We have been waiting for the reveal of the 2021 Ford Bronco for what seems like forever — stretched out even longer because of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
But here we are. Finally.
And, yes, Captain Obvious here, but the Bronco is the first real direct competitor that the Jeep Wrangler has had. Ever. So, we figured it might be a good idea to take a look at the two vehicles’ specifications side-by-side to see what that competition looks like.
Below is a table with the preliminary specs on the 2021 Ford Bronco and 2020 Jeep Wrangler 2- and 4-door models. While the full list of specs hasn’t yet been released, this is what we know so far.
Feel free to pore over them at your leisure, but there are a few interesting things to note straight off the bat.
First, the Ford Bronco has two engine options, but neither of them is a diesel. Yet. However, we’ve heard rumors, and since the Wrangler has one, we have to assume a Bronco diesel isn’t far behind.
Second, it’s worth noting Bronco is generally a bit larger than the Wrangler — especially in its 2-door iteration. We knew the numbers wouldn’t be identical, but we had assumed they’d be a bit closer. But the Bronco 2-door is a nearly 7 inches longer than the 2-door Wrangler. The 4-door versions are closer in size, but Bronco is still bigger.
Finally, it looks like the new Ford Bronco doubles as a fish. We were surprised to see the max water fording ring in at 33.5 inches — that’s a full 3-1/2 inches more than the Wrangler. From what we’ve read about water fording in the Wrangler, 30 inches is the absolute max.
We’ll share more details as we have them. In the mean time, be sure to read our article about the most important things to know about this all new vehicle. Plus, you can catch all our Ford Bronco coverage here.
| 2021 Ford Bronco 2-Door | 2020 Jeep Wrangler 2-Door | 2021 Ford Bronco 4-Door | 2020 Jeep Wrangler 4-Door | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Engine | 2.3-liter turbocharged direct injection DOHC Ti-VCT EcoBoost I4 | 3.6-Liter Pentastar V-6 | 2.3-liter turbocharged direct injection DOHC Ti-VCT EcoBoost I4 | 3.6-Liter Pentastar V-6 |
| Horsepower | 270 | 285 | 270 | 285 |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft |
| Optional Engines | 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged port and direct injection DOHC Ti-VCT EcoBoost V-6 | 2.0-liter turbocharged I4: 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 | 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged port and direct injection DOHC Ti-VCT EcoBoost V-6 | 2.0-liter turbocharged I4: 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 |
| Horsepower | 310 | 270 (2.0L); 260 (3.0L) | 310 | 270 (2.0L); 260 (3.0L) |
| Torque | 400 lb-ft | 295 lb-ft (2.0L); 442 lb-ft (3.0L) | 400 lb-ft | 295 lb-ft (2.0L); 442 lb-ft (3.0L) |
| Transmissions | Standard: 7-speed (6+1 crawler gear) Getrag manual (offered on 2.3-liter engine only) Optional: 10-Speed automatic (available on both 2.3- and 2.7-liter engines) |
Standard on 3.6L: D478 manual, 6-speed; Standard on 2.0L: 850RE, automatic 8-speed (offered on 3.6L); Standard on 3.0L: 8HP75 automatic, 8-speed | Standard: 7-speed (6+1 crawler gear) Getrag manual (offered on 2.3-liter engine only) Optional: 10-Speed automatic (available on both 2.3- and 2.7-liter engines) |
Standard on 3.6L: D478 manual, 6-speed; Standard on 2.0L: 850RE, automatic 8-speed (offered on 3.6L); Standard on 3.0L: 8HP75 automatic, 8-speed |
| Transfer Case | Standard: 4×4 with part-time selectable engagement – two-speed electronic shift-on-the-fly 2.72:2 low ratio Optional: Advanced 4×4 with automatic on-demand 4H engagement – two-speed electromechanical transfer case 3.06:1 low ratio |
Standard (Sport and Sahara): NV241 Command-Trac; part-time; operating modes 2WD High, 4WD High, Neutral, 4WD Low; Low Range Ratio 2.72:1 . Optional Rubicon: NV241OR Rock-Trac; part-time; operating modes 2WD High, 4WD High, Neutral, 4WD Low; low-range ratio 4.0:1; axle ratio 3.45 standard, 4.10 standard Rubicon. Optional (Sahara): MP3022 SELEC-TRAC, full-time; operating Modes 2WD High, 4WD High, Neutral, 4WD Low; low-range ratio 4.0:1; axle ratio 3.45 standard, 4.10 standard Rubicon with manual (optional for automatic). |
Standard: 4×4 with part-time selectable engagement – two-speed electronic shift-on-the-fly 2.72:2 low ratio Optional: Advanced 4×4 with automatic on-demand 4H engagement – two-speed electromechanical transfer case 3.06:1 low ratio |
Standard (Sport and Sahara): NV241 Command-Trac; part-time; operating modes 2WD High, 4WD High, Neutral, 4WD Low; Low Range Ratio 2.72:1 . Optional Rubicon: NV241OR Rock-Trac; part-time; operating modes 2WD High, 4WD High, Neutral, 4WD Low; low-range ratio 4.0:1; axle ratio 3.45 standard, 4.10 standard Rubicon. Optional (Sahara): MP3022 SELEC-TRAC, full-time; operating Modes 2WD High, 4WD High, Neutral, 4WD Low; low-range ratio 4.0:1; axle ratio 3.45 standard, 4.10 standard Rubicon with manual (optional for automatic). |
| Crawl Ratios | Automatic with electronic shift-on-the-fly: 57.19:1 Manual with electronic shift-on-the-fly: 79.92:1 Automatic with electromechanical transfer case: 67.8:1 Manual with electromechanical transfer case: 94.75:1 |
Command-Trac 4×4 system with 2.72:1 crawl ratio standard on Sport and Sahara models; Rubicon crawl ratio of 84.2:1, 77.2:1 on models equipped with the eight-speed automatic transmission | Automatic with electronic shift-on-the-fly: 57.19:1 Manual with electronic shift-on-the-fly: 79.92:1 Automatic with electromechanical transfer case: 67.8:1 Manual with electromechanical transfer case: 94.75:1 |
Command-Trac 4×4 system with 2.72:1 crawl ratio standard on Sport and Sahara models; Rubicon crawl ratio of 84.2:1, 77.2:1 on models equipped with the eight-speed automatic transmission |
| Differential | Rear Axle: Dana 44 AdvanTEK solid rear axle with available Spicer Performa-TraK electronic locking differentials Front Axle: Dana AdvanTEK independent front differential unit with available Spicer Performa-TraK electronic locking differentials |
Rear Axle: 3rd Generation Dana axles; differential type: open (Sport and Sahara) with available Trac-Lok anti-spin, Tru-Lok electronic locking (Rubicon) Axle ratios: 3.45, 3.73 (EcoDiesel), 4.10. Front Axel: 3rd Generation Dana axles, differential type: open or Tru-Lok electronic locking (on Rubicon models); axle ratios 3.45, 3.73 (EcoDiesel), 4.10. |
Rear Axle: Dana 44 AdvanTEK solid rear axle with available Spicer Performa-TraK electronic locking differentials Front Axle: Dana AdvanTEK independent front differential unit with available Spicer Performa-TraK electronic locking differentials |
Rear Axle: 3rd Generation Dana axles; differential type: open (Sport and Sahara) with available Trac-Lok anti-spin, Tru-Lok electronic locking (Rubicon) Axle ratios: 3.45, 3.73 (EcoDiesel), 4.10. Front Axel: 3rd Generation Dana axles, differential type: open or Tru-Lok electronic locking (on Rubicon models); axle ratios 3.45, 3.73 (EcoDiesel), 4.10. |
| Final Drive Ratio | Range: 3.73:1 to 4.7:1 (depending on option packages) | 3.45 standard, 3.73 optional (4.10 Rubicon) | Range: 3.73:1 to 4.7:1 (depending on option packages) | 3.45 standard, 3.73 optional (4.10 Rubicon) |
| Chassis | Front: Independent front suspension with twin alloy A-arms and coil-over springs with available Bilstein position-sensitive shock absorbers with end-stop control valves Rear: Solid five-link rear axle with active bushings and coil-over springs with available Bilstein position-sensitive shock absorbers with end-stop control valves |
Front: Solid axle, link coil, leading arms, track bar, coil springs, stabilizer bar, electronic sway-bar disconnect system — (standard, Rubicon) Shock type: Sport: Gas-charged twin-tube shock absorbers with full displacement Multi-tuned Valve (MTV) technology. Sahara: High-pressure gas-charged monotube shock absorbers with MTV technology. Rubicon: High-pressure gas-charged monotube shock absorbers with MTV technology and hydraulic rebound stop Rear: Solid axle, link coil, trailing arms, track bar, coil springs, stabilizer bar Shock type: Sport: Gas-charged twin-tube shock absorbers with full displacement MTV technology. Sahara: High-pressure gas-charged monotube shock absorbers with MTV technology. Rubicon: High-pressure gas-charged monotube shock absorbers with MTV technology and hydraulic rebound stop |
Front: Independent front suspension with twin alloy A-arms and coil-over springs with available Bilstein position-sensitive shock absorbers with end-stop control valves Rear: Solid five-link rear axle with active bushings and coil-over springs with available Bilstein position-sensitive shock absorbers with end-stop control valves |
Front: Solid axle, link coil, leading arms, track bar, coil springs, stabilizer bar, electronic sway-bar disconnect system — (standard, Rubicon) Shock type: Sport: Gas-charged twin-tube shock absorbers with full displacement Multi-tuned Valve (MTV) technology. Sahara: High-pressure gas-charged monotube shock absorbers with MTV technology. Rubicon: High-pressure gas-charged monotube shock absorbers with MTV technology and hydraulic rebound stop Rear: Solid axle, link coil, trailing arms, track bar, coil springs, stabilizer bar Shock type: Sport: Gas-charged twin-tube shock absorbers with full displacement MTV technology. Sahara: High-pressure gas-charged monotube shock absorbers with MTV technology. Rubicon: High-pressure gas-charged monotube shock absorbers with MTV technology and hydraulic rebound stop |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | ? | 17.5 gallons | ? | 21.5 gallons |
| Wheelbase | 100.4 inches | 96.8 inches | 116.1 inches | 118.4 inches |
| Length | 173.7 inches (174.8 Badlands) | 166.8 inches | 189.4 inches (190.5 Badlands) | 188.4 inches |
| Height | 71.9 iches (base); 72.9 inches (Big Bend); 73.8 inches (Badlands); 78.9 inches (Wildtrak w/ optional roof rack installed) | 73.6 inches | 73 inches (base, softtop); 72.9 inches (Big Bend); 73.9 inches (Badlands); 75.3 inches (Wildtrack) | 73.6 inches |
| Width | 75.9 inches (Base, Big Bend); 76.3 inches (Badlands); 79.3 inches (Wildtrak) | 73.8 inches | 75.9 inches (Base, Big Bend); 76.3 inches (Badlands); 79.3 inches (Wildtrak) | 73.8 inches |
| Max Avail. Tow | 3,500 pounds | 2,000 pounds | 3,500 pounds | 3,500 pounds |
| Max Payload | 1,170 pounds | 1,071 pounds | 1,370 pounds | 1,360 pounds |
| Ground Clearance | 8.4/11.6 inches | 9.7 inches (Sport); 10 inches (Sahara); 10.8 inches (Rubicon) | 8.3/11.5 inches | 9.7 inches (Sport); 10 inches (Sahara); 10.8 inches (Rubicon) |
| Approach Angle | 35.5/43.2 (Base/35-inch tires) | 41.4 (Sport); 41.8 (Sahara); 44 (Rubicon) | 35.5/43.2 (Base/35-inch tires) | 41.4 (Sport); 41.8 (Sahara); 43.9 (Rubicon) |
| Breakover Angle | 21.1/29.0 (Base/35-inch tires) | 25 (Sport); 21 (Sahara); 27.8 (Rubicon) | 20.0/26.3 (Base/35-inch tires) | 20.3 (Sport); 21 (Sahara); 22.6 (Rubicon) |
| Departure Angle | 29.8/37.2 (Base/35-inch tires) | 35.9 (Sport); 36.1 (Sahara); 37 (Rubicon) | 29.7/37.0 (Base/35-inch tires) | 36.1 (Sport); 36.1 (Sahara); 37 (Rubicon) |
| Max Water Fording | 33.5 inches | 30 inches | 33.5 inches | 30 inches |
Can’t get enough Bronco? Be sure to visit our Ford Bronco landing page with all the teasers, rumors, photos and videos we’ve got.
Related posts:
Ford Adds New Dimension To Bronco Brand With 2021 Bronco Sport
