Ford Bronco vs Jeep Wrangler: removable-roof off-roaders
Updated Report an error By Sarah Whitmore
Ford · 2020–present
Bronco
- Power
- 246 kW334 PS
- Kerb mass
- 2,289 kg
Jeep · 2018–present
Wrangler IV JL
- Power
- 201 kW273 PS
- Kerb mass
- -
At a glance
Who suits what, worked out from the catalog figures of the versions above.
Categories won: Bronco 0 Wrangler IV JL 1
- City Wrangler IV JL Width: 1,877 mm vs 2,177 mm
- Off-road Too close to call Drive and body: Four-wheel drive (4×4) · SUV vs Four-wheel drive (4×4) · SUV
Verdict Opinion
The Bronco is the newer design, with more power from its standard engines and generous ground clearance. In the United States it sold 146,007 units in 2025, which shows how quickly it has won buyers. The Wrangler has the longer heritage, solid axles at both ends and a wider choice of drivetrains, from diesel to a V8 and, until 2025, a plug-in hybrid, plus an enormous accessory market.
In Europe the choice is narrower: the Bronco comes only as the 2.7 V6 four-door, while our Wrangler guide recommends the 2.2 diesel or the 4xe to European buyers.
- Sarah Whitmore
Ford and Jeep have competed for buyers of open, rugged 4x4s since the 1960s. The first Ford Bronco of 1966 was a compact off-roader on its own short chassis with a 2,337 mm wheelbase. After 1977 it grew into a full-size SUV on F-Series running gear, and the name disappeared in 1996. The Jeep line continued without a break, from the CJ to the Jeep Wrangler of 1987.
The direct contest resumed when Ford revealed the sixth-generation Bronco on 13 July 2020; production began at Michigan Assembly in Wayne on 14 June 2021. Its opponent is the fourth-generation Wrangler, the JL, unveiled in Los Angeles on 29 November 2017 and built in Toledo, Ohio. Both offer two- and four-door bodies, removable doors and a roof that comes off.
Ford Bronco vs Jeep Wrangler: what sets them apart
Ladder frames and axles
The two take different routes under the body. The Wrangler keeps a ladder frame with solid axles front and rear. The new Bronco uses a body-on-frame chassis derived from the Ford Ranger pickup. Its standard ground clearance is 295 mm, rising to 333 mm on the Raptor.
Engines from 201 to 350 kW
Ford offers a 2.3 EcoBoost four with 224 kW (300 hp) and 441 Nm, a 2.7 twin-turbo V6 with 246 kW and 563 Nm, and the Raptor's 3.0 V6 with 312 kW (418 hp). The JL Wrangler has a 2.0 turbo with 201 kW and 400 Nm, the 3.6 Pentastar V6 with 213 kW and a 2.2 diesel for Europe. At the top sits the Rubicon 392 with a 6.4 V8 of 350 kW. From 2021 to 2025 Jeep also sold the 4xe plug-in hybrid with 280 kW, 637 Nm and about 34 km of electric range under the EPA test.
Manual with crawler gear or automatic
The Bronco's manual is a six-speed with an extra crawler gear, available with the 2.3 only; otherwise both use automatics, ten speeds for Ford and eight for Jeep.
Four-door length and wheelbase
As four-doors the two are close. A Wrangler Unlimited measures 4,785 mm, and its 3,007 mm wheelbase beats the four-door Bronco's 2,949 mm by 58 mm; the Ford's body is longer, at 4,811–4,839 mm. The two-door Bronco has a 2,550 mm wheelbase.
Euro NCAP: one star for the JL
In 2018 the JL Wrangler received a single Euro NCAP star, chiefly for missing driver assistance such as automatic emergency braking; Jeep then promised standard emergency braking from 2019.
Bronco in Europe: one body, one engine
Ford sells the Bronco in Europe only as a four-door with the 2.7 V6, rated at 246 kW (335 PS) there. Imports started at the end of 2023, and German prices began at €74,500, according to Motor1.
Size and weight
| Bronco | Wrangler IV JL | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,811 mm189.4 in | 4,785 mm188.4 in −26 mm −1.0 in −0.5% |
| Width | 2,177 mm85.7 in † | 1,877 mm73.9 in −300 mm −11.8 in −13.8% |
| Wheelbase | 2,949 mm116.1 in | 3,007 mm118.4 in +58 mm +2.3 in +2.0% |
| Fits a standard garage? | Too wide | Tight |
Difference vs Bronco (±). Garage check: a standard single garage takes a car up to about 5.0 m (16 ft 5 in) long and 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) wide (width as listed in the catalog; some makers include the mirrors). Leave about 0.6 m (2 ft) to open the doors. † from another version of this generation.
Full specifications
| Ford Bronco | Jeep Wrangler | |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Version | 2020–present · 2.7 EcoBoost V6 (4-door) · petrol · 246 kW (334 PS) | Wrangler IV JL · Unlimited 2.0 Turbo · petrol · 201 kW (273 PS) |
| Production years | 2020–present | 2018–present |
| Body | SUV | SUV |
| Class | No data | SUV / crossover |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Performance | ||
| Power Why it matters: More power means stronger acceleration and easier overtaking, especially with a full load. | 246 kW (334 PS) 330 hp Better | 201 kW (273 PS) 270 hp |
| Power, all versions | 78–312 kW (106–424 PS) 105–418 hp | 87–350 kW (118–476 PS) 117–469 hp |
| Torque Why it matters: Torque is the pulling force you feel when accelerating from low revs, towing or climbing hills. | 563 Nm 415 lb-ft Better | 400 Nm 295 lb-ft |
| Power per tonne | 108 kW/t 131 hp/ton calculated | No data |
| Engine and transmission | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine | 2,700 cc · 6 cyl 2.7 l | No data |
| Gearbox | 10-speed automatic | automatic |
| Drive | Four-wheel drive (4×4) | Four-wheel drive (4×4) |
| Dimensions and weight | ||
| Length | 4,811 mm 189.4 in | 4,785 mm 188.4 in |
| Width | 2,177 mm 85.7 in † | 1,877 mm 73.9 in |
| Height | No data | 1,801 mm 70.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 2,949 mm 116.1 in | 3,007 mm 118.4 in |
| Kerb weight Why it matters: A lighter car is usually more agile and uses less energy. | 2,289 kg 5,046 lb | No data |
| Economy and running costs | ||
| Fuel consumption Why it matters: Lower consumption cuts running costs and CO₂ emissions on every trip. | 11.3 l/100 km 20.8 mpg US | No data |
| CO₂ | 324 g/km | No data |
| Fuel cost per year | €2,970/year estimated | No data |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP | No data | ★☆☆☆☆ (2018) |
These cars do not differ in the data we have.
Equal rows hidden (4): Body, Country, Fuel, Drive.
Better marks the stronger figure - only for measurable specs (power, torque, 0–100 km/h, consumption, boot, weight).
Estimated at 15,000 km a year with fuel at €1.75/l petrol. † from another version of this generation.
In plain words
Ford Bronco has more power: 246 kW (334 PS) against 201 kW (273 PS) for Jeep Wrangler. Ford Bronco is 26 mm longer than Jeep Wrangler (4,811 mm vs 4,785 mm). Ford Bronco is the older design (from 1966); Jeep Wrangler arrived in 1987. On the catalog figures, the Jeep Wrangler is the pick for city. Our catalog has no kerb mass for the Jeep Wrangler yet, so some checks above leave it out.
Which one to choose
Choose the Ford Bronco if you want the stronger standard engines, more ground clearance, the high-speed Raptor or an officially imported V6 four-door in Europe.
Choose the Jeep Wrangler if you want solid axles at both ends, a diesel, a V8 or a used 4xe plug-in hybrid, or want a direct descendant of the Willys and CJ Jeeps.
Both are in our catalogue, where the Ford page lists every Bronco generation since 1966.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ford Bronco bigger than the Jeep Wrangler?
The four-door Bronco is slightly longer (4,811–4,839 mm against 4,785 mm), but the Wrangler Unlimited has the longer wheelbase, 3,007 mm against 2,949 mm.
Can you take the doors and roof off both?
Yes. Both offer removable doors and roof panels; the Wrangler's windscreen can also be folded after removing four bolts.
Can I buy a new Bronco in Europe?
Yes. Official imports began at the end of 2023, limited to the long body and the twin-turbo V6, from €74,500 in Germany.
Why did the Wrangler get one star from Euro NCAP?
The 2018 car had no automatic emergency braking or lane assistance, which Euro NCAP weighs heavily. The manufacturer announced standard emergency braking from 2019.