Jeep Grand Wagoneer vs Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a compact crossover that captured the rugged spirit of its larger sibling, the Bronco, while offering a more urban-friendly design. It featured a modern retro aesthetic reminiscent of a Land Rover, with short front and rear overhangs that enhanced its off-road capabilities. The Bronco Sport's design was practical, with tall fender wells and a tucked-in body to minimize obstructions on trails. Its bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, along with a modest Ford badge, added to its distinctive look. Inside, the Bronco Sport boasted a rugged yet tasteful interior, with an uncluttered design and convenient storage options. The centre stack featured an 8-inch infotainment screen, and the interior trim varied from cloth to leather-trimmed seats, depending on the model.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered a more traditional SUV styling with a tall hood, broad shoulders, and an upright profile. It shared its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer but distinguished itself with a black roof, model-specific hood, front fascia, and grille. The Grand Wagoneer featured a forward-leaning grille with laser-etched knurling and acrylic glass-covered wheel centre caps. Its body-on-frame architecture allowed for independent suspension and weight-saving materials like an aluminum hood and doors. Inside, the Grand Wagoneer shared styling features with the Wagoneer but offered more convenience features and higher-quality materials. It boasted 24-way power front seats, Nappa leather upholstery, and optional Palermo leather, along with aluminum and American Walnut wood trim.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims were equipped with a 1.5-litre EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque. The Badlands model featured a more powerful 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder engine, delivering 245 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, along with a terrain management system offering up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance. On-road, it provided a comfortable ride, although the 1.5-litre engine could feel strained under pressure.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine, generating 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. This engine featured cylinder deactivation for improved fuel efficiency and was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Grand Wagoneer could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately six seconds, despite its substantial weight of around 2,900 kilograms. It came standard with four-wheel drive, featuring the Quadra-Drive II system with a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential. The Quadra-Lift air suspension system allowed for adjustable ride height, providing up to 25.4 cm of ground clearance. While the Grand Wagoneer offered impressive off-road capabilities, its size and weight made it less agile on trails.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with its clever features and ample cargo space. It could accommodate two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes in the cargo area, and Ford offered a range of accessories for outdoor enthusiasts. The roof could support up to 68 kilograms, and the 2.0-litre engine allowed for towing up to 997 kilograms. The cargo area featured a flip-up rear glass and an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table and inverter. The front cabin offered ample storage compartments, although taller drivers might find visibility challenging due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer provided spacious seating for seven or eight passengers, with more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than its competitors. It offered 775 litres of cargo space with all seats in place and 2,007 litres with the third row stowed. The Grand Wagoneer had a maximum towing capacity of 4,472 kilograms, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its additional weight. It came with a standard sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and large storage bins. Forward visibility was somewhat limited by the hood, but the standard 360-degree camera system helped mitigate this issue.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It offered a subscription-based 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and an available Bang & Olufsen sound system. The terrain management system included up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, depending on the trim, and trail control technology for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was standard on most trims, and higher trims offered heated and leather-wrapped steering wheels.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a McIntosh audio system. It supported simultaneous Bluetooth pairing for two phones and a 4G-LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Second-row passengers had their own touchscreen, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added more screens. The Grand Wagoneer used the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with an Android-based operating system and over-the-air updates. While the system offered extensive features, the screen response was occasionally slow, and the instrument cluster graphics were plain.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and more. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and navigation. The Bronco Sport received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with a Top Safety Pick+ and a five-star overall rating, respectively.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer included standard safety features like a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included intersection collision assist, night vision, and driver-assistance systems. The Active Lane Management System combined adaptive cruise control with lane centring, with plans for a hands-free version in the future. Crash-test ratings were not available at the time of launch.