Rhinebeck’s roadways may be filled with sedans and small SUVs, but the reality is that there is still a place in the small town for off-road-focused vehicles. This is thanks to Rhinebeck being surrounded by a lot of amazing off-roading opportunities, vacation spots, and general recreation uses for an off-road-centric SUV that can also double as a daily driver. This is why models like the Ford Bronco and Toyota 4Runner are popular among shoppers. If you're looking for an SUV that's more capable than most, you might be struggling to decide between a Bronco and a 4Runner since both are competing within the same space. However, shopping for a Ford Bronco for sale in Rhinebeck might be the better option than a Toyota 4Runner for a few key reasons.
If performance is a big factor in your purchasing decision, then you will prefer a 2024 Bronco. If modularity and customizability are another big factor when shopping, then a 2024 Bronco will also be preferable over a 2024 4Runner. Finally, if you want a vehicle that you can use for the family but also to engage in weekend warrior activities where you find yourself venturing to the river, tackling trails, or hiking to get away from settled areas for a bit, then the 2024 Bronco will again offer more. But let's get into the nitty-gritty to explain why exactly the 2024 Bronco makes for a better purchase than the 2024 4Runner for adventure-focused drivers.
Power and Performance Compared
Rhinebeck doesn't have a lot of large open highways for those with a penchant for speed, but there are plenty of winding roads throughout the town and the neighboring communities where you can get a lot out of a performance-driven SUV. So, obviously, an SUV that gives you more horsepower and torque will enable you to get to your destination quicker and in a very responsive manner. Having a vehicle that can get you around town and outside of town with snappy performance can save you time and also result in a feeling of enjoyment from just being on the road.
In that regard, the 2024 Bronco soundly beats the 2024 4Runner across the board when it comes to performance. This is because there is only one powertrain available for the 4Runner, and it's an ancient 4.0-liter V6 that outputs just 270 hp and 278 lb-ft of torque. The obsolescent five-speed automatic transmission helps with keeping things smooth enough, but you won't be burning any rubber on the highway. While what's there does make the 4Runner capable of things like rock crawling and trekking through mud and sand, it does so with serviceable efficiency rather than enthusiastic success.
The 2024 Bronco, however, is available with three different powertrain configurations. A 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged inline four-cylinder is the starter engine for the Bronco, featuring 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque, available with either a seven-speed manual transmission or a 10-speed automatic transmission. If you need even more power, a 2.7-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 provides 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The top-of-the-line powertrain available in the Bronco Raptor is a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 that makes 418 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque; both V6 options are also paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Even at the bottom end of the performance spectrum, you're looking at approximately 11% more horsepower and 17% more torque from the Bronco compared to the 4Runner. This gives the Bronco a real edge and so much more performance scalability over the 4Runner, especially if you want a snappy and responsive SUV under your control. Whether for daily driving or for weekend excursions, having a performance-driven SUV makes life much easier and life on the road so much more fun.
Modular Features and Options
Weather in Rhinebeck can vary from season to season, and the Bronco gives you an opportunity to cruise along the Hudson River in the summer with the top down or stay closed up tight when venturing into the city for groceries during the fall and winter. However, the option to go open-air with your SUV is not available for the 2024 4Runner. It has a traditional SUV design and no option for easily removing the roof or doors. The 2024 4Runner is also only available in a five-door format featuring a rear tailgate. While you can get it in either two rows or three rows, that's as far as the modularity goes for the 4Runner.
The 2024 Ford Bronco, however, comes packed with a lot of different modular options, packages, and built-in functionality. The Bronco is available in either a two-door or four-door format with seating for up to five people. It also makes it easy to indulge in the open-air spirit of adventure that rugged sports utility vehicles have become known for. If you don't have time to hit the trail often and mostly drive for your commute or when running errands, the available hard-top design for the Bronco makes it perfect for year-round travel, and the modular roof panels give you an opportunity to remove them as you see fit. If, however, you want a rugged midsize SUV that you bring out when the weather is nice and want something that is perfect for outdoor adventures, the optional soft-top design makes it easy to get the Bronco out in the open and ready to enjoy the great outdoors.
Being able to remove the doors and the roof makes the Bronco the ultimate adventure vehicle. However, if that's not your thing, you can stick with keeping it closed up tight and using it like a domesticated daily driver, just like any other typical SUV. And if you do venture to some of the exciting places around Rhinebeck and want to really soak in the environment, the open-air modularity of the Bronco gives you the option to do so, whereas the 4Runner does not. That's the beauty of the Bronco and its modularity, as you have the option to use it as you see fit.
Off-Road Capabilities
Handling basic errands and commuting is something you can expect from just about any vehicle, but if you're shopping for something like the Toyota 4Runner or Ford Bronco for sale in Rhinebeck, then you're likely looking for a vehicle that is capable of more than just daily driving. You want a vehicle that you can use to venture off-road, tackle hills, climb rocks, and trek through muddy pathways. You need a certain level of mechanical capability from a vehicle to achieve those things, and in this case, the Bronco manages to offer more of that performance than the 4Runner.
Yes, the 2024 4Runner comes with an electronically locking rear differential, a Multi-Terrain Monitor for the infotainment suite, and an available Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System for improved articulation and travel, all of which can be tuned to your driving needs through the Multi-Terrain Select drive modes, but it still lacks many of the features available for the 2024 Bronco. For instance, both the Bronco and the 4Runner offer Fox shock absorbers, but the Bronco features available live valve 3.1 internal bypass semi-active dampers for improved shock absorption and suspension articulation across difficult terrain.
The shocks are also designed to accentuate the extended ride height of the Bronco, which tops out at 13.1 inches of ground clearance thanks to the available 37-inch tires. That is definitely more than the 9.6 inches of ground clearance afforded by the 4Runner with its all-terrain tires. The Bronco also features both front and rear electronically locking differentials and a front stabilizer bar disconnect for even more suspension articulation. And even though both vehicles offer 4x4 capabilities, the Bronco is more attuned for rugged off-road adventures thanks to Trail One-Pedal Drive, Trail Control, and Trail Turn Assist. Throw in the skid plates, beefed-up suspension components, and a winch-capable steel bumper, and you have a ton of rugged utility you can get out of the Bronco when you need it.
Shopping for a Rugged SUV in Rhinebeck?
If you're still weighing your options and thinking about a midsize adventure SUV that is rugged and versatile, choosing between the Bronco and 4Runner is an easy decision when you consider the performance, modularity, and utility offered between Ford and Toyota's off-road SUV offerings. Having a Ford Bronco in your driveway will give you something exciting to look forward to when it comes to outdoor travel and adventures whenever you have free time. For families or individuals, the Bronco has a lot of options available to make it worth your while if you're a Rhinebeck driver. If you need a bit more help in making the decision, though, don't hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or need suggestions. We're more than willing to help you figure out the best options available for you when it comes to shopping for a great SUV.
