Ford Bronco vs Jeep’s Lineup | Ames, IA

For decades Jeep has been the premier name in off-roading. The company has amassed an enthusiastic – some might say “cult-like”, but not us! – following because of their dominance in this space. That’s not to say that other vehicles with a more road-friendly orientation, like the Jeep Grand Cherokee, are without their fans, however. Overall, Jeep has a devoted fanbase for both their off-road beasts like the Wrangler and for their more traditional vehicles.

Now, however, Ford is throwing its hat in the proverbial ring. They have revived the Bronco, which purports to be an off-roading vehicle that can rival the Wrangler – and a family-friendly SUV that can compete with the likes of the Grand Cherokee. This article is going to investigate that idea by comparing the Ford Bronco to those two aforementioned vehicles from Jeep’s lineup.

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Bronco vs Grand Cherokee

There are, of course, multiple versions of both the Ford Bronco and the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Bronco is available in two-door or four-door configurations, and has a pair of available engine options. The standard is a turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder. This engine makes 300 horsepower. The second option is a 330-horsepower turbo V6. Some enthusiasts have decried the lack of a V8 option. There are seven different trim levels for the Bronco.

The Grand Cherokee has a 3.6L V6 for its base engine, which puts out 295 horsepower. The Grand Cherokee does have a V8 option: this 5.7L engine gets 360 ponies, which is, of course, more than either option on the Bronco gets. These engines are powerful, but the V8s found on the Grand Cherokee SRT and Trackhawk are even more impressive, with the latter getting a staggering 707 horsepower!

The Main Event: Bronco vs Wrangler

The question of which vehicle will make the better off-roading machine has been debated fiercely since Ford announced the revival of the Bronco. In fact, we asked this question ourselves back in 2020. Since we’re revisiting the issue, we’ll talk a bit about the Wrangler here.

The standard engine on this vehicle is a 3.6-liter V6 that produces 285 horsepower. Drivers can also upgrade any Wrangler trim to include a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine that makes 270 horsepower. Des Moines, IA residents will notice that this is a reduction in horsepower; this is made up for by a significant increase in torque, from 260 lb.-ft. to 290 lb.-ft., which is a key part of off-roading. There is also a hybrid version of the Wrangler, and a 3.0L diesel option that makes 260 ponies and a whopping 442 lb.-ft. of torque!

In short, the Wrangler’s engines are better optimized for off-roading than the Bronco’s. While the latter can achieve higher horsepower, the Wrangler’s torque is superior to the Bronco’s, which tops out at 277 lb.-ft. The Bronco also features independent front suspension, which makes for inconsistent ground clearance. Off-roading enthusiasts know that solid axles provide a more refined experience when one takes their vehicle off the beaten path; that’s why the Wrangler uses them.

How does the Bronco stack up?

It seems that the Ford Bronco is trying to do too much. The vehicle has less horsepower and fewer features than the Grand Cherokee, meaning that the Bronco is not going to perform as well as a family-friendly SUV. The Wrangler has better torque and off-roading equipment than the Bronco; Jeep has not been dethroned as America’s top off-roading brand. Put simply, the Bronco comes up short against Jeep’s rugged vehicle lineup.

Deery of Ames is Iowa’s top destination for Jeep vehicles. We are proud of our long tradition of service to our community here in Ames, IA. When you work with us, you can be sure that we do honest business – no games or gimmicks. We look forward to helping you pick out the Jeep vehicle that’s right for you and your family.

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