The battle between the 2024 Jeep Wrangler and the 2024 Ford Bronco is the ultimate SUV grudge match. For decades, the Jeep Wrangler essentially owned the compact 4x4 segment after Ford abandoned the category by discontinuing the Bronco in 1996.
That decision didn't sit well with off-road fanatics, and Ford finally answered their continual cries for the return of the Bronco by reintroducing the nameplate for the 2021 model year. Before the automaker resurrected the vaunted name, its engineers and product planners studied the Wrangler closely, as they told me when I attended the vehicle's introductory drive event.
Ford's desire to match or beat the Wrangler in almost every area is evident in how closely the two vehicles resemble one another mechanically. Both are available in two- and four-door versions. Both offer hard- and soft-top variants and removable doors. Both are, of course, full-time four-wheel drive (4WD) with very interesting powertrain options.
The Wrangler and Bronco offer incredible off-road capabilities, including crawling up daunting rock walls and crossing deep streams. Their list of available all-terrain options and equipment is more than impressive. As fun-to-drive, go-anywhere outdoor fun machines, they have no peers.
Which of these two vehicles is the right one for you? This article can help you answer that question.
2024 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 Final Edition
Jeep markets the 2024 Wrangler in eight trim levels: Sport, Sport S, Willys, Rubicon, Sahara, Rubicon X, Rubicon 392, and Rubicon 392 Final Edition. Most offer two- and four-door configurations, but the Sahara and Rubicon 392 are four-door only. The Sport, which starts at $31,995, is the least expensive Wrangler, while the Rubicon 392 Final Edition ($100,590) tops the line. The Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid (PHEV) offers Sport S, Willys, Sahara, Rubicon, and High Altitude variants.
The Wrangler has two years of complimentary oil changes and tire rotations as part of its Jeep Wave program. Roadside assistance is available for five years or 50,000 miles. All 2024 Wrangler buyers get a three-month trial of the Jeep Connect Assistance package, a five-year trial of the Vehicle Performance package, and a 10-year Safety and Security package test.
The 2024 Ford Bronco lineup offers nine trims: Big Bend, Black Diamond, Outer Banks (not to be confused with Ernie Banks), Heritage Edition, Badlands, Everglades, Wildtrak, Heritage Limited Edition, and Raptor. All feature 4WD. At $39,630, the Big Bend is the least expensive Bronco. At the top of the mainstream Bronco lineup, the Heritage Limited Edition ($69,685) combines retro graphics with big-time off-road gear. The high-performance, desert-running Raptor starts at $90,035.
The 2024 Bronco offers roadside assistance for five years or 60,000 miles but does not include free scheduled maintenance. Ford equips all 2024 Broncos to engage with FordPass Connect, the automaker's suite of connected services. Bronco buyers also get connected navigation with a 90-day trial on many trims.
Advantage: Jeep Wrangler
Why? The Wrangler offers a less expensive entry-level model and a V8-powered model at the top end.
2024 Ford Bronco Big Bend
The Jeep Wrangler does not rank among the top three models in the Compact SUV segment in the JD Power 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), which assesses owner-reported problems during the third year of ownership.
The Wrangler ranks third (in a tie) in its segment in the JD Power 2023 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS), which tracks problems experienced by owners during the first 90 days.
The 2024 Jeep Wrangler offers a standard warranty of three years or 36,000 miles, and a powertrain warranty of five years or 60,000 miles.
The Ford Bronco does not rank among the top three models in the Compact SUV segment in either the 2024 VDS or the 2023 IQS. Its warranty coverage matches the Wrangler's.
Advantage: Jeep Wrangler
Why? The Wrangler ranks higher in initial quality.
2024 Jeep Wrangler Willys 2-Door
The 2024 Jeep Wrangler gives buyers multiple powertrain choices. A 3.6-liter V6 rated at 285 horsepower is the base engine, and a 270-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is available across much of the line. A 470-hp 6.4-liter Hemi V8 powers the Rubicon 392, while a 375-hp PHEV drivetrain does the same in the Wrangler 4xe. The 4xe offers 21 miles of battery-electric range. Depending on the trim, transmission choices include a six-speed manual and an eight-speed automatic.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Wrangler 4xe at 49 MPGe in combined driving. At the other end of the scale, the Rubicon 392 offers 14 mpg combined. In the middle, the base 3.6-liter V6 delivers 20 mpg combined, and the 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder delivers 21 mpg combined.
The 2024 Ford Bronco offers three engine choices. The base engine is a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder that delivers 300 hp; many Broncos offer a turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 that offers 330 hp. Ford offers a seven-speed manual transmission with the four-cylinder engine. Still, most Bronco buyers will opt for the 10-speed automatic transmission. The Raptor features a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 rated at 418 hp.
The EPA rates the Bronco's 2.3-liter four-cylinder at 20 mpg combined; the base 2.7-liter V6's fuel economy is also 20 mpg combined. The performance-oriented Raptor is the least fuel-efficient, with an EPA mileage estimate of 15 mpg combined.
Advantage: Jeep Wrangler
Why? While most Wrangler and Bronco models offer similar fuel economy, the Wrangler offers a high-mileage PHEV version.
2024 Ford Bronco Badlands
At this point, it is reasonable for any consumer to expect a brand-new vehicle to include the following safety features:
So, how do the Wrangler and Bronco stack up? Let's take a look.
The Jeep Wrangler's entry-level Sport trim is light on standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), lacking forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking. However, those systems are standard on all other trims. Stellantis includes blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning in the optional Jeep Safety package. The Wrangler offers adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability as an option on all but the Sport trim; it is standard on the up-level versions.
As of this writing, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hasn't published an overall safety rating for the 2024 Jeep Wrangler. Meanwhile, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) did not name it a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ for the 2024 calendar year.
Ford Co-Pilot 360 is the backbone of the 2024 Bronco's ADAS offering. It includes several of the systems mentioned above as standard, but getting blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and lane-keeping assistance on less-expensive trims requires the purchase of an optional package. Those ADAS are standard on up-level trims. Buyers can obtain adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency steering on some trims as part of the High/Lux package.
As of this writing, the NHTSA has not issued an overall safety rating for the 2024 Ford Bronco. The IIHS gave the Bronco Good ratings in three crashworthiness categories but did not name it a 2024 Top Safety Pick.
Advantage: Neither
Why? The Wrangler and Bronco have very similar standard and optional ADAS offerings. Neither scores especially well with the IIHS.
2024 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392
The Stellantis Uconnect 5 system powers the infotainment in the 2024 Jeep Wrangler. It offers buyers a large and legible 12.3-inch touchscreen and includes wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and SiriusXM 360L with a three-month trial subscription. As you climb the price ladder, the upper trims feature a Uconnect 5 system that adds integrated voice command, GPS navigation, and HD Radio. Jeep offers an eight-speaker Alpine premium audio system, which is optional.
Wrangler buyers have access to a lengthy list of Jeep Connect connectivity options. For instance, the Assistance package offers connected navigation and real-time traffic with a three-month free trial. Off-Road Trail Guides, which has a two-year trial, provides Wrangler owners access to more than 200 off-road destinations. All 2024 Wranglers offer a Wi-Fi hotspot that connects up to eight devices.
The Wrangler's available "Send & Go" function lets owners use the Jeep smartphone app to search for a destination and send its address directly to the vehicle's navigation system. This feature is a boon for trip planning and meet-ups.
Ford equips all 2024 Broncos with the Sync 4 infotainment system and a 12-inch touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, and enhanced voice recognition are standard. A connected voice- and touchscreen-activated navigation system is standard on mid- and up-level trims and optional on the Big Bend and Black Diamond models. Ford offers a 10-speaker B&O premium audio system as an option on most trims.
FordPass Connect offers various connected-vehicle features, including using the FordPass smartphone app. Remote start/stop, remote lock/unlock, vehicle location, and vehicle health information are complimentary. It also includes a three-month or three-gigabyte trial of a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Broncos offer what Ford calls "Off-Road Hero Switches," enabling the driver to quickly engage and disengage the front- and rear-locking differentials, sway-bar disconnect, and the trail turn-assist system. That last feature allows the Bronco to make sharper turns by applying the brake on the inside rear wheel.
Advantage: Neither
Why? The infotainment systems offer similar screen sizes. Uconnect 5 and Sync 4 are both excellent infotainment systems.
2024 Ford Bronco
With its off-road emphasis, the Jeep Wrangler's interior is simple and functional. Its controls are straightforward and easy to use. Like the rival Bronco, the Wrangler offers hardtop and removable soft-top versions. Owners can also remove the doors, which is another feature the Bronco shares. Most Wranglers offer standard cloth-covered seats, while the Rubicon X and Rubicon 392 trims feature Nappa leather seats.
The up-level Wranglers offer eight-way power-adjustable driver's seats with four-way power lumbar support; those seats are available on most lower trims. All but the base Sport trim offer heated front seats either as standard or optional. Like the Bronco, the rear-seat space in the four-passenger two-door Wrangler is much more confined than in the five-passenger four-door.
The four-door Wrangler (aka Wrangler Unlimited) has a 31.7-cubic-foot cargo area behind the rear seat. It has 72.4 cubic feet of luggage space with the rear seat folded. The two-door Wrangler offers 12.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. With the rear seatback folded, it has 31.7 cubic feet of cargo area.
The Ford Bronco's distinctive interior plays heavily on its off-road prowess. A giant touchscreen dominates the purposeful dashboard. The front bucket seats flank a wide console. The rear bench in the two-door is belted for two, while in the four-door, it accommodates three. Standard seating materials are vinyl or cloth, depending on trim level. Several upper trims offer leather seating optionally.
Six-way manually adjusted driver's and front passenger seats are standard across the 2024 Bronco lineup. The upper trims have a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat. The rear seatback in the two-door is 50/50 split-folding; the four-door splits 60/40. Some Bronco versions have interiors that owners can hose out, which comes in handy after a day of off-roading in muddy terrain.
The Bronco four-door's rear cargo area provides 35.6 cubic feet of space; with the rear seat folded, it has 83 cubic feet of room. The Raptor's cargo area is slightly smaller. The Bronco two-door rear cargo area with both rows of seats in use offers 22.4 cubic feet of space. With the rear seatbacks folded, space increases to 52.3 cubic feet.
Advantage: Ford Bronco
Why? The Bronco offers more cargo space.
If you'd like to learn more about these compact SUVs, be sure to read our expert reviews of the 2024 Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco, and Ford Bronco Wildtrak 2-Door. To find out how people like you rate models in this segment, check out our ratings from verified vehicle owners.
Also, please remember that while the information in this article was accurate and valid on May 2, 2024, it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker's website or your local dealership.
Jack R. Nerad has reviewed cars, trucks, vans, and sport utilities for over three decades. He also managed the editorial efforts of Motor Trend magazine, JD Power, and Kelley Blue Book. Jack currently hosts the Sports Byline Network program "America on the Road," available on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, Audacy, and other outlets.
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