Off-Roads Opponents: 2025 Bronco vs 2025 Jeep Wrangler

In the world of off-road SUVs, it’s really a two-man race. The Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler are both inexorably linked to the world of off-road performance, and while Jeep might have pioneered this segment with its early military models, it’s fair to say that the Bronco has perfected the formula in the years since. The two models were locked in a heated rivalry throughout the ’80s and ’90s until the Bronco took a 25-year hiatus that ended with the debut of a new and improved model in 2021.

The new Bronco has quickly become the go-to choice for the thrill-seeking set, but how does it compare with the Wrangler when it comes to those areas that off-road drivers value most? From performance and efficiency to off-road tech, modern amenities, and more, join us as we pit the 2025 Ford Bronco vs 2025 Jeep Wrangler to see which one emerges as the current king of the off-road segment.

Performance

While the Bronco and Wrangler offer a very similar engine lineup, the Ford does boast a slight edge when it comes to the goods you’ll find underneath the hood. The Bronco’s base engine is a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that, thanks to an integrated turbocharger, can produce 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. The Wrangler’s own entry-level offering ups the cylinder count by two, but it manages to produce less power than its Ford rival, with 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque to its name due to the lack of a turbocharger. Both engines provide more than enough power to motivate their respective models, but it’s difficult to ignore the gap in performance from a pure value perspective.

When paired with the available turbocharged EcoBoost V6, the Bronco ups its output to 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, but the range-topping Raptor variant is the apex predator of the 2025 lineup with a 3.0-liter V6 that pumps out some 418 hp. The turbocharged design also works wonders as far as efficiency is concerned, with the I-4 and V6 both delivering an EPA-estimated 20 MPG. The Bronco Raptor sacrifices a few miles per gallon in the name of off-road performance, but it still fares better than the Wrangler’s own top-tier variant, with 15 MPG combined.

How do the Wrangler’s upper engines compare? It all depends on which one you choose. Jeep’s SUV is available with a turbocharged inline-four that actually produces less power than the model’s V6, at 270 hp. This seems to defy common sense, but it’s due to the fact that the I-4 is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission while the base V6 comes standard with a six-speed manual. The Wrangler’s Rubicon 392 variant is treated to a HEMI V8 that’s rated for 470 hp, but its six-figure price tag makes it a hard sell when the Bronco Raptor can be had for so much less.

It’s also important to consider a Jeep’s lifetime ownership costs when comparing the two models. The Wrangler’s fuel economy isn’t too far off from the Bronco, running between 19 and 21 MPG combined for the four- and six-cylinder engines and 14 MPG combined for the Rubicon 392’s HEMI V8, but there’s a noticeable gulf in terms of dependability. Jeep consistently ranks toward the bottom in numerous reliability studies, logging a 33 from Consumer Reports and posting 275 PP100 (Problems Per 100 Vehicles) according to JD Power. Ford fares a lot better in both regards, with a 44 from Consumer Reports and a significantly better PP100 at 208.

Technology

Ford and Jeep’s off-road midsize SUVs couldn’t be much further apart in terms of technology. While both models are known for their off-road prowess, the Bronco has a clear advantage in doubling as a daily driver thanks to its generous arsenal of standard comfort, convenience, and safety tech. Comparing the base trims provides some helpful insight into key differences between the two models. The Bronco’s Base trim provides drivers with all the features they’d expect from a modern SUV, including LED headlights, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, and a 12-inch infotainment display that’s paired with a digital instrument panel to create a cutting-edge cockpit.

The Wrangler’s entry-level Sport trim looks a little spartan by comparison, and while it does offer its own 12.3-inch infotainment display and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, it also seems to have been created for an earlier automotive era, with features like LED headlights not even entering the equation until you hit the Willys trim. Just take a look at these SUVs’ safety suites and you’ll understand what we mean. The Bronco is packed with plenty of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including a forward collision warning, automated emergency braking, and lane-departure and lane-keeping assists, while the Wrangler lacks pretty much everything aside from blind-spot monitoring, a rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors.

Ford’s SUV also provides plenty of tech that’s focused on improving off-road outcomes, from Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control to a unique Trail Turn Control feature that allows the Bronco to carve through the tightest corners with ease. Then there’s the matter of selectable drive modes. The 2025 Bronco is equipped with up to eight modes thanks to Ford’s GOAT (Goes Over Any [Type of] Terrain) system with custom settings that range from Eco and Sport to Mud/Ruts, Sand/Snow, Rock Crawl, and even a Baja mode that’s perfect for high-speed applications. Jeep likewise allows drivers to tailor the Wrangler’s performance, but it employs a more old-school technique that might be a little confusing for those who aren’t fluent in off-road jargon.

Instead of offering distinct drive modes that clearly state their purpose, Jeep employs a two-speed transfer case that counts on drivers being able to decipher the difference between different 4WD settings like 4-Hi, 4-Lo, and 4-Hi Auto. The Bronco’s Badlands trim also comes standard with a two-speed transfer case, but the eight optional GOAT modes make for a much easier learning curve for those who are new to the world of off-road fun. The Jeep’s lack of a custom drive mode system might seem a little antiquated, but it can be credited to a stark difference in ethos: Jeep prides itself on its no-nonsense approach to off-road driving, while the Bronco seems to have been designed with a focus on accessibility.

Off-Road Packages

Ford has certainly dialed in the off-road recipe in the last 60 years, and Bronco drivers stand to benefit. This midsize SUV is available with three dedicated off-road outfits for the 2025 model year in the Badlands and Stroppe Edition trims and the Raptor variant, though every version can be easily transformed into an adventure-ready rig thanks to the optional Sasquatch Package. Available on the Base, Big Bend, Outer Banks, and Badlands trims and standard on the Heritage Edition and Stroppe Edition, the Sasquatch Package adds a full suite of key upgrades that are sure to improve your chances of success in off-road scenarios.

A set of 35-inch all-terrain tires allows a Sasquatch-equipped Bronco to stampede through any terrain, while electronically locking front and rear axles improves traction by forcing both wheels to move at the same speed. A lifted suspension improves the Bronco’s ground clearance by more than three inches, while modified fender flares protect the paint job from flying rocks, sticks, and other debris that might otherwise mar the exterior. The Sasquatch Package also comes with a shorter final drive ratio that allows drivers to maximize torque to power through off-road obstacles, climb steep grades, and provide plenty of low-end muscle.

The Jeep Wrangler has a reputation as a perennial off-road contender, but not every trim level in the 2025 model can live up to that legacy. The Willys trim is your best bet if you’re looking for an affordable Wrangler that can keep pace in tough off-road conditions, but the pricier Rubicon trims are also an option if you’re working with a bigger budget. The Willys adds to the Sport S trim with 32-inch all-terrain tires, an electronic locking rear differential, and heavy-duty front and rear axles with shorter gearing, as well as built-in rack rails designed to protect crucial underbody components from off-road damage.

The Rubicon throws a 4:1 low-range gearing, locking front differentials, and an electronic disconnecting front stabilizer bar in for good measure, but it’s the available Xtreme 35 Package that really ups the Wrangler’s off-road resume. Available on the Willys and Rubicon and standard on the Rubicon X and Rubicon 392, the Xtreme 35 Package takes its name from a set of 35-inch tires wrapped around beadlock-capable wheels. The package also sees the Wrangler gain fender extension and 4.56:1 axle gearing that’s sure to increase torque, but the pricey package only adds 1.5 inches of ground clearance—less than half of what the Sasquatch Package gives the Bronco.

Saddle Up Your Own Bronco Today

The 2025 Ford Bronco and 2025 Jeep Wrangler represent two enticing options for those seeking an off-road SUV, but the decision ultimately comes down to what you’re looking for in your next vehicle. Are you the type of driver who values a balanced ride and the convenience of contemporary comfort, convenience, and infotainment tech? The Ford Bronco offers all that and more while still providing plenty of off-road ability. The Wrangler takes a more utilitarian approach to the off-road segment, and while this might have served the SUV well over the last 40 years, options like the Ford Bronco are quickly upping the benchmark.

Both models embrace a traditional body-on-frame design that allows them to venture where modern crossover SUVs wouldn’t dare. However, while both have their advantages, it’s difficult to argue with the Bronco’s well-rounded design. If you’re ready to experience the revived Bronco for yourself, Kings Ford is here to help. We’ll walk you through all the highlights of the 2025 model, help you find the perfect trim, and show you how it can be your ticket to a new world of off-road excitement.