Ford Bronco vs Jeep Wrangler
Midsize SUVs · head to head, 2021–2026
The Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler were both sold for 6 model years (2021–2026). Among the Bronco's own years, its best bet is 2024; years to avoid: 2021; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025. Among the Wrangler's own years, its best bet is 2017; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025.
Ford Bronco
SUV · 2021–2026
- Best bet 2024
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid 2021
- Be careful 2022
Jeep Wrangler
SUV · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2017
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid none
- Be careful 2019, 2024
How to read this: each model's verdicts compare that model's own years with each other (serious owner complaints per car on the road against that model's usual year, using New York registrations). They are not a reliability ranking of one model against the other, so a good-buy Bronco year says nothing about whether it beats a Wrangler. (How we judge.)
Year by year, side by side
| Year | Ford Bronco | Jeep Wrangler | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | Side by side |
| 2025 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2024 | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.4× usual, mostly engine and fuel system | Side by side |
| 2023 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2022 | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.2× usual, mostly engine and power train | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
| 2021 | AVOIDSerious complaints 3.9× usual, mostly engine and suspension | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | Side by side |
Each chip rates that year against the same model's other years. Tap a chip for the year's details; "Side by side" compares both models that year, trim by trim.
Compare any year, trim by trim
2026: the newest shared year, at a glance
| 2026 Ford Bronco | 2026 Jeep Wrangler | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict (vs the model's own years) | TOO NEW | TOO NEW |
| Starting price (MSRP range) | $40,495 to $79,995 base price by trim, 7 trims | — |
| Engines and horsepower | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo 2.7L 6-cyl turbo 3.0L 6-cyl turbo manual available | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 270 hp 3.6L 6-cyl, 285 hp 6.4L 8-cyl manual available |
| Fuel economy (EPA combined) | 15–20 mpg | 14–21 mpg |
| Seats | 4–5 | — |
| Third row | No | — |
| Cargo behind last row | — | — |
| NHTSA crash rating | Not rated | Not rated |
| Recalls · owner complaints (NHTSA) | 9 · 8 | 3 · 10 |
Sources: OpenSpec and the makers' equipment guides, NHTSA vPIC, EPA and NHTSA ratings. Cargo, towing and bed length rows appear when we have them. "—": not in our data. Compare every 2026 trim →
Key features: base trim vs top trim
| Bronco Base lowest price, $40,495 | Bronco Raptor highest price, $79,995 | Wrangler Sport first listed | Wrangler Sahara last listed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Apple CarPlay | Standard | Standard | — | — |
| Adaptive cruise control | — | Standard | Optional | Optional |
| Blind-spot warning | — | Standard | Optional | Optional |
| Heated front seats | — | Standard | — | — |
| 360-degree camera | — | Standard | — | — |
| Remote start | — | Standard | — | — |
"Standard" and "Optional" are for that trim as the 2026 data lists it (a package or option adds an "Optional" item); "—": not verified in our sources, never a guess. The cheapest and most expensive trim of each model; every trim is on the model's 2026 page (Bronco, Wrangler).
Known fixes and extended coverage
Ford Bronco
6 manufacturer programs on file: 1 extended coverage, 5 repair programs.
- Extended coverage NEW VEHICLE DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD Safety Recall 24S55 – Supplement #1 Dated: August 15, 2025 Customer Satisfaction Program 24N12 Dated June 19, 2025 New! REASON FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT • Rental Vehicles: Added specification that long… (24N12, 2021–2022 models)
Jeep Wrangler
17 manufacturer programs on file: 6 extended coverage, 11 repair programs.
- Extended coverage Some customers may experience the illumination of the airbag warning lamp or traction control indicator lamp. (08-005-17, 2011–2016 models)
- Extended coverage Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) Blank XZ1 Warranty Extension Customers may experience the following: SYMPTOM: ● A blank IPC display. (08-298-26, 2018–2020 models)
- Extended coverage Air Trapped in Steering Damper Warranty Extension XF1 A shimmy in the steering wheel after hitting an irregularity on the road surface (symptom is more prevalent in cold temperatures). (23-041-24, 2018–2020 models)
- Extended coverage The customer may also describe the following: ● A knocking noise from the engine compartment This bulletin involves replacing the engine. (09-009-26, 2024–2025 models)
From manufacturer bulletins filed with NHTSA, counted per program. A count is how many programs exist, not how good or bad a model is: a maker that extends coverage is paying for a known problem. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
Which should you buy?
- Buying used, years both are rated a good buy: 2023, 2025. In those years, choose on price, size and features.
- Shopping around 2024: the Bronco is rated best buy (serious complaints 0.6× usual), while the Wrangler is rated careful (serious complaints 2.4× usual, mostly engine and fuel system). Each against its own other years.
- Shopping around 2021: the Wrangler is rated good buy (serious complaints 1.1× usual), while the Bronco is rated avoid (serious complaints 3.9× usual, mostly engine and suspension). Each against its own other years.
- Years to skip: Bronco 2021.
- Newest year rated a good buy: Bronco 2025; Wrangler 2025.
- Best EPA combined rating in 2026: Wrangler at 21 mpg (Bronco: 20), for the most efficient version of each.
- Before you buy either: run the VIN for open recalls and ask the dealer whether the extended-coverage repairs above were done.
Rules applied to the data on this page: no overall winner is declared, because our verdicts compare each model with itself.