From a 4Runner TRD Pro to a Badlands Sasquatch - 1500 mile review

[dinglehead]

Hey all.

Just turned 1500 miles over on the ODO and wanted to give some impressions coming from a ‘21 4Runner TRD Pro.

made the trade because a bronco was what I really wanted a few years ago but the pricing and availability were a nightmare so I figured I’d wait a few years an so here I am. Also, I wasn’t super impressed with the new 4Runners, so I ruled those out. Got an incredible trade value on the 4Runner and also a great deal on the bronco so it seemed like a no brainer.

First of all the drivetrain is just night and day. I realize the old yota drivetrain is why many like the 4Runner, but I found the transmission to be rough, acceleration on the highway was abysmal, and it just gasped at higher elevations in the mountains. I LOVE the 2.7 on the bronco so far. Feels better when driving in every way.

also the screen/infotainment feels like it’s from the future compared to the runners. Love the big display and tight integration with CarPlay.

I feel like the fit and finish on the 4Runner may have been a bit better, but the interior layout and design on the bronco is so much better. The badlands control interior and washout floors are fantastic. I freaking hate carpet in cars.

first heavy snow drive was a couple of weeks ago heading through rabbit ears pass in Colorado during a full white out blizzard where the only way to tell if you’re on the road is the red sticks every 30 yards or so. It handled it incredibly well. I’d say the bronco is also better in the snow.

overall I know I’m still on the honeymoon period, but I love this thing so far. it’s definitely got a lot more mojo than the old 4Runner that’s for sure.

Sponsored

 

[CitrusBronco]

Welcome to the club.
Once summer gets here and you get some time of the trails you’re going to discover even more of a difference, the Bronco is so much better than the old Yota on the trails.

 

[AZ_Craig]

In a similar boat to you, had a 2016 Trail followed by a 2020 TRD Pro. Combined I put around 110K miles on them, so have probably done more seat time in a 5th generation 4Runner as any other vehicle I've had (I typically only hold cars for 60K to 90K miles).

I'm just over 4600 miles now and I honestly prefer every single thing about my Raptor versus my TRD Pro except maybe the slight hit in cargo space. I did drive a 2.7L in a Wildtrak back to back with the Raptor and I found both powertrain options to be a huge step forward versus the anemic 4.0L V6 in the 4Runner with the antiquated 5 speed. Like you mentioned, the 4Runner is just an absolute dog in high speed continuous demand siuations, especially once you throw in elevation out west.

The step up to the double digital displays (which is going to be standard across most trims I think in 2025) is also a huge step forward versus Toyota and I also like the control setup vastly more in the Ford. I have not gotten any time in the seat of a new Tacoma or 4Runner, but have driven a Land Cruiser and personally vastly preferred the Bronco to that also.

Once I drove the hybrid powertrain in the Land Cruiser and knowing this was what I'd get in a TRD Pro or Trailhunter 4Runner (for nearly $70K) cemented getting a Bronco even further.

Enjoy the ride!

 

[Tahoe Gaucho]

Agreed on pretty much everything you said !!! I owned the same 2021 4Runner TRD Pro in Lunar Rock, followed by 2021 Tacoma TRD Pro and then 2021 WRX STI Limited on Nokian Hakkapelita studded snows. Not that any of them are bad, this is just better....I grin ear to ear every time I get in my Wildtrak .... I think it absolutely rips in the snow and the additional power over Toyota is night and day. I do also enjoy the ride quality of the Fox suspension in the Wildtrak over both TRD Pro models as well. I really have a hard time believing that most 4runner owners have actually driven the Bronco or have any idea what they are up against when they talk shit. Reliability and build quality can be a topic, sure. And we do absolutely love our 2017 Tundra !!! With proper snow shoes on her , she is a TANK in the snow and have never felt the least bit concerned in any weather.Nor we will we probably ever sell her, but... Smiles per gallon, whether in a snow storm or with the top off or anywhere in between, Bronco is just a lot more fun to drive than all of the above or the 15 previous vehicles I have owned b4 the ones I mentioned. Wrangler, L.D.Discovery etc.etc
Experience:
Lived in snow country my entire life, lived in Tahoe full time over 10 years of solid dirtbagging powder days.
I admit I still love driving in the snow just as much as when I was 16 years old. Ultimately I would love to get into the Bronco Raptor b4 I start dumping endless amounts of dough into my Wildtrak but GD is she is a fun ride.

 

[Emilian]

Hey all.

Just turned 1500 miles over on the ODO and wanted to give some impressions coming from a ‘21 4Runner TRD Pro.

made the trade because a bronco was what I really wanted a few years ago but the pricing and availability were a nightmare so I figured I’d wait a few years an so here I am. Also, I wasn’t super impressed with the new 4Runners, so I ruled those out. Got an incredible trade value on the 4Runner and also a great deal on the bronco so it seemed like a no brainer.

First of all the drivetrain is just night and day. I realize the old yota drivetrain is why many like the 4Runner, but I found the transmission to be rough, acceleration on the highway was abysmal, and it just gasped at higher elevations in the mountains. I LOVE the 2.7 on the bronco so far. Feels better when driving in every way.

also the screen/infotainment feels like it’s from the future compared to the runners. Love the big display and tight integration with CarPlay.

I feel like the fit and finish on the 4Runner may have been a bit better, but the interior layout and design on the bronco is so much better. The badlands control interior and washout floors are fantastic. I freaking hate carpet in cars.

first heavy snow drive was a couple of weeks ago heading through rabbit ears pass in Colorado during a full white out blizzard where the only way to tell if you’re on the road is the red sticks every 30 yards or so. It handled it incredibly well. I’d say the bronco is also better in the snow.

overall I know I’m still on the honeymoon period, but I love this thing so far. it’s definitely got a lot more mojo than the old 4Runner that’s for sure.

Welcome and congrats. Could not agree more with your review. Bronco and especially Badlands is way more balanced. I think engineers at For did excellent job balancing out all performance related stuff and cost!

 

[Dral97]

Fit and finish is my main gripe with the Bronco. Everything else is good. Ford should be doing better if they're charging this much imo though. The scratchy plastic. It looks like a cat and a dog had a fight in my cargo area (and I haven't even used it to haul that much stuff other than recycling).

I have four autos and my Bronco has turned into my daily. Ford usually has outdated interiors imo, but the Bronco interior works pretty well. I can't put it into words, but it's just more comfortable than most (especially SUVs).

 

[bkirchhoff]

@dinglehead OP - is that a Fishman Donut under your bucking Bronco on the tailgate?

 

[Emilian]

Fit and finish is my main gripe with the Bronco. Everything else is good. Ford should be doing better if they're charging this much imo though. The scratchy plastic. It looks like a cat and a dog had a fight in my cargo area (and I haven't even used it to haul that much stuff other than recycling).

I have four autos and my Bronco has turned into my daily. Ford usually has outdated interiors imo, but the Bronco interior works pretty well. I can't put it into words, but it's just more comfortable than most (especially SUVs).

I understand and I really do agree about finishes. I guess aecumen around has been more like two-pronged approach to beat competitors, both in terms of mechanical/electronic features and capabilities and cost saving. For cost saving finishes are more rudimentary (maybe agricultural-like in some cases). I think Toyota may have gotten over one year late lunching 6 Gen 4Runnere for they wanted to match Broncos features (eg transmission you mentioned earlier, front did locks, GOAT like modes etc) but could not match the price I guess. Now, I would have loved to see better finishes, but I would not be OK to have to pay few thousand extra, honestly. I got two toddler and two large dogs we travel around US with checking out ski places. Finishes were and still are closer to the bottom of my priority list for that reason. Maybe our next Badlands in 10 years down the road will have better finishes

 

[dinglehead]

@dinglehead OP - is that a Fishman Donut under your bucking Bronco on the tailgate?

Of course it is!

 

[Emilian]

Of course it is!

Here is mine

 

[Emilian]

Here is mine

 

[bkirchhoff]

Of course it is!

Love it! Here is mine:

 

[Deleted member 64703]

Finishes were and still are closer to the bottom of my priority list for that reason. Maybe our next Badlands in 10 years down the road will have better finishes

Totally agree. Don't forget we're also comparing a car that can be left in the elements and hosed out to one that you'd be f'd if you left the sunroof open in a storm.

 

[fourdayoff]

I don't understand the fragile plastic's from Ford, scratch when you blink near them. They do make plastic that is much tougher. Come on ford for 60K really?

 

[dinglehead]

I don't understand the fragile plastic's from Ford, scratch when you blink near them. They do make plastic that is much tougher. Come on ford for 60K really?

Yea I had to get something to cover the plastic in the cargo area because holy crap it started to look like hell after maybe a week?

Has anyone found a good plastic restoration product that works well on the surface scuffs?

Sponsored