Mocopo
Well-Known Member
I own a JLUR-XR and a Bronco Badlands Sasquatch 4 dr. I'm sure this information may have been shared in the 11 pages preceding this post, but I'm too lazy to ready through it, and it's faster to just share my thoughts:
Steering: Bronco has much tighter steering. You feel more in control on the road. The Jeep wanders, as you would expect, and the steering feels loose. TBH, I prefer the loose feeling.
Infotainment: I have the high package on the Bronco, and that 12 inch screen is amazing. The Android Auto is wireless and works flawlessly. On the jeep, the 8.4 inch screen is still nice, but Android Auto only works wired, and I get "Device Not Supported" quite often when I plug my phone in. I usually have to wait for a bit then it suddenly starts working.
Sound system: I have the Alpine in the Rubicon, and it's better than the Bronco, but even the Bronco isn't bad. Speaker placement sucks in the Bronco because it doesn't have the B pillar speakers, but from the front seat you can't really tell a difference.
Comfort: Most people say the Bronco has more comfortable seats. I am probably one of the few that likes the Jeep seats better. Totally personal preference, but 99% of people will say the Bronco is better here.
Technology: Parking with the 360 degree camera and huge screen on the Bronco is like cheating. Other than that I'd say the rest of the tech is comparable, except when it comes to off-road features, where Bronco integrates the use of lockers and swaybar disconnect better than Jeep. They work great on the Jeep too... but they're definitely more finicky to engage and disengage.
Storage: Bronco has more than Jeep. That's just straight math. Both have enough for a weekend trip out of town with my family of 4, but neither have enough for a camping trip with a family of 4 (at least with the gear I would want to bring). That can be solved with roof racks.
Overall Size: Jeep is smaller and sportier. Bronco feels more like a truck. The size difference isn't as big as people claim it is, but it does feel that way when you drive it. As someone who loves driving large trucks, the size of the Bronco doesn't bother me a bit. If you aren't used to driving trucks, it may feel a little big and boat-ish.
Tops: Jeep would win this category. I have soft tops on both. The Jeep soft top is better in all aspects... design, ease of use, visibility out windows, etc. As for hard tops, Broncos have known issues, many of which have been resolved with the 2nd gen top, but I still think the Jeep freedom top is more refined.
Aftermarket support: both vehicles have a ton of aftermarket support now to "make it your own," BUT Bronco accessories and mods are significantly more expensive. That will change over time, but for now Wrangler wins this one on price alone.
Cool factor: Bronco wins. We have people stop and talk to us all the time about our Bronco. Yes that will continue to happen less often as more and more are on the road, but no one ever cares about my jeep.
Community: Sorry to say this on the actual wrangler forums... but IMO the Bronco community is building a more accepting and good-natured community than what the Jeep community has become. I can bring the Jeep to a local Bronco trail ride.... I can't bring the Bronco to a local Jeep tail ride.
So in conclusion, I think I would put more points in the Bronco column. Especially since you mentioned that even though you don't off-road right now, you might someday try it. Well, my Bronco has kept up with Jeeps on 7-rated trails, which is a more difficult trail than most people will ever even take their jeep on. Once you start talking more extreme off-roading, the gap narrows, and arguably the Jeep will win out.
Steering: Bronco has much tighter steering. You feel more in control on the road. The Jeep wanders, as you would expect, and the steering feels loose. TBH, I prefer the loose feeling.
Infotainment: I have the high package on the Bronco, and that 12 inch screen is amazing. The Android Auto is wireless and works flawlessly. On the jeep, the 8.4 inch screen is still nice, but Android Auto only works wired, and I get "Device Not Supported" quite often when I plug my phone in. I usually have to wait for a bit then it suddenly starts working.
Sound system: I have the Alpine in the Rubicon, and it's better than the Bronco, but even the Bronco isn't bad. Speaker placement sucks in the Bronco because it doesn't have the B pillar speakers, but from the front seat you can't really tell a difference.
Comfort: Most people say the Bronco has more comfortable seats. I am probably one of the few that likes the Jeep seats better. Totally personal preference, but 99% of people will say the Bronco is better here.
Technology: Parking with the 360 degree camera and huge screen on the Bronco is like cheating. Other than that I'd say the rest of the tech is comparable, except when it comes to off-road features, where Bronco integrates the use of lockers and swaybar disconnect better than Jeep. They work great on the Jeep too... but they're definitely more finicky to engage and disengage.
Storage: Bronco has more than Jeep. That's just straight math. Both have enough for a weekend trip out of town with my family of 4, but neither have enough for a camping trip with a family of 4 (at least with the gear I would want to bring). That can be solved with roof racks.
Overall Size: Jeep is smaller and sportier. Bronco feels more like a truck. The size difference isn't as big as people claim it is, but it does feel that way when you drive it. As someone who loves driving large trucks, the size of the Bronco doesn't bother me a bit. If you aren't used to driving trucks, it may feel a little big and boat-ish.
Tops: Jeep would win this category. I have soft tops on both. The Jeep soft top is better in all aspects... design, ease of use, visibility out windows, etc. As for hard tops, Broncos have known issues, many of which have been resolved with the 2nd gen top, but I still think the Jeep freedom top is more refined.
Aftermarket support: both vehicles have a ton of aftermarket support now to "make it your own," BUT Bronco accessories and mods are significantly more expensive. That will change over time, but for now Wrangler wins this one on price alone.
Cool factor: Bronco wins. We have people stop and talk to us all the time about our Bronco. Yes that will continue to happen less often as more and more are on the road, but no one ever cares about my jeep.
Community: Sorry to say this on the actual wrangler forums... but IMO the Bronco community is building a more accepting and good-natured community than what the Jeep community has become. I can bring the Jeep to a local Bronco trail ride.... I can't bring the Bronco to a local Jeep tail ride.
So in conclusion, I think I would put more points in the Bronco column. Especially since you mentioned that even though you don't off-road right now, you might someday try it. Well, my Bronco has kept up with Jeeps on 7-rated trails, which is a more difficult trail than most people will ever even take their jeep on. Once you start talking more extreme off-roading, the gap narrows, and arguably the Jeep will win out.
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