2025 Jeep Wrangler vs 2025 Ford Bronco

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler Sport S, with its black-on-black-on-black colour scheme, was not the ideal choice for a tropical climate, but it still managed to impress from behind the wheel. Despite the uninspired wheel design and all-season tires, the Wrangler's design, rooted in its World War II military heritage, remained fundamentally appealing. The Wrangler was available in various trims, including Sport, Sport S, Willys, Sahara, Rubicon, and Rubicon X, with prices ranging from $42,995 to $80,085 in Canada. The Sport S model we tested came with a few options, including a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, bringing the MSRP to $66,070. Inside, the Wrangler emphasized function over form, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a rugged interior designed to withstand dirt and mud.

The 2025 Ford Bronco, on the other hand, successfully evoked the classic Bronco from the 1960s while maintaining a modern look. Its boxy design featured rounded corners and a full-width rectangular grille flanked by round headlamps. The Bronco offered multiple top options, allowing for a true open-air experience. The Sasquatch package, with its 17-inch aluminum wheels and 35-inch all-terrain tires, enhanced the Bronco's off-road capability and gave it a menacing appearance. With seven different versions available, including the high-performance Bronco Raptor, the Bronco catered to a wide range of buyers. The Big Bend model we tested, equipped with the Sasquatch package and finished in Velocity Blue Metallic, left a positive impression with its appealing look and feel.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler offered two engine options: a 3.6-litre V6 with a six-speed manual transmission and a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The four-cylinder engine produced 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, making it slightly more fuel-efficient than the V6. During our test, the Wrangler achieved an average fuel economy of 12.3 L/100 km. The Wrangler's standard four-wheel drive, high ground clearance, and generous approach and departure angles made it capable off-road, though its three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA was a concern. The ride was rough, and the steering felt disconnected, but the Wrangler's off-road prowess was undeniable.

The 2025 Ford Bronco offered a base 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, providing ample power for city and highway driving. An optional 2.7-litre EcoBoost V6 engine increased output to 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Bronco's maximum tow rating was 1,587 kilograms, with the Bronco Raptor offering a higher towing capacity of 2,040 kilograms. Our test vehicle featured a seven-speed manual transmission, with a 10-speed automatic available as an option. The Sasquatch package enhanced the Bronco's off-road capabilities, while the Badlands trim offered additional features like a front sway-bar disconnect. The Bronco's fully independent front suspension provided a more comfortable ride on tarmac compared to the Wrangler's solid axle setup.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler's high ground clearance and narrow door openings made getting in and out challenging. The front seats were comfortable, and the Sport S trim's cloth upholstery was suitable for any climate. Rear-seat legroom was adequate, but taller passengers needed to be cautious of the plastic hooks on the front seatbacks. Storage space was limited, with small items often ending up in the cupholders. Cargo access was cumbersome, requiring the tailgate and rear window to be opened separately. The four-door model offered 897 litres of cargo space, expandable to 2,050 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2025 Ford Bronco, particularly the four-door model, offered more interior space and easier access to the rear seats. The Sasquatch package's big tires and upgraded suspension raised the Bronco's ride height, but optional steps aided entry. The two-door Bronco provided 634 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,509 litres, while the four-door model offered up to 2,350 litres with the seats folded. The Bronco featured numerous storage cubbies, including MOLLE mounting points and netted pockets. Rear-seat passengers benefited from dedicated air conditioning vents and improved insulation for reduced road noise.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler's Uconnect 5 infotainment system featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an optional nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system. The Convenience Group pack added a 7-inch digital display between the analog gauges, passive entry, and a remote engine starting system. Rear parking sensors were available in the Safety Group option pack. The touchscreen remained bright and easy to use, even with the roof panels removed.

The 2025 Ford Bronco came standard with a 12-inch touchscreen running Sync 4 software, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a seven-speaker audio system. An upgraded Bang & Olufsen sound system was available starting with the Outer Banks trim. A second 12-inch screen served as a digital gauge cluster, customizable with various modes. The Bronco featured five G.O.A.T. modes, with additional modes available on higher trims. The digital gauge cluster displayed animations for each mode, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler included side curtain airbags as standard equipment, a significant safety upgrade. Advanced driver assistance systems were optional, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert available on most trims. Forward collision warning with automatic braking was limited to the Sahara trim. The Wrangler received a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA. The IIHS awarded the Wrangler Good ratings for side-impact and moderate overlap frontal-impact tests but a Marginal rating for the small overlap frontal-impact test.

The 2025 Ford Bronco offered the Co-Pilot360 safety suite starting with the Big Bend trim, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. Post-collision braking, hill start assist, and hill descent control were standard across all trims. The Outer Banks and Badlands trims could be equipped with a Lux package, adding a 360-degree camera system and evasive steering assist. The IIHS awarded the Bronco Good ratings in various crash tests, while the NHTSA gave it four stars for frontal crash safety and three stars for rollover testing.