In the battle of off-road SUV dominance, the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler go head-to-head to see which one offers the right stuff.

We missed the Bronco, but while Ford took the only Wrangler competitor away from the market, the Jeep took over and continued to give us a dominant force out on the trails. It’s hard to imagine that any SUV could handle the trails better than the Wrangler. That said, many people loved the previous Bronco and are moving toward this Ford to handle their fun out on the trails once again.

Are Sales the Way to See Success?

When it comes to any vehicle, sales are a must to spell success. Unless the head of the automaker is so stubborn that they don’t care about sales; not likely; every model must have strong enough sales figures to be competitive. With the Bronco coming back into the market, Jeep should have guessed that Wrangler sales would drop. Strangely, sales didn’t drop much at all. Sure, when it first arrived, the Bronco grabbed about 11 percent of the market, but that dropped quickly as Ford was unable to deliver some of the Bronco models that were partially built because of the supply shortage.

Is There a Different Transition to the Bronco?

There’s no denying the name and build of the latest Ford Bronco make it one of the most impressive off-road SUV models in the market. That said, the sales for the new Bronco must be coming from somewhere else in the market. These sales could be shoppers transitioning from the Jeep Cherokee, Nissan Rouge, and Honda CR-V looking for something more exciting. They’re finding this added excitement in the new Bronco Sport and Bronco without moving to the Wrangler.

Does Brand Loyalty Play a Role?

Jeep moved nearly 9,000 more models of the Wrangler during the first three months of the year than Ford did the Bronco. This is a strong number and could mean that more owners look to the Jeep because of its reputation, but brand loyalty might be at play as well. As many as half of the new Bronco owners already owned at least one other Ford vehicle. This number is a little lower for Jeep, with about forty percent of Wrangler owners owning a Jeep vehicle currently or previously. Could this mean the Bronco figures might climb?

The Newness Hasn’t Worn Off Yet

It’s possible the sales figures for the new Ford Bronco are inflated. Show the world a new off-road SUV, and they go crazy. This new shiny object has the attention of shoppers everywhere and could be a big part of why the Ford has experienced early sales success. This might change as many orders as possible for Broncos that have gone unfilled while Jeep Wrangler models are available. Will some of these Ford shoppers move over to Jeep and pick out one of the Wranglers that are ready and waiting at dealership lots around the country?

The Bronco is More Attractive as a Daily Driver

Although the latest version of the Jeep Wrangler is smoother than the previous models, it’s still not the SUV you want to ride in for road trips. The Ford Bronco is much smoother on the road, making it a better choice for those that will drive this SUV during their daily commute. This impressive new Ford off-roader might have the combination that more shoppers desire. For drivers that have no intention of ever exploring the wilderness, the Bronco might be the better option and the SUV they want to drive.

Off-Road Enthusiasts Know What to Buy

When it’s time to head out into the wilderness, the Ford Bronco can’t touch the Jeep Wrangler. The solid axle setup of the Wrangler makes it a much better off-road SUV when it’s time to tackle the trails. The Jeep also brings a better approach, break-over, and departure angles, which means it’s going deeper into the wilderness. If you’re looking for the right vehicle to explore some of the toughest terrains in the country, you’ll want to drive the Wrangler. This Jeep has been an off-road champion for decades and isn’t ready to give up the crown.

You’ll Get More Out of the Wrangler

There might come a time when you no longer explore the wilderness or need a vehicle that takes you out on the trails. That time isn’t something you can see now, but when it does arrive, you want to get the most out of your SUV that you can. The Jeep Wrangler has a higher resale value than the Ford Bronco. Current high dealer markups create this satiation, which is a bit of a disservice to this Ford SUV. Regardless, you’ll find the Jeep holds its value much better.

The Bronco is Bigger and Heavier than the Wrangler

Bigger and heavier means tougher, right? Wrong. While it can be good to have a bigger and heavier off-road SUV sometimes if that extra weight and size aren’t translated into better trail-riding prowess, it’s useless. In fact, the Bronco is wider and longer than the Wrangler, accommodating more cargo and passenger area, but that also means avoiding narrow trails. The Wrangler might be a little more cramped inside, and you may need to find some creative cargo solutions, but the Wrangler is made to handle narrow and tough trails.

Is There Anything the Bronco Does Better than the Wrangler?

Yes, and this one item that pushes the Bronco above the Wrangler could be why the Ford is looked at as a vehicle for families to drive. The Ford Bronco is safer to drive than the Jeep Wrangler. Even though the Wrangler is the better off-road SUV, the Bronco has the safety scores to give you the security desired.

Should You Choose the Bronco or Wrangler?

If you’re going on the trails regularly and want to explore more daunting areas, the Jeep Wrangler is the right SUV for you to drive. When you want a great vehicle for daily driving while enjoying the off-road equipment desired for some occasional off-road SUV adventures, the Ford Bronco could be the right SUV for you to drive.

Which category do you fall into?