Ford Bronco vs Jeep Grand Wagoneer

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer shared its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer, resulting in a similar traditional SUV styling. It featured a tall hood, broad shoulders, trapezoidal wheel arches, and an upright profile reminiscent of the smaller 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L. The Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a standard black roof, model-specific hood, front fascia, and grille. The grille leaned forward slightly with laser-etched knurling in the slots, and the wheel centre caps had an acrylic glass covering to protect the “Wagoneer” logo. The vehicle's body-on-frame architecture allowed for independent front and rear suspension, with an aluminum hood and doors, and a composite tailgate to save weight. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer offered a luxurious experience with 24-way power front seats, Nappa leather upholstery, and optional higher-grade Palermo leather. It also featured aluminum and American Walnut wood trim, heated first- and second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel. The interior was further differentiated by seat controls placed high on the doors and the “Grand Wagoneer” name spelled out on the dashboard.

The 2023 Ford Bronco was available in nine distinct trim levels, each offering a blend of retro-cool styling and modern engineering. Its blocky upright shape, wide horizontal grille, and big round headlights were unmistakable. The Base trim had a primitive look with steel wheels, while the Raptor trim showcased a wide stance, elevated height, and massive tires. The Heritage Edition trim featured a throwback white grille, roof, and wheels, along with unique plaid seat upholstery. The Bronco's styling was not just aesthetic; it included functional elements like cleats above the headlights for securing cargo and tree limb-lifter cables. The interior continued the rugged theme with a broad dash and sealed switches and buttons for easy cleaning. The Bronco offered a grid-like mesh on the seat backs for attaching accessories and a heated steering wheel as an option. The interior materials prioritized durability over luxury, with a reassuring heft to them. Despite some creaking over bumps, the Bronco was quieter than an equivalent Jeep Wrangler.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine, delivering 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. It featured cylinder deactivation for improved fuel efficiency and was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Grand Wagoneer could accelerate from zero to 100 kilometres per hour in approximately six seconds, despite its hefty weight of around 2,900 kilograms. It came standard with a Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system, including a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential. The Quadra-Lift air suspension system was also standard, offering adjustable height for various driving conditions. With a maximum ground clearance of 25.4 centimetres, the Grand Wagoneer could handle a 25-degree approach angle, 24-degree departure angle, and 22-degree breakover angle. It could ford up to 60 centimetres of water and was equipped with skid plates for off-road protection. However, its size and weight made it less agile on trails, and it lacked the “Trail Rated” badge.

The 2023 Ford Bronco offered three engine options: a 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque, a twin-turbo 2.7-litre V6 with 330 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 in the Raptor with 418 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque. All engines came with a four-wheel drive drivetrain and a two-speed transfer case. The base four-cylinder engine was adequate for most driving scenarios, while the 2.7-litre V6 was better suited for the heavier four-door model. The Raptor's engine provided an exhilarating experience, though not necessary for most drivers. The Bronco's ride quality was bouncier than a typical family SUV but more stable than a Jeep Wrangler. It tracked well on highways and was quieter than a Wrangler. The Bronco's high-riding dimensions required careful handling on curving roads, but it felt more confident than expected. The four-door model was easier to maneuver, aided by several cameras.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered seating for seven with standard second-row captain’s chairs or eight with an optional third-row bench seat. It provided more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than competitors like the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, and Infiniti QX80. However, it had less first-row headroom and legroom compared to the Escalade and Navigator. The Grand Wagoneer offered 775 litres of cargo space with all seats in place and 2,007 litres with the third row stowed. With all rear seats folded, it provided 2,667 litres of cargo space, less than its rivals. It had a maximum towing capacity of 4,472 kilograms, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its extra weight. The Grand Wagoneer featured a standard sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and large storage bins. Its hood limited forward visibility, but the standard 360-degree camera system helped mitigate this issue.

The 2023 Ford Bronco's boxy shape provided ample interior space. The two-door model required some effort to access the rear seats, while the four-door model offered easier access. The front featured netted door pockets and a rubberized tray for secure storage. Accessory rails atop the dash allowed for mounting cameras or GPS devices, with a USB jack for charging. The two-door Bronco offered 634 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and 1,481 litres with them folded. The four-door model provided 1,008 litres and 2,197 litres, respectively. However, the rear seats didn't fold flat, creating a step-up that hindered sliding longer cargo or sleeping comfortably. The Bronco's fenders and doors were easily removable, except for the Raptor's oversized fenders. The doors could be detached with a single bolt, and handholds were provided for stowing them in the back.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a McIntosh audio system, and a 4G-LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Second-row passengers had a 10.25-inch centre console touchscreen, and an optional rear seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Grand Wagoneer had a larger touchscreen than the standard Wagoneer and a second screen for seat massagers. A row of buttons separated the screens for quick access to functions. An optional 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger allowed control of navigation and entertainment systems. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system featured an Android-based operating system and over-the-air updates. However, the screen was slow to respond, and the instrument cluster's graphics were plain.

The 2023 Ford Bronco used technology to enhance its off-road capabilities. The G.O.A.T. drive modes optimized engine and suspension settings for various terrains, making it easier for novices to navigate challenging conditions. Experienced off-roaders could manually select features through buttons. The Bronco's camera views were invaluable in tight spots, showing proximity to obstacles and predicting tire paths. The Trail Turn Assist feature allowed sharp turns by braking the inside rear wheel. The Bronco's infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Ford’s SYNC 4, and FordPass Connect. A wireless charging pad was optional. Most Broncos had an eight-inch touchscreen, but a 12-inch display was available for easier use.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. It came standard with a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. Optional features included intersection collision assist, driver-attention monitor, night vision, traffic-sign recognition, and advanced driver-assistance systems. The Active Lane Management System combined adaptive cruise control with lane centring but required hands-on driving. A hands-free version was planned for certain highways, with driver monitoring to prevent misuse.

The 2023 Ford Bronco received partial crash-test results from the NHTSA, with the four-door model earning four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection. The IIHS awarded it a "Good" rating in most crashworthiness tests, except for head restraints and seats, which received an "Acceptable" rating. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, hill-start assist, hill-descent control, trailer-sway assist, and Trail Turn Assist. The Mid package added blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, rear parking sensors, and automatic high beams. The High package included front parking sensors and a 360-degree camera system, while the Luxe package added adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist. The Bronco's safety features were less comprehensive than those of conventional SUVs, but they functioned effectively without false alarms.