Ford Bronco vs Jeep Renegade

The 2021 Jeep Renegade, introduced in 2015, shared its underpinnings with the Jeep Compass but drew design inspiration from the iconic Wrangler SUV. It featured a boxy profile, circular headlights, and an upright seven-slat grille. The 2019 refresh carried over into 2021, making some previously optional features standard. Inside, the Renegade boasted a modern, functional cabin with an upright center stack, offering trims like Sport, Jeepster, Latitude, Upland, 80th Anniversary, Islander, Limited, and Trailhawk. Each trim provided a unique set of features, from the adventure-minded Upland with beefed-up skid plates to the luxury-focused Limited with leather upholstery and heated front seats.

The 2022 Ford Bronco, with its retro styling and go-anywhere attitude, was one of the most sought-after vehicles. It returned with two new range-topping models: the Everglades and the Bronco Raptor. The Everglades was built for swamp trekking and deep water, featuring an intake snorkel, a Warn winch, and 35-inch Goodyear mud-terrain tires. The Bronco lineup included seven distinct trims, all built with off-roading in mind. The design featured short overhangs, low-profile bumpers, and a tall ride height, with large recovery hooks, removable fender flares, and a full-size spare mounted to the tailgate. Inside, the Bronco had sealed switches, marine-grade vinyl upholstery, and drain plugs, with technology like G.O.A.T. modes and a digital instrument panel.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade offered two engine options: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder with 177 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, available in front-wheel drive (FWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The turbocharged engine provided better performance due to its extra torque, though the automatic transmission sometimes struggled with smooth shifts. The Renegade had a solid ride quality, was maneuverable in tight spaces, and offered a terrain management system with Auto, Snow, Sand, Mud, and Rock drive modes. The Trailhawk trim, with 8.7 inches of ground clearance and off-road suspension, was the most capable off-road model.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's base engine was a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. An optional turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine delivered 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The four-cylinder engine came with a seven-speed manual transmission, while the V6 had a 10-speed automatic. All Broncos featured four-wheel drive and an electronic two-speed transfer case. The Bronco excelled in off-road capabilities, with models like the Wildtrak and Everglades conquering challenging terrains. The Everglades could ford water up to 36.4 inches deep and had impressive winching abilities. On pavement, the Bronco offered a smoother ride and better handling than typical off-road vehicles, making it a versatile choice for both off-road and highway driving.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade provided 50.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 18.5 cubic feet with the seats in use. Its tall, boxy design offered plenty of headroom in both rows, with great legroom in the front seats and adequate space in the rear. The Renegade featured helpful storage solutions, including small cubbies, trays, and optional equipment tie-downs. The front passenger seat could fold forward for added space or as a table for gear.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's squared-off styling contributed to its spacious interior. It offered ample headroom and legroom, even in the rear seats. Cargo capacity varied by model and roof type, with the two-door hard top providing up to 22.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 52.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The four-door hard top increased capacity to 35.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.6 cubic feet with them folded. The Bronco featured clever storage solutions, including large armrest bins, netted door pockets, and rubberized phone trays. It also had options for stowable doors and removable fender flares, enhancing its utility.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen, with an optional 8.4-inch screen on mid-tier trims and standard on higher trims. Both screens ran the intuitive Uconnect infotainment system, featuring a logical menu layout, easy-to-read graphics, and a helpful dock with icons for major functions. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a Kenwood premium audio system available.

The 2022 Ford Bronco used technology to enhance its off-road capabilities while keeping the driver engaged. The G.O.A.T. modes optimized drivetrain and chassis settings for specific terrains, and the forward-looking trail camera provided confidence on challenging paths. The Bronco's Sync 4 infotainment system offered quick responses, sharp graphics, and helpful off-road apps. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, paired with an available wireless charging pad.

For 2021, the Jeep Renegade made previously optional safety features standard, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-path detection. Adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and front and rear parking sensors were optional. The Renegade received a four-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2022 Ford Bronco included standard safety features like hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Optional features included frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, rear parking sensors, and automatic high beams. The High package added front parking sensors and a surround-view camera system, while the Luxe package included adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist. The Bronco received four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection from the NHTSA. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded it "Good" ratings in most categories.