Although different comparisons have been made between the 2021 Ford Bronco and the 2021 Jeep Wrangler, those were made when the Bronco had not yet been delivered. But now that the Bronco and Wrangler are both released and, on the road, many customers are making comparisons on which one is better off-road.
Some people are on the side of the Jeep Wrangler, which offers a durable, mechanical, and rugged design, and loads of features available to you. Others, prefer the newly released 2021 Bronco which has had mostly good and satisfied customer reviews since it rolled off production lines in June.
In this guide, we would compare the Bronco and Wrangler side by side under some important sections like the hardtop, interior design, technology, engine and trim choices available. With these factors, you can figure out which one will be better for you.
Engine, Fuel Efficiency, and Powertrain
The first thing to look at when wondering whether one vehicle is better off-road than the other is the engine and power train. The Bronco does better on the highway and off-road, while the Wrangler has an advantage when it comes to powertrain choices.
With the Jeep, you get a 6.4-liter V8 engine, giving off 470-pound feet of torque and the same value for horsepower. Although the vehicle seems heavy, you can drive 0.60 mph in 4.5 seconds. There is a plug-in hybrid powertrain in the Wrangler 4xe, which offers double the fuel efficiency of the Bronco. You either get a 6-speed manual transmission or an 8-speed automatic.
The new Bronco has been widely praised for its fuel efficiency too, and its 315 torque and 275 horsepower become even better with premium gas. You get a 2.3-liter turbo 4 or 2.7-liter twin-turbo V-6 with higher torque and horsepower, depending on what you prefer. There are is also an alternative 10-speed automatic if you don’t want to use the manual transmission.
The two vehicles might be large and rugged, but they are easy to maneuver and have a lightweight feeling to them while you drive through your favorite off-road courses.
Hardtops
When it comes to hardtops, Jeep is leading right now, but Ford might return with a vengeance when its hardtops come in 2022. The 2021 Bronco hardtops are delayed until 2022, although you can buy the gray ones.
The Bronco features two removable bolts plus an electrical connection that you can keep in the cargo area, while the doors weigh 55 and 44 pounds for the front and rear seats. You also get strong storage bags, handholds, and a weight enough for one person to handle, plus wide-open roading while you drive.
As for the 2021 Wrangler, you need more than one person to remove the rear, and the doors weigh 47 and 37 pounds, respectively. There is also a power-retractable cloth top that makes it draw with the Bronco when looking at the convertible designs.
Interior and Technology
You also need a comfortable interior and topnotch technology when going off-road, and the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco are going head-to-head in this section.
The Bronco has an edge over the Wrangler because it is roomier, has better technology, and is much smoother on-road too. It allows for steady driving on road with the double-wishbone front suspension and electric-assist rack-and-pinion wheel. But, the two cars have standard 4WD systems, solid rear axle, and two-speed transfer cases. Right out of the production line, you can take the two vehicles to any off-road track and expect a smooth ride.
Bronco has a bulldog and rugged design, with a flat and broad grille riding on 17-inch wheels with 35-inch Mud Terrain tires. The Wrangler, on the other hand, looks exactly like what you’d expect from Jeep, with round headlights, a seven-slot grille, and a straight two-box body.
The Bronco’s interior looks very much like the outside, and the same goes for the Wrangler. The 2021 Bronco has a 12.0-inch touchscreen with boxy vents, while the Wrangler looks a bit better with a mechanical parking brake, and rugged dials, knobs, and switches.
As for the size, the Ford Bronco increased the benchmark, and Wrangler has no way to keep up. The two-doo and four-door Broncos are longer and wider than the Wrangler, with the former offering a roomier experience. If you’re looking for comfort, you can choose between the supportive and stiff seats, and the soft and short seats from the Wrangler and Bronco, respectively.
Ford also gives itself an advantage by having power seats, unlike with the Jeep Wrangler.
Available Trims
When looking at the availability, Jeep has more choices available while Bronco has more key features in its base model. With the Jeep, you get different trim lines, accessories from the factory, and various packages. But you don’t get some basic features like an 8.0-inch touchscreen compatible with smartphones and emergency braking, as you get with the Bronco.
Since the two vehicles have similar prices, you can see that the Bronco offers more value for your money.
Which is Better Off-Road?
For now, it seems like the Bronco is doing better than the Wrangler off-road. Although it took the Bronco over 25 years to get back off-road, it made the wait worth it and knocked the Wrangler off its feet. Either way, we never know when the Wrangler comes back with something new and better.
It all depends on which one you prefer and how long you can wait for your order.
