Drove this all day yesterday. 2.7, badlands, LUX, Sasquatch. I’ve put 4500 miles on my gladiator over the past month since purchase, so I have a better base of comparison. My thoughts:
Bronco Pros
- 2.7 ecoboost pulls harder. Although not as peppy as the 2.7’s I’ve driven in f150’s for some reason, much more exciting to get up to freeway speeds than the old pentastar, which I’m generally ok with on stock 33’s.
- Driveability. Tracks straighter, IFS definitely is better for road driving. Not a million constant steering corrections that become tiresome in the Jeep.
- Interior space. Much more room in the footwell. In the Jeep my right leg is always on a 45* angle leaning against the transmission hump, much more side to side space in bronco. Also more shoulder and hip room, windshield is farther forward, makes it feel much larger than it maybe is. But noticeable size difference.
- Styling - Exterior. Like the front end on this thing, overall lines are great. Impressed that they’ve been able to create their own styling cues that are rugged and classy without straight copying Jeep. Frameless doors are awesome. No B pillar cross bar reates huge open air experience.
-Styling - Interior. Dashboard is cleaner, streamlined. Window buttons are right where your right hand rests on the center console and quick/intuitive to use. Really like the interior layout of everything; the overhead aux switches make me feel like I’m getting the Millenium Falcon ready for takeoff. The switches on top of the dash for lockers, TT Assist, etc are really well done.
- Technology. Wireless CarPlay and phone charging, charging ports up on the dash. Trail turn assist looks great, haven’t tried it.
Cons
-Execution. I’m trying to figure out how to give an A to the designers and a D to the engineers. Maybe they’re the same folks, but it doesn’t feel like it. Lots of cheap plastic bits that don’t hold together so we’ll. Frameless doors are cool, but they don’t shift down fast enough to open the door without catching on the roof every time. Winch mounting system seems like an afterthought - blocks front camera, and I believe interferes with forward bumper sensors. Carpet on back of rear seats even on Marine Grade Vinyl “washout” interior. Grab handle location too low down, and they feel like they are going to pull off if you’re not careful.
-Transmission. Shifting into gear in the rubicon 8 speed auto is like butter, and it is unnoticeable while driving, except to note that it always feels like it’s in the right gear. The 10 speed somehow has a tinny, cheapish feel shifting from park into gear, and seems to constantly switching between gears. Maybe the same as my expedition, and just more noticeable because I’m paying attention on the bronco, but the Jeep wins here.
- Technology. As I made the progression from 80 series cruisers, to 100’s, then a 200, I was torn between liking some of the updates and hating others. The 200 felt too removed from an honest 4x4, and more like a very capable suburban. I think Ford is getting too clever with their tech solutions for me. Goat modes seem mostly gimmicky, and the one that would probably get used the most (sport) is available on base trim and up, until removed from badlands and replaced with Baja mode, which is off road only. E-brake is electronic, transfer case electronic, weird digital tachometer. Even little details bother me, like auto high beams being the default setting every time you start the car - doesn’t matter how often you turn it off. In general, it felt like the vehicle was always flashing alerts and messages of some kind. So it’s not a surprise when early users report 4x4 failing to engage or being locked into some limp mode when an abs sensor gets dirty. My Jeep just seems to mind it’s own damn business and let me drive.
Overall, I’m still torn. If I stick with my bronco I’m going to keep the base model with Sasquatch. Feels like good value for what it is, but the quality issues would keep me from wanting to pay too much until the next refresh when I’m sure things will get tightened up. It IS very fun to drive, and I spend most of my work time behind the wheel. But it’s not a clear winner by any means.
