Off-road clash: Ford Bronco vs. Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon

The Philippine market loves sports utility vehicles (SUV), and the said fact extends to highly capable and tough models that can conquer any terrain. So, with the aforementioned sentiment in mind, Ford Philippines introduced the Bronco earlier this year. 

Straight from the factory, the Ford Bronco is a high-riding model fitted with modern creature comforts and the right mechanical bits of off-roading. But how does it compare to its closest competitors, such as the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (four-door) Rubicon?

To find out once and for all, let us look closely at the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon side-by-side and see which of the two comes out on top when it comes to on-paper specifications. 

Tale of the tape

To kick off the comparison between the Bronco and the Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, here are the two model’s dimensions: 

Model	Ford Bronco	Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
Dimensions (L x W x H, in mm)	4,811x2,190x1,854	4,785x1,875x1,868
Wheelbase (mm)	2,950	3,008
Ground clearance (mm)	292	274

Based on the figures above, the Ford model is longer and wider than the Jeep. On the other hand, the Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon is slightly taller and has a lengthier wheelbase than the Bronco. The Ford SUV, however, does have 18-millimeters more ground clearance than the Wrangler. 

For buyers, taking note of a vehicle’s on-paper dimensions is crucial. For one thing, it can determine if the vehicle can even fit in one’s garage or not. Additionally, a vehicle’s wheelbase length can also reveal how spacious it is inside. 

Moreover, especially for off-roaders, taking note of ground clearance is a must. Both the Bronco and Wrangler have a fair amount to work with, but other more discerning clients may be swayed by the more generous figure on the Ford model. 

Exterior

Concerning how the two SUVs look on the outside, both have imposing and boxy body styles as a nod to their respective ancestors. 

For the unaware, the current Bronco continues the tradition established by the older block-shaped versions, which were sold by the Blue Oval brand in other markets from 1966 to 1992. The current locally available Wrangler, meanwhile, is a modernized take on the war-bred Willys MB and CJ Jeeps from the 1940s. 

With regards to what’s common between the two, both come with a lot of metal underbody protection, chunky high-clearance wheel arches, accessible tow points, and removable roofs. The two rides were likewise kitted out with LED lighting fixtures, a set of all-terrain tires, as well as power-folding and heated side mirrors. 

For what’s different, the Ford model does get rain-sensing wipers, which are not present on the Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon. 

On the flip side, the Wrangler has a better approach angle than the Bronco. Specifically, it has 44 degrees, while the Wrangler has 43.2 degrees. The difference sounds minimal, but even one degree can mean a lot when tackling unpredictable rocky terrain. For departure angles, both rides have 37 degrees. 

Additionally, the Ford Bronco rides on a set of 17-inch beadlock-capable alloy wheels, while the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon comes with a set of regular 17-inch alloy wheels. 

Interior

Step inside the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, and one will find robust cockpits with flat-faced dashboards and a lot of leather wrappings. 

Found on both off-road capable SUVs are leather-wrapped seats, a tilt and telescopic multi-function steering wheel, a lot of physical dials and buttons, and an ample amount of grab handles for when the ride gets extra challenging. 

The Ford model, however, does come with slightly better connectivity options compared to the Jeep. Here’s a table showing the details of the two ride’s infotainment and digital displays: 

Model	Ford Bronco	Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
Infotainment	12-inch touchscreen	12.3-inch touchscreen
Gauge	Analog gauge with eight-inch digital cluster	Analog gauges with Seven-inch digital cluster display
Connectivity	Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth	Wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, Bluetooth
Speakers	Bang and Olufsen 10-piece speaker system with subwoofer	Nine-piece Alpine sound system
Device charging	Wireless pad, USB ports, and 12-volt sockets	Wireless pad, USB ports, and 12-volt sockets

The infotainment display of the Ford Bronco is not markedly larger than the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon’s, but it does come with wireless Android Auto, which is not available on the Jeep. Plus, the Blue Oval’s dedicated off-road rig may have better sound quality due to the presence of a subwoofer. 

Moving on to creature comforts, the two rides have electronically adjustable front seats, automatic air-conditioning, an auto-chromic rearview mirror, a push-to-start button, a drive mode selector, and an electronic parking brake - among others. 

The Ford model has a 60:40 split-folding rear seat for added versatility when it comes to lugging around cargo. The Jeep does not have a split-folding rear seat, but its trunk comes with a hidden under-floor cargo bin. 

Safety

As expected from modern SUVs, both the Ford and Jeep models come with anti-lock braking, front and rear parking sensors, stability control, six airbags, hill-start assist, hill-descent control, tire pressure monitoring, and many other safety features. 

Apart from the aforementioned, the two also get several advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) detailed here: 

Model	Ford Bronco	Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
ADAS	Automatic high beams Automatic emergency braking Forward collision warning Blind-spot information system Lane keep alert Lane keep aid 360-degree view monitor Adaptive cruise control Evasive steer assist	Adaptive cruise control Selec-Speed control Forward collision warning Blind-spot monitoring ParkSense rear park assist Automatic high beams

On paper, the Ford model comes with a more extensive ADAS kit. Specifically, it has lane-related assists and an evasive steering assist, which are not present in the Jeep model. 

Powertrain

Under the hood of the Ford Bronco is a 2.7-liter V6 turbocharged gasoline engine capable of producing up to 330 horsepower (hp) and 555 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels using a 10-speed automatic gearbox. 

The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, meanwhile, is propelled by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 gasoline engine that’s able to dish out 268 hp and 400 Nm of torque. 

Based on the figures above, the Bronco puts out more horses and has more pull compared to the Jeep SUV. The two, however, each have unique strengths when it comes to off-roading. 

The Bronco, for instance, comes with a unique trail turn assist feature, which Ford says is highly useful for navigating trails. It works by locking up the outer wheels when approaching a tight bend, reducing the vehicle’s turn radius by up to 40 percent. 

Comparatively, the Wrangler comes with a set of more robust Dana floating axles, which promises more durability and weight-carrying capacity while being able to maintain optimal traction on difficult terrain. It also has an electronic sway bar disconnect feature, which isn’t present on the Bronco. 

Regardless of their varying off-road kits, both rigs come standard with front and rear locking differentials and low-speed crawling modes. Both also get front and rear disc brakes, terrain management systems, and a body-on-frame chassis. 

For ride quality, the Ford model uses position-sensitive Bilstein shock absorbers for its high-performance, off-road, stability suspension system. In comparison, the Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon uses front and rear live axles. 

Price

At the moment, the Philippine-spec Ford Bronco with the Sasquatch Package is priced at P4.998 million. The said model is almost a million less compared to the latest version of the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, which retails at P5.78 million. 

Final thoughts

To sum it all up, the Ford Bronco may be the more powerful SUV, but the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon is the one to get for folks who want to get into extreme off-roading. The aforementioned, of course, is courtesy of the Jeep model’s Dana floating axles and its disconnecting sway bar. 

Where comfort is concerned, both are up to par for becoming relatively cushy daily drivers. However, the Bronco does have a more comprehensive ADAS suite. Do remember likewise that the Wrangler is far more expensive than the Bronco. 

For folks on the fence between the two American SUVs, we highly advise taking each out for a test drive. Doing so will make for a more informed buying decision and help you see which one really is the perfect match for you. 

Also read: 

Jeep PH spruces up Wrangler Rubicon

Zigwheels PH Top 5 most searched models for 2024

Ford Bronco: pros and cons