If you’re looking for the perfect off-road SUV, you’ve got some great options. This article will compare three frontrunners: the Jeep Wrangler, Toyota 4Runner, and Ford Bronco.
If you’re looking for the perfect off-road SUV, the chances are good that you’ve already narrowed down the playing field to the top three contenders. For this year, they’re the Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco, and Toyota 4Runner.
How the Powertrains Compare
The most obvious difference between the three top-performing off-road SUVs is their powertrains. Let’s take a look at what to expect.
Two options are available for the Toyota 4Runner. Drivers can choose from two different 2.4L turbo I-4 engines, one hybridized and one internal-combustion only. The non-hybrid 4Runner gets 278 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque, while the i-Force MAX hybrid setup gets 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque.
The Jeep Wrangler PHEV performs even better in this category. The Wrangler 4xe Rubicon features a hybrid setup with a 2.0L turbo I-4 engine and two motors that’s good for 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. Plus, it’s a PHEV with up to 22 miles of EV-only driving. Drivers can also buy a Wrangler with a 3.6L V-6 or a turbocharged 2.0L non-hybridized I-4.
The Ford Bronco performs equally well, though it doesn’t offer a hybrid option. Drivers can opt for a base 2.3L turbo I-4 that puts out 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque, a 330 hp and 415 lb-ft 2.7L twin-turbo V-6, or an impressive 418 hp and 440 lb-ft 3.0L twin-turbo V-6.
Fuel Efficiency Varies Greatly
Fuel consumption varies significantly across these off-road vehicles, with the Jeep Wrangler PHEV netting a combined 49 mpg equivalent on one end of the spectrum and the gas-hungry Ford Bronco Raptor on the other earning 15 mpg combined.
How Do They Perform Off-Road?
Now, on to the most critical factor: how do these three impressive vehicles perform off-road? In terms of dimensions, the 4Runner is at somewhat of a disadvantage with an overall length of 194.9 inches, producing larger overhangs than the Bronco or Wrangler.
The Bronco Raptor has the best ground clearance at 13.1 inches, while the Wrangler 4xe Rubicon comes in at 10.6 inches and the 4Runner at up to 10.1.
Regarding approach and departure angles, the Ford and Jeep outperform the Toyota. The Ford Bronco achieves an impressive 47.2/40.5 degrees, while the Jeep Wrangler weighs in at 43.8/35.6 degrees. The 4Runner has approach angles ranging from 18 to 33 degrees and departure angles ranging from 22 to 24 degrees.
All three vehicles are equipped with all the gear required to off-road successfully, including skid plates, and a front stabilizer bar disconnect mechanism that increases suspension articulation, newly available on the 4Runner as of 2025.
What the 4Runner lacks in terms of approach/departure angles, it makes up for in other ways. Depending on the model, drivers who opt for this impressive off-roader will get up to 6,000 lbs of towing capacity. The Jeep Wrangler 4xe Rubicon can tow just 3,500 lbs, though non-hybrid versions do a little better, while the Ford Bronco Raptor is rated at 4,500 lbs.
Which Is the Best Off-Road Machine?
These three impressive vehicles can handle their own off the beaten path. The best way to decide between the Jeep Wrangler, Toyota 4Runner, and Ford Bronco is to read plenty of online performance reviews and take each for a test drive.
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