Compare the2023 Ford BroncoVS 2023 Jeep Wrangler

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Payload and Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Ford Bronco have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Jeep Wrangler doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Bronco has standard head airbag curtains for front and rear seats which act as a forgiving barrier between the driver and outboard passenger's upper bodies and the window and pillars. Combined with high-strength steel door beams and lower side airbags this system increases head protection in broadside collisions. The Wrangler doesn't offer side airbag protection for the head and are only available for the front seats.

The Bronco has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Wrangler doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Bronco (except Base)’s optional lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The Wrangler doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The Bronco (except Base/Big Bend/Black Diamond/Everglades) offers an optional 360-Degree Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Wrangler only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The Bronco (except Base)’s optional driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Wrangler doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Bronco and the Wrangler have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, four-wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Ford Bronco 4-Door is safer than the Wrangler 4-door:

	Bronco	Wrangler
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Head injury index	52	101
Peak Head Forces	0 G’s	0 G’s
Steering Column Movement Rearward	1 cm	2 cm
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Hip & Thigh Injury Risk R/L	0%/0%	0%/0%
Lower Leg Evaluation	MARGINAL	GOOD
Tibia forces R/L	1.2/.8 kN	2.1/1 kN

Warranty

There are over 25 percent more Ford dealers than there are Jeep dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Bronco’s warranty.

Reliability

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the Bronco have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of the 6.4 V8 in the Wrangler.

The Bronco has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Wrangler doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Bronco has a 240-amp alternator. The Wrangler’s standard 180-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Bronco has a standard 800-amp battery. The Wrangler’s standard 650-amp battery and largest (optional) 700 amp battery aren’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in initial quality. With 32 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jeep is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in long-term dependability. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Jeep is rated below average.

Engine

The Bronco has more powerful engines than the Wrangler:

	Horsepower	Torque
Bronco 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder	300 HP	325 lbs.-ft.
Bronco 2.7 turbo V6	330 HP	415 lbs.-ft.
Bronco Raptor 3.0 turbo V6	418 HP	440 lbs.-ft.
Wrangler 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	270 HP	295 lbs.-ft.
Wrangler 3.6 DOHC V6	285 HP	260 lbs.-ft.
Wrangler 4Xe 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	375 HP	470 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Bronco turbo V6 is faster than the Wrangler 4Xe 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid (automatics tested):

	Bronco	Wrangler
Zero to 60 MPH	6.6 sec	6.8 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Bronco 10-speed Auto with its standard engine gets better fuel mileage than the Wrangler 4Xe running its gasoline engine (20 city/21 hwy vs. 20 city/20 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle the Bronco 4-Door gets better mileage than the Wrangler 4-door running its gasoline engine:

			MPG
Bronco 4-Door
AWD	Manual	2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/21 hwy
	Auto	3.0 turbo V6	15 city/16 hwy
		2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/21 hwy
		2.7 turbo V6	19 city/21 hwy
		Black Diamond 2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	18 city/18 hwy
		Sasquatch 2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	18 city/17 hwy
		Badlands 2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	17 city/17 hwy
		Badlands/Sasquatch 2.7 turbo V6	17 city/17 hwy
Wrangler 4-door
AWD	Manual	3.6 DOHC V6	17 city/23 hwy
AWD	Auto	6.4 OHV V8	13 city/17 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	20 city/20 hwy

Regardless of its engine, the Bronco’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Wrangler Rubicon 392 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Ford Bronco uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The Wrangler Rubicon 392 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Bronco has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Wrangler doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

A seven-speed manual is standard on the Ford Bronco, with closer gear ratios for better performance and a lower final drive ratio for quieter highway operation, less engine wear and better fuel mileage. Only a 6-speed manual is available for the Wrangler.

A standard “hill holder” feature keeps the Ford Bronco with manual transmission from rolling backwards on a steep slope. The Wrangler doesn’t offer a hill holder feature.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Bronco Raptor	Wrangler
Front Rotors	13.8 inches	12.9 inches

The Bronco’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the Wrangler 4x4 Sport are solid, not vented.

The Bronco stops much shorter than the Wrangler:

	Bronco	Wrangler
70 to 0 MPH	189 feet	211 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	132 feet	150 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Bronco has larger standard tires than the Wrangler (255/70R16 vs. 245/75R17). The Bronco Raptor’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Wrangler (37 x 12.5R17 vs. 315/70R17).

The Ford Bronco’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Jeep Wrangler only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

Suspension and Handling

The Ford Bronco’s independent front suspension is much lighter than the Jeep Wrangler’s solid front axle, which allows the Bronco’s wheels to react more quickly and accurately to the road’s surface, improving both ride and handling.

The Bronco offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Wrangler’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For much better steering response and tighter handling the Bronco has rack and pinion steering, like Formula racecars, instead of the recirculating-ball type steering of the Wrangler.

The Bronco’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 Wrangler doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Bronco 2-Door’s wheelbase is 3.6 inches longer than on the Wrangler 2-door 4x4 (100.4 inches vs. 96.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Bronco is 3.6 inches wider in the front and 3.8 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Wrangler.

The Bronco Outer Banks 4-Door handles at .75 G’s, while the Wrangler Sahara 4-door pulls only .64 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Bronco Badlands 2-Door handles at .67 G’s, while the Wrangler Rubicon 2-door pulls only .63 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Bronco Outer Banks 4-Door executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the Wrangler Rubicon 4-door (28.7 seconds @ .57 average G’s vs. 29.9 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

The Bronco Badlands 2-Door executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the Wrangler Rubicon 2-door (29.6 seconds @ .54 average G’s vs. 31.3 seconds @ .48 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Bronco 4-Door’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Wrangler 4-door’s (39.8 feet vs. 40.8 feet).

Chassis

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

The front grille of the Bronco uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Wrangler doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Bronco 4-Door has 4.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Wrangler (108.2 vs. 103.7).

The Bronco 4-Door has 2.5 inches more front headroom, 1.9 inches more front legroom, 2 inches more front hip room, 1.3 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Wrangler 4-door.

The Bronco Convertible Sport Utility has .2 inches more front headroom, 1.9 inches more front legroom, 2.4 inches more front hip room and 1.3 inches more front shoulder room than the Wrangler 2-door.

The front step up height for the Bronco 4-Door is 1.8 inches lower than the Wrangler 4-door (23.2” vs. 25”). The Bronco 4-Door’s rear step up height is 2.8 inches lower than the Wrangler 4-door’s (23” vs. 25.8”).

Cargo Capacity

The Bronco 4-Door has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Wrangler 4-door with its rear seat up (38.3 vs. 31.7 cubic feet). The Bronco 4-Door has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Wrangler 4-door with its rear seat folded (77.6 vs. 72.4 cubic feet).

The Bronco 2-Door has a much larger cargo area with its top down than the Wrangler 2-door with its top down (22.4 vs. 12.9 cubic feet). The Bronco 2-Door has a much larger trunk with its top up than the Wrangler 2-door with its top up (52.3 vs. 31.7 cubic feet).

The Bronco 4-Door’s optional sliding cargo floor makes loading and unloading cargo easier and safer. The Wrangler doesn’t offer a sliding load floor.

The Bronco’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Wrangler 2-door’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

Payload and Towing

The Bronco’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Wrangler’s (3500 vs. 2000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Jeep Wrangler 4-door is only 3500 pounds. The Bronco offers up to a 4500 lbs. towing capacity.

The Bronco has a higher maximum payload capacity than the Wrangler (1452 vs. 1351 lbs.).

Ergonomics

The Bronco’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Wrangler has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Bronco’s standard power windows allow the driver or passenger to lower and raise the windows without leaning over or being distracted. Power windows cost extra on the Wrangler.

The Bronco’s front power windows open or close 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 Wrangler’s optional power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

On a hot day the Bronco’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Wrangler can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Bronco’s standard power locks allow the driver or passenger to lock or unlock all the doors at a touch without leaning over, or reaching to the back seat. Power locks cost extra on the Wrangler.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Bronco’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Wrangler doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its extra cost SiriusXM Guardian can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Bronco’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Wrangler’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

The Bronco has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The Wrangler has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the Sport S/Sahara/Rubicon.

The Bronco has standard power remote mirrors. The Wrangler only comes with remote mirrors at extra cost. Without them the driver will have to roll down the windows and reach across the car to adjust the mirrors.

The Bronco’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Jeep charges extra for heated mirrors on the Wrangler.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Ford Bronco Outer Banks/Badlands/Wildtrak/Raptor offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Wrangler doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Recommendations

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its December 2021 issue and the Ford Bronco Outer Banks 4-Door won out over the Jeep Wrangler Sport 4-door.

The Bronco was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2022. The Wrangler has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.