The Jeep Wrangler is well known among off-roaders for being a capable SUV on the road, but other automakers have competitive options on the market. For example, Ford recently revived the Bronco, and like the Wrangler, the Bronco is also an SUV fit for off-road adventures. It’s a close race between the two off-road SUVs, but here’s a look at the huge advantage the Jeep Wrangler has over the Ford Bronco.
A look at the specifications of these two SUVs
According to edmundsBoth SUVs were designed for off-roading, but they share many similarities in terms of specifications. Both SUVs can come in either a two-door or a four-door configuration, and both automakers offer their car with either a soft top or a hardtop. Unsurprisingly, both cars also come with all-wheel drive as a standard feature. That being said, there is a big difference in terms of their powertrains.
Ford currently offers three engine options in the Bronco, while Jeep has five. The Ford starts with a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and makes 300 hp. The Jeep starts with a 3.6-liter V6 and makes 285 hp. Jeep has a variety of powertrains, including a hybrid option. However, Jeep finally offers more powerful engines.
The Wrangler’s most powerful engine option is a 6.4-liter V8 that makes 470 hp. The Bronco Raptor is Ford’s most powerful SUV option and has a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine that makes around 400 hp. Both SUVs come with a manual transmission as standard, and aside from the Wrangler Hybrid, their fuel economy will be around 20 mpg combined.
How the Jeep Wrangler beats the Ford Bronco in terms of off-road capability
According to Edmunds, Ford has made a good competitor out of the Bronco when it comes to off-roading, but the Jeep is still the clear winner. The Bronco isn’t a bad SUV; It’s just that the Wrangler is better. That’s because the Wrangler offers smoother off-road performance, and is also more capable in some ways.
The main reason the Wrangler is more capable comes down to design differences. For example, the Wrangler has a solid front axle, while the Bronco has an independent front suspension. This design difference ultimately gave the Wrangler better wheel articulation, which can be important off-road. The Ford also has a longer wheelbase, which makes it perform worse on some hills.
Car buyers may still find the Ford Bronco a great choice.
It’s clear that the Wrangler is the superior off-road SUV, but that’s typically not the only thing car buyers look at. Ultimately, both options are more than capable for most off-road adventures. Few drivers will need the Wrangler’s added off-road capabilities. Besides that, the Bronco has several advantages over the Wrangler. Taken together, the Ford SUV can still be a great choice for car buyers.
For example, the Bronco is the best car in terms of driving quality. The Ford isn’t as comfortable as a luxury SUV, but there’s a noticeable difference in ride comfort between the Bronco and the Wrangler. Similarly, the interior of the Bronco is better designed and better equipped. The seats are more comfortable, there’s more maximum cargo space, and the infotainment system is better, too. For example, Jeep gave the Wrangler a 5-inch touchscreen as standard, while Ford gave the Bronco an 8-inch touchscreen.
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