Compare the2023 Jeep WranglerVS 2023 Ford Bronco Sport

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

Jeep pays for scheduled maintenance on the Wrangler 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.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Wrangler’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.

The Wrangler has a solid front axle with a floating power axle for durability that the Bronco Sport’s independent front suspension and exposed front driveshafts don’t offer.

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.

The Wrangler has more powerful engines than the Bronco Sport:

The Wrangler’s 3.0 turbo V6 diesel produces 79 more horsepower (260 vs. 181) and 252 lbs.-ft. more torque (442 vs. 190) than the Bronco Sport’s standard 1.5 turbo 3-cylinder. The Wrangler’s 3.0 turbo V6 diesel produces 10 more horsepower (260 vs. 250) and 165 lbs.-ft. more torque (442 vs. 277) than the Bronco Sport Badlands’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Jeep Wrangler turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Ford Bronco Sport (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Wrangler 4-door running on electricity gets better mileage than the Bronco Sport:

On the EPA test cycle the Wrangler 4-door Diesel running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the Bronco Sport Badlands 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder (22 city/29 hwy vs. 21 city/26 hwy).

The Wrangler 4Xe can travel with zero emissions for 22 miles. The Bronco Sport can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Wrangler Rubicon 392’s fuel efficiency. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the Wrangler 2.0 Turbo/3.6 eTorque/4Xe’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Wrangler 4Xe/2-door’s standard fuel tank has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Bronco Sport (17.5 vs. 16 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Wrangler 4-door’s standard fuel tank has 5.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Bronco Sport (21.5 vs. 16 gallons).

The Wrangler offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The Wrangler Rubicon 392’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer launch control.

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

The Wrangler Rubicon 4xe/Rubicon 392’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Bronco Sport are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Wrangler has larger standard tires than the Bronco Sport (245/75R17 vs. 225/65R17). The Wrangler’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Bronco Sport (315/70R17 vs. 235/65R17).

The Wrangler Sahara 4Xe’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 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 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe has standard 20-inch wheels. The Bronco Sport’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The Wrangler 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 Wrangler 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.

The Wrangler Rubicon has an active front sway bar, which helps keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnects at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Wrangler 4-door 4x4’s wheelbase is 13.3 inches longer than on the Bronco Sport (118.4 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Wrangler is 1.3 inches wider in the front and 1.9 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Bronco Sport.

The Wrangler’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.7% to 49.3%) than the Bronco Sport’s (57% to 43%). This gives the Wrangler more stable handling and braking.

The Wrangler Rubicon 4Xe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Bronco Sport Outer Banks (27.8 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Wrangler 2-door’s turning circle is 2.9 feet tighter than the Bronco Sport’s (34.5 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Wrangler Sport 2-door has a 1.9 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Bronco Sport Base/Big Bend (9.7 vs. 7.8 inches), allowing the Wrangler to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Wrangler 4-door has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Bronco Sport with its rear seat folded (72.4 vs. 65.2 cubic feet).

The Wrangler’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Bronco Sport’s (2000 vs. 0 pounds).

The Wrangler 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 Wrangler can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Bronco Sport can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Trailer Sway Control is standard on the Wrangler, 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.

The engine in the Wrangler is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Bronco Sport. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The Wrangler’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Bronco Sport does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Wrangler’s available front power windows lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Bronco Sport’s standard power windows’ passenger windows don’t open automatically.

Consumer Reports rated the Wrangler’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Bronco Sport’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The Jeep Wrangler JL comes in four door and soft top bodystyles; the Ford Bronco Sport isn’t available as a soft top.

Insurance will cost less for the Wrangler owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Wrangler will cost $1045 less than the Bronco Sport over a five-year period.

The Wrangler will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Wrangler will retain 70.15% to 81.11% of its original price after five years, while the Bronco Sport only retains 59.2% to 61.37%.

Motor Trend selected the Wrangler as their 2019 Sport Utility of the Year. The Bronco Sport has never been chosen.

The Jeep Wrangler outsold the Ford Bronco Sport by 75% during the 2022 model year.