Compare the2026 Jeep WranglerVS 2025 Ford Bronco Sport

Both the Wrangler and the Bronco Sport have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Wrangler is much safer than the Bronco Sport:

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Jeep Wrangler 4-door is safer than the Bronco Sport:

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Wrangler’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Bronco Sport’s camshafts. If the Bronco Sport’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

The Wrangler has a solid front axle with a floating power axle for durability that the Bronco Sport’s independent front suspension and exposed front driveshafts don’t offer.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Wrangler second among compact suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Bronco Sport was rated third in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Jeep vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Jeep above average in initial quality. With 7 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is rated below average.

The Wrangler has more powerful engines than the Bronco Sport:

As tested in Car and Driver the Wrangler Moab 392 6.4 V8 is faster than the Bronco Sport Badlands 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder (automatics tested):

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Wrangler 392’s fuel efficiency. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the Wrangler 2.0 Turbo’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Wrangler 2-door’s standard fuel tank has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Bronco Sport (17.5 vs. 16 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Wrangler 4-door’s standard fuel tank has 5.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Bronco Sport (21.5 vs. 16 gallons).

The Wrangler offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The Wrangler 392’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Wrangler’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Bronco Sport:

The Wrangler Moab 392’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Bronco Sport are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Wrangler has larger standard tires than the Bronco Sport (245/75R17 vs. 225/65R17). The Wrangler 4-door Moab 392/Xteme 35’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Bronco Sport (315/70R17 vs. 235/65R17).

The Wrangler Sahara 4Xe’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Bronco Sport’s optional 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Wrangler 4Xe has standard 20-inch wheels. The Bronco Sport’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The Wrangler has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Wrangler has a standard full size spare so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare costs extra on the Bronco Sport. Without the option you must depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Wrangler Rubicon has an active front sway bar, which helps keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnects at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Bronco Sport doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Wrangler 4-door’s wheelbase is 13.3 inches longer than on the Bronco Sport (118.4 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Wrangler is 1.3 inches wider in the front and 1.9 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Bronco Sport.

The Wrangler’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52.2% to 47.4%) than the Bronco Sport’s (57% to 43%). This gives the Wrangler more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the Wrangler 2-door’s turning circle is 4.7 feet tighter than the Bronco Sport’s (32.7 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Wrangler 2-door has a 1.9 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Bronco Sport Base/Big Bend (9.7 vs. 7.8 inches), allowing the Wrangler to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Wrangler Rubicon 4-door Xtreme 35’s minimum ground clearance is 4.1 inches higher than on the Bronco Sport (12.9 vs. 8.8 inches).

The Wrangler 4-door has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Bronco Sport with its rear seat folded (72.4 vs. 65.2 cubic feet).

Maximum trailer towing in the Ford Bronco Sport is limited to 2700 pounds. The Wrangler 4-door offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Wrangler can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Wrangler can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Bronco Sport can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Trailer Sway Control is standard on the Wrangler, using the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the Bronco Sport.

The engine in the Wrangler is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Bronco Sport. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The Wrangler’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Bronco Sport does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Wrangler’s front power windows lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Bronco Sport’s standard power windows’ passenger windows don’t open automatically.

The Jeep Wrangler JL comes in four door and soft top bodystyles; the Ford Bronco Sport isn’t available as a soft top.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Jeep Wrangler retains 64.38% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 48.91% resale value of the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport after five years, which can save the Jeep’s owner up to $4403.89267 in depreciation.

Motor Trend selected the Wrangler as their 2019 Sport Utility of the Year. The Bronco Sport has never been chosen.

The Jeep Wrangler outsold the Ford Bronco Sport by 19% during 2024.