The Jeep Wrangler is well-known among off-roaders for being a capable SUV on the trail, but other automakers have competing options on the market. For example, Ford recently revived the Bronco, and just like the Wrangler, the Bronco is also a capable SUV for off-road adventures. It’s a close race between the two off-roading SUVs, but here’s a look at the one big advantage the Jeep Wrangler has over the Ford Bronco.

A look at the specs of these two SUVs

According to Edmunds, both SUVs were designed to go off-road, but they share many similarities in terms of specs. Both SUVs can come in a two-door or four-door configuration, and both automakers offer their car as a soft-top or a hard-top. Unsurprisingly, both cars also come with all-wheel drive as a standard feature. That said, there is a big difference in terms of their powertrains.

Ford currently offers three engine options on the Bronco, while Jeep has five. The Ford starts with a 2.3-liter turbo four-cylinder engine and gets 300 hp. The Jeep starts with a 3.6-liter V6, and it gets 285 hp. Jeep has a variety of powertrains, including a hybrid option. However, Jeep ultimately offers more powerful engines.

The most powerful engine option on the Wrangler is a 6.4-liter V8 which gets 470 hp. The Bronco Raptor is the Ford SUV’s most powerful option, and it has a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 that gets about 400 hp. Both SUVs come with a manual transmission as standard, and other than the hybrid Wrangler, their fuel economies will be around 20 mpg combined. 

How the Jeep Wrangler beats the Ford Bronco in terms of off-road capability

According to Edmunds, Ford has made a good competitor with the Bronco when it comes to off-roading, but the Jeep is still the clear winner. The Bronco isn’t a bad off-roader; it’s just that the Wrangler is better. This is because the Wrangler offers a smoother performance off-road and, in some ways, is also more capable.

The main reason the Wrangler is more capable comes down to the design differences. For instance, the Wrangler has a solid front axle, while the Bronco has an independent front suspension. This design difference ultimately gave the Wrangler better wheel articulation, which can matter off-road. The Ford also has a longer wheelbase, making it perform worse on some hills. 

Car shoppers may still find that the Ford Bronco is a great choice

It’s clear that the Wrangler is the superior off-roading SUV, but that usually isn’t the only thing car shoppers look at. Both options are ultimately more than capable for most off-road adventures. Few drivers will need the Wrangler’s extra off-road capabilities. On top of that, the Bronco has several advantages over the Wrangler. Taken all together, the Ford SUV can still be an excellent choice for car shoppers to consider. 

For example, the Bronco is the better car in terms of ride quality. The Ford is by no means as comfortable as a luxury SUV, but there’s a noticeable difference in ride comfort between the Bronco and the Wrangler. Similarly, the Bronco’s interior is better designed and better equipped. The seats are more comfortable, there’s more max cargo space, and the infotainment system is better as well. For example, Jeep gave the Wrangler a 5-inch touchscreen as standard, while Ford gave the Bronco an 8-inch touchscreen.