Jeep Wrangler vs Ford Bronco

Ford has created a buzz by bringing back the iconic Ford Bronco with a modern take on the classic name. The carmaker may have stirred things up with the reboot of the Bronco, but the Jeep Wrangler still holds the lead in sales of these vehicles, which are very close in capabilities. The Wrangler is well known as a bona fide off-road vehicle. While it stays true to its roots, the more recent Wrangler models aim to be just as well suited to city driving. With the reintroduction of the Ford Bronco in 2021, the whole dynamic has shifted.

The Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler are icons in the automotive world as genuine off-road vehicles with excellent capability. Each has multiple trims and options to suit everyone’s needs. The customization for both extends into the aesthetics and performance, allowing you to get what you want from your car. Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty and see how these two iconic offroad SUVs compare at every level.

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Rough and Tumble Vehicles

The Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco have a long history and an established legacy that each vehicle is responsible for preserving in a modern format. This responsibility is evident at first glance for these iconic vehicles. The Jeep Wrangler holds on to its history a little more with a nostalgic look featuring rounded headlights and a seven-slat grille. In contrast, the Bronco went with a more modern and bolder look, starting with the large Bronco lettering adorning the front grille.

While staying true to their original forms, there are some similarities between the various design elements, including flared wheel arches (round for the Bronco and square for the Wrangler), LED rounded headlights with daytime running lights, squared window panels, and angular pillars. In addition, there’s a commonality in other aspects, such as the spare tire mounted to the tailgate and tapered edge bumpers built for off-roading due to improved departure angles and approach. Both SUVs exude style and presence, with the Bronco taking on a more modern appearance and the Wrangler assuming an updated version of its iconic style.

Premium Features

Each vehicle has a multitude of features that exude premium vibes, such as the multiple roof options for each vehicle, which include a convertible soft top or a removable hardtop, and rubberized flooring with a drain plug and removable doors. The similarities continue with an upright layout for each dashboard to assist with better vision during off-roading. The interior differences come down to preference, with the Jeep Wrangler holding on to an old-school vibe in contrast to the Bronco’s completely modernized look.

The Bronco features a full-TFT instrument console with a standard 8-inch touch screen and an option to upgrade to a larger 12-inch screen in the higher trim levels. Jeep, on the other hand, offers either a 7-inch unit by default or an 8.4-inch touch screen as an option in different trims. The center console continues the old-school feel with a number of physical buttons.

Powerful Performance Options

The heart of the matter for any SUV, especially one with off-road aspirations, is the choice of engines. Both the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco offer various powertrain options. However, the Wrangler edges out the Bronco with more engine choices, including a diesel and plug-in hybrid that Bronco does not offer.

Two engine options are available for the Ford Bronco. The first is a 2.2-liter inline-four EcoBoost that puts out 275 horsepower and 315 pound-feet of torque and is mated to either a seven-speed manual transmission or a 10-speed automatic transmission. The other option, paired only with the 10-speed automatic, is a turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6 engine that delivers 315 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque. In addition, the Raptor trim has an exclusive turbocharged V-6 engine matched to a 10-speed automatic.

The Jeep Wrangler features a wider range of engine choices. First up is a 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V-6 engine connected to either an eight-speed automatic or a six-speed manual. This engine puts out 285 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. Next is a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder turbocharged engine paired with an eight-speed automatic that produces 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. This engine also offers the plug-in hybrid version for the Wrangler 4xe, pairing it with a 17.3 kWh battery pack to increase the output to 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque.

Two further powerful engine options are available for the Jeep Wrangler. The first is a 3.0-liter diesel V-6 engine that offers 260 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque, and the second is a powerful 6.4-liter V-8 for the Wrangler 392, which churns out 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. Both these engines are connected to the eight-speed automatic transmission.

Built for Off-Road

As you would expect, four-wheel drive is the standard powertrain across all trims, making even the base models purpose built for heading off the beaten path. The Bronco uses a part-time four-wheel drive system with 2 Hi, 4 Hi, and 4 Lo modes. It features selectable terrain modes, such as Mud/Ruts, Rock Crawl, and Baja modes, to optimize the Bronco to its environment.

The Jeep Wrangler also offers three types of four-wheel drive. The lower-level trims use a part-time four-wheel drive system or a Selec-Trac automatic four-wheel drive option. A Rock-Track system is another option for some upper Rubicon trims. In addition, the Rubicon adds off-road focused features, such as a front stabilizer bar disconnect, a lower final-drive ratio, and front and rear locking differentials. All the Rubicon trims, except the Rubicon 392 and the Rubicon 4xe, offer an optional ‘Xtreme Recon’ package, which adds 35-inch off-road tires, Beadlock-capable alloys, and 12.9-inches of ground clearance.

While either of these options will provide you with an amazing off-road experience and comfortable city driving, the Jeep Wrangler offers a little more regarding the engine and off-road capabilities. When you’re ready to check out the latest Jeep Wrangler, stop by to see us at Performance Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Centerville.

Call us at (937) 519-3542, or complete our secure online form to get started today. Performance CJDR Centerville is located at 6950 Loop Road in Centerville, Ohio. We offer sales hours from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, closing at 6 p.m. on Saturday, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Image Credits: Image by Ryan Kartzke is licensed with CC BY 2.0