2023 Ford Bronco vs 2023 Jeep Wrangler

With a long history, the 2023 Jeep Wrangler was the only open air SUV until the 2023 Ford Bronco arrived. Now there are two off-roaders that can go topless on the trail.

This comparison will take a look at trim levels, size, performance, technology, trail capability and more. Stay tuned. The ride could get a little bumpy.

1. The Exterior

   Any comparison of these two must start with the exterior because they are specifically designed for off-road use. You can see it in the short front and short rear overhangs. They stand tall, revealing their emphasis on ground clearance.

   Wranglers have a well-known design with a 7-slot grille. The 2023 Ford Bronco takes on the classic with a throwback, yet contemporary look. It’s just as distinctive and perhaps more refined, despite its trail credentials.

   Both the Bronco and Wrangler have removable roofs and doors. They are definitely meant to allow you to feel the wind in your hair.

   Broncos have one big advantage for the trail that is quite cool. There are class-exclusive cowl-mounted mirrors. When you take off the doors, you still have your side mirrors. That’s smart and helpful.

2. Trim Levels and Other Choices

   Wrangler is known for its fun choices, and the Bronco meets that head on. Even the Bronco trim level names show off what’s expected of them: Big Bend, Outer Banks, and Badlands. Then there’s Wildtrak, Everglades and Raptor.

   These Bronco models have slightly different skills, recognizing that different owners will want different things from their rides. Ford then allows the buyer to choose interior packages to suit their lifestyle as well. Shoppers can drill down on the type of off-roader they want and not give up the amenities or style they want.

   Jeep Wranglers come in many trims, too. Sport models include Willys Sport, Sport S and Sport Altitude. Then there’s Rubicon and Rubicon 392 as well as Sahara, Sahara Altitude and High Altitude.

   One thing you don’t have to worry about regardless of your choice is four wheel drive. These two rivals have standard 4WD with upgrades on tap.

3. Off-Roading

   We don’t think we need to review everything the Jeep Wrangler offers for off-roading. It’s been on sale for decades, and it is well known for its trail-riding expertise. What’s significant, perhaps, is that Jeep packages its features differently from the novel way that Ford has chosen.

   As mentioned, the Ford Bronco trims have specific skill sets to appeal to different types of off-roaders. For instance, the Everglades is particularly well suited for wet conditions. It boasts 36.4 inches of water fording ability. Wildtrak models are aimed at high-speed off-roading. Raptors go above and beyond for the ultimate off-roading capability.

   The toughest Bronco features include performance steering racks, four Hoss suspensions, live valve tech and semi-active dampers. All models have “go-over-any-terrain” GOAT settings to assist with different types of terrain challenges. Please feel free to call or email our customer service team for full pricing details.

   

   To give buyers an equal shot at the best off-road equipment, Ford introduced the Sasquatch package. Sasquatch packages are offered on all trims where the features are not already standard.

   This adds big beefy off-road tires and many other critical items in one less expensive bundle. A Bronco Sasquatch can go farther afield thanks to e-lock front and rear axles and Bilstein position-sensitive dampers.

   It is hard to measure the Bronco price vs the Wrangler price due to the different ways that features and off-road equipment are divided up. Our customer service team can help you match a Ford Bronco trim package to the most similar Jeep Wrangler package. This is the best way to compare the Bronco price to the Wrangler price.

4. Size Considerations

   Wranglers and Broncos have the distinction of being one of the few SUVs to have two-door as well as four-door body styles. This helps spread out the price points for more buyers.

   These two are very similar in terms of space for the front seats. There is slightly more legroom on the second-row of the 4-door Wrangler. It is quite a different story when it comes to cargo space.

   

   The Ford Bronco Soft Top 4-door has the biggest interior, measuring 108.2 cubic feet. This makes it bigger than the Wrangler. Whether 2-door or 4-door, Ford Broncos claim more hauling space. We think that might be a deal breaker for many buyers.

   We think a bigger cargo area is needed on adventure machines like these. After all, you’ve got to have somewhere to put all your gear. So we’d say this section leans toward the Bronco for sure. You can get a quick quote to find out the latest on Bronco prices.

5. Driving Fun and Engine Prowess

   Driving is more fun with more capability, whether you are on the road or off. It’s interesting to see how these two compare in terms of horsepower and torque. Whether you go by price or engine style, the Bronco pulls ahead in many ways in a performance contest.

   The Wrangler has greater horsepower than the Bronco, but this changes if you choose to use premium unleaded with your Bronco. As for torque, the Ford I-4 Turbo churns out 55 lb-ft more with unleaded or 65 lb-ft more with premium gas. The Bronco Raptor is definitely ready to challenge the 4xe models.

   The top Bronco Ecoboost engine produces more horsepower but not as much torque as the Jeep Wrangler 4xe. Clearly a test drive is a good idea when trying to compare these two.

   

   You’ll note from the chart that Broncos maintain quite an edge when it comes to the transmission as well. It’s not just about having more gears. The manual manages to blend modern technology with the fun of being totally in charge of the shifts. The ten-speed automatic transmission is very similar to the one that famously guides the Ford F-150.

   You may wonder about fuel economy, especially with the introduction of a plug in hybrid. However, we’d argue that you can get true efficiency for a lot less with the Bronco Ecoboost I-4 Turbo.

Conclusion

The Ford Bronco is offering everything possible to compete with the Jeep Wrangler on the trail. The fact that it rides the road well, according to Kelley Blue Book, may be the biggest tie breaker for those who don’t expect to be on the trail 100 percent of the time!

Get a closer look at the 2023 Ford Bronco when you visit our Phoenix Ford dealership. A Bronco test drive is not only educational, it’s also lots of fun!