The 2021 Ford Bronco is becoming more familiar to customers and professional critics alike, amid the continued rollout of the relatively new off-road oriented SUV. As Ford Authority previously reported, the automotive intelligentsia overwhelmingly praised it earlier this year, as they discovered that Ford managed to properly reintroduce a modern iteration of the formerly long-running nameplate without any major compromises. It should come as no surprise then that Car and Driver reached the same overall conclusion in a recent comparison test that had it go toe-to-toe with the 2021 Jeep Wrangler.
As is typical with any comparison test involving multiple vehicles, the publication failed to acquire models that could stack up fairly directly against each other. That said, the 2021 Ford Bronco Outer Banks they snagged from The Blue Oval only cost about $5,000 more than the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Stellantis loaned them. Given the expansive lineups of both nameplates, that in itself amounted to a minor victory, and prevented the test from being a complete apples-to-oranges evaluation.
While the Wrangler ultimately came in second place for one glaring shortcoming, the Jeep didn’t get completely humiliated by the Bronco. For starters, the 2.0L turbocharged I-4 and eight-speed automatic transmission impressed the team and allowed the Jeep to put up a faster 0-60 miles-per-hour time than the Bronco, which comes standard with more horsepower and two additional forward gears in the form of the 10-speed automatic transmission. Ultimately, the Jeep’s competent powertrain couldn’t make up for the unrefined behavior of the Wrangler’s solid front axle and recirculating-ball steering, which resulted in the publication calling the off-roader “woefully uncouth on the road.”
As for the 2021 Ford Bronco, it beat out its chief rival for reasons beyond its more refined front suspension setup. The magazine praised its exterior design for being appropriately retro and appreciated its superior steering and breaking capabilities. That said, its more sophisticated suspension components largely contributed to its victory, as the publication concluded that the Ford was far easier to live with in virtually all driving situations. Interestingly enough, this isn’t the first time a member of the Bronco family beat a Jeep Wrangler in a comparison test. As Ford Authority previously explained, the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport claimed first place over the Wrangler for similar reasons.
We’ll have more on the Bronco soon, so subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford Bronco news, and around-the-clock Ford news coverage.
Comments
Well ain’t that special. But the big difference is I can order a Jeep, and it will arrive in approx. 8 weeks. However, because of Fords ’22 allocation formula my reserved Bronco will now arrive sometime in 2024 instead of ’22. It’s been right at a year and a half since I reserved, and as B.B. King said, “The thrill is gone”.
Yeah, but after an 8-week wait, all you’ve got is a Jeep.
BY, I have a Jeep, and it’s been nothing but fun. And as it stands now I’ll be keeping that Jeep for a longer time than planned thanks to Fords inability to keep it’s promise to build all reserved Broncos before any dealer stock is built. But that’s fine, my Jeep has been nothing but fun from day one.
That’s like saying. I want a PlayStation 5 but I’d have to wait to get one so I’ll settle and get the inferior Xbox Series S because I can get it quicker. Sure that’s fine if you like living with disappointment
The new bronco would have been perfect if they put a solid axle in the front.
Are you paying attention here?
People are paying attention to the actual people who own the vehicles and have them off-road. So maybe you should ask yourself this question are you paying attention?
Where did Car and Driver fine Bronco Outer Banks with a 2.0, 8 speed tranny? That motor comes in the Bronco Sport. This model should have a 2.3, 10 speed. For to long Jeep has had No competition It’s time for Jeep to build a new model period FORD has totally raised the bar
Mr. chiles, you might want to re-read the information about Bronco’s transmission bs Jeeps.
So, the Bronco is superior to a vehicle that has been designed for off-road capability due to it’s on-road manners?
Ok…
I keep hearing how awesome and capable the new bronco is and how it now reigns supreme off-road, but I have yet to see one off-road.
I’ll reserve my judgement about how good it is until I see it out there in the wild…how it performs and how it holds up.
Jason, even though I have a reservation in for a Bronco I have said it’s the Bronco that will have to prove itself in the real off road world, not the Jeep. Jeep already has a proven off road record. But this is one point that the Bronco fan boys, and Jeep haters will never admit.