Both the 2025 Ford Bronco and 2025 Jeep Wrangler are off-road American icons in their own right! But which midsize SUV is better for your Michigan adventures? Our comparison guide takes a closer look.
Key Takeaways
- The Wrangler’s available 392 V8 is a stunner, delivering more power than any of the Bronco’s engines.
- When the Bronco is equipped for high-speed off-roading, not even the Wrangler can catch up!
- Choose the Bronco for the best blend of off-road adventure and on-road comfort.
- The Bronco offers tech features you won’t find anywhere else, like 1-Pedal Drive and Trail Turn Assist.
Max Power: 2025 Jeep Wrangler
The 2025 Jeep Wrangler takes the lead here, offering more power or greater efficiency than the competition. First, there’s the famous 6.4-liter V8, known in Jeep parlance as the 392. Found only on the four-door automatic version of the Wrangler Rubicon, this V8 helps drivers tackle rough terrain with 470 horses and 470 pound-feet of torque! Then there’s the plug-in hybrid known as the 4xe. Available for the Sport S, Willys, Sahara, High Altitude, Rubicon, and Rubicon X, this PHEV powertrain balances efficiency (49 MPGe) with a generous output (375 horses)!
2025 Jeep Wrangler Powertrain Options
- Standard 3.6L V6 (285 hp, 260 lb-ft)
- Available 2.0L turbo four-cylinder engine (270 hp, 295 lb-ft)
- Rubicon Unlimited-specific 6.4L V8, aka the 392 (470 hp, 470 lb-ft)
- Plug-in hybrid 2.0L inline four-cylinder engine, aka the 4xe (375 hp, 470 lb-ft)
- Six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission
- Four-wheel drive
Though it never gets as powerful as the 392 or as efficient as the 4xe, no one can say that the 2025 Ford Bronco doesn’t produce plenty of muscle. The Ranger Raptor tops off the lineup with 418 horses and 440 pound-feet of torque, an output that lends itself to high-speed off-roading. In its most efficient form (the Outer Banks with the 2.7-liter V6), the Bronco earns 20 mpg combined (19 city/21 highway).
2025 Ford Bronco Powertrain Options
- Standard 2.3L turbocharged four-cylinder engine (300 hp, 325 lb-ft) with seven-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission
- Available 2.7L turbo V6 (330 hp, 415 lb-ft) and 10-speed automatic
- Raptor-specific 3.0L turbo V6 (418 hp, 440 lb-ft) and 10-speed automatic
- Four-wheel drive
Built for adventure, every Bronco and Wrangler trim model comes with four-wheel drive, a convertible roof, and removable doors. And both SUVs are available with a long list of rugged upgrades, including reinforced bumpers and locking differentials. Top-tier trim models (namely, the Bronco Raptor and Wrangler Rubicon) are equipped for high-speed off-roading.
In spite of all their similarities, however, the Bronco is our favorite off-road SUV. Compared to the Wrangler’s solid axle, the Bronco’s independent front suspension enhances steering precision and wheel control. And various levels of the Bronco’s High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension (HOSS) make it easy to build a high-speed off-roader — simply upgrade your setup to HOSS 3.0 or HOSS 4.0! Better still, the Bronco offers smarter trail technology, including Trail 1-Pedal Drive. This system lets you start and stop with the same pedal, allowing you to concentrate on steering.
Everyday Comfort: 2025 Ford Bronco
Throughout each SUV’s respective list of trim models, there’s plenty of comfort to be had. Available features include winter-friendly items, like heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Both the Bronco and the Wrangler can even be pretty luxurious, thanks to upgrades like leather upholstery and premium sound systems.
So why does the Ford Bronco have the edge in this category? There are two big reasons, actually. The Bronco cabin is expansive, with plenty of head- and legroom in both rows. By comparison, the Jeep Wrangler interior is noticeably narrower. And front-seat passengers may feel like they’re a little too close to the Wrangler’s stock-straight windshield.
The second reason is the Bronco’s smoother ride. Both SUVs are tuned for rugged adventure, but the Wrangler feels stiffer by comparison (meaning bumps in the road can often translate into a bouncy cabin). Meanwhile, the Bronco’s highway composure makes it the better choice for your family road trips!
Modern Technology: 2025 Ford Bronco
With their smartphone-savvy infotainment features and driver safety systems, both SUVs put a modern spin on rugged adventure. But it’s the Bronco that takes tech to the next level! The standard lineup features a digital gauge cluster, LED headlamps, and a driving system that isn’t even available on the Wrangler (Trail Turn Assist). Available upgrades, like Trail 1-Pedal Drive and Evasive Steering Assist, continue to put the Wrangler’s sparse list of safety aids to shame!
When it comes to technology, the 2025 Jeep Wrangler’s standard infotainment setup is its best feature. With a 12.3-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, this rugged SUV makes it easy to stay connected to the world at large. The Wrangler’s available safety aids, however, are another story. None are standard equipment, and only the basics (like forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot warning) are optional.
Not only is the Ford Bronco our pick for best 4x4 SUV for off-roading in Michigan 2025, but it also beats out the competition when it comes to everyday comfort and innovative technology! Make the most of your off-road adventures; visit us at Lunghamer Ford in Owosso, MI, to get behind the wheel of America’s most iconic midsize SUV.