Bronco Pricing Realities & Toyota Alternatives

[Nickp]

4runners are cool. But man are they snoozeville. From styling to just overall character it is one of the safest, most non-envelope pushing designs. And it hasn’t changed for 10 years.

I like jeeps and Bronco because they’re unique. There’s nothing else like them, (except each other) and to me the Bronco looks like a straight up concept vehicle brought to life. If I was going to be traversing the outback or driving around the planet? Give me a Toyota every day of the week. For anything else I’ll take the Bronco.

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[Ajusaf]

No, just someone who knows what vehicles are selling for. Heck, even Chevy sells the Equinox at over $50K and Tahoes at $70K. Spending $45K on a Bronco is nothing.

Equinox sells for 50k ewww

 

[uncledoodoo]

I guess I'm just a cheapskate but I'm still happy that I can get one for $28500, I'll probably add a few things but this is just a second vehicle for us, I work from home so I don't really "daily drive" anything, I'll just use it for occasional weekend trips or cruises.

 

[rcbickle]

The Broncos and the Jeep have a certain driving style, culture and lifestyle attached to them. Both companies embrace the top off, doors off, into the wilds lifestyle. For some, maybe that lifestyle is not critical or even what they want. It is like people who don't like convertibles, I do (I own one, have had it 18 years now, and drive it all summer with the music at full roar). The Bronco and Jeep match what I want and where I want to go. I have owned a Toyota 4x4 PU and took it seriously offroading. It was great, but small for a big guy like me (6'4" @ 220). The top does not come off and the doors are fixed. It also still looks like a 15-year-old design. And a moonroof is not a substitute (have one on the M550). I can go on, but I am willing to pay for the drive I want. Even you have never driven a convertible or a Jeep with the top off, you need to. It is worth it. So Bronco it is!

 

[Paint]

Not Toyota Land Cruisers. The HVAC is integrated in there.

Interdasting. Weird that they do that on their LC, but nothing else (that I've seen anyway...I'm no expert).

 

[Lowcountry Bronco]

Haven't read this over but in reality my Bronco plans could probably be substituted with a Miata. Have no plans to do anything more than cruise with the top down to the beach, around town or daily drive to work.

It's all in what you want, used Jeep, new Toyota 4Runner or even a Prius, at the end of the day you're making the payments or shelled out the asking price so what will your thought be on whether it's worth is to you; if you have serious doubts about it then hold off on the purchase but I'd keep you reservation and see if you can hold off on your order until you get to physically see one to know if the ROI is one you can sleep good with at night then it's worth it.

 

[UncleBuck]

I love the mix of Bronco heritage and modern technology the 6th gen Bronco is bringing to market. But after seeing the survey pricing, like many of you, I have started to reevaluate my Bronco purchase, this thread helped to put things into perspective.
Let's Be Honest About Our Intended Use
My use will be 95% daily driver and 5% off-the-beaten-track trail riding, which will be the most serious off-roading I will ever do, further, I never plan to take the roof or doors off as my wife sunburns way too fast for that. Based on the survey pricing, which still did not include a number of the options I wanted, along with a bunch of accessories, my Bronco Badlands quickly headed towards $60K.

I'm concerned Ford thinks they can quickly cash-in on the Bronco hype and popularity with proud pricing, like the Jeep. Although unlikely, some Ford market analysis are concerned about a Ford bankruptcy. Is Ford so worried about their financial condition that Ford is going to end up doing what every Wall Street driven company has to do to survive, show immediate quarterly results vs more long term growth prospects? Is Ford trying to get whole all at once with Bronco pricing to alleviate these concerns?

After reading some insightful posts from @Paint and @aabsalon discussing their Bronco Backup Plans (below), I have revisited my backup plans as well, they are:
1) 2022 6th gen 4Runner $TBD
2) 5th gen 4Runner TRD Pro $50K
3) RAV4 TRD Off-Road $40K
4) Bronco Sport Badlands $40K
As you can see, these are all hardtops, which will help to improve the ride quality, when one does not need the removable roof and doors.

While I'm hopeful the Bronco will still work out, here are the posts from the Badlands Bronco Thread that I found insightful.


And last, a few details on the upcoming 6th gen Toyota 4Runner, which will be out in 2022, the same time as some of the 2021 Bronco's will be getting delivered.

I get where you're coming from and here's my unbiased two cents. Toyota makes a great vehicle, but it is a dinosaur. It is a gas hog, the interior hasn't been refreshed at all and their pricing remains high because, well frankly, they move vehicles easily. That said, they have great reliability and the TRD Pro packages are pretty capable. I'd equate the capability of a TRD Pro to a Stock Black Diamond. Toyota offers a rear locker, trail control, IFS and bash plates/armor, just like BD bronco. I'm willing to bet a fully tricked out TRD Pro 4Runner is gonna be approaching 50k and you'll be able to score a black diamond for less than that, Win for the Bronco.

Now since you're saying you'll never remove the roof and doors, that is a win for Toyota, period. Frankly, I don't know why you're looking at purchasing a Bronco if you never plan have an open air driving experience, that's all part of the allure (and the price tag). I don't want to push you away from the Bronco but if you're serious about never taking advantage of the "convertible" capability then you should be looking at a different vehicle.

To address your final concern, If FORD goes bankrupt, then the rest of the automotive industry is gonna nose dive as well. Ford is a world leader and despite COVID bullshit I don't think Ford is going anywhere. They've been planning this vehicle for years, they're not suddenly releasing it to cash in on a bad economy that took a shit 6 months ago.

 

[Dr.Z]

You're spec'ing out a top-of-the-line off-roader (Badlands) that comes standard with a removable top and removable doors. You're also stating that your off-roading will be 5% of the use, and unless you're traveling somewhere far, the north Texas off-roading doesn't really required Badlands (or TRD, for that matter) equipment. You also state that you won't take the doors or top off.

I think you identified the issue and solved the problem in your own post: A $60k off-road oriented convertible isn't what you need, isn't what you want, and isn't what you want to pay for.

Get a Bronco sport, put some aggressive looking AT tires on it, and call it a day. It'll be up to task when you want to scratch the off-roading itch, but it'll also be much more comfortable (and affordable) for daily use.

I've had a '99 Land Cruiser 100 and spent a lot of time recently driving a late-model 4Runner Limited. The LC100 was great, even 20 years old. The 4Runner was solid, but both vehicles were getting a little old and dated. I also used to own an FJ Cruiser and a '95 4Runner. You can't beat Toyota reliability. But I also fully embrace the new technology on the Bronco and look forward to the turbo engines. I almost bought a new 4Runner two years ago but the bones (engine and transmission) are so outdated (reliable, but outdated) that I couldn't justify the $45-$50K.

In addition to my '12 F-150 for road trips or winter, I daily drive a '95 Jeep YJ in the summer. I take the doors and windows off in June and put them back on in September. I keep the top (safari top style) on because the sun will burn you and the little top will keep just enough rain off you to get home in a storm.

Maybe the Bronco will turn out to be like any of the Wranglers I've owned; a great "townie" and off-roader, but not something for long road trips or extreme comfort.

I plan on buying a 2-door BL and keeping it for a long time. My '95 YJ still only has 88k miles.

But if I didn't have my F150 or couldn't have two vehicles, I would consider the Bronco Sport for a nice balance of comfort and off-road prowess. I also used to own JK Rubicons (had a 4-door and 2-door). I off-road quite a bit and only used the lockers occasionally. Ground clearance and tire tread are more important than lockers if you can't have both.

Summary: Get yourself a Bronco Sport, you won't use the Badlands' features enough to justify the higher price.

Even without myself using this as a DD... 44 out the door with not much to touch to have fun and have a long term vehicle that I enjoy... that’s pretty reasonable. I know a friend that uses her new JL as a DD and opted up to 60k...
I would love at other vehicles but they aren’t as versatile and honestly besides a great JL... they are boring / unchanged

 

[RedRiverRev]

Don’t get me started on the unreliability of Toyota’s tech

sometimes hands free phone works other times not. Sometimes I can play music through my truck through the phone other times not- and my truck is only 3 yrs old

Yep, their tech is garbage...surprising for a Japanese company. My 2013 Toyota has a BARELY workable Bluetooth. My 2013 Flex with Sync is a space shuttle in comparison.

 

[North7]

What are your priority options? Fully loaded badlands doesn’t sound like it would be remotely the best bang for your buck when considering your planned usage and I’m guessing your desired options (based on the 60k estimate).

OP if you are saying its 95% on road and 5% off road, why are you looking at what appears to be the most capable off road trim? Why not drop down a trim and see if that gets you more in your budget?

The part I still don't understand is why you are optioning out the top offroad trim with seemingly every option when a lesser trim loaded up would get you what you want/need?

All valid points, I would consider dropping down to a lower trim but I want, and need, the full-up technology items which means I can only select from the Outer Banks and up in order to get the Lux package since that is the only way to get all the tech. My Kia Sorento and Subaru Forester are loaded with all the technology options and would never go back. The Kia locking AWD was plenty for pulling my boat up the boat ramp but I sold the boat and I'm ready to find new adventures.

If I do end up buying a Bronco and head down those off-the-beaten-track trails, I want the capability to explore. Do I need front & rear lockers, do I need a sway bar disconnect, maybe not, but they give me the confidence to get out of stuff when we are out on our own and not with a group.

Sure there is a difference between need and want, to me the Badlands on 33" is the look I like in an off-roader. If I end up deciding the Bronco is the right fit, that would be where I spend my money, all cash, I don't like financing when I can avoid it.

 

[Paint]

It's not really aboot money for a lot of us.

Ford has yet to sell it to me to a point where I am willing to own one.

 

[Hkak45]

You know that for under 50k, you can get a V8 in a 4Runner?

I mean, it's wearing a Lexus badge...But hey.

https://www.carmax.com/car/19353431

Also, 50k will put you in a REALLY nice Land Cruiser.

You can’t really compare brand new prices to used prices... if you can then that means I can get an Aston Martin or Bentley for the price of a Mustang.. lol Land Cruiser is no where near $50K new

 

[Paint]

You can’t really compare brand new prices to used prices... if you can then that means I can get an Aston Martin or Bentley for the price of a Mustang.. lol Land Cruiser is no where near $50K new

I'm just posting things in that price range. I know what Land Cruisers cost.

I also know that a 3 year old Land Cruiser will likely outlast a brand New 2021 Bronco.

 

[Garemlin]

If the open air experience isn't a priority or a desire, or being a beast on most off road environments, I can't even fathom why a Bronco would be on your radar. Not trying to be mean. Just trying to be real. I don't need a rock crawler. But I need something fully capable on light trails and the beach. With that being said I could keep my current Grand Cherokee or look at a 4Runner. Both would fit the bill. Even the Bronco Sport would. But being a former m/c rider who had to stop for health reasons, I miss the open air. The Bronco meets my needs and desires.

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