Ford and Jeep are two icons in the off-road landscape. With their flagship entries of the Bronco and Wrangler being icons in the space, both have long gained renown for their off-road prowess, versatility, and reliability as they take on the toughest roads buyers can find for them.
But who wins in a head on comparison? In today’s article, we’ll be examining the best off-road SUV 2025: Ford Bronco vs Jeep Wrangler, finding out who has the best features, performance, and practicality for your off-road needs.
Key Takeaways
- The Bronco boasts a new trim this year, the Free Wheeling trim that debuts some performance tweaks and a fetching new paint scheme.
- The Wrangler gets some paint tweaks as well as standard trims.
- The Wrangler is the cheaper of the two, but can the Bronco make up for it in performance?
How many miles per gallon does the Ford Bronco 2025 get?
For 2025, MotorTrend has a full report on the Ford Bronco, reporting that on the performance front, it retains its engine lineup from the previous model year. The base powertrain is a turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four, which produces a respectable 275 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque when fed regular fuel, or 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft when using high octane gas. Estimated fuel economy for this powertrain falls between 16–20 mpg in the city and 17–21 mpg on the highway, depending on how you spec it.
For those seeking more power, though, an upgrade is available in the form of an optional twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6. This engine delivers a sporty 315 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque as standard, which is bumped up to 330 horsepower and 415 lb-ft on premium fuel. Expect the fuel economy to range from 17–18 mpg in the city to 17–20 mpg on the highway.
What new trims are available on the Ford Bronco?
In a nod to it’s more than capable win in the Baja 1000, Ford offers the Stroppe Edition. Ford also adds the Free Wheeling trim with vintage orange stripes on black exterior. These powerful trims are not just for looks, they boast the strength and power backed by the above mentioned engines. The Bronco is also eminently adaptable to the terrain of choice with its G.O.A.T modes.
Is Jeep discontinuing the Wrangler?
Jeep isn’t discontinuing the Wrangler. In fact, for 2025, you can expect to see a wide suite of upgrades for the Wrangler, the first of which is the discontinuation of the standard Rubicon 392 V-8, though the Rubicon 392 Final Edition remains available for at least another year. Another much welcomed update is the addition of power windows and locks, now standard across the entire lineup. A new paint color, dubbed “'41”, joins the range as a nod to the original WWII Jeep with its olive-drab finish. Pricing for the 2025 Jeep Wrangler starts at $34,090 and can climb as high as $101,990, depending on trim and options. A full list of the 7 available trims in 2025 reads as:
- Sport - $34,090
- Sport S - $37,690
- Willys - $41,590
- Rubicon - $48,950
- Sahara - $51,365
- Rubicon X - $58,900
- Rubicon 392 Final Edition - $101,990
For those who prefer to keep things simple while keeping budget in mind, the two-door Wrangler is a solid starting point, featuring a removable cloth top as standard. To maintain rugged capability while still keeping a decent amount of comfort, the Willys trim is a smart choice.
It adds useful off-road enhancements, including 17-inch wheels wrapped in 33-inch all-terrain tires, which are paired with a locking rear differential to make for some seriously potent off-roading capability.
Summary
In our comparison, the Bronco definitively comes out on top. Though the Wrangler’s no slouch, the Bronco has it beat on practicality and performance, leading to us giving it the nod in this head to head. If you’re looking for the best off roader in 2025, the Ford Bronco is surely the SUV for you.