Tacoma vs Bronco - what am I missing

[cardinalsfan]

I've seen the Bronco in person a few times now but finally got to sit in one yesterday in Denver and....it was underwhelming at best. I'm seriously questioning dropping $65k on my build (2DR, Badlands, Sasquatch, Lux, Towing, Hard Top) and waiting for who knows how long to get it.

I can build a fully loaded TRD Off-Road Tacoma for $45k or a fully loaded TRD Pro for $55k. What can the Bronco do that either of those Tacomas couldn't? What features would I be missing? I can build out a heck of a custom Tacoma for the same $65k I'd plop down for a Bronco I figure.

I'm mostly talking about off-road performance, I know I won't have doors that come off and a removable top. I just don't know enough about 4x4 and off-roading to know which is better. And that said, despite ordering a Badlands with Sasquatch, I doubt I'm going to be doing serious off-roading, likely just making my way to dispersed campsites and driving in the snow.

Sponsored

 

[Nickp]

If you think sitting in a Bronco is underwhelming go sit in a tacoma lol.

To answer the question more, getting 35’s and a front locker in a Tacoma is $$$$. And even after all of that work the Bronco is still going to have a way better approach/break over/departure angle. And at the end of the day you’re still left with the absolutely anemic 3.5 liter in the Tacoma.

 

[Rivers90]

The Tacoma does not come with a locking front differential or a sway bar disconnect.

35 inch tires from the factory should mean a stock Bronco could take on most trails. The breakover angle is better and the departure angle.

The TRD pro is a nice truck it does come with a locking rear differential. But to add the lift kit the bigger tires and new rims and a locking front differential would probably add 10k.

So 55k for trd pro and 10k aftermarket would put you at the same price as a Bronco.

Do you want a pick up or an SUV?

 

[Rover72]

Sounds like your not missing anything, as you mention the top & doors off is the big differentiator from all others except Jeep. The front suspension and Ford Bronco heritage is also a differentiator to those of us who dig that rather than a jeep. To each their own.

 

[colintrax]

If you don't like the price, don't buy a sas badlands. You said it yourself, you don't need it.

What you get with the Taco is non removable doors/roof. Leaf spring rear suspension. Likely less front suspension travel? No sway bar disconnect. No front locker. Rear drum brakes. Underpowered NA engine. 6 speed transmission that seems to be universally hated. A plastic bed and front bumper.
But that resale tho.

Edit: I googled it. The bronco has more front and rear suspension travel. Significantly better RTI score.

 

[HotdogThud]

The other big expense you're missing on the Tacoma is the TRD supercharger kit that you're *going* to need. I like tacomas in nearly every way, they look great, lots of space, it's a tacoma so it'll run forever, pretty great off road for most things.

But holy crap does Toyota need to do some work on that motor. I know they don't fix what ain't broken, but damn, that motor is gutless at best, and a tragedy at worst.

 

[Scohin]

Have you been in a Tacoma from 2008? If yes than you've been in a 2021 Tacoma as well

 

[cardinalsfan]

The Tacoma does not come with a locking front differential or a sway bar disconnect.

35 inch tires from the factory should mean a stock Bronco could take on most trails. The breakover angle is better and the departure angle.

The TRD pro is a nice truck it does come with a locking rear differential. But to add the lift kit the bigger tires and new rims and a locking front differential would probably add 10k.

Thank you for the factual answer.

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't the lack of a front sway bar disconnect only affect the articulation of the front axle? And with the Taco having a IFS, does that matter much?

And a locking front diff is really only necessary for serious trails and rock crawling correct? There are options to add lockers to the front of a Tacoma from a quick google search.

 

[cardinalsfan]

Have you been in a Tacoma from 2008? If yes than you've been in a 2021 Tacoma as well

I own a 2009 Tacoma. There's a massive difference between it and a 2020 that I just test drove.

 

[cardinalsfan]

The other big expense you're missing on the Tacoma is the TRD supercharger kit that you're *going* to need. I like tacomas in nearly every way, they look great, lots of space, it's a tacoma so it'll run forever, pretty great off road for most things.

But holy crap does Toyota need to do some work on that motor. I know they don't fix what ain't broken, but damn, that motor is gutless at best, and a tragedy at worst.

A decent tune can go a long way from what I hear. But that 3.5 and 6 speed auto is pretty universally hated at this point and it was the main reason I looked hard at the Bronco.

Need? That's a bit much. I could get that based on your other vehicles and apparent need for power/speed. But my 4.0L in my 2009 Tacoma has been great. I've never lacked for power. I know the 3.5L is massively different however. My single test drive wasn't awful but I would love a longer one to take it into the mountains and see how bad it really is.

 

[cardinalsfan]

If you don't like the price, don't buy a sas badlands. You said it yourself, you don't need it.

What you get with the Taco is non removable doors/roof. Leaf spring rear suspension. Likely less front suspension travel? No sway bar disconnect. No front locker. Rear drum brakes. Underpowered NA engine. 6 speed transmission that seems to be universally hated. A plastic bed and front bumper.
But that resale tho.

Edit: I googled it. The bronco has more front and rear suspension travel. Significantly better RTI score.

What build/trim would get similar performance to a TRD Off Road Tacoma for $45k? I won't give up the Lux package so it needs to be one that would have that as an option.

 

[Desert_6G]

If you think sitting in a Bronco is underwhelming go sit in a tacoma lol.

To answer the question more, getting 35’s and a front locker in a Tacoma is $$$$. And even after all of that work the Bronco is still going to have a way better approach/break over/departure angle. And at the end of the day you’re still left with the absolutely anemic 3.5 liter in the Tacoma.

How is it possible to build a 2-door to 65k? Maybe you should recondider your build cause that's insane for only a 2-door. I had a Tacoma and I absolutely hated it after 6 months. I'm only 5'7" and hit my head on the door sill numerous times getting it and even bounced my head of the window a few times off-roading. The interior is cramped and the engine is gutless with a dim witted trans that down shifts everytime you drive over a grain of sand. But it all depends what you value. Sure you can get a Tacoma for $40-50k. But you won't be getting all the tech and off-road goodies the Bronco has. And it will drive like a truck. So not nearly as comfortable as a suv

 

[cardinalsfan]

Sounds like your not missing anything, as you mention the top & doors off is the big differentiator from all others except Jeep. The front suspension and Ford Bronco heritage is also a differentiator to those of us who dig that rather than a jeep. To each their own.

Bronco and Taco both have IFS but the Bronco has a locker and sway bar disconnect (on some trims).

In my ideal world I was trying to combine my two cars at the time into one - a Miata and a Tacoma. The Bronco is the top off, wide-open experience of the Miata with the off roading and fun of a Tacoma. But at this point I could just get a new Taco and a slight used Miata for the same price as the Bronco I wanted.

 

[DesertChip]

It will not be a Bronco, ever.

 

[jonwithanelcamino]

A decent tune can go a long way from what I hear. But that 3.5 and 6 speed auto is pretty universally hated at this point and it was the main reason I looked hard at the Bronco.

Need? That's a bit much. I could get that based on your other vehicles and apparent need for power/speed. But my 4.0L in my 2009 Tacoma has been great. I've never lacked for power. I know the 3.5L is massively different however. My single test drive wasn't awful but I would love a longer one to take it into the mountains and see how bad it really is.

Don’t get much out of ‘tuning’ an naturally aspirated engine. Versus tuning a forced induction engine.

Sponsored