The Ford Bronco Sport and Jeep Cherokee are two impressive crossover SUVs, ready to give you a fantastic experience off-road while offering good ride quality on the highway. These two vehicles follow the path of their predecessors, with hardware for the roughest terrains and suspension setups for on-road driving. Their 2021 model years are usually compared, which we will explore in this article.
The Ford Bronco Sport also called the Baby Bronco, is an excellent alternative to the smaller SUVs from Jeep. It follows the trails left by the impressive Bronco, with a boxy design and a superb use for off-road goodness. You can expect different innovative features from the Bronco Sport, including driver assists and safety fittings. This vehicle is the perfect companion for drivers with active lifestyles both on- and off-road.
On the other hand, the Jeep Cherokee sets itself apart from other compact-sized crossovers with towing capabilities and off-road diversity. It also appeals to outdoorsy drivers who need a companion for their day-to-day driving. The SUV would impress you with its enhanced equipment and drivetrain, all-wheel drive, and different engine choices for drivers to select from.
Differences
Engine and Performance
The Ford Bronco Sport runs on the same platform as the Escape crossover, and an all-wheel-drive powers all trims. The standard engine is a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder motor with 181 horsepower, but you can also upgrade to the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine giving 245 hp.
Although both engine choices offer eight-speed transmission, the optional engine improves your experience with cooling components and paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel. Higher trims feature special equipment for better performance, like twin-clutch rear-drive with differential locks and all-terrain tires.
The only similarity between the Bronco Sport and Cherokee engines is that multiple options are available. A base 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine powers the latter. Asides from this, the Jeep Cherokee features two other engine options. They are a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine with 270hp and 295 pound-feet of torque and a 3.2-liter V6 engine with 239 lb-ft of torque.
The most potent powertrain is the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, although the V-6 would impress you with its vibrant responses to throttle inputs. The Cherokee has sturdy and hefty feelings as you drive, but still with decent handling on the road.
Towing Capacity
The towing capacity depends on your engine choice, but you get even better performance with the Jeep Cherokee. If you’re looking for an SUV with excellent towing capabilities, then the Jeep Cherokee is a better choice.
It features 4000 pounds for the four-cylinder, but it goes up to 4500 when you have the V-6 engine. On the other hand, the Bronco Sport can only tow between 2000 and 2200 pounds depending on your engine choice.
Fuel Economy
The standard engine on the Ford Bronco Sport offers 25 mpg and 28 mpg for city and highway when looking at the fuel economy ratings. If you go for the upgraded engine, you get even less gas mileage, set at 21 and 26 mpg.
But, the Bronco Sport is way better than the Cherokee. The Jeep Cherokee is widely criticized for its poor fuel economy, and if you want the best one, you need to fit your vehicle with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This offers 23 mpg and 31 mpg, respectively.
Infotainment and Technology
Both the Ford Bronco Sport and Jeep Cherokee feature great infotainment systems, but it’s not surprising that they are different from each other.
Every Bronco Sport is fitted with an 8.0-inch touchscreen system, driven by the Sync 3 software from Ford. You also get standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, while the optional choices are the Bang & Olufsen audio system and SiriusXM satellite radio.
Drivers would be impressed by the voice commands and touch-sensitive settings on the Bronco Sport, but this is combined with a tuning knob, volume knob, and buttons.
The Jeep Cherokee offers a standard 7.0-inch touchscreen on the opposite end, while the optional choice is an 8.4-inch touchscreen. The infotainment system is powered by Uconnect from Jeep, offering ergonomic features and a properly organized menu.
Every Cherokee also has a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. When you go on the higher trims, you get two USB ports behind the center console for those sitting at the back.
Similarities
Warranty Coverage
The Bronco Sport and Jeep Cherokee feature the same warranty coverage from their manufacturers, although the latter also offers three years of complimentary maintenance.
Both series feature three years or 36,000 miles for the limited warranty, while the powertrain warranty is set at five years or 60,000 miles.
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Prices
The Jeep Cherokee and Ford Bronco Sport have similar price ranges even if they have a completely different number of trim lines. This is to the advantage of the Cherokee, which features a range of vehicles for you to choose from.
The price range of the Cherokee goes from $28,705 to $38,970, from Latitude to High Altitude. There are nine trims in total, and the Trailhawk is considered one that offers more value for your money. It comes with a standard V-6 engine, locking rear differential, all-wheel-drive, 8.4-inch touchscreen, and other top standard features,
On the other hand, the Ford Bronco has only four trims: Base, Big Bend, Outer Bank, and Badlands. Despite this, the price range is between $28,710 and $34,855. The Badlands is the most expensive and most capable, with many upgraded features as standard.
Verdict
In conclusion, the Cherokee is bigger and more expensive than many other crossovers but offers impressive off-road quality and a high towing capability. But, the Bronco Sport stands out with its trail-rated capabilities, rugged style, and off-road performance similar to its bigger brother.
Both vehicles are competent off- and on-road, perfect for adventurers who need a car for everyday commuting. It all depends on your driving needs and preferences.
