4x4 Torture Test: Defender v. Bronco v. Wrangler - Which Is the BEST Off-Roader?

TFL Podcasts:

[TFLoffroad]

Save up to $1, 300 on a Ford or Mopar (RAM, Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, Fiat) extended factory warranty for your new vehicle at Granger Motors!

[aluminumfalcon]

The secret number 1 offroad vehicle is the Toyota Yaris rental car.

[IKnewMickey]

Being older than modes, I think the BEST modes have always been Front and Rear Locker mode. Also ground clearance mode and appropriate tire mode are pretty much fool proof.

[JustinKingOffroad]

as a convert from jeep to bronco, i can tell you it does NOT flex as well as the jeep. However, on-trail and on-road comfort is hands down better!

[gusdavos]

Had a wrangler but I’m getting older and my back doesn’t tolerate it so well. So I bought a bronco wildtrack. I am happy so far.

[ScottM]

Bronco is the middle road of everything in a good way, with better on-road performance without losing much off-road performance than the Jeep and the opposite to the Defender. I spent months trying to figure out which way I would go, and I decided on the Bronco SAS and was happy I did. For some reason, people care about what I drive when they don't make the payments. I'm not mad at you if I see you driving a Jeep. We both share the same love for the same hobby.

[LukeEdward]

The “BEST” is the one you (1) Love, (2) Can Afford, & (3) Use. Thank you TFL for the comparison so we can make those decisions in a MORE INFORMED MINDSET.

[DJ_Underwood]

Thanks for bringing Jen along, it helps as I have struggled with my wife to explain some differences with vehicles and she made it clear, simple, and smart in a way that I can help her find her next car.... don't mean to sound insulting, just as a fellow car nerd, I needed her to explain in a a way that can translate, thank you TFL!

[regnar]

I like all 3 of these. The Bronco looks awesome. I went with a new Jeep Wrangler. I live in WA, Jeep-country. Also, I didn't want all the "mode" selections. But the main reason- the 392 V8 in the Wrangler was the no-crap selling feature!

[FCTonTwoWheels]

Land Rover Defender still got that Camel Trophy vibe just walking through the ruts and the least dilly dallying :)

[MontanaMedic]

This Wrangler is capable of towing only 2000 lbs... Tommy: Not a ton of weight 😂

[sundevilkdaddy]

Great video. I have a 2021 2dr badlands Sasquatch w v6. Just turned 30k miles. Best vehicle I have ever owned.

[AHH]

My wife owned a Wrangler for 3 years and really liked it. However when she test drove a Bronco she had to trade the Jeep in. After owning the bronco for 2.5 years she still could not be happier.

[alleliteaaronstarcher]

Just bought a new Bronco Raptor and can’t keep a smile off my face anytime I’m driving it.

[slunasaurusrex]

I actually like that when the Ford says traction control is off it's actually off. Sometimes you need wheelspin and this gives you the option to truly have everything off if you need it while also providing other modes that include traction control. Gives you more options & more tools to not get stuck.

[jeepmancam]

Another great video. I like the fact you guys generally don’t show bias towards one brand. Truthfully I am Jeep bias, because I love their iconic history and based on my off-roading experience I believe Jeeps are just built to take way more abuse. Over the years, I have done some crazy stuff in my Jeeps and they have never let me down. One one occasion I flipped my Jeep on its side, we flipped it back over, and I drove home and then to work on Monday with no issues and only minor damage to a summer door. Another time off-roading I drove into a swamp and ended up with water waist deep inside. After I drove out, I just pulled the drain plugs and was good to go. I’m not sure you would want to do any of that in a Bronco or Defender.

Anyhow, a couple ideas for future video comparisons, especially in regards to off-road capability.

Jeeps are extremely easy to modify. For example, I’ve bolted lift kits on my Jeep in my garage with basic hand tools, and I’m not a mechanic. It would be interesting to see you guys do a comparison on something like that and how easy is it to lift or modify them.

Another interesting future video would be to go with of budget of say 10 to 15k to spend on each vehicle for lift, tires, lockers, winches, etc. See what you can buy aftermarket and what you can modify and then how they perform afterwards.

[Zachish]

I just bought a 2 door manual Bronco a few months ago. Everything that showed up in the tests is spot on. I just flick on and off that rear locker as soon as the wheels start lifting.

[AntonioClaudioMichael]

The bronco turns traction controls off when the transfercase is in low range 17:50 @TFLOffroad

[markr]

Nice review. Since I am not an off-roader, I would go with the Defender.

[landrover]

Last time i looked the Defender had a much better load carrying capacity (as well as roof and towing). Cheers