Toyota Land Cruiser vs Ford Bronco

[supersix]

Took delivery of a new 2023 Bronco 2 dr last month. It's getting replaced with a the new LC 250 in the Underground color as soon as my dealer let's me know it's on the ground stateside. The new Bronco is well executed from the frame down but the fit and finish on the interior is a disaster and the interior noise level is rediculous as a daily driver. Gas mileage is not great either at avg. 20 mpg combined on the 2.3 Inline 4 mated to 10 speed auto. Mine will sit with less than 400 miles on it until someone takes it off my hands...

Welcome to the forum! I completely agree with the noise level in the Bronco. It's fine for around town, but I sure don't have much desire to take it on a long trip.

 

[German88]

Welcome to the forum! I completely agree with the noise level in the Bronco. It's fine for around town, but I sure don't have much desire to take it on a long trip.

Thanks! One thing it does have going for it is the “turning radius” which to your point makes it a hoot to drive around town.

 

[FJ432]

I am a 2 door Badlands owner with the 2.7 motor that has driven it 23,000 miles.

Prior to that I've owned most 4WD Toyotas including FJ40, FJ60, 4Runner, GX460 and an FJ Cruiser. I have also owned a 2013 Jeep Rubicon. IMHO the previous posters that complained about the noise and top are not wrong. HOWEVER...their expectations of a flying brick being quiet is unrealistic. The same could be said about the FJ Cruiser, Rubicon, FJ40 and the FJ60.

My approval of the new Bronco has a lot to do with my past experiences. It is noisy and it can beat you up on longer distances with the short wheelbase. But the engine makes me smile, the stereo is light years ahead of the FJ Cruiser's offering. Head and shoulders above my Jeep and FJ Cruiser. Open air driving on a nice day is hard to beat.

Far be it from me to wave the Ford flag (a very unfamiliar role) but I have to give my Bronco the credit it deserves. My guess is that the new Land Cruiser will suffer some of the same noise and, like my GX460, will be much quieter in the new GX550 because of the added noise deadening. A upright windshield will guarantee my prediction.

 

[LC-120]

FJ60 was made 40 years ago. Out of question to be an issue with the noise on the LC250. But the Lexus even better, most probably. Luxury is about that, noise, 47 speakers, best leather in the world, massage .....

 

[German88]

I am a 2 door Badlands owner with the 2.7 motor that has driven it 23,000 miles.

Prior to that I've owned most 4WD Toyotas including FJ40, FJ60, 4Runner, GX460 and an FJ Cruiser. I have also owned a 2013 Jeep Rubicon. IMHO the previous posters that complained about the noise and top are not wrong. HOWEVER...their expectations of a flying brick being quiet is unrealistic. The same could be said about the FJ Cruiser, Rubicon, FJ40 and the FJ60.

My approval of the new Bronco has a lot to do with my past experiences. It is noisy and it can beat you up on longer distances with the short wheelbase. But the engine makes me smile, the stereo is light years ahead of the FJ Cruiser's offering. Head and shoulders above my Jeep and FJ Cruiser. Open air driving on a nice day is hard to beat.

Far be it from me to wave the Ford flag (a very unfamiliar role) but I have to give my Bronco the credit it deserves. My guess is that the new Land Cruiser will suffer some of the same noise and, like my GX460, will be much quieter in the new GX550 because of the added noise deadening. A upright windshield will guarantee my prediction.

I don't think anyone will fault you for loving your 2 door BL's Bronco. Owning one myself there certainly are a few redeaming attributes but over all quality and fit / finish will never rival Toyota. I've gone deep into mine with a complete suspension overhaul and audio system install so I've become quite familar with it's interior panel fitment and underpinnings. I was one of the unlucky customers who recieved a bronco without half the stereo which is referred to as the "subwoofer delete" in Bronco speak. Suffice it to say my stereo quality was on par with what you might find in a 1979 Pinto. Most 2023 Bronco's are coming this way due to on going parts shortages. I agree 100% you can't expect the noise level to be great on such on off road focused rig with removable top. The LandCruiser will be night and day better so 100% disagree there. This due to non removable top and higher level sound deadening. Try pulling up the carpet in the rear cargo area or remove a rear interior panel where the factory subwoofer lives. What you see will shock you. There's literally nothing in terms of insulation material. In my case the Bronco was ordered long ago and was planned for my son who could have cared less about noise levels. Our Bronco sat at a rail yard for 3 months prior to shipping to the dealer we needed to get my son into something and decided on a new Tacoma. I'm toying around with the Bronco in the mean time waiting for the new LC to arrive.

 

[jnsplace]

I was really interested in Bronco earlier this year. Love the look, the price. Full stop occurred with the Ford Warranty and the MPG. I guess I'm more used to Hyundai, Subaru warranties and was quite suprised on how "thin" it was. Add to the fact that I'd like to stay above that 20-25 mpg mark, big sad face moment. Too bad, because I still love the look.

 

[German88]

Mpg is a sticking point for me as well. Best I can do is 20 combined and that’s driving it very gently. I think if your expectations are inline with reality the Bronco will afford a rewarding ownership experience like @FJ432 is having. I’m glad Ford is building it and should force others to compete.

 

[Wanderlost]

Good points by all. I could live with the limits of the Bronco’s design, however I’m not confident about Ford’s ability to resolve problems with the introduction. Also, a 30% fuel efficiency improvement seems to be enough for many customers (including myself) to change vehicle suppliers. Ford will follow Toyota and Jeep soon with a hybrid; I do hope Ford will be successful with a hybrid Bronco.

 

[jnsplace]

Indeed! I had hoped for a Bronco hybrid! Rumor mills have it for the sport edition first maybe 2025! Here's to hoping for progress for them. We need healthy competition.

 

[m1konrad]

Day Two (7/14/2020) Bronco Badlands 4dr reservation holder here. I was waiting for years for the Bronco to be released as I was eyeing a truck to replace my overworked, lifted, Impreza I was taking on overland camping trips. Grew up in a Ford family and just assumed it wasn't if, but when with a new Bronco purchase.

Due to some life events; marriage, house, child, the Bronco has been back-burnered, and my reservations were cancelled by Ford but this gave me time to rethink what I want and what OEM I'm going to trust buying a new car with these days. I never was too excited about the 2.3 & 2.7 on the Bronco. I get it, they aren't putting an 8 cyl in these, but I don't know, the powerplant options just always nagged me as kinda uninspiring. They put out good power for their size with respectable fuel mileage considering the weight, shape, and usage case of the Bronco (not to mention the 4.7 ratio & 35s on the Sasquatch) but I just wasn't very enthusiastic considering putting down a new-car premium on the Bronco w/ that engine. Seeing the V8 isn't realistic, I would've really liked to have seen some kind of call-back to the inline-6 as a powerplant on these - I've had many 300 inline-6s in my 78-79 F150s and loved them. Of course, a modern I-6 would have to be much smaller but would have loved some torque-y tractor motor on the Bronco - an Ecoboost version would've been fine for me. The other option I would've liked to see - a Hybrid. Not so much for the fuel mileage, though that is certainly gravy, but the added utility of having a 2k+ inverter in the back to run any gear that I would need off-grid. That kind of power available just gives me the value non-Hybrid power plants can't without bringing power banks or solar.

Enter Land Cruiser, or Toyota in general (as I'm considering an iForce Max 4Runner whenever that's revealed as well). I love the Hybrid idea and there looks to be a lot of attractive standard equipment on the LCs but my decision is really starting to come down on long-term reliability and what OEM I trust most with a complex, force-inducted powerplant. At this moment, it's Toyota so I think that's one of the main reasons I'm being swayed.

As for the Bronco, there's a lot going for it that the LC either doesn't have or we don't know it has:

• The Front Lockers on the Badlands trim/Sasquatch package
• The 4.70 rear-end gearing on the Sasquatch
• Dana axles front & rear (I'm partial to Dana corp for off-road equipment)
• 17" wheels can be fit on the Bronco (looks like the LC, due to the large Brakes, can only fit 18"+)
• The overhead Aux switches (not even sure if the LC will get an Aux Switch option). Ford has been doing the overhead Aux switches for years now and I feel they have the best design in the most models (Bronco, Ranger, F150, F250, F350)
• The line-of-sight location of lockers & sway bar disconnect switches
• The hydraulic swaybar disconnect on Badlands
  • I think we're still a bit uncertain about what the LC will have for a Sway Bar disconnect module, correct? From what I can tell, it may be electric and as I recall, I've heard some complaints about the electrical unit on the Rubicons failing. I suppose I'm going to trust Toyota on the decision making here but I really liked the idea of the hydraulic unit on the Bronco.
• "Trail Turn" function which cuts the rear brake of the side you're turning in order to make tight bends.
• Removable top option - I'll deal w/ the noise. Truth be told, the LC or 4Runner would definitely make more sense for family trips though.

With all that said, the motor is going to still be a big decider for me - especially when considering dropping a premium on a new vehicle. Also, I recently come to find out that the 2.7 actually has an oil pump belt and not chain or gear driven. Wet belts have been fairly common w/ Ford for a while now, but I really do not like that design change (I believe it was 2018+ where the change was made to a belt on the 2.7). I have a 1.0 Ecoboost Fiesta w/ both a Timing Belt and Oil Pump Belt. Fortunately, at 150k, my belts were not disintegrating "badly" when I got them changed to the tune of $3k at a local shop I went back-and-forth with for about a month to make sure I was comfortable with their competence. My local Ford dealer was quoting $4k, and I had to remind them that I needed the oil pump belt changed too and the quote shot up to over $6k (lol @ having to remind Ford there's two belts in the engine). I've gotten great service out of that 1.0 but I'm of the opinion that a commuter vehicle (Fiesta) and an enthusiast/hard-use vehicle (Bronco & Land Cruiser) are two very different categories and with the horror stories I've come across of these belts breaking (rare) or deteriorating (more reported) and clogging the oil-pickup have me not trusting them so that's another point toward the Toyota option - assuming they don't use the same wet belt tech. I think the Achillies heel of the wet belts is fuel contamination, so I'd say you're probably in a good place as long as the fuel contamination is kept to a minimum w/ strict oil change intervals (I do 5k/6 mos on everything). I see the belt having some advantages for the OEM - costs, quietness, maybe even fuel mileage due to less friction but I just do not like having something inside the engine that is another thing to worry about, that I can't really monitor until it's possibly too late. I'm not eliminating Bronco quite yet, especially when seeing used car prices come down - feels like the Bronco has especially been dropping. Regardless, I'm waiting for official info on the Land Cruiser and 4Runner to drop for a sure way of comparing these two.

 

[German88]

Day Two (7/14/2020) Bronco Badlands 4dr reservation holder here. I was waiting for years for the Bronco to be released as I was eyeing a truck to replace my overworked, lifted, Impreza I was taking on overland camping trips. Grew up in a Ford family and just assumed it wasn't if, but when with a new Bronco purchase.

Due to some life events; marriage, house, child, the Bronco has been back-burnered, and my reservations were cancelled by Ford but this gave me time to rethink what I want and what OEM I'm going to trust buying a new car with these days. I never was too excited about the 2.3 & 2.7 on the Bronco. I get it, they aren't putting an 8 cyl in these, but I don't know, the powerplant options just always nagged me as kinda uninspiring. They put out good power for their size with respectable fuel mileage considering the weight, shape, and usage case of the Bronco (not to mention the 4.7 ratio & 35s on the Sasquatch) but I just wasn't very enthusiastic considering putting down a new-car premium on the Bronco w/ that engine. Seeing the V8 isn't realistic, I would've really liked to have seen some kind of call-back to the inline-6 as a powerplant on these - I've had many 300 inline-6s in my 78-79 F150s and loved them. Of course, a modern I-6 would have to be much smaller but would have loved some torque-y tractor motor on the Bronco - an Ecoboost version would've been fine for me. The other option I would've liked to see - a Hybrid. Not so much for the fuel mileage, though that is certainly gravy, but the added utility of having a 2k+ inverter in the back to run any gear that I would need off-grid. That kind of power available just gives me the value non-Hybrid power plants can't without bringing power banks or solar.

Enter Land Cruiser, or Toyota in general (as I'm considering an iForce Max 4Runner whenever that's revealed as well). I love the Hybrid idea and there looks to be a lot of attractive standard equipment on the LCs but my decision is really starting to come down on long-term reliability and what OEM I trust most with a complex, force-inducted powerplant. At this moment, it's Toyota so I think that's one of the main reasons I'm being swayed.

As for the Bronco, there's a lot going for it that the LC either doesn't have or we don't know it has:

• The Front Lockers on the Badlands trim/Sasquatch package
• The 4.70 rear-end gearing on the Sasquatch
• Dana axles front & rear (I'm partial to Dana corp for off-road equipment)
• 17" wheels can be fit on the Bronco (looks like the LC, due to the large Brakes, can only fit 18"+)
• The overhead Aux switches (not even sure if the LC will get an Aux Switch option). Ford has been doing the overhead Aux switches for years now and I feel they have the best design in the most models (Bronco, Ranger, F150, F250, F350)
• The line-of-sight location of lockers & sway bar disconnect switches
• The hydraulic swaybar disconnect on Badlands
  • I think we're still a bit uncertain about what the LC will have for a Sway Bar disconnect module, correct? From what I can tell, it may be electric and as I recall, I've heard some complaints about the electrical unit on the Rubicons failing. I suppose I'm going to trust Toyota on the decision making here but I really liked the idea of the hydraulic unit on the Bronco.
• "Trail Turn" function which cuts the rear brake of the side you're turning in order to make tight bends.
• Removable top option - I'll deal w/ the noise. Truth be told, the LC or 4Runner would definitely make more sense for family trips though.

With all that said, the motor is going to still be a big decider for me - especially when considering dropping a premium on a new vehicle. Also, I recently come to find out that the 2.7 actually has an oil pump belt and not chain or gear driven. Wet belts have been fairly common w/ Ford for a while now, but I really do not like that design change (I believe it was 2018+ where the change was made to a belt on the 2.7). I have a 1.0 Ecoboost Fiesta w/ both a Timing Belt and Oil Pump Belt. Fortunately, at 150k, my belts were not disintegrating "badly" when I got them changed to the tune of $3k at a local shop I went back-and-forth with for about a month to make sure I was comfortable with their competence. My local Ford dealer was quoting $4k, and I had to remind them that I needed the oil pump belt changed too and the quote shot up to over $6k (lol @ having to remind Ford there's two belts in the engine). I've gotten great service out of that 1.0 but I'm of the opinion that a commuter vehicle (Fiesta) and an enthusiast/hard-use vehicle (Bronco & Land Cruiser) are two very different categories and with the horror stories I've come across of these belts breaking (rare) or deteriorating (more reported) and clogging the oil-pickup have me not trusting them so that's another point toward the Toyota option - assuming they don't use the same wet belt tech. I think the Achillies heel of the wet belts is fuel contamination, so I'd say you're probably in a good place as long as the fuel contamination is kept to a minimum w/ strict oil change intervals (I do 5k/6 mos on everything). I see the belt having some advantages for the OEM - costs, quietness, maybe even fuel mileage due to less friction but I just do not like having something inside the engine that is another thing to worry about, that I can't really monitor until it's possibly too late. I'm not eliminating Bronco quite yet, especially when seeing used car prices come down - feels like the Bronco has especially been dropping. Regardless, I'm waiting for official info on the Land Cruiser and 4Runner to drop for a sure way of comparing these two.

Finally someone mentions the "white elephant" in the room ie (wet belt driven oil pump)!! The 2.7 was never in the hunt for me for this very reason and a few other inherent design flaws. The little 2.3 is based on the Focus RS engine and has and incredibly robust bottom end. It's Achilles heel will be things like the turbo and possible intake valve carbon buildup due to direct injection only. Also, low tension piston rings will lead to oil usage if you run late on oil change intervals. If you can get over the fact that it sounds like a gas powered golf cart it really is a great powertrain. Ad in the fact you can get it with a manual or 10R80 which is a fantastic auto and it's the better choice most people will look past.

Like you I've done my homework on the Toyota hybrid engine going into the LC based on what info we have so far. There are a few concerns I have but overall my gut tells me they have too much riding on it to screw it up. This new engine will be in so many different models and has been around since 2021 which is enough time in my hopes for them to have solved any major weaknesses.

You made many great points above and I hope a new LC or 4runner finds it's way into your garage someday if you so choose.

 

[Wanderlost]

New information on the 2.7L Bronco engine; it's not for me. Ford recently added port injection on the 2.7L engine but not the 2.3L engine. Honda and Subrau don't use port injection. I recently learned Subaru has a fuel intake cleaning kit recommended at 60K miles. Is this too simple? Can you just spray cleaner through the air intake every 30-60K miles and delete the port injection system?

 

[MJE]

Don't want to derail the OP and if anyone has any specific questions about the Bronco fire away. Really wanted to love it but just didnt work out that way.

Thanks everybody for great discussion on the Bronco. I love the look, though haven’t taken one out yet. All y’all’s experience seems to confirm just what I think from my internet research. The full size bronco is a great 2nd or fun car, but wouldn’t offer the refinement I”m looking for to string together multiple days of all day driving to tour the continent in retirement. For that it seems fixed roof is the way to go, & only Toyota offers that, either in LC, or I’ll like to see the GX with the LC power train when it happens. Now for that money I could look at an F150, but then the size limits city driving even if it’s a highway star.

 

[voxel]

As a former RAV4 Prime and 23 Sequoia owner and current Bronco owner... I'm super interested in the Land Cruiser primarily because it isn't built in the US lol.

My RAV4 Prime was reliable + boring and had zero QC issues. Made in Japan. My Sequoia... yeah... let's not go there.

 

[mth1738]

I'm aint driving no Ford.

 

[bluemts]

A key question for me, has Toyota addressed the infamous frame degradation from road salt? Possibly I am looking at it too simplistically, but it sure seems there should be a solution.

Full disclosure; I had a 2016 Ford F150 2.7 v6 ecoboost and it really was the best engine I've ever had under the hood. I traded the truck in at 100,000 miles because I did'nt trust the 6spd auto tranny. Bronco is on my short list but new LC and new Forerunner are 1 & 2. Driving a 2023 Rav4 hybrid in the meantime. It's awesome so far.

 

[DD214]

I was really interested in Bronco earlier this year. Love the look, the price. Full stop occurred with the Ford Warranty and the MPG. I guess I'm more used to Hyundai, Subaru warranties and was quite suprised on how "thin" it was. Add to the fact that I'd like to stay above that 20-25 mpg mark, big sad face moment. Too bad, because I still love the look.

So I have a 2022 Bronco OBX that the wife stole. It has the 2.7 and Sasquatch pkg an the mileage I was getting was 22MPG and I reset it every 1000 miles. When she took it had 22500 miles. Thevsterwo sucked and with the soft top or hard top, it is very loud. We don’t have any issues with it but I know she spend her time in Normal or Sport mode where I was normal and eco.

With the Bronco you get a day of training where ford gives you a Bronco and show you how to drive it. It’s and all day thing called the off rodeo. It was cool.

Before that I had a pair of Sequoias and sold my last one when someone stole the catalytic converters and it was $9980 to replace as they hit the tranny cooler as well and 5 months for parts?

I am looking forward the the LC

 

[LCSteve]

I currently own a 2022 Base Bronco soft top with the 2.7 and sasquatch package that I've owned for 2 years, and last week I purchased a 1958. Previous to the Bronco, I've owned a 4runner, FJ cruiser, and still own a tundra. Here are my comparisons between the Bronco and land cruiser. Bronco feels like it has more instantaneous torque, even with 37 inch tires. The 4.7 gearing is really the difference maker here. The Bronco is much more off road capable as well - front lockers, higher ground clearance, larger tires, angles, etc. It's a fun weekend car to drive. I don't think you could easily make the land cruiser equally capable as the bronco off road. Where the bronco lacks is smoothness and refinement. Getting in and driving the land cruiser feels so serene and peaceful compared to the bronco. Cargo space is bigger in the land cruiser. Legroom, headroom feels slightly bigger in the land cruiser. Average fuel mileage on Bronco is about 16 mpgs. Bronco is prettly loud and ride is a bit bumpier. Interior quality is better in land cruiser, but not by a large margin. Land cruiser for longer road trips and Bronco for off road trips.

 

[seanasmith41]

View attachment 59

Looks like the SUV wars are heating up! How do you think the new Land Cruiser stacks up against the Bronco? Any current Bronco owners looking to make the switch?

	Ford Bronco	Ford Bronco	Ford Bronco Raptor	2024 Toyota Land Cruiser
Engine:	2.3L EcoBoost	2.7L EcoBoost	3.0L EcoBoost	2.4L i-FORCE MAX
Aspiration:	Turbocharged	Turbocharged	Turbocharged	Turbocharged Hybrid
Cylinder type:	I-4	V6	V6	I-4
Drivetrain:	4×4	4×4	4×4	4×4
Transmission (automatic):	10-Speed	10-Speed	10-Speed	8-Speed
Transmission (manual):	7-Speed	N/A	N/A	N/A
Horsepower (premium fuel):	300	330	418	326
Torque (ft./lbs) (premium fuel):	325	415	440	465
Towing Capacity (lbs.):	3500	3500	3500	6000

My wife and myself each drive a 2023 Bronco. Hers is a 2 door base Sasquatch and mine is a 4 door black diamond.

With that being said. We love our Broncos. But…we also love Land Cruisers. So we are adding a 1958 with roof rack to our Broncos.

 

[NoMe cruiser]

I currently own a 2022 Bronco soft top with the 2.7 and sasquatch package that I've owned for 2 years, and last week I purchased a 1958. Previous to the Bronco, I've owned a 4runner, FJ cruiser, and still own a tundra. Here are my comparisons between the Bronco and land cruiser. Bronco feels like it has more instantaneous torque, even with 37 inch tires. The 4.7 gearing is really the difference maker here. The Bronco is much more off road capable as well - front lockers, higher ground clearance, larger tires, angles, etc. It's a fun weekend car to drive. I don't think you could easily make the land cruiser equally capable as the bronco off road. Where the bronco lacks is smoothness and refinement. Getting in and driving the land cruiser feels so serene and peaceful compared to the bronco. Cargo space is bigger in the land cruiser. Legroom, headroom feels slightly bigger in the land cruiser. Average fuel mileage on Bronco is about 16 mpgs. Bronco is prettly loud and ride is a bit bumpier. Interior quality is better in land cruiser, but not by a large margin. Land cruiser for longer road trips and Bronco for off road trips.

And that’s compared to the 1958 which is not as capable off road and doesn’t have the interior of higher trims.