Bronco vs Jeep Wrangler mega thread

[Notorious]

I watched a quick ticktok video of a four door Bronco. For the first time since it’s been revealed, I discovered that the vehicle looks cheap. And those fenders look horrendous. This may be too early for me to say but it looks like a horribly cheap knockoff of the Wrangler. Ford missed the mark.

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[INCRHULK]

Start offering a real engine. I'm in a TJ currently and was seriously considering the JL until I heard that the only way I could get the 3.5 V6 was as a "hybrid". Not something I would ever consider.

So I hope that the Hemi does make it to production - or better still, the straight-6 turbo I keep hearing rumors about. If not I'll be looking at the Bronco.

You've heard wrong. It's a 3.6L, and you can get it w/out the hybrid option.

 

[aldo98229]

Where are the excuses and complacency you speak of from Jeep guys? Serious question as it's always brought up. There's plenty of Jeep ripping on this forum for it's issues and Jeeps complacency has been complained about long before the JL ever came out. People have long begged for better gearing options, a lift from factory, factory half doors, a V8, etc. In fact I've seen nothing but praise that competition is coming to make the Wrangler better.

If the big argument for Ford is standard options than honestly I think that's pretty weak. Saying Jeep will have to go to "drawing board" over standard options is laughable. It will be so easy for Jeep to change around it's standard options that I wouldn't be surprised if the 2022 MY is matched to the Bronco and has a similar Sasquatch option to boot. Jeeps ease of modification is a serious advantage both from the factory and outside it.

I do agree the standard options and trim levels are better on the Bronco. I just think you're just overstating it's importance when all Jeep has to do is some shuffling around to counter that.

...and we know FCA is the master of “shuffling around”, if nothing else.

I agree. Wrangler is so well established, and Jeep owners are so loyal, that Bronco is not going to spell “doom” on Wrangler sales.

But there are many current Wrangler owners who are Ford loyals and can’t wait for Ford to offer them an alternative. And there are many JL owners who came from other brands and are disappointed with all the compromises that owning a Jeep involves. These two groups already offer Bronco a low-hanging fruit source of customers. And their defection will force Jeep to respond in some shape or form.

Two glaring areas where FCA can improve Wrangler tomorrow if it wanted to are (1) fix the damn steering, and (2) provide better value for money.

It is a mystery to me why FCA has been this slow to address the steering issue, other than JL was “selling fine” so it didn’t think it had to do anything. While that may be an acceptable strategy for managing a stock price, it isn’t for managing a truck brand long-term.

Per offering better value for money, that will get addressed the moment Bronco starts to pinch at Wrangler sales, forcing Jeep into “shuffling around” as you say.

One area where Bronco will have the upper leg over Wrangler is in customer service. Ford dealers aren’t the best, but if customer satisfaction reports are any indication, they are still significantly better than Jeep dealers.

PSA will be in full control of Jeep by the time JL’s mid-cycle refresh appears in 2023. Carlos Tavares has shown that he likes to make money by improving (1) the quality of the product, and (2) the level of service dealers provide. So from that standpoint alone, owning a Jeep is only bound to get better.

 

[Rudolph Hart]

I watched a quick ticktok video of a four door Bronco. For the first time since it’s been revealed, I discovered that the vehicle looks cheap. And those fenders look horrendous. This may be too early for me to say but it looks like a horribly cheap knockoff of the Wrangler. Ford missed the mark.

Well it’s not too early for the Bronco fans to be hyperbolic about it so I think your entitled to your opinion

 

[Bradley]

Stupid question, Jeep has sold millions of vehicles since Ford stopped making the Bronco the last time, they don't need to respond to anything.

This is how companies/brands die. The good ones are always working on improving/staying ahead of the game. I think Jeep has a few plans up their sleeves and have had them for awhile. Just like computer companies, they have the tech and plans for years but release it all in segments in order to make as much $$$ as possible.

 

[Jeepsterfreak]

I don't really have a personal opinion about eTorque motors --which is not a good sign for FCA.

Awhile back I saw a review on TFL on a Ram 1500 eTorque 5.7 HEMI: after owning the truck for one year they didn't see the benefit of paying extra for the eTorque motor.

I think that's where the majority of people have landed with it: "you want me to pay extra to get what exactly...?"

Jeep keeps flip-flopping on eTorque; we will see what it offers when the time comes for my next purchase. All I know is I will skip the eTorque option if I can and save the money --and the complexity.

If/when the 48v battery fails after warranty, it’s $1,500 list price from mopar. No thanks!

Plus the added electrical and mechanical engineering involved to potentially fail. The 48v battery has its own coolant system. What could possibly go wrong?

No interest in a “mild hybrid”. Give me the full benefits of a “true hybrid” or electric vehicle to justify the added cost and engineering complexity that comes with it.

 

[Oilburner]

...The separate panels would reach require added material and profile, to add rigidity and to provide a solid support for its mated panel. They removed the roofs crossbar, so that loss of weight carrying and wind buffering support would need to be picked up by the panels themselves.

Good point(s). Taking that cross member out certainly could save weight, but they likely had to add material to what's left of the roll cage to make up for the loss of strength. I would really like to see a 'T-bone Crash' comparison between a new 4 dr Bronco and a Wrangler.

 

[Headbarcode]

Good point(s). Taking that cross member out certainly could save weight, but they likely had to add material to what's left of the roll cage to make up for the loss of strength. I would really like to see a 'T-bone Crash' comparison between a new 4 dr Bronco and a Wrangler.

Supposedly, bronco used a higher grade material for their sport bars. Still, there's no denying the importance of crossmembers and/or gussets to help maintain the structural integrity of a picture frame. Also, we're not talking about real cages here. There only hope is to prevent the roof from fully flattening into the occupants, but they will move. Just, as you say, a matter of how much would they move in a rollover.

 

[rallydefault]

I watched a quick ticktok video of a four door Bronco. For the first time since it’s been revealed, I discovered that the vehicle looks cheap.

And there you have it, folks. Pack this puppy up, it's done. @Notorious watched a TikTok video (a "quick" one, even), and has passed judgment.

 

[Jeeperob]

I believe Jeep doesn’t have to respond to the Bronco. The Wrangler has proven itself many times over. I do believe that Jeep needs to keep improving in order to produce the best product possible. In my opinion, I believe it’s the Bronco that has to prove it can stand with the Wrangler. I’ve never been one to allow hype to dictate how I feel about something. Only time will tell if the Bronco will be a formidable competitor. Just my take.

This is fine and Jeep doesn’t have to respond because it has proven to be excellent off-road and is the king. However, everyone keeps forgetting about a huge majority of buyers who just buy because they “want” and off-road “capable” vehicle, they don’t need it to be the BEST one. Not saying which is best or not, but Jeep should respond with something if they want to keep the these buyers interested.

 

[Jeeperob]

Shame their Mansquatch answer still sucks.

yup, I still dunno if I’d get lazy auto or manual, but I’d like the option to choose. I think the “trail assist” is the ONLY thing that wouldn’t work. F that, I’d rather have the manual!!

 

[nostatic]

Ford Bronco Has Amassed 230000 Reservations in a few weeks. Yea, but what a stupid question.

We’ll see how many of those actually convert to owners (and when), and how many of those owners are satisfied.

At the end of the day, they’re buying a copy of an icon (“inspired by” if you want marketing speak). It’s a Ford, so for some that is reason enough to purchase. Certainly some Wrangler owners will buy one for various reasons - sick of FCA, perceived improvements on Jeep shortcoming, or just like having the newest thing out there. All perfectly valid reasons.

I didn’t grow up wanting a Bronco. Unless my JL seriously lets me down, I don’t see a reason to jump to something (Bronco) that is invariably compared to the original and current cultural icon and off-road performer (Wrangler).

At the end of the day, “it’s just a vehicle” - unless you’re an enthusiast in which case it should make your heart beat a little quicker and put a smile on your face. If the new Bronco does that, grab a spot and wait. In the meantime I’ll continue pushing the start button on my JL every day and be happy. There’s a butt for every seat...

 

[ODDs]

I'm pretty sure Jeep is going to respond by offering less colors.

 

[Dkretden]

Ford Bronco Has Amassed 230000 Reservations in a few weeks. Yea, but what a stupid question.

If this is true, that’s bad news for Jeep but great for Jeep customers.

assume that only 50% of these orders actually convert to sales (i think that it will be higher than that)..... 115,000 preorders convert. I would guess that half of the buyers would have purchased a Jeep ...... 55,,000 Jeeps don’t get sold..... call it 50,000 for giggles over say 2-years plus the folks that will buy who have not pre-ordered. That may take away 10-20% market share from jeep.

FCAwill need to up its game. Add new features, improve others, Improve the ownership experience, and generally focus on improving service across the board. That’s terrific news for jeep owners.

 

[Headbarcode]

I sorta disagree. From an engineering perspective, the cabin experience has taken precedence over better offroad drivetrain layout. That, or the dipshits they have doing their design work haven't figured out their drivetrain design is a limiting factor in how much frame clearance they could be getting and optimizing the offroad performance.

I fully agree about them leaving a decent amount on the table, as far as how much more they could've tucked the belly.

I meant as far as ditching sfa in favor of ifs, or an actual cable actuated t-case shift lever for a button, etc. But you know that, which is why you added the sorta.

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