Compare the2022 Jeep CherokeeVS 2022 Ford Bronco Sport

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Jeep Cherokee has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Cherokee has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Cherokee (except Latitude) offers optional Parksense with Rear Stop that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Cherokee has standard ParkSense to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or, optionally, in front of the vehicle. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

Both the Cherokee and the Bronco Sport have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available all wheel drive.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Jeep Cherokee is safer than the Ford Bronco Sport:

	Cherokee	Bronco Sport
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	37%	37%
Neck Compression	26 lbs.	54 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	241/259 lbs.	385/291 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Jeep Cherokee is safer than the Ford Bronco Sport:

	Cherokee	Bronco Sport
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	64	80
Chest Movement	.7 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	133 lbs.	198 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	203	255
Hip Force	490 lbs.	512 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

Jeep pays for scheduled maintenance on the Cherokee for 3 years and unlimited miles. Jeep will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance (up to 3 oil changes). Ford doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Bronco Sport.

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Cherokee’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Bronco Sport’s camshafts. If the Bronco Sport’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Cherokee third among compact suvs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The Bronco Sport isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Jeep vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Jeep 8th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 14th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Jeep vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Jeep 3 places higher in reliability than Ford.

Engine

The Cherokee’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 89 more horsepower (270 vs. 181) and 105 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 190) than the Bronco Sport’s standard 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder. The Cherokee’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 20 more horsepower (270 vs. 250) and 18 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 277) than the Bronco Sport Badlands’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Cherokee’s standard 3.2 DOHC V6 produces 21 more horsepower (271 vs. 250) than the Bronco Sport Badlands’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Jeep Cherokee turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Ford Bronco Sport turbo 3 cyl.:

	Cherokee	Bronco Sport
Zero to 30 MPH	2.4 sec	2.8 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6.6 sec	9.2 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	11.4 sec	16.5 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	3.5 sec	5.3 sec
Quarter Mile	15.2 sec	16.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90.3 MPH	80.8 MPH

Transmission

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Jeep Cherokee, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Bronco Sport.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Cherokee’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Bronco Sport:

	Cherokee	Bronco Sport
Front Rotors	13 inches	12.1 inches

The Cherokee stops shorter than the Bronco Sport:

	Cherokee	Bronco Sport
70 to 0 MPH	166 feet	172 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	121 feet	129 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Cherokee 4x4 X/Trailhawk’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Bronco Sport (245/65R17 vs. 235/65R17).

The Cherokee Limited’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Bronco Sport’s optional 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Cherokee Limited offers optional 19-inch wheels. The Bronco Sport’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The Cherokee has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Cherokee X/Trailhawk has a standard full size spare so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare costs extra on the Bronco Sport. Without the option you must depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

Suspension and Handling

The Cherokee’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Cherokee’s wheelbase is 1.4 inches longer than on the Bronco Sport (106.5 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

The Cherokee Latitude LUX 4x4 handles at .80 G’s, while the Bronco Sport Outer Banks pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Cherokee Latitude LUX 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the Bronco Sport Outer Banks (27.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Cherokee has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Bronco Sport Base/Big Bend (7.9 vs. 7.8 inches), allowing the Cherokee to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

For excellent aerodynamics, the Cherokee has standard flush composite headlights. The Bronco Sport has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

Passenger Space

The Cherokee has .3 inches more front shoulder room and 3.4 inches more rear legroom than the Bronco Sport.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Cherokee’s rear seats recline. The Bronco Sport’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Cherokee (except X) offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or, optionally on the Cherokee Limited/Trailhawk, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

The Cherokee’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Bronco Sport’s (2000 vs. 0 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Ford Bronco Sport is only 2200 pounds. The Cherokee offers up to a 4500 lbs. towing capacity.

The Cherokee 4WD with optional equipment can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Cherokee can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Bronco Sport can’t be towed flat on the ground.

A Trailer Sway Control is standard on the Cherokee, using the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the Bronco Sport.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Cherokee (except X/Latitude), the optional memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle and radio stations. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Cherokee’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Bronco Sport’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically.

The Cherokee’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Bronco Sport’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Bronco Sport’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Cherokee Limited’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The Cherokee’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford only offers heated mirrors on the Bronco Sport Big Bend/Outer Banks/Badlands.

The Cherokee has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Bronco Sport, and aren’t available on the Bronco Sport Base. The Cherokee Overland also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Bronco Sport.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Cherokee Limited/Trailhawk keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Cherokee’s optional ParkSense Parallel/Perpendicular Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

The Cherokee is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Cherokee owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Cherokee will cost $495 less than the Bronco Sport over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Jeep Cherokee will be $1183 to $2166 less than for the Ford Bronco Sport.

Recommendations

The Jeep Cherokee outsold the Ford Bronco Sport by 35% during the 2021 model year.

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