Bronco vs. Wrangler: Who Is the Real GOAT?
These days, when someone says the Greatest of All Time, Tom Brady's name may come up. And, as Brady proves, part of being the GOAT is consistency over the years.
So, when comparing who's the GOAT between the Bronco vs. the Jeep Wrangler, you may quickly say, "the Wrangler because it's been around forever." But longevity isn't the only measure of greatness, as proved by most politicians. So, let's see if the Wrangler wears the GOAT crown or has the reborn Bronco, last seen in 1996, usurped the throne.
Top Features of a Ford Bronco
Powerful V6 Engine
The 2021 Ford Bronco comes with a 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine that gives you 310 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft of torque. With this power, you can get from 0 to 60 in only 7 seconds.
Trail Turn Assist
Trail Turn Assist on the Bronco is intelligent and practical. On tight trail switchbacks, turn the steering at full lock, and the Bronco will lock the inside rear wheel and rotate around as if it were dropping anchor. And you'll be rid of having to do three-point turns.
Trail Control
It may not sound like a big deal because it's basically adaptive cruise control. But it's low-speed cruise control for the trail. That's HUGE! You set the speed, and the car controls the engine, transmission, and brakes so you can move over anything. It's smooth, excellent, and the Jeep doesn't have it.
Top Features of a Jeep Wrangler
Removable Panels
Like the Wrangler beats its competitors in fun. It's the only one that allows you to remove doors, windshields, and side panels. And Jeep makes the removal simple by loosening a few bolts, and then you can store the panels and doors in their protective case.
Modular Roof System
The convertible Wrangler's roof is now lightweight magnesium, and you can remove it with a quick disconnect system. Other available options include removable hardtop panels stored in the trunk or rear door, the traditional soft top "Freedom Panels."
Available Diesel Engine
Jeep steals the 250 horsepower/442 lb.-ft or Torque EcoDiesel from its big RAM 1500 pickup cousin. So, if you've struggled with the low gas mileage of the gasoline-powered Wrangler, the EcoDiesel gives you an EPA estimated 22mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. And with that power and economy, you get the benefit of the diesel's very slow crawling speeds on trails.
Suspension Differences
While the Bronco and Jeep have a standard rear live axle, Ford decided to give the Bronco an independent front suspension. Naturally, Purists will struggle with this and gravitate to the Wrangler since a live axle has its strength benefits, but the Bronco will win people over when it comes to road manners. If you're into customization, the Bronco offers more options to tailor your suspension. On the Wrangler, it's not until you get to the Rubicon that you'll be able to do a little customization.
Engine Differences
Overall, Ford's engines are more modern than the Wranglers standard 285-horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 and 270 horsepower 2.7-liter turbo four-cylinder. Ford's standard engine is a 270-horsepower 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with an optional 310 horsepower twin-turbo V6. Both Ford engines are smooth and powerful, while the Wranglers powerplants make their power with a less sophisticated feel. The new Wrangler plug-in hybrid is in a class of its own, but we don't see that on the trail. The diesel, however, would be a great trail companion.
Which One Is Right for Me?
It will be hard for those who like history and commitment to the enthusiast to turn down the Jeep Wrangler. It's a well-proven platform with tons of accessories and capabilities on the trail that far exceed driver abilities.
Ford's Bronco is rolling in with innovation, a broad range of options, a large and growing list of aftermarket accessories. Plus, the Bronco has its own set of enthusiasts. But Ford has also made the Bronco easy for those who want the look without the off-road muscle, and that, alone, may make it the right one for you. So, yeah, the Wrangler is the GOAT because it has proven itself, but let's see what the young Bronco can do.
