2022 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

Ford had been teasing the new Bronco for years, and it recently revealed that the resurrected off-roader would be preceded by a smaller sibling: the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The Bronco Sport captured some of the same styling cues as its bigger brother but was a frameless (unibody) crossover with a more suburban focus—an everyday driver ready for weekend adventures. It had a modern retro look that wouldn’t be out of place in the Land Rover lineup, with short front and rear overhangs designed for trail driving. The front end echoed the Bronco, tying the Sport with its big brother, and bold white lettering on the grille and tailgate announced the vehicle’s name as “BRONCO,” with a smaller “SPORT” postscript.

The Bronco Sport’s wheels played a big part in its off-road and on-road ability. The Base model came with 17-inch Sparkle Silver wheels, while the Big Bend model got 17-inch Carbonized Gray-painted high-gloss aluminum wheels. Outer Banks stepped up to 18-inch machined-face aluminum Ebony Black-painted wheels with all-season tires, while the Badlands model used the same wheels but with 28.5-inch all-terrain tires. The First Edition model came with 17-inch Ebony Black-painted wheels and 29-inch all-terrain tires. The interior was tastefully rugged, with an uncluttered design and several convenient storage cubbies. There was a predictable step-up from model to model in interior trim, from cloth seats to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats to Navy Pier Leather power front seats on the First Edition.

When shopping for a new Jeep Wrangler, buyers first had to decide between the classic two-door or the more practical four-door model. Depending on that selection, they could choose from a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, gasoline V6, turbodiesel V6, gas V8, or plug-in hybrid powertrain. The turbo-four and V6 engines came standard with a six-speed manual transmission, with an option to upgrade to the eight-speed automatic. Four-wheel drive (4WD) was standard, but multiple systems were available depending on the trim level.

The Wrangler came in four core trim levels: Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon, with numerous special editions building from these versions. The High Tide special edition model, based on the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (four-door) Sport S trim, added LED exterior lighting, a body-color hardtop with a Sunrider Fliptop, a Gorilla Glass windshield upgrade, sand-and-slush floor mats, and High Tide or Beach hood decals. The High Tide also featured the Xtreme Recon package, which included a 1.5-inch suspension lift, revised shock tuning, 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, 35-inch BF Goodrich T/A KO2 tires, and a 4.56 rear axle ratio. The Wrangler’s unique character and capabilities heightened awareness and encouraged exploration, adding a sense of excitement with an undercurrent of concern.

Ford set up a media drive at Holly Oaks ORV Park in Holly, Michigan, where several variants of the Bronco Sport were driven on groomed trails, designed obstacles, and public roads. The Bronco Sport had two engine choices tied to trim levels. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims featured a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition models came with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine putting out 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. All Bronco Sport models had an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD), along with a terrain management system with up to seven available G.O.A.T. modes (Go Over Any Type of Terrain).

The Bronco Sport performed well off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase (105.1 inches), four-wheel independent suspension, generous suspension travel, and decent ground clearance (7.8 to 8.8 inches, depending on tire and wheel size). The 2.0-liter engine in the Badlands and First Edition trims seemed better suited to the Bronco Sport’s character, as the 1.5-liter could sound strained when pressed hard. Despite its off-road capabilities, the Bronco Sport was expected to spend most of its life on pavement, where it had good manners and served well as a commuter, family hauler, and all-around vehicle.

The Wrangler High Tide had a 3.6-liter V6 engine with eTorque mild-hybrid electrification, adding extra electric-motor muscle when accelerating from a stop and a 48-volt electrical system to enhance overall fuel economy. The engine produced 285 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. The eight-speed automatic transmission was a mandatory $4,000 option on the High Tide, and the test vehicle also had the optional Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system.

According to the EPA, a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited with the eTorque V6 should get 21 mpg in combined driving, but the Xtreme Recon Package modifications affected this. The test vehicle averaged 17.6 mpg on the evaluation route and 16.8 mpg over a week and 435 miles of driving. The Wrangler’s driving experience was unique and immersive, engaging all senses and making every drive memorable. However, it required frequent stops at gas stations and had well-known traits such as loud cabin noise, vague steering, and a rough ride. Despite these characteristics, the Wrangler’s off-road capabilities and unique driving experience made it a beloved vehicle for many.

The Bronco Sport delivered fun, clever features beyond the usual compact crossover mold. The cargo space was designed to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes, and Ford launched a catalog of over 100 factory and aftermarket accessories for transporting kayaks, surfboards, skis, camping equipment, and other gear. The roof could hold up to 150 pounds (100 with a moonroof), and the 2.0-liter engine could tow up to 2,200 pounds, while the 1.5-liter could tow 2,000 pounds. The cargo hold featured a flip-up rear glass, an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table, a 400-watt inverter, and liftgate floodlamps.

The front cabin had ample storage compartments, including big door pockets, multiple cubbies, and covered storage. However, taller drivers might find it challenging to see past the roof overhang to spot traffic lights, and a taller seating position would have been better for off-road visibility. Overall, the Bronco Sport’s interior was well-designed for active buyers, with thoughtful features and storage solutions.

Getting into and out of a Jeep Wrangler was tough, and the High Tide’s raised suspension made it even more difficult. Shorter, less-limber people would struggle, especially if the Jeep was dirty. The manual height adjuster for the driver’s seat required regular re-adjustment due to its location. The Wrangler’s seats were comfortable, and the cloth upholstery looked and felt durable. Plastic and rubber dominated the interior, but there were some soft, padded spots for arms and elbows. The driving position was close to the steering wheel, dashboard, and windshield, requiring acclimation time.

Visibility was a mixed bag, with small intersections requiring drivers to lean forward and look up. The High Tide’s 35-inch spare tire blocked part of the rear view, but the reversing camera and Safety Group features helped. Rear-seat passengers faced the same entry and exit difficulties, but once aboard, they had agreeable accommodations with a good view out. Storage was limited, with netting on the lower door panels, a small tray on the dashboard, a small but deep center console box, and a narrow but deep glove compartment. The tailgate swung from left to right, and the High Tide’s was heavier due to the 35-inch wheel. The Wrangler Unlimited offered 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

Ford equipped the Bronco Sport with the latest infotainment systems, including an 8-inch touchscreen with SYNC 3, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Ford+Alexa, and SiriusXM capability. FordConnect with 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was standard. The base audio system was an AM/FM stereo with six speakers, while a Bang & Olufsen sound system was available on Outer Banks and above trim levels. The terrain management system had five drive modes on Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims, and seven modes on Badlands and First Edition models. Trail control technology added a cruise-control-like feature for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was included on all trims except Base, and higher trims had heated and leather-wrapped steering wheels and a 6.5-inch digital instrument panel.

The Wrangler High Tide, based on Sport S trim, had relatively basic infotainment technology with a 7-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger Uconnect 8.4 infotainment system offered upgrades such as satellite radio, connected services, and a navigation system, but the test vehicle didn’t have it. The Wrangler High Tide had remote engine starting, satellite radio, passive keyless entry, single-zone automatic climate control with a new air filtration system, and the Cold Weather Group, which included heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.

Each trim level of the Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, dynamic brake support, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, auto high-beam headlamps, and a reversing camera. Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ was available on all trims except Base, adding adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane centering, evasive steering assist, a voice-activated touchscreen navigation system, SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link, and road-sign recognition. Trailer sway control was included in the tow package. AWD and a terrain management system with G.O.A.T. modes were standard on all Bronco models. Neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA had revealed crash-worthiness ratings for the Bronco Sport.

The Wrangler High Tide included both the Safety Group and the Advanced Safety Group. The Safety Group added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors, while the Advanced Safety Group added adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Wrangler had a three-star rating for rollover resistance from the NHTSA and a Marginal rating for protection in the IIHS’s left front small overlap crash-test evaluation. The Wrangler also received a Marginal rating in the new side-impact test and Poor to Marginal ratings for headlight performance.