Welcome to the jungle.
We've done a fair bit of off-roading in our Bronco. In my experience, it's very capable, though arguably a bit less nimble / maneuverable than a Jeep due to its body size. It's typically a bit heavier, as well. I don't have a lot of experience with Nissan or Toyota, only Jeep. If you're looking to do extreme apocalpytic off-roading, a Jeep probably has the edge. If you're more like me, looking for a good family adventure vehicle that is safe and roomy, but also very capable for wherever you go, Bronco will make you smile. Trade-offs and benefits as I see them are:
Bronco:
Pros:
- Much safer (see IIHS ratings and Jeep rollover videos). Has side curtain airbags that reach the back row as well.
- More comfortable and roomier
- IFS makes the suspension much more comfortable on the road
- GOAT modes are very intuitive and more advanced than Jeep's OffRoad+
- Ability to run front lockers without rear lockers (really helpful doing uphill runs while avoiding fishtailing)
- Ability to disconnect sway bar while articulating (if equipped)
- Way better technology package (wireless CarPlay/Android Auto, 12" screen, bigger cluster, etc)
- Bronco gives you 2H, 4A, 4H, and 4L, while Jeep configurations typically only offer 2H without 4A, or full time 4A
- 360 camera makes off roading (and parking at the mall) a heck of a lot easier (cheat code)
Cons:
- IFS probably responsible for the lower RTI, can be more cumbersome on very uneven trails / rock crawling
- IFS can feel sloppy at times, when you just want both wheels to behave more together / offer more traction
- Bigger and more difficult to maneuver offroad
- Slightly noisier than a Jeep with equivalent top
- The frameless windows suck
We've taken our Bronco through heavy mud, bald face mountains, rock crawling, snow, and some small streams and it's done exceptionally well in all of them... but it largely depends on the driver. I've also seen kids get themselves stuck in a small mud puddle in a Bronco.
Jeep:
Pros:
- Solid front axle can give you improved traction in certain circumstances (extreme uneven terrain and rocks, for example)
- More well put together and mature in some regards (technology bundle, while dated, is very nicely done; cluster is much more attractive; alternator at the top of the engine for better water fording, and some other design considerations)
- Higher RTI (suspension flex) for extreme off-roading
- More maneuverable offroad
- Far more accessories available from MOPAR (Sky One-Touch roof is pretty sweet) and aftermarket
- Better off-road pages and nav-head based gauge cluster
Cons:
- Solid front axle takes more effort to steer, less comfortable on highway, tends to drag the Jeep into ruts off-road. You need to pay the steering constant attention.
- No 360 surround camera (off-road camera package is still only front and back)
- Smaller and less comfortable on long trips; even if you're off-roading in Moab is enjoyable, getting TO Moab won't be
- Old tech; no wireless CarPlay/Android Auto, small 8" screen,
That's my take at least, based on my experience. The Jeep is probably slightly better off-road, but you trade off a lot to get that. The Bronco is a great framily adventure vehicle that is also very capable off-road, but made some trade-offs to be more comfortable and safer.
I'm glad Ford is forcing its competitors to step up their game. The cult followings companies like Jeep have had have let them get lazy over the years; Ford has completely cannibalized their customer based over the past few years because of it. If Jeep were to take some of their higher trim tech, safety, and suspension technology from their Grand Cherokees and put them in the Wrangler, they could possibly take the market share back.
PS: It still blows my mind that Jeep has a $115,000 Wrangler, but hasn't got 2H or wireless CarPlay.
