Base Bronco VS. Base Jeep JT/JL comparison

[EvanPeterson]

Hey y’all!

We temporarily welcomed a Jeep Gladiator Sport into our stable while our oldest daughter’s car was getting repaired from a fender bender.

We took the opportunity to do a comparison of Base vs Base as far being in the drivers seat.

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[HertiageMerica]

Hey y’all!

We temporarily welcomed a Jeep Gladiator Sport into our stable while our oldest daughter’s car was getting repaired from a fender bender.

We took the opportunity to do a comparison of Base vs Base as far being in the drivers seat.

I had a rental Gladiator Sport for a few days on a business trip and I just assumed that Avis was messing with me.

The independent front suspension of the Broncos IMHO was better on washboard as I found myself sometimes moving in unpredictable directions on the dirt road I was on.

Thanks for sharing your video!

 

[EvanPeterson]

I had a rental Gladiator Sport for a few days on a business trip and I just assumed that Avis was messing with me.

The independent front suspension of the Broncos IMHO was better on washboard as I found myself sometimes moving in unpredictable directions on the dirt road I was on.

Thanks for sharing your video!

thanks for watching!

we definitely weren’t a fan of the ride, and it even made our puppy car sick to ride in it…

but I didn’t feel I could do a fair comparison video on ride quality because both of our Broncos have aftermarket suspension and tires.

 

[Blackcat]

@EvanPeterson You can do a fair comparison whether it’s stock or aftermarket. My 22 Base is bone stock and rides so much better than my wife’s 21 Wrangler Sahara.

 

[timhood]

One note about the sun visor: push it further forward and you'll get more visibility.

On interior room, you could have also commented about the space between passengers, which is almost non-existent in the Jeep.

Isn't there a cigarette lighter style 12v plug in the center console? I can't remember what's on the Base, as I have the upgraded package with the dash USBs, the wireless charging pad plus USBs there, USBs (and I think cigarette lighter 12v) in the console and USBs plus a 120v electrical plug on the back of the console. I know I definitely have the 12v cigarette lighter plug in the cargo area. I have only needed USB and 120v, so I can't remember where, if anywhere are other cigarette lighter plugs other than the cargo area.

That stain on the Gladiator seat says everything I need to say about cloth seats.

 

[EvanPeterson]

@EvanPeterson You can do a fair comparison whether it’s stock or aftermarket. My 22 Base is bone stock and rides so much better than my wife’s 21 Wrangler Sahara.

I could’ve… but when it comes to YT, you’ll get people throwing a fit because it’s not a stock versus stock suspension. We posted a video of just a Gladiator, FJ Cruiser, and FE Bronco climbing a ledge at a local spot, and people claimed it was rigged… lol and my Bronco wasn’t even in the video!

 

[EvanPeterson]

One note about the sun visor: push it further forward and you'll get more visibility.

On interior room, you could have also commented about the space between passengers, which is almost non-existent in the Jeep.

Isn't there a cigarette lighter style 12v plug in the center console? I can't remember what's on the Base, as I have the upgraded package with the dash USBs, the wireless charging pad plus USBs there, USBs (and I think cigarette lighter 12v) in the console and USBs plus a 120v electrical plug on the back of the console. I know I definitely have the 12v cigarette lighter plug in the cargo area. I have only needed USB and 120v, so I can't remember where, if anywhere are other cigarette lighter plugs other than the cargo area.

That stain on the Gladiator seat says everything I need to say about cloth seats.

the visor is bigger in the Bronco no matter what position it’s in, I liked the visibility out of the gladiator more.

idk about inside the console, the dealer installed one of the console safes before we took delivery, and I never go in there.

I don’t count the trunk area because I can’t reach it while I’m driving.

 

[Fordified1]

We traded a ‘22 Gladiator Texas Trail (same as Willys) in on our non Sasquatch BD Mid Package Bronco. The Gladiator was by far the best driving / riding Jeep I’ve ever ridden in partially due to it’s long wheelbase. (A 4-door Wrangler would be a better comparison because of the shorter wheelbase)
Anyway, the day we went to test drive the Bronco there was a very gusty cross-wind. I did a decibel reading in both and they were the same. BUT the Jeep was a handful to keep between the lines at 70 mph. The Bronco was rock steady in same cross wind and easily driven with 2 fingers. The 2.3 Bronco steadily gets 2-3 mpg better than the Jeep and feels much more powerful even with the 2.3 vs the Jeep’s anemic 3.6 V/6.
The Jeep definitely had a better sound system though. Edit: and much better storage in the console and under the rear seats.

 

[EvanPeterson]

We traded a ‘22 Gladiator Texas Trail (same as Willys) in on our non Sasquatch BD Bronco. The Gladiator was by far the best driving / riding Jeep I’ve ever ridden in partially due to it’s long wheelbase. (A 4-door Wrangler would be a better comparison because of the shorter wheelbase)
Anyway, the day we went to test drive the Bronco there was a very gusty cross-wind. I did a decibel reading in both and they were the same. BUT the Jeep was a handful to keep between the lines at 70 mph. The Bronco was rock steady in same cross wind and easily driven with 2 fingers. The 2.3 Bronco steadily gets 2-3 mpg better than the Jeep and feels much more powerful even with the 2.3 vs the Jeep’s anemic 3.6 V/6.

the MPGs is real… our 2-Door on 37s with RTT gets the same average as the gladiator sport 🫣

 

[Fordified1]

Ok just watched the video. A couple of mistakes if comparing new models. All the 2024 Broncos have 12” screens and rear cupholders.
If you order the Max Tow package (not the regular tow package) on the Gladiator sport, you get the Rubicon Axles and gear ratios. Not a well known option.

And my visors definitely fold up higher out of line of sight. (maybe a MY24 change?)

 

[Fordified1]

I wondered why so many complain about the visors which I find to be very usable. There must have been a change for MY 2024.
Below yours vs mine. I am also 5’8” and this is line of sight with my seat all the way up.

 

[timhood]

the visor is bigger in the Bronco no matter what position it’s in, I liked the visibility out of the gladiator more.

Agreed that the visor is bigger, but I push it forward to make it smaller when I need to and have the option of keeping it vertical when the sun is on the horizon. I also ride with my seat at nearly the lowest setting, so that may be a difference.

idk about inside the console, the dealer installed one of the console safes before we took delivery, and I never go in there.

I don’t count the trunk area because I can’t reach it while I’m driving.

I wasn't mentioning the cargo area as a rebuttal, just trying to recall all of the areas where I thought there were various electrical connections. Since I bought a higher trim level, I don't even consider the cigarette lighter plug--there's no need. Basically everything is USB these days unless it's drawing a lot more power. On road trips, my wife plugs her laptop into the 120v and can get work done. Or we plug in the refrigerator.

All this made me forget the point--if there is a cigarette power in the center console, the Jeep doesn't have one more option, it's just an option in a different location. Depending on what is plugged in, the location might be better or worse. But this is where the upgraded trim in the Bronco wins: the power ports on the dash handle any need for devices up top without running cords in front of the controls and the screen. The power ports down below handle any devices that might stay low, the port in the center console gives options there and the USB and 120v ports at the back of the center console provide power for rear and/or front seat passengers. I know you are comparing base models, but sometimes I think it's more relevant to compare what you can get as options, rather than simply what you chose to get.

 

[MNBigfoot]

I found that with the Bronco, it's best to just move the visor down a few inches, and not flip it down like one normally would, it blocks out the sun and doesn't hardly interfere with the window.

 

[Aonarch]

We traded a ‘22 Gladiator Texas Trail (same as Willys) in on our non Sasquatch BD Mid Package Bronco. The Gladiator was by far the best driving / riding Jeep I’ve ever ridden in partially due to it’s long wheelbase. (A 4-door Wrangler would be a better comparison because of the shorter wheelbase)
Anyway, the day we went to test drive the Bronco there was a very gusty cross-wind. I did a decibel reading in both and they were the same. BUT the Jeep was a handful to keep between the lines at 70 mph. The Bronco was rock steady in same cross wind and easily driven with 2 fingers. The 2.3 Bronco steadily gets 2-3 mpg better than the Jeep and feels much more powerful even with the 2.3 vs the Jeep’s anemic 3.6 V/6.
The Jeep definitely had a better sound system though. Edit: and much better storage in the console and under the rear seats.

It is worth noting that the Bronco has automatic cross-wind correction built in. Super nice in Montana. I've never "noticed" it kicking in. My Bronco just tracks straight.

 

[mpeugeot]

A $250 Kicker Key 200.4 amp will fix the Bronco sound problem instantly, so if you consider the ease and low cost of addressing that problem, you can cross the Jeep off the list. A base Jeep may have more articulation than the Bronco, but without a lift, suspension, lockers, etc... Does it really matter, neither is the king of the off-road without significant modifications.

Edit: Also a basesquatch isn't really a "base" Bronco in the sense that you have front and rear lockers, advanced 4x4 transfer case, and 35's.

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