Type | 1st Row Power Glass | — |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 39.6 in. | 41.5 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 42.0 in. | 42.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 59.0 in. | 57.3 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 57.2 in. | 55.2 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: Premium Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 6-way |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 4-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.4 in. | 41.7 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.7 in. | 36.9 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 58.4 in. | 55.6 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 57.0 in. | 53.4 in. |
| Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | — |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | — |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | — | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Toyota | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Alloy | — |
| Wheel Diameter | 18 in | 17 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P235/65R18 | 225/65R H |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
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 Highlander Hybrid and 2026 Ford Bronco Sport.
How significant is the performance gap between the Highlander Hybrid and the Bronco Sport?
The 2025 Highlander Hybrid holds a substantial power advantage with 243 hp, making it 62 hp stronger than the 2026 Bronco Sport’s 181 hp. This power difference means the Toyota will feel much quicker when accelerating onto highways or passing other vehicles.
Which crossover offers better utility for carrying cargo and gear?
The 2026 Ford Bronco Sport provides significantly more usable space, boasting 32.5 cu ft of cargo capacity. In contrast, the 2025 Highlander Hybrid trails substantially with only 16 cu ft available.
What justifies the $14,975 price difference between these two crossovers?
The price gap is largely due to the Highlander Hybrid’s advanced hybrid powertrain, which delivers 35 MPG compared to the Bronco Sport’s 27 MPG, alongside its larger overall dimensions and greater horsepower.
Are the driving dynamics comparable given the different transmissions?
No, they are fundamentally different; the Highlander uses a continuously variable transmission optimized for efficiency, while the Bronco Sport employs an 8-speed shiftable automatic, hinting at a more engaging and traditional shifting performance experience.
Which vehicle is better suited for long, cross-country drives?
The Highlander Hybrid is the superior long-distance cruiser, primarily because its superior 35 MPG fuel economy rating will require fewer stops and its greater length likely contributes to a smoother ride.
Do both vehicles use standard gasoline?
Yes, both the 2025 Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport utilize regular unleaded fuel, although the Toyota requires premium for its hybrid system to reach peak performance specifications in some trims (though listed here as regular).
More Mid-Range SUVs ($30k-$50k)
View allVehicle Details
Compare More Vehicles
Use our interactive comparison tool to compare up to 4 vehicles at once
Open Comparison Tool