Which is the ultimate off-roading SUV, the 2024 Ford Bronco or the 2024 Jeep Wrangler? Our comparison guide helps you pick the rugged midsize SUV best suited to your unique lifestyle!
Key Takeaways
- Compared to the Wrangler, the Bronco comes standard with a longer list of comfort features, infotainment gear, and performance-savvy systems.
- When it comes to everyday comfort, the Bronco is the best choice for you and your loved ones.
- Both SUVs deliver incredible power, but the Wrangler’s 470-horsepower V8 engine gives it the edge.
- After its top-of-class win at the Baja 1000, it’s hard to argue that there’s a better off-road SUV than the Ford Bronco!
Best Standard Lineup: 2024 Ford Bronco
Anyone shopping for a great deal on an off-road-ready ride will be very happy with the entry-level Bronco Big Bend. This trim model not only comes standard with rugged features (like four-wheel drive, front and rear tow hooks, and a terrain management system with six drive modes), but it’s also big on everyday comfort. You’ll love its roomy cabin and easy-to-clean, marine-grade vinyl seats.
The base Bronco is also big on technology! Inside, you’ll find the SYNC 4 infotainment system, a 12-inch touchscreen, built-in navigation, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The standard lineup includes driving technology, like Trail Turn Assist, that can help you navigate complicated off-road terrain.
While the Wrangler is known for its barebones base model, this year’s version isn’t as basic as some that came before it. For example, the entry-level Wrangler Sport now includes air conditioning and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. However, it also comes standard with crank windows and manual door locks. The Sport doesn’t come standard with any trail-friendly driving technology, but it is ready for action with four-wheel drive, fog lights, and skid plates.
Family-Friendly Comfort: 2024 Ford Bronco
Both SUVs are tuned to enhance their rugged off-road capabilities. However, when it comes to everyday comfort, the Bronco has the edge. Thanks to its roomy, supportive seating and comfort-inducing drive modes, the Bronco is the best choice for drivers who want an adventurous SUV that doubles as a family hauler.
The Wrangler’s off-road-tuned suspension feels famously stiff on the pavement. In recent years, Jeep has made some improvements, helping its iconic SUV better soak up bumps in the road, but the ride remains firm. Inside, the Wrangler’s seats also feel firm, making its ride something of an acquired taste.
Raw Power: 2024 Jeep Wrangler
The Wrangler is extremely versatile, offering a wide range of engine and performance upgrades. Shoppers can choose from four powerful options to create the perfect off-roading experience. The most powerful option, a 6.4-liter V8 engine known as the 392, packs a serious punch with 470 horses!
Here’s a quick look at the 2024 Wrangler powertrain specs:
- 3.6L V6 (285 horsepower 260 lb-ft of torque)
- Turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine (270 hp, 295 lb-ft)
- 6.4L V8, aka the 392 (470 hp, 470 lb-ft)
- Plug-in hybrid powertrain, aka the 4xe (375 hp, 470 lb-ft)
- Six-speed manual transmission
- Optional eight-speed automatic transmission
- Four-wheel drive
While the Bronco doesn’t deliver quite as much horsepower, it comes close. Depending on trim model, the Bronco offers three hefty engines to help you power through your off-road adventures. Its most powerful option, found on the Bronco Raptor trim model, supplies 418 horsepower to help you scale boulders or race down sand dunes.
Bronco shoppers can choose between three engines, depending on trim model:
- Standard turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder engine (300 hp, 325 lb-ft)
- Optional twin-turbo 2.7L V6 (330 hp, 415 lb-ft)
- Raptor twin-turbo 3.0L V6 (418 hp, 440 lb-ft)
- Seven-speed manual transmission (2.3L engine only)
- Optional 10-speed automatic transmission
- Four-wheel drive
Off-Roading Performance: 2024 Ford Bronco
Last fall, the Bronco Raptor earned a win in its stock racing class at the infamous Baja 1000 off-road motorsport race. If the Bronco can handle the punishing, 1,200-mile endurance race and come out on top, we’re confident that, properly equipped, Ford’s off-roading SUV can handle anything you can throw at it!
When you build your brand new Bronco, you’ll enjoy some incredible options. Apart from the usual off-roading features — like heavy-duty bumpers and all-terrain tires — the Bronco offers a few specialty trim models. The Bronco Raptor is designed for high-speed desert racing, for example. And the Bronco Everglades comes with an air snorkel and winch kit to help you travel swamplands where the water is up to 3 feet deep!
Of course, we can’t deny that the Wrangler is equally built for off-road cruising. Like the Bronco, the Wrangler’s roof and doors are removable to better immerse you in your adventures. Jeep’s midsize SUV is also available with your choice of rugged upgrades, including Fox shocks and a 2-inch suspension lift!
While factory versions of the Wrangler didn’t win the Baja 1000 or treat you to a trim model that can practically swim, aftermarket parts for this Jeep are abundant. If you want to build your own version of the Wrangler, it’s easy to find the parts you need to fulfill your vision.
The Best SUV for Your Adventures
The competition between the 2024 Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler is incredibly stiff! But we think you’ll agree that the Bronco is the best off-roading SUV for anyone who wants more interior comfort, rugged options, and standard features!