Used Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco: which to choose?
The Ford Bronco returned to the market four years ago, not without a series of quality and reliability issues — just think of the roof. The manufacturer has managed to fix many of them, which is good news, but consumers looking at used models should remain cautious.
Its great rival, the Jeep Wrangler, has benefited from an update of its current generation for 2024. It too is far from perfect, and its reliability proves uneven, but it maintains its aura and continues to attract a clientele eager for off-road driving.
Which should you choose? First of all, if you're mainly on the road, the Bronco is the way to go. It's quieter, more refined and more comfortable, making it ideal for long trips. There are fewer compromises to make when driving it. The Wrangler, though robust, is noisy and less comfortable.
The Bronco also offers the advantage of more modern engines. The 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 remains the engine of choice, because it's powerful, smooth and relatively reliable. What's more, it doesn't consume much more than Jeep's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, the other option to consider and more attractive than the aging 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 or the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel (to be avoided) that you can find under the hood of the Wrangler. At the top end of the scale, however, Jeep's 6.4-liter HEMI V8 has no equal.
Both SUVs, by the way, are available with manual or automatic transmissions. Only one can be found with a hybrid powertrain (rechargeable, to boot), and that's the one with the iconic seven-slot grille. Called the Wrangler 4xe, it will give you around 30 kilometers of electric range in ideal conditions, and plenty of power to boot.
When it comes to off-road performance, the Wrangler is a legend, with proven 4x4 systems such as Selec-Trac and Rock-Trac. The Bronco is equally competent, especially in its formidable Raptor version and with its G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Terrain) multi-terrain selector. The Wrangler's ground clearance and attack/exit angles are also slightly more advantageous. The Wrangler's well-established reputation is no accident.
Need to haul equipment or loads? The Bronco wins with superior cargo volume in both two-door and four-door configurations, as well as higher towing capacity when equipped with the standard engine (3,500 lb vs. 2,000 lb).
Finally, the excellent resale value of Jeep's SUV means that prices generally exceed those of its great rival. If you're considering a late-model model, the manufacturers' original warranties are the same: 3 years or 60,000 km on the vehicle and 5 years or 100,000 km on the powertrain. In all cases, a full mechanical inspection is essential for peace of mind.
Happy shopping!
