2024 Ford Bronco v. 2024 Jeep Wrangler: Legendary SUVs Go Head-On
Photo Source: Ford
For generations, the Jeep Wrangler was virtually in a class by itself as a classically styled, off-road-oriented SUV with a removable roof and doors. In 2021, the long-awaited rebirth of the Ford Bronco stepped onto the scene as a direct competitor with tempting updates, such as more power, technology, comfort, and safety features. Jeep has not been sitting still, though, and the 2024 model year brought the most notable response yet to its new rival:
- A comprehensive upgrade that included a longer list of features
- A larger infotainment screen
- A broader range of trim levels
This article takes a deep-dive into the 2024 Ford Bronco and the 2024 Jeep Wrangler to determine which SUV is the more palatable option.
Pricing Highlights
The Bronco and the Wrangler are sold in two forms: compact two-door SUVs and the more popular midsize four-door variants. The Jeep has a lower starting price at $36,495 MSRP (Plus destination fee) for a four-door Wrangler. The Bronco, by contrast, has a starting price tag of $39,870 MSRP (Plus destination fee). That said, the 2024 Ford Bronco earned Kelley Blue Book’s Best Resale Value Award in its class.
Moreover, the figures do not mean that the Bronco necessarily costs so much more than the Wrangler. Ford retired last year’s (2023) entry-level Bronco to begin with the better-equipped Big Bend. In turn, an introductory-level Wrangler Sport boasts manual door locks and crank windows, standard amenities on the Bronco Big Bend. The Ford is outfitted more comparably to the Jeep Wrangler Sport S, which comes to $39,990 MSRP (Plus destination fee), slightly more money than the Ford.
Driving on the Pavement
Even though each automobile can epitomize an off-road enthusiast’s dream come true, driving the 2024 Wrangler is unlike driving nearly any other contemporary passenger vehicle, especially on asphalt. Even keeping it pointed straight commands the driver’s full attention, and they will not feel the slightest impulse to hustle it around curves. It no longer accelerates gradually no matter which of its four powertrains a customer selects–and two of them, the turbo engine of the 4xe plug-in hybrid and the 392 trim’s 470-horsepower Hemi V-8–are fiercely agile. Additionally, the ride is not as rowdy or uneven as past Wrangler versions. To that end, for loyal Jeep buyers, this crude flavor is part of the experience. On the contrary, for other people, it is a potential nuisance.
In turn, the 2024 Bronco is a more familiar SUV. It is worth noting that its ride fidgets around a bit with the integration of the vehicle’s off-road Sasquatch package. Nonetheless, despite the presence of wind noise on the highway, the Ford’s steering and handling feel far more natural than the Jeep’s, and it is invigorating how the Bronco cruises seamlessly over speed bumps. Pair that with the Bronco SUV’s own choice of powerful engines, and it transforms into an ideal on-road and off-road juggernaut. For example, the Ford Bronco Raptor is a faithful execution of the Raptor moniker, including:
- A sonorous turbo V-6 engine topping out at 418 horsepower
- 37-inch tires
- Monster truck aesthetics
- A HOSS 4.0 suspension system
The Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler share many traits, and their capabilities are vast, but the 2024 Bronco has responsive steering that makes it less lumbering in town than its immense dimensions might otherwise suggest. Its resale value also makes it a worthy contender against the 2024 Wrangler. Overall, the revitalized Ford Bronco remains a more appealing alternative to the Jeep Wrangler.
If you would like to learn more about the possibilities harbored by the 2024 Ford Bronco, please come visit Sunrise Ford. After all, we are here to assist you with any financial help, needs, or pesky questions to make paying for a vehicle simpler. We are happy to be your dealership home.