The Ford Bronco Sport and Jeep Renegade fall into that cozy category of SUVs with respectable off-roading ability. They are part of a bold new wave of versatile vehicles designed to handle all the off-roading and communal needs of new adventurers. They are both functionally built, spotting a boxy design and packing the engine and storage space to back up their asking price. But which boxy SUV is better? In this comparison, we’re going to comb over each vehicle, looking for which one delivers the best value for the price.
The Exterior
Both cars share a similar boxy aesthetic and near-identical dimensions, so neither can boast of a superior design.
The Ford Bronco sport is styled after 2022 Ford Bronco and lifts its most compelling design strengths. It has a bold grille and bumper design, matched with the Bronco lettering on the rear. It sits at 7.8 inches above the ground and has 17.1-inch tires housed in square wheelhouses.
The Jeep Renegade is somewhat indistinguishable from most Jeep cars from its exterior. It has the same seven-ring metal grille and twin headlights and a bottom bumper coated in hard rubber that folds down to square wheelhouses and a generous back bumper. The Jeep Renegade rocks a pair of standard 17.1-inch wheels and has 8 inches of ground clearance.
The Interior
The Interior is where the difference between both SUVs becomes clear. If you’re looking for space, the Bronco Sport might immediately appeal to you.
The Bronco Sport on its top trim offers 18.5 cubic feet of trunk space and 65.2 cubic feet of free space through the whole cabin. It also has a 400-watt inverter, LED lights, and an assortment of USB 2.1 ports scattered through the vehicle.
The Jeep Renegade, by comparison, provides 32.5 cubic feet in trunk space and 50.8 cubic feet of cabins space, as well as a few standard amenities like USB ports, lights, and foldable seats. However, it has no answer to Bronco’s portable inverter, even on its highest specification.
The Jeep Renegade does redeem itself in this battle of interior features with its impressive infotainment system, accessible through an 8.4-inch touchscreen with Connectivity features. It supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, as well as satellite radio and advanced navigational features. The Bronco loses out with its smaller 8.0-inch touchscreen display with Ford Sync 3.
Performance and Handling
The Ford Bronco Sport dominates the Jeep Renegade in performance. The base version of the Ford Bronco Sport is powered by a 1.5-litre engine with 181 horsepower and can haul 190 lb-ft of torque. It can go from 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds flat, while the Renegade trails behind at 8.7 seconds with its 1.3 litres, four-cylinder engine. Both vehicles are All-Wheel-Drive with stiff handling reminiscent of a truck a hundred pounds heavier, but the Bronco Sport handles better.
The Renegade has a higher fuel efficiency score because of its slower engine. It’s rated to do 22 miles per gallon in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. The Bronco sport is not as fuel-efficient. It does 25mpg in the cities and 28 on the highways. On its beefier four-cylinder 245-hp turbo engine, the numbers drop to 21 mpg and 26 mpg for cities and highways, respectively.
Cost
The Ford Bronco sport is the more expensive of the two cars. Its MSRP is just shy of $29,000, while the Renegade starts at $24,500.
There are six trims available for the Renegade, each one improving on the base design and introducing must-have features like better stereo, heated seats, and even a 115-volt power outlet. The highest configuration, Trailhawk, costs nearly $32,000. The Bronco Sport has only four trims but measures up with a considerable engine upgrade on its most expensive trim, Badlands. It costs $35,000.
Warranty
Jeep offers two standard warranty packages on all their trims, providing coverage for up to five years or 60,000 miles. They also offer new owners complimentary maintenance coverage for up to 3 years on all models, which is uncommon for SUVs in its class. The Ford Bronco Sport is not as generous. It does offer the same Powertrain warranty for up to five years, but no complimentary maintenance.
Verdict
Both Boxy SUVs improve on the previous versions of their line-up in many ways and offer loyal Ford Bronco Sport and Renegade lovers something to look forward to if they’re trading up. However, for the value shopper, the Ford Bronco Sport is a clear choice. It offers a better engine, interiors, and upgrades. If you discount the complimentary maintenance, the Ford Bronco Sport provides better value.
