Toyota 4Runner vs Ford Bronco: fuel economy and fuel cost
In model year 2026 the Toyota 4Runner is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $2,800 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (4Runner Hybrid, 23 MPG combined), against $3,330 for the Ford Bronco (Bronco, 20 MPG combined). That is $530 a year, or $2,650 over five years.
A frequently cross-shopped pair of rivals. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.
- Hybrid
- Standard SUVs
Toyota 4Runner
Lowest fuel cost configuration
4Runner Hybrid
$18.67 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
6 configurations in MY2026
- Gas
- Small SUVs
Ford Bronco
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Bronco
$22.20 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
9 configurations in MY2026
What the fuel costs
Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration
- Toyota 4Runner$2,800 a year · $18.67 per 100 mi
- Ford Bronco$3,330 a year · $22.20 per 100 mi
Difference per year
$530
Toyota 4Runner costs less to fuel
Over 5 years
$2,650
$530 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
Head to head, MY2026
| Measure | Toyota 4Runner | Ford Bronco |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost configuration | 4Runner Hybrid | Bronco |
| Powertrain | Hybrid | Gas |
| Combined rating | 23 MPG (better) | 20 MPG |
| City rating | 23 MPG (better) | 18 MPG |
| Highway rating | 24 MPG (better) | 22 MPG |
| Annual fuel cost | $2,800/yr (better) | $3,330/yr |
| Cost per 100 miles | $18.67 (better) | $22.20 |
| Annual cost range, all configurations | $2,800–$3,080 | $3,330–$4,250 |
| Configurations in MY2026 | 6 | 9 |
| EPA class | Standard SUVs | Small SUVs |
Best configuration by powertrain
| Powertrain | Toyota 4Runner | Ford Bronco |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | 22 MPG · $2,960/yr 4Runner | 20 MPG · $3,330/yr Bronco |
| Hybrid | 23 MPG · $2,800/yr 4Runner Hybrid | Not offered in MY2026 |
Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.
Where each one comes out ahead
Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.
Toyota 4Runner
- Lower annual fuel cost: $2,800 vs $3,330
- Higher combined rating: 23 MPG vs 20 MPG
- Higher city rating: 23 MPG vs 18 MPG
- Higher highway rating: 24 MPG vs 22 MPG
- Lower annual cost for the best gas configuration: $2,960 vs $3,330
- Offers hybrid configurations in MY2026; the Ford Bronco does not
Ford Bronco
Not ahead on any measure listed here.
Year by year
| Model year | Toyota 4Runner | Ford Bronco | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined | Per year | Combined | Per year | |
| 2026 | 21–23 MPG | $2,800–$3,080 | 15–20 MPG | $3,330–$4,250 |
| 2025 | 21–23 MPG | $2,800–$3,080 | 15–20 MPG | $3,320–$4,250 |
| 2024 | 17 MPG | $3,740–$3,850 | 15–20 MPG | $3,190–$4,250 |
| 2023 | 17 MPG | $3,740–$3,850 | 15–20 MPG | $3,220–$4,250 |
| 2022 | 17 MPG | $3,740–$3,850 | 15–20 MPG | $3,220–$4,250 |
| 2021 | 17 MPG | $3,740–$3,820 | 17–21 MPG | $3,120–$3,930 |
Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to fuel, the Toyota 4Runner or the Ford Bronco?
The Toyota 4Runner is cheaper: about $2,800 a year against $3,330 for the Ford Bronco, a difference of $530 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.
How much would the Toyota 4Runner save over five years?
About $2,650 ($530 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.
Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Toyota 4Runner or the Ford Bronco?
The Toyota 4Runner is rated 23 MPG combined against 20 MPG for the Ford Bronco. City: 23 MPG vs 18 MPG. Highway: 24 MPG vs 22 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.
How is the annual fuel cost calculated?
Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.
Are the Toyota 4Runner and the Ford Bronco in the same class?
The EPA classes the Toyota 4Runner as Standard SUVs and the Ford Bronco as Small SUVs, so they are listed as rivals.
Explore these cars
- Toyota 4Runner: ratings, trims and every model year
- Ford Bronco: ratings, trims and every model year
- 2026 Toyota 4Runner: all configurations
- 2026 Ford Bronco: all configurations
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