When iconic off-road SUVs are being discussed, two names that are sure to come up are the Ford Bronco and Toyota Land Cruiser. After an absence of several years, Toyota is bringing back the Land Cruiser for the 2024 model year in a leaner, meaner, and less expensive format, but is it enough to topple Ford’s mighty Bronco? Let’s take a look.
Key Takeaways
- The Toyota Land Cruiser is completely reinvented for the 2024 model year and priced much less expensively than the previous generation luxury-oriented Land Cruiser.
- However, the 2024 Ford Bronco is still less expensive than the Land Cruiser and offers a wider selection of trim levels and options to suit every buyer’s tastes.
- The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser has a standard hybrid powertrain, but some enthusiasts are disappointed that fuel economy isn’t better.
- The Bronco is available in two-door, four-door, convertible, and hard top variants to suit every taste.
Engine and performance
For the U.S. market, Toyota is releasing the Land Cruiser with only one engine: a new 2.4 liter inline-four hybrid that makes 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. Unlike previous Land Cruisers, there are no other optional engines and the output remains the same across the three different trim levels.
In contrast, the 2024 Bronco has no less than three available engines, counting its off-road bruiser, the Bronco Raptor. To begin, there’s Ford’s familiar and efficient 2.3-liter EcoBoost which makes 275 hp and 315 lb-ft of torque, or 300 hp and 325 lb-ft when using premium fuel. It’s worth noting that the 2.3-liter EcoBoost is still available with a 7-speed manual transmission, a rarity in modern vehicles and evocative of the original Bronco from the 1960s.
If more power is desired, there’s an available 2.7-liter V6 with 315 hp and 410 lb-ft, or 330 hp and 415 lb-ft when drivers use premium fuel, which is comparable to the output of the Land Cruiser. The V-6 is only available with an automatic transmission, but it’s a great one with 10 forward speeds.
Finally, the off-road supertruck Bronco Raptor — yes, some folks call it the “Braptor” — gets a tire-shredding 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 cranking out 418 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Is the 2024 Ford Bronco or 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser more expensive?
Not counting the Bronco Raptor, which is a bit of a specialty model, the regular 2024 Bronco comes in eight different trim levels, which are:
- Big Bend: Starting at $41,525
- Black Diamond: Starting at $45,225
- Outer Banks: Starting at $49,085
- Heritage Edition: Starting at $50,450
- Badlands: Starting at $51,990
- Everglades: Starting at $57,615
- Wildtrak: Starting at $62,120
- Heritage Limited Edition: $71,580
We realize that’s a lot of information to unpack, but the Karl Flammer Ford team is standing by to help you determine which particular 2024 Bronco model is perfect for your needs. Note that the listed pricing includes destination fees.
For better or worse, 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser buyers have far fewer choices. The Land Cruiser models are:
- Land Cruiser 1958: Starting at $55,950
- Land Cruiser: Starting at $61,950
- First Edition: Starting at $74,950
Note that the stated Land Cruiser prices do not include a $1,395 mandatory delivery fee. However, even without the delivery charges, the 2024 Land Cruiser is considerably pricier than the Bronco and buyers don’t have nearly the opportunity to personalize their new rugged SUV as the Bronco affords.
Is the 2024 Land Cruiser Bigger than a Ford Bronco?
Off-road enthusiasts might wonder how these two legendary nameplates compare in exterior dimensions, which can be important when it’s time to hit the trail. Externally, the latest generation Land Cruiser rides on a 111.2-inch wheelbase and is 193.7 inches long and 78 inches wide.
Unlike the Land Cruiser which only comes with four doors, the 2024 Ford Bronco is available in a classic two-door configuration as well as four-door for more space. The two-door Bronco rides on a 100.4-inch wheelbase and is 173.7-inches length overall, which is perfect for negotiating tight off road maneuvers. The four-door Bronco has a 116.1-inch wheelbase and is approximately 190 inches long, which varies slightly by trim level.
The Land Cruiser is playing catchup to the Bronco
Overall, it’s great that consumers have choices like the Land Cruiser and Bronco to meet their adventuring and off-roading needs. Toyota should be commended for returning the Land Cruiser to its roots with a more rugged and affordable redesign for 2024, but we still think that the Bronco is the champ in this class.
Bronco buyers can choose a two-door or four-door body styles, as well as multiple engines, fabric or hard top, and a wide variety of trim levels to suit every need and want. Plus, the Bronco is mostly less expensive than the Land Cruiser. Make an appointment today to come in and let our friendly and professional staff show you why the Bronco still reigns supreme after all these years.