Ford Bronco vs. the competition

The Ford Bronco is now in the Philippine market. As such, the Blue Oval brand has gained a rugged sports utility vehicle (SUV), which may become appealing to outdoorsy car buyers. It can also fit the bill as a good starting point for SUV modders and as a potent off-road platform for enthusiasts. 

One of the most notable qualities of the all-new Bronco is its engine. Specifically, it uses a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6, which is able to produce up to 330 hp (hp) and 555 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque. 

The said engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic gearbox, as well as an advanced 4x4 system with automatic on-demand engagement. The vehicle is likewise equipped with locking front and rear differentials, Bilstein position-sensitive shock absorbers, a ground clearance of 292-millimeters (mm), and a set of 17-inch wheels wrapped in 35-inch mud-terrain tires. 

Enhancing the capabilities of the Bronco is Ford’s “goes over any terrain” (GOAT) drive modes. The said collection of drive modes includes normal, eco, sport, slippery, mud/ruts, and sand. It also gets the “Trail Turn Assist” feature, which reduces its turn radius in order to navigate tight trails. 

While it boasts tough mechanical underpinnings, the vehicle also gets several interior niceties such as leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic air-conditioning, a 60:40 split-folding second row, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, power-adjustable front seats, key-less entry, and a push-to-start button. It also boasts a removable top and doors for an open-air off-road experience.

It is likewise relatively high-tech, thanks to its eight-inch digital gauge cluster and its 12-inch central infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In addition, the off-road SUV gets a wireless smartphone charging pad and a 10-piece set of Bang and Olufsen speakers. 

Safety aboard the Bronco is handled by an array of standard features, which are reinforced by automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and evasive steer assist, among others. 

Price-wise, the Ford Bronco is available in the Philippines for P4.998 million as the Outer Banks variant with the Sasquatch off-road package. 

So, what are Ford Bronco's rivals in the Philippine market? Let’s find out. 

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon

One of the biggest rivals of the Ford Bronco in the Philippine market is the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (5-door) Rubicon. 

Like the Blue Oval’s SUV, the Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon is a dedicated off-road SUV model equipped with a 4x4 system and locking differentials. 

For its engine, the Jeep model uses a 2.0-liter inline-4 mill capable of producing up to 268 hp and 400 Nm of torque. The engine is married to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, and it also has a heavy-duty suspension system with gas shocks and a set of 17-inch wheels. 

On the outside, the boxy-looking Wrangler Unlimited boasts a ground clearance of 246-mm. It also has a removable hard top and doors.

 The interior of the Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, meanwhile, is made comfortable thanks to leather-wrapped seats and automatic air-conditioning. Also present are convenience features such as a push-to-start button, a seven-inch instrument display, an 8.4-inch infotainment screen, and an Alpine Premium Audio System.

For smartphone connectivity, the Jeep model gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Its infotainment display also features the Uconnect 4 operating system with integrated voice commands and navigation. 

Safety is handled aboard the 5-door Wrangler Rubicon by several standard features. It also has automatic headlamps, blind spot monitoring, cross-path detection, and active parking assist. 

Pricing for the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon for the local market is set at P5.69 million. 

Jetour T2

Another competitor facing the Ford Bronco is the Jetour T2. 

Under the hood of the T2 is a 2.0-liter inline-4 engine paired with a seven-speed wet-type dual-clutch gearbox. At the most, the said engine can churn out 251 hp and 390 Nm of torque. 

The T2 also has a ground clearance of 180-mm, a MacPherson strut front suspension, and a multi-link for its rear. For its wheels, the Jetour model gets a 20-inch set wrapped in all-terrain tires. 

Other notable off-road-related mechanical bits of the T2 are a wading sensing system, a limited-slip differential, and a crawl mode.

Inside, the T2 boats have plenty of creature comforts, such as power-adjustable front seats with ventilation, active noise cancellation, leather upholstery, and a dual-zone automatic climate control system, among others. 

Technology-wise, the Jetour SUV was kitted out with a 15.6-inch infotainment display and a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster. The vehicle’s main screen comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It is also linked to a 12-piece speaker system, and its users have access to a wireless smartphone charging pad. 

The T2 gets loads of advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) on top of its standard safety features. Its ADAS suite includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, rear-cross traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist, among others. 

Pricing for the Jetour T2 in the Philippines ranges from P2.498 million to P2.598 million. 

GWM Tank 300

Another off-road capable SUV competing against the Ford Bronco is the Great Wall Motor (GWM) Tank 300. 

Propelling the Tank 300 is a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine capable of outputting 217 hp and 380 Nm of torque. The said engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and a four-wheel-drive system. 

For its off-road bits, the GWM model offers several drive modes via its “All-Terrain Response System.” It also has a front and rear-locking differential, a ground clearance of 224-mm, and a set of 17-inch wheels clad in all-terrain tires. The vehicle also has a “tank turn” feature, which allows it to rotate around its center axis just like a real military tank. 

Inside the vehicle is a collection of amenities, including power-adjustable front seats, a dual-zone automatic climate control system, and Nappa leather upholstery, among others. 

The GWM model is likewise equipped with a 12.3-inch infotainment display, which is linked to a nine-piece Infinity sound system. The driver, meanwhile, is provided with a 12.3-inch color instrument cluster. 

For safety, the Tank 300 features an automatic emergency braking system that can work at junctions and detect pedestrians. It also has adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition, and lane center-keeping assist. 

Pricing for the GWM Tank 300 starts at P2.678 million. 

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