The Ford Bronco is the hottest item on the market right now. Everyone wants one, and no one can get one. Bingo. But, the Jeep Wrangler – the Bronco’s mortal enemy – has been hot on its heels to snatch up any Bronco lover who couldn’t wait. The Bronco line may get even longer after this newest crash test between the two 4x4s. 

Is the 2022 Ford Bronco safe? 

According to CarScoops, the Ford Bronco scored well on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash tests. While it earned a “good” (four out of five stars), it couldn’t get to the desired perfect safety award. 

If you are afraid that that may have upset Ford, fear not; the Bronco’s biggest rival, the Jeep Wrangler, did so much worse on the same safety test that Ford may end up winning some 4×4 converts. 

The Bronco’s real weak spot came in the form of “acceptable” headrests. The crash test showed a lack of support for driver and passenger heads and necks in a rear impact. The IIHS says that the crash test dummy showed “moderate” force. The Bronco also got tagged for the low beams not illuminating far enough downfield in the corners. However, none of that compares to what the poor Jeep Wrangler went through. 

Is the Jeep Wrangler safe? 

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler also earned a “good” from the IIHS on its crash test. In this video mashup made by the folks at the YouTube channel YouCar, we see a 2019 jeep Wrangler and new Ford Bronco go through the same crash test side by side. The differences between the two boxy 4x4s are dramatic. 

This video shows a pretty good answer to the question, “Do jeep Wranglers flip easily?” Easily might be a tough word to define, but compared to the Bronco taking the same hit, the Wrangler looks like a Tornado hit it. Unlike the leved and undramatic Bronco crash, the Wrangler took flight and rolled over from the side impact. The evidence is damning. 

However, it is important to note that the Wrangler video is from a couple of years ago, while the Bronco is a brand new model. But there isn’t much evidence to suggest a largely unchanged 2021 Wrangler would do much better. 

Is the Ford Bronco safer than the Jeep Wrangler? 

As you can see in the video, the Bronco takes the hit, and most of the damage is contained within the front left quarter. Hell, the crash doesn’t even break the windshield. Honestly, the Jeep is so mangled; you can’t even tell if the windshield made it or not. But you can tell which one is still the right way up.

Although we can’t see it, the IIHS report tells us, like the Bronco, the Jeep windshield, and passenger cell is intact. Still, the IIHS understandably rated the Jeep Wrangler’s performance as “marginal” in the small overlap test, while the Ford was given a “good” rating. 

Instead of absorbing the 40 mph blow like the Bronco, the Jeep’s wheel broke off and seemed to act as a ramp flinging the Wrangler asunder and ultimately sliding on its side to the far corner of the room. 

How much do we really care about safety ratings? 

It’s hard to know exactly, but it feels like we like safety ratings to confirm car choices we have already made instead of letting them inform our choices. I think this is likely doubly true with lifestyle vehicles such as 4x4s and sports cars. Either way, the Bronco took another “W” in the epic battle that is the Jeep Wrangler Vs. the Ford Bronco.