Did the Ford Bronco Sport Copy the Jeep Renegade?
The new Ford Bronco Sport finally made its debut, and it looks like something we’ve all seen before, the Jeep Renegade. Is the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport better than the Jeep Renegade, or is it a ripoff? Let’s find out which option is the better buy.
The Jeep Renegade VS the Ford Bronco Sport
The Jeep Renegade came out in 2015 and quickly gained popularity as one of the most off-roading ready SUVs you can buy. The 2020 Jeep Renegade starts around $22k, while the best off-roading trim, the Trailhawk, starts around $27k.
The Ford Bronco Sport is here to rival the quirky little Jeep but has a higher starting price around $26k while the highest trim option, the First Edition, raises the price to $38k. Goodness, that’s a lot more expensive.
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Also, Ford only plans to build 2,000 First Edition models, so you will have better luck getting the BADLANDs trim instead, which is the second most expensive trim level. It starts around $32k.
Jeep Renegade and Ford Bronco Sport power
The Jeep Renegade has two engine options. The turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine provides 177 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque. You can also upgrade to the turbocharged 2.7-liter engine for 180 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. The Jeep Renegade can tow up to 2,000 lb.
Under the hood of the Ford Bronco Sport, you’ll find a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 191 lb-ft of torque. You can also upgrade to the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine for 275 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. But this engine is only available in the Badlands, and First Edition trims. The Ford Bronco Sport can tow up to 2,200 lb.
Each Bronco Sport Trim comes with 4X4, and you have the option of adding 4X4 to lower Jeep Renegade trims. While the Jeep Renegade has 4X4 modes for rock, sand, snow, mud, and more, the Ford Bronco has a driving mode for ‘slippery.’
The Trailhawk and Badlands trim options are equipped with off-roading suspensions and skid plates to protect the undercarriage, precision steering, and more. Only the Jeep Renegade has been trail rated and tested in the wild. We haven’t seen any proof of what the Ford Bronco Sport can do yet.
Jeep Renegade and Ford Bronco Sport Features
The Jeep Renegade has a dual-panel sunroof allowing you to connect with nature, and the Ford Bronco Sport has a sunroof as well. One thing that the Ford Bronco Sport has over the Renegade is a rear window that opens. It has a bottle opener on the liftgate too, but that feels gimmicky. Who doesn’t have a bottle opener on their keys?
The Jeep Renegade has a 7” digital cluster display to provide you with crucial information while adventuring, while the Ford Bronco Sport has a 180-degree front-view camera. The Jeep Renegade has the Uconnect system while the Ford Bronco Sport has Ford Sync. They can both connect to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Both SUVs are also packed with safety features like adaptive cruise control, parking assistance, emergency braking, and more. But we will have to wait and see how the Ford Bronco ranks during its safety tests before determining which SUV is safer.
Until then, the Jeep Renegade Trailhawk is available now with proven capability. You can order your Ford Bronco Sport, which looks exactly like the Jeep Renegade, but deliveries won’t be delivered until next April.
