When you're considered the best, there are always those who would love to usurp the title. The Ford Bronco is once again the industry standard in the world of off-road-ready SUVs, providing performance and technology geared toward those who refuse to stick to the pavement. Absent for the second half of the 1990s and much of the early 2000s, the Broncos' return has been celebrated by a whole new generation.

Many vehicles offer similar features, but none have lived up to the pedigree and prowess that a Ford Bronco for sale offers. Among the many competitors is the 2025 Toyota 4Runner. Toyota's off-road offering has once again tried to outclass the Bronco, only to once again come up short. Let's take a closer look at how the 2025 Ford Bronco remains the definitive off-roading machine in the current model year. 

It All Begins With the Powertrain 

Off-roaders look for many things in a vehicle that will facilitate their adventures. Ground clearance, skid plates, and driving modes are all considered before purchasing. The most dedicated driver who spends their time off the pavement will attest that the key feature for any off-roader is the powertrain that will provide forward momentum and allow them to navigate harsh terrains. Which vehicle has the performance off-roaders are looking for? Let's find out. 

All Toyota 4Runner trims come equipped with one of two versions of a turbocharged 2.4L four-cylinder engine; the standard entry produces 278 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque, while the MAX version found on higher trims provides 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque.

Besides having just two engine options, the 4Runner is saddled with one single transmission, an eight-speed automatic. The performance specs are impressive, but with one single powertrain, drivers have no variety to choose from. In addition, RWD is standard on the 4Runner, with AWD being an upgrade. Anyone stuck in the mud or ice will attest to how impractical RWD can be in such situations. The 4Runner can offer off-roading performance, but it costs extra. 

If the 4Runner is hampered by a lack of variety and an extra-cost off-road-ready drivetrain, the exact opposite is true with the 2025 Ford Bronco. The Bronco is an AWD-exclusive vehicle, meaning any trim can depart from the pavement whenever one chooses to.

Its drivetrain aside, the Bronco offers three distinctive engines to give off-roaders the maximum performance they wish. Base trims of the Ford Bronco come equipped with a turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder engine that produces 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. Besides overpowering the sole engine on the 4Runner, the base engine can be paired with either a seven-speed manual or a ten-speed automatic transmission, allowing drivers to determine which one works better for their intended use. 

Off-roaders who crave more excitement from their powertrain have the opportunity to equip select trims of the Bronco with a 2.7L V6 that produces 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. Lastly, the unique Raptor trim comes with a 3.0L V6 that provides an impressive 418 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque.

Power and performance are quintessential for any seasoned off-roader. Both of the Ford Bronco's available powertrains easily overpower the sole offering from the Toyota 4Runner. The Bronco offers more variety with its engines and transmissions, and being AWD-exclusive means any trim is off-road-ready, not just those that have been upgraded. 

Adapting to Different Terrains and Situations 

Performance might be the cornerstone of any off-road-ready vehicle. Still, it's crucial that it can adapt to changes in weather and can acclimate to different terrains traveled on. The Bronco and 4Runner are designed with the modern-day adventurer in mind.

As such, both have implemented features such as driving modes and technologies that allow each to make the necessary changes to different environments where adventures occur. These items range from modern implements to basic items that every off-roader looks for. 

A notable advantage that the Ford Bronco possesses is its variety and versatility. The Bronco comes in two and four-door variations, like its biggest competitor, the Jeep Wrangler. There are advantages to having both available. A two-door Bronco is far more agile, ideal for sharp turns on trails and getting out of narrow crevices.

The 4Runner has no such alternative, and all models come in a four-door configuration. Four-door configurations of the Bronco have another advantage over the 4Runner, which consists of a removable top and doors. Off-roaders favor multiple terrains, and a four-door Bronco can instantly be transformed into a dune buggy. 

The modern off-roader has a distinct advantage over those who traversed the wild frontier before them. Modern vehicles are equipped with technologies that enhance the experience behind the wheel. New technologies have been developed to help off-roaders gain better control over their environment and adventures.

The Toyota 4Runner comes with Multi-Terrain Select, which allows the vehicle to adapt to different driving modes, such as mud, snow, and sand. The 4Runner also benefits from Downhill Assist Control. Both of these items will certainly impress any off-roader. But, as anyone who craves adventure attests, there's always room for more. 

The Ford Bronco benefits from one of the most advanced driving mode suites ever designed, the G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) system. There are seven available driving modes in all, with features that are meant to be highly capable on and off the road.

Eco, Sport, and Normal modes are geared towards city driving. When the Bronco departs the pavement, all bets are off. Rock Crawl and Baja Modes are for serious off-roaders who enjoy a challenge. Other driving modes made to combat the mud, ice, sand, and snow make the Bronco ready for any challenge that Mother Nature might throw your way. 

The Toyota 4Runner simply falls short of everything Ford offers with the Bronco. Like the powertrain, the 4Runner is hampered by a sole four-door configuration, and the lack of a removable top means there are no dune buggy dreams for Toyota drivers. While both vehicles offer multiple driving modes for different terrains, drivers can go places in the Ford Bronco that are still off-limits for the Toyota 4Runner. 

More Trims Mean More Satisfied Drivers 

Choosing the perfect vehicle for off-roading or city driving all comes down to selecting the trim that agrees with your sensibilities. The 4Runner has multiple versions available, but only two of the 12 trims are geared towards adventurers: the TRD Off-Road and TRD Off-Road Premium.

The Ford Bronco has specific trims that cater to the environments off-roaders love and honor the appearance of the vehicle's first production run. The Heritage and Stroppe Edition offers off-roading performance and employs a vintage style that nostalgia buffs will appreciate.

The Big Bend, Outer Banks, and the available Sasquatch package all unlock limitless capabilities for the road less traveled. The Bronco's multiple trims make it more appealing to off-roaders from all walks of life. Try as it might, the 4Runner is just too limited with what it offers to appeal to the ranks of the off-roading elite. 

The Bronco Remains Unconquered in Off-Roading Domination 

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner offers many attributes and good things. However, there is no contest against the 2025 Ford Bronco. The Bronco offers more powertrains, and with its 4WD-exclusive drivetrain, any version of the vehicle can go off-roading at the drop of a hat.

Besides the improved performance the Bronco offers, it also succeeds in being a more versatile off-roader than the 4Runner. With two and four-door configurations and a removable top, the Bronco provides more versatility, and its technology, designed to facilitate adventure, is far ahead of anything available with the Toyota 4Runner. More trims and special editions make the Bronco appeal to a broader group of drivers, not just a select few, making it the ideal option for the modern off-roader.