Bronco Pricing Realities & Toyota Alternatives

[North7]

This. The Sport doesn't get enough attention, sadly. It fits the needs of most and I think we'll see some Bronco reservations flipping once the Sport hits the lots. Plenty of off-road capability for the beach, logging road, or lake. If Sticker shock is an issue and you're cross shopping the Rav4 or 4Runner...Sport should be on top of the list.

And $40k for a Rav4, an Escape competitor? The Bronco Sport tops out at $38k and it's designed from the ground up to be an off roader. The Rav4 is some stickers and shock/strut changes.

It's not as much sticker shock, as others have posted, it's about balancing perceived value with wants and needs.

Your right about the Sport not getting much attention, before the reveal the Bronco Sport forum was pretty dead. When I saw it at the reveal, I thought it may be good for my wife as a replacement for her Subaru Forester, she looked at it and said she would like to test drive one.

Once the Bronco Sport test videos came out, I think we all gave it more respect, so yes, I will be looking at one for me, as I consider all the options. Not saying in any way, shape or form, the Bronco is out for me, but as and engineer I tend to make rational, practical decisions, once all the information is in, not emotional decisions.

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[RedRiverRev]

...I tend to make rational, practical decisions, once all the information is in, not emotional decisions.

Right there with ya. I think that is what has made the information trickle from Ford so frustrating. I'm actually thinking the Sport may be a better fit for me from a pricing/value/need standpoint. But the fun factor of the Bronco is really high up there for me personally. Just need to see if it's worth the wait/premium. If I can spec a Bronco for a similar price as the Sport, then it's a no brainer. That's why I'm hopeful the Base Bronco will allow for that.

 

[Straight 6]

Most buyers purchase the wrangler and bronco for the removable roof/doors and the looks. That's it.

Though the 4runner might be as capable its not really comparable.

and the rav4 sure as shit isn't as capable... anyone who believes this does not understand suspension.

https://www.caranddriver.com/review...eep-wrangler-rubicon-vs-2020-toyota-rav4-trd/

It's more capable than people give it credit for

Most don't go off road at all

And those that do go off road can get by with a RAV4 or outback most of the time. You don't need low range gearing to drive a rutted out dirt road

 

[ndumlao72]

Not trying to argue, but resale is highly influenced by perception. For reference, I wrote buying another Ford off ever again a few months before the Bronco's release (for allowing an employee to voice incorrect political opinions). I was a Ford loyalist. This is not a Ford boy opinion. This is decades of real-world experience. Again, Ford always updates and innovates, which will require learning curves. Something Toyota does not do. I have been an ASE Master Certified Mechanic for 22 years in an independent shop and a Fleet Manager over 3000 trucks, so I've seen it all. There have been Fords that routinely go over a million miles and I personally worked on a few work vehicles gas and diesel that had over half a million on the clock with all the stock running gear. Let's just say that Fords take a little more parts changes. Seems like a small price to pay when you look at the tech and power differences between a 4 runner and Ranger. My guess is anything you have had to address has not left you on the side of the road, which is what reliability really is right? I like small trucks and had a 2005 Ranger 2.3, but I'd never buy one again cause they were slugs. If the new Bronco had a motor like the Toyota or old Ranger, I wouldn't give 20K for a FE. Thankfully with Ford leading the charge on auto development and innovation, we don't have to. As a master certified mechanic that works on all makes, I oppose the opinion that Toyota is better than any other good car company. Seen too much in my time. Are they a bad company? No, are they great? No.

Its all good no arguing, differing opinions stimulate the mind

 

[edgeflyer]

Agreed!

 

[HyeBroncos]

Bronco so far on paper (and through their videos) has introduced an amazing on/off-road vehicle. The best part about all of this is the fact that every automaker is going to have to step up their game. Competition brings out the best of everyone, unless you're into participation awards

 

[RedRiverRev]

As a fellow Southerner, you know that Ford is very familiar with the Brodozer culture.

 

[North7]

With Toyota's 'Kaizen' mentality, I would not expect major changes to the next generation 4Runner anyways. The company is not known for making heavy handed changes to their models from year to year, it's a series of continuous, low-key changes over the years.

I wouldn't even buy a 2022 4Runner. Why bother?
Who am I kidding...They'll change the taillights, the steering wheel, neuter the motor, and call it a 6th Gen.

I think for those of us who have had an eye on the upcoming 6th gen 4Runner we have a valid concern they will just slap in a different engine and interior. But from what I've read it will get an all new platform, called the TNGA-F, to be shared by the Tundra, Tacoma, Sequoia and 4Runner. So of course it's a complete unknown right now but I'm hopeful it will bring improved power, technology and seating position. While it will not be a direct competitor to the Bronco it will be competition some will consider.

Toyota is currently preparing to reveal a slew of all-new body-on-frame vehicles based on an upcoming TNGA-F architecture. The Toyota Tundra is slated to be the first of these new models in 2021 followed by a new Toyota 4Runner and Sequoia in 2022, then a new Tacoma in 2024.
https://carbuzz.com/news/toyota-will-build-a-new-fj-cruiser-if-you-want-it

And as @Paint tells us, we will hear more about over the winter:

FYI, 6th Gen 4Runner is due for 2022, and Toyota usually drops all their information around February/March. So in theory, you'll have plenty of time to make up your mind on 5th Gen 4Runner, 6th Gen 4Runner, or 6th Gen Bronco.

 

[MaverickMan]

You make good points but could you really live with yourself owning a toyota?

 

[Paint]

You make good points but could you really live with yourself owning a toyota?

I've owned pretty much all brands except a Ford. Toyota has, by far, been the most reliable vehicles I've owned.

I own one now. It's been fantastic for 130k miles.

I'll buy another one.

They are boring. And dead nuts reliable. They just WORK.

 

[Chrome_Pony]

If I were sharing the Bronco with a family it might be a muddier decision, like a hell of a lot of you seem to be dealing with.

So many posts wanting the Bronco to do every single possible thing; maintain a throwback to the heritage of a the 66-77s EBs, also tow 10,000lb, have offroad capability like a tube-frame buggy, fit factory offered 40" Super Swampers with no cutting, carry eleventeen kayaks on racks, teleporting dirt drainplugs, all while being able to teleconference realtime with Mars from your 30" dash screen.

It's a Venn diagram: capability, appearance, reliability/resale, affordability. Where you prioritize each is where you land on a Bronco purchase... and for some of you, that's going to be a Toyota or a used Jeep.

 

[Heffe66413]

If you haven’t bought a new vehicle in a while- there is always sticker shock adjustment. Then you look at other vehicles and realize most are that high also.

 

[BuckeyeinNV]

https://www.caranddriver.com/review...eep-wrangler-rubicon-vs-2020-toyota-rav4-trd/

It's more capable than people give it credit for

Most don't go off road at all

And those that do go off road can get by with a RAV4 or outback most of the time. You don't need low range gearing to drive a rutted out dirt road

It's capable in the sense that any SUV/Crossover with AWD and a decent set of tires is capable. You don't need anything special for the occasional dirt road or mud puddle. I sure as hell wouldn't drive out into the desert in that thing though.

A friend of mine starting driving out on "easy" Jeep trails in the desert when she first got her JK Sport, before a lift or new tires. In 6 months or so she had a half dozen flats and a dented oil pan. She even got two flats in one short trip, luckily the second was a slow leak and she was able to get out and make it to Discount Tire.

 

[RubyRuin]

I think for those of us who have had an eye on the upcoming 6th gen 4Runner we have a valid concern they will just slap in a different engine and interior. But from what I've read it will get an all new platform, called the TNGA-F, to be shared by the Tundra, Tacoma, Sequoia and 4Runner. So of course it's a complete unknown right now but I'm hopeful it will bring improved power, technology and seating position. While it will not be a direct competitor to the Bronco it will be completion some will consider.

You are likely correct, it should be an all-new model due to the new TNGA platform. The current 4Runner I believe has been on the same platform since 2009, so it's well overdue.

You make good points but could you really live with yourself owning a toyota?

I would be more than happy to.

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