Starting at
Starting at
| 270 - 310 | Horsepower (hp) | 260 - 285 |
| 11.6 | Ground Clearance (in) | 10.8 |
| 12 | Screen Size (in) | 8.4 |
There's a new off-road beast in town, and it's ready to take the title as the "Ultimate Off-Road Warrior." That beast is the all-new Ford Bronco that's more than capable of winning over the hearts of adrenaline junkies and off-road enthusiasts from coast to coast and everywhere in between. Ford's reintroduction of the Bronco comes at the perfect time as Ford positions the Bronco to continue the tug of war battle against the iconic Jeep Wrangler. But just how fierce is the competition between the 2021 Ford Bronco vs 2021 Jeep Wrangler?
Both the Bronco and the Wrangler are capable of standing their ground whether on the pavement or on the trail. They're equipped with advanced four-wheel-drive technology and off-road components like locking differentials that add traction and enhance performance. The models also offer drivers plenty of options and capabilities to meet a wide range of budgets and driving needs thanks to multiple trim options. Considering both models also offer an immersive driving experience with removable roofs and doors, there's no question that the Bronco and Wrangler are a perfect pair for gear-junkies in the off-road realm.
While these similarities are noteworthy, there are several differences between the 2021 Bronco and the 2021 Wrangler that have people wondering which will win this round of the epic off-road tug of war. These differences in powertrain and capability, as well as tech and connectivity, have sparked a healthy debate between off-road adventures. Here's a closer look at those differences and how the 2021 Bronco inches out ahead in this ultimate off-road showdown.
The 2021 Bronco immediately jumps ahead of the Wrangler when comparing powertrain and performance. The 2021 Wrangler comes standard with the tried and true Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 engine that delivers 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. The engine isn't anything new for the Wrangler and leaves a lot to be desired among drivers looking for a more modern option. This is why Jeep also offers a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that delivers 270 horsepower and a 3.0-liter diesel engine that delivers 260 horsepower. How does the Bronco compare?
Ford offers two engine options on the Bronco that are both modern and lightweight, which goes a long way when you're trekking across rough terrain. Most Bronco trims come standard with a 2.3-liter turbocharged EcoBoost engine that produces 270 horsepower and an impressive 310 lb-ft of torque. Since torque is a top priority in a trail-rated vehicle that needs all the traction that it can get to pull itself out of dicey environments like mud pits, this is huge for off-roaders. What's even more impressive is the optional 2.7-liter V6 EcoBoost engine that delivers 310 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. Now that's power!
There's no question that the Bronco and Wrangler are designed for off-road adventures where stats like departure angle, breakover angle, approach angle, tire size, and ground clearance make a world of difference. Once again, the Bronco takes the lead when it comes to off-road capability by giving drivers a variety of customization options to design the perfect Bronco for their needs. So, what options does Ford offer
While the Jeep Wrangler has long been the go-to vehicle for off-road performance, Jeep has largely relied on the aftermarket to provide the features you need to customize and optimize your Wrangler. And while there are some Wrangler trims, like the Rubicon, that are ready to go out of the box, you will have to pay a premium to get them. Ford has taken a different route with the Bronco. Not only does it provide nearly limitless customization options from the factory, but Ford has also made all the Bronco's best off-road features available on even the base trim.
Like the Wrangler, every Bronco comes standard with four-wheel wheel drive. But unlike the Wrangler, every Bronco can also be equipped with high-end options like locking differentials, Bilstein shocks, and 35-inch tires, courtesy of the Sasquatch Package. Drivers can also upgrade their Base trim Bronco from the 2.3-liter engine to the 2.7-liter V6 for more power or armor their ride with a heavy-duty modular bumper and steel bash plates. With the Bronco, you can build the exact vehicle you need without having to take your new purchase straight to your local custom shop to spend even more money.
The Bronco's many wheel and tire options drastically impact its approach, departure, and breakover angles, which is extremely important when crawling over rocks and rugged terrain. When equipped with the 30-inch all-season tires, which come standard on the Base, the Bronco offers a minimum approach angle of 35.5 degrees. However, when outfitted with the Sasquatch package, the Bronco is equipped with 35-inch mud-terrain tires that increase this approach angle to 43.2 degrees, which is in sharp contrast to the Wrangler's 41.4-degree approach angle. The smaller, 30-inch tires give the Bronco a 29.8-degree departure angle, while the larger, 35-inch tires extend this angle to a best-in-class rating of 37.2 degrees, once again overshadowing the Wrangler's 35.9-degree departure angle.
When it comes to ground clearance, the Bronco with the Sasquatch Package pushes the Ford ahead of the Wrangler with 11.6 inches of ground clearance compared to the Rubicon at 10.8 inches. This best-in-class rating makes a significant difference on the trail when it comes to crossing bodies of water and crawling over rocks. Speaking of water, the Bronco also stays drier than the Wrangler, with the Sasquatch offering best-in-class water fording capability of 33.5 inches compared to the Wrangler that can only handle water up to 30 inches.
Even though the Bronco and Wrangler are both built for rugged adventures, modern vehicles need to ensure that drivers have all the technology they need at their fingertips. With the Wrangler offering only the basics, the Bronco takes the lead in the technology race thanks to its innovation. That innovation begins with the Bronco's standard 8.0-inch SYNC 4 infotainment system that can be upgraded to a 12.0-inch screen, which simply overwhelms the Wrangler's standard 5.0-inch Uconnect 3 system as well as the available 7.0-inch and 8.4-inch upgrades.
Much like how Ford gives drivers the option to outfit the Bronco with the perfect tires and off-road components for their needs, the Bronco's various trims give drivers plenty of options when it comes to tech, convenience, and comfort. All models are equipped with the Terrain Management System with its multiple G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) Modes that allow drivers to adjust the drive mode to match the environment. Available modes include Sand, Slippery, Sport, Eco, Normal, Baja, Mud/Ruts, and Rock Crawl.
The Bronco is also equipped with Trail Control and Trail Turn Assist. Trail Control is the equivalent of cruise control for the trail and allows drivers to focus on steering while the Bronco maintains a constant speed. Trail Turn Assist reduces the Bronco's turning radius by applying the brakes to the inside rear wheel to help the Bronco navigate tight corners at low speeds.
The Wrangler's tech features include options like Selec-Speed Control that manages the Wrangler's speed in 4LO and tools like Selectable Tire Fill Control that eliminates the guesswork out of filling up and airing down the tires. There's also an Off-Road+ Button that adjusts the throttle and traction to enhance performance; however, this feature only comes standard on the Rubicon while the Bronco's G.O.A.T. Modes that are standard on every trim.
Are you excited about getting behind the wheel of a 2021 Ford Bronco? As your leading Ford dealer, we can't wait to help make your dreams come true. We hope you'll stop by our dealership to see firsthand how we're committed to offering a car-buying experience like no other. Here at Newton Ford South, we know that buying a vehicle can be stressful, especially if you've had a bad experience in the past. This is why we do things differently and even offer you the opportunity to complete the entire process from the comfort of your home. By using our Newton Fastpass program, you can browse our inventory and learn more about payments and finance options without even stepping foot on our lot.
Once you're ready, you can stop by the dealership, meet our team, and take a test drive. Or, if you prefer, you can call the dealership and have us bring the test drive to your work or home, whichever is more convenient for you. As you interact with our team, you'll find that they're not focused on meeting sales quotas or earning commission but are focused on guiding you through the process to get you behind the wheel of a vehicle you love. We treat you like a friend, like family, and that's why we guarantee an experience like no other.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
