Tacoma vs Bronco - what am I missing

[colintrax]

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.

Stock for stock, an OBX with the rear locker is the closest to the Tacoma in terms of offroad performance. I dont care about the luxury stuff on these rigs, so I dont know how they compare there. But both will get a decent sized tire, and rear locker. Both will need aftermarket bumpers and suspension for serious offroading.

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[Brongo]

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.

How did you get to $65k for that build? Did you click the option for $10k left in the glove compartment or are the fender flares diamond encrusted?

 

[cardinalsfan]

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

Easy to build a 2DR Badlands up to $65k. Lux, Sasquatch, Tow, a few accessories and boom - $65k.

Also both the Bronco and the Tacoma are body on frame so they'll feel the same on road.

 

[cardinalsfan]

How did you get to $65k for that build? Did you click the option for $10k left in the glove compartment or are the fender flares diamond encrusted?

See attached. If I removed a few accessories I could get it down to $60k

 

[Raptor911]

The bronco has rear disc brakes and the Taco has rear drum brakes.

 

[internationlriders]

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.

Oh man, if I fit in a Tacoma I would probably get one just because of the reliability and the way they hold their value. But I do think the Bronco is going to be way better for the following reasons: Factory wheel/lift sizes, power, technology, comfort. I'm surprised you're not comparing apples to apples with a 4runner vs Bronco. I know most people wouldn't cross shop the two because you have such small cabin space with a mid size pickup than these SUVs.

 

[NoDoorsNoProblem]

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.

Seems like a Big Bend with rear locker option, or a Black Diamond would do the trick and be comparable to a TRD Off Road, or even a TRD Pro. Black Diamond already having the rear locker, plus bonus points for having steel bumpers the washout interior, and good 32” all terrains. The Sasquatch is even a massive step above the TRD Pro with the 35s, factory front locker, taller gearing, and goat modes which I assume are comparable to Toyota’s crawl control. Without looking at the figure sheet I’d bet that even the 4 door BD non-squatch has better off road dimensions/angles than the Tacoma. It’s a pickup, it’s got a long wheelbase. The 2 door has even better figures with turn radius and break over.

If the removable doors and too don’t matter to you, I really am struggling to understand the comparison though. A 2 door bronco of any trim and package would be a very very different vehicle to the Tacoma. Possibly in off road capability depending on howeach is equipped, but also….a 2 door SUV is very different than a crew cab pickup. You might need a pickup for the space, or you might want the bronco for its compact size and better abilities. It’s an odd comparison if you don’t know if you need a pickup bed or not.

 

[colintrax]

Did a quick B&P
4 door OBX with 4.27 gears and rear locker, steel front bumper with bash plates, MIC top, and lux packages come to $49k msrp
Still not cheap but much closer to the Tacoma in price and offroad performance.

 

[cardinalsfan]

The bronco has rear disc brakes and the Taco has rear drum brakes.

Yeah, and there's a reason Toyota does that. Cheaper, simpler, lighter, less maintenance, easier parking brake, and less issues with mud/rocks getting caught between the pad/rotor compared to getting mud/rocks inside a drum.

But keep beating that horse (or should I say Bronco)?

 

[internationlriders]

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

Is the dashboard different?

 

[Raptor911]

It is cheap man. You can spin it all you want. Toyota is cheap and they do not innovate.

BMW has already announced the z4 will cease in 2025. Do you know what this means? It means the Supra will go bye bye … again

Yeah, and there's a reason Toyota does that. Cheaper, simpler, lighter, less maintenance, easier parking brake, and less issues with mud/rocks getting caught between the pad/rotor compared to getting mud/rocks inside a drum.

But keep beating that horse (or should I say Bronco)?

 

[NoDoorsNoProblem]

Failed to even mention in my earlier post, the 2.3 handily beats the 3.5 in the Tacoma. And that’s not even talking about the 2.7.

PLUS…if the lux package is your thing, I don’t think you can get a lot of those technology and comfort things in a Tacoma, like the 12 inch screen, 360 camera, etc.

 

[cardinalsfan]

Seems like a Big Bend with rear locker option, or a Black Diamond would do the trick and be comparable to a TRD Off Road, or even a TRD Pro. Black Diamond already having the rear locker, plus bonus points for having steel bumpers the washout interior, and good 32” all terrains. The Sasquatch is even a massive step above the TRD Pro with the 35s, factory front locker, taller gearing, and goat modes which I assume are comparable to Toyota’s crawl control. Without looking at the figure sheet I’d bet that even the 4 door BD non-squatch has better off road dimensions/angles than the Tacoma. It’s a pickup, it’s got a long wheelbase. The 2 door has even better figures with turn radius and break over.

If the removable doors and too don’t matter to you, I really am struggling to understand the comparison though. A 2 door bronco of any trim and package would be a very very different vehicle to the Tacoma. Possibly in off road capability depending on howeach is equipped, but also….a 2 door SUV is very different than a crew cab pickup. You might need a pickup for the space, or you might want the bronco for its compact size and better abilities. It’s an odd comparison if you don’t know if you need a pickup bed or not.

I was always sacrificing a pickup bed, which I use quite often. But a trailer could suffice. No kids, no need for a backseat but Ford not making the back seat area completely flat on the Bronco kinda hurt the appeal of going with the 2 door. I was always going to pull the back seat on day one.

And, being honest, I doubt I'll ever do serious off-roading or rock crawling or wheeling. Sure, there may be some trails I can't do due to size or breakover angles but, in the end, 95% of my cars life will be on the street and I'll get way more utility out of a truck bed and something that can tow more than 3000#.

 

[cardinalsfan]

Is the dashboard different?

Heaps different

 

[BossMann]

I just took out the sway bar on my taco. had no issues on road as most that go up and off road don’t drive like speed demons anyway.

that said. A front lockers is huge and even if you mentioned the roof and doors, those are big considerations.

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