Sponsored

broncobase1

Base
Well-Known Member
First Name
Mark
Joined
Apr 12, 2022
Threads
11
Messages
820
Reaction score
1,451
Location
Lincoln
Vehicle(s)
22 Bronco Base
Your Bronco Model
Base
I have owned my 4Dr Base for 6 months. Last week I needed something with a truck bed for a 1200 mile trip. I rented a regular truck, but when I checked in they said I could choose between a Ram 1500 and a new Gladiator. I jumped at the chance drive a Jeep.

First let me say the Jeep has its own character, but the difference in road manners is night and day. The Bronco is composed over bumps, tracks straight and has good steering response. Bumps that unsettle the Jeep, I don't notice in the Bronco. (Update: Some have pointed much of this difference may be attributed to the Mud tires on the Jeep)

I like the interior of the Bronco way better. Both are hard plastic, but the Bronco is more modern and refined. The feel and placement of the switchgear is perfect in the Bronco. Traditional HVAC controls without involving the touchscreen is a big plus. I vastly prefer the location of the window controls in the Bronco, as they are at your fingertips with your arm on the center console (its beyond me why some reviews zonk this position). I also like the Sync4 screen better in the Bronco, as well as the digital instrument panel. All this chatter of a cheap hard plastic interior, for me its spot on and I like it ever better after spending 4 days in a Jeep. They put the quality where it really matters, like switchgear that feels great and in the right place.

My soft top Bronco is much quieter on the freeway, but most of this is probably attributed to the mud tires on the Jeep.

I'm not hating on Jeep and this is just my opinion. I'm not an off roader, and unlike the Jeep I'm not giving up anything in terms of road manners with the Bronco over my Mazda6 Sedan. The Bronco actually has nicer steering response than my sedan. Jeeps are cool and may have advantages off road, but not for me.

P.S. Notice the red writing on the windshield. That wasn't me! The previous renter got pulled over for DUI!

Ford Bronco Bronco owner rents Jeep for 1200 mile trip, my comparison. IMG_20220711_092416092_HDR


Ford Bronco Bronco owner rents Jeep for 1200 mile trip, my comparison. IMG_20220925_075121483_HDR
Sponsored

 
Last edited:

B Miller

Badlands
Well-Known Member
First Name
Brian
Joined
Dec 5, 2020
Threads
104
Messages
742
Reaction score
1,866
Location
Sherwood, OR
Vehicle(s)
2021 Bronco
Your Bronco Model
Badlands
Clubs
 
I have owned my 4Dr Base for 6 months. Last week I needed something with a truck bed for a 1200 mile trip. I rented a regular truck, but when I checked in they said I could choose between a Ram 1500 and a new Gladiator. I jumped at the chance drive a Jeep. First let me say the Jeep has its own character, but the difference in road manners is night and day. The Bronco is composed over bumps, tracks straight and has good steering response. Bumps that unsettle the Jeep, I don't notice in the Bronco. I like the interior of the Bronco way better. Both are hard plastic, but the Bronco is more modern and refined. The feel and placement of the switchgear is perfect in the Bronco. Traditional HVAC controls without involving the touchscreen is a big plus. I vastly prefer the location of the window controls in the Bronco, as they are at your fingertips with your arm on the center console (its beyond me why some reviews zonk this position). I also like the Sync4 screen better in the Bronco, as well as the digital instrument panel. All this chatter of a cheap hard plastic interior, for me its spot on and I like it ever better after spending 4 days in a Jeep. They put the quality where it really matters, like switchgear that feels great and in the right place. My soft top Bronco is much quieter on the freeway, but most of this is probably attributed to the mud tires on the Jeep. I'm not hating on Jeep and this is just my opinion. I'm not an off roader, and unlike the Jeep I'm not giving up anything in terms of road manners with the Bronco over my Mazda6 Sedan. The Bronco actually has nicer steering response than my sedan. Jeeps are cool and may have advantages off road, but not for me.
P.S. Notice the red writing on the windshield. That wasn't me! The previous renter got pulled over for DUI!

Ford Bronco Bronco owner rents Jeep for 1200 mile trip, my comparison. IMG_20220925_075121483_HDR


View attachment 395374
Well done review.
 

SunsetJuice

Outer Banks
Well-Known Member
First Name
Elaine
Joined
Sep 21, 2022
Threads
0
Messages
78
Reaction score
135
Location
DFW Texas
Vehicle(s)
All the Fords
Your Bronco Model
Outer Banks
Clubs
 
Nice to know. I'm in a Gladiator now, as I thought my Bronco would NEVER be started. Thank goodness, before I put wheels and tires on it, I got the build email from Ford. So now, I wait. I must say, the Gladiator ride is MUCH better than my previous Wranglers but maybe that's due to stock wheels/tires (yawn). Anyway, I'm anxious to see and feel the differences in the Bronco vs. the Gladiator for myself. I miss the storage of an SUV. We have plenty of trucks at home for that kind of stuff. I've never been a fan of fancy finishes inside a vehicle anyway! Simple and rugged are more fun! I'm thrilled to know that the ride is even better than the Gladiator BUT I did own a Willys and those tires are awful for on-road manners.
 

spyderman01

Base
Well-Known Member
First Name
Joseph
Joined
Jul 28, 2020
Threads
1
Messages
110
Reaction score
190
Location
Satellite Beach, FL
Vehicle(s)
Ford Maverick
Your Bronco Model
Base
Nice to know. I'm in a Gladiator now, as I thought my Bronco would NEVER be started. Thank goodness, before I put wheels and tires on it, I got the build email from Ford. So now, I wait. I must say, the Gladiator ride is MUCH better than my previous Wranglers but maybe that's due to stock wheels/tires (yawn). Anyway, I'm anxious to see and feel the differences in the Bronco vs. the Gladiator for myself. I miss the storage of an SUV. We have plenty of trucks at home for that kind of stuff. I've never been a fan of fancy finishes inside a vehicle anyway! Simple and rugged are more fun! I'm thrilled to know that the ride is even better than the Gladiator BUT I did own a Willys and those tires are awful for on-road manners.
I was going to say I had a Willys Gladiator and took it on a 1500 mile drive and it was chore. Far worse than any Wrangler I have owned. The tires had a lot do with it, making it hard to track and road bumps made it wander. I imagine a base Bronco would be a much nicer road vehicle. I did like the Uconnect radio nicer than the radio in my Mav. I'm hoping the Sync in the Bronco is good.
 

Tricky Dick

Badlands
Well-Known Member
First Name
Dick
Joined
Apr 12, 2021
Threads
88
Messages
7,503
Reaction score
25,540
Location
PNW
Website
www.TD-Distributing.com
Vehicle(s)
21 Bronco, 88 Bronco II, 03 Ford F250
Your Bronco Model
Badlands
Clubs
 
I vastly prefer the location of the window controls in the Bronco, as they are at your fingertips with your arm on the center console (its beyond me why some reviews zonk this position).
My only complaint is I can't find them there when I switch to my truck and have to relearn the door location. :ROFLMAO:
 

Sponsored

RHeinz

Badlands
Well-Known Member
First Name
Ric
Joined
Aug 14, 2021
Threads
51
Messages
1,033
Reaction score
1,845
Location
Houston, TX
Vehicle(s)
1950 Willys CJ3A, 2022 Bronco Badlands
Your Bronco Model
Badlands
From OP: “First let me say the Jeep has its own character, but the difference in road manners is night and day. The Bronco is composed over bumps, tracks straight and has good steering response. Bumps that unsettle the Jeep, I don't notice in the Bronco.”

While driving on Interstate quality roads, I’ve had my “KEEP HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL” alert come on a few times simply because any movement of the steering wheel was not required and didn’t occur…..

An irritating flaw?????? Perhaps when things “loosen up” it won’t be an “issue”.
 

RHeinz

Badlands
Well-Known Member
First Name
Ric
Joined
Aug 14, 2021
Threads
51
Messages
1,033
Reaction score
1,845
Location
Houston, TX
Vehicle(s)
1950 Willys CJ3A, 2022 Bronco Badlands
Your Bronco Model
Badlands
I was going to say I had a Willys Gladiator and took it on a 1500 mile drive and it was chore. Far worse than any Wrangler I have owned. The tires had a lot do with it, making it hard to track and road bumps made it wander. I imagine a base Bronco would be a much nicer road vehicle. I did like the Uconnect radio nicer than the radio in my Mav. I'm hoping the Sync in the Bronco is good.
A WILLYS???? This is a Willys.
Ford Bronco Bronco owner rents Jeep for 1200 mile trip, my comparison. BE4D6ACD-4D3A-4CAF-A880-1109EB739341


Better have good hand and arm strength to drive it.

It irritates me that they resurrected the Willys name…..
 

Davebear13

Base
Well-Known Member
First Name
David
Joined
Sep 6, 2021
Threads
0
Messages
76
Reaction score
168
Location
Anthem AZ
Vehicle(s)
Ram 1500, Subaru WRX
Your Bronco Model
Base
Clubs
 
I have owned my 4Dr Base for 6 months. Last week I needed something with a truck bed for a 1200 mile trip. I rented a regular truck, but when I checked in they said I could choose between a Ram 1500 and a new Gladiator. I jumped at the chance drive a Jeep.

First let me say the Jeep has its own character, but the difference in road manners is night and day. The Bronco is composed over bumps, tracks straight and has good steering response. Bumps that unsettle the Jeep, I don't notice in the Bronco.

I like the interior of the Bronco way better. Both are hard plastic, but the Bronco is more modern and refined. The feel and placement of the switchgear is perfect in the Bronco. Traditional HVAC controls without involving the touchscreen is a big plus. I vastly prefer the location of the window controls in the Bronco, as they are at your fingertips with your arm on the center console (its beyond me why some reviews zonk this position). I also like the Sync4 screen better in the Bronco, as well as the digital instrument panel. All this chatter of a cheap hard plastic interior, for me its spot on and I like it ever better after spending 4 days in a Jeep. They put the quality where it really matters, like switchgear that feels great and in the right place.

My soft top Bronco is much quieter on the freeway, but most of this is probably attributed to the mud tires on the Jeep.

I'm not hating on Jeep and this is just my opinion. I'm not an off roader, and unlike the Jeep I'm not giving up anything in terms of road manners with the Bronco over my Mazda6 Sedan. The Bronco actually has nicer steering response than my sedan. Jeeps are cool and may have advantages off road, but not for me.

P.S. Notice the red writing on the windshield. That wasn't me! The previous renter got pulled over for DUI!

Ford Bronco Bronco owner rents Jeep for 1200 mile trip, my comparison. BE4D6ACD-4D3A-4CAF-A880-1109EB739341


Ford Bronco Bronco owner rents Jeep for 1200 mile trip, my comparison. BE4D6ACD-4D3A-4CAF-A880-1109EB739341
I just drove round trip from Phoenix to western Wisconsin in my base 4D Bronco Sasquatch. Up to this trip, I had 1000 miles of gravel roads, mining trails, rocky "forest roads" in the desert. My Bronco was so great on the road trip that I forgot that it was actually designed to conquer off road. Head winds and western elevation climbs (eastern elevation drops) gave me 17.8 MPG over 3440 miles. I need the driver side window adjusted - extra wind noise but that is my only complaint. I drives great on interstates and country 2 lanes. It can dominate city traffic when you need to. It is comfortable and easy to do all those things like make a call, adjust the sound - does suck, AC, windows...it drives and rides as great on road as off road.
 

Karl_in_Chicago

Badlands
Well-Known Member
First Name
Karl
Joined
Jul 19, 2020
Threads
5
Messages
1,683
Reaction score
3,651
Location
Chicago
Vehicle(s)
Badlands
Your Bronco Model
Badlands
How odd that the rental company wouldn't clean that off the windshield prior to renting it out again. Who the hell wants to be driving around in a vehicle with a big red (literally!) indication that there may be a drunk driver at the wheel? Thanks, though, for sharing your honest impression of your extended trip and providing great context for the comparison.
 

Rick Astley

Raptor
Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2020
Threads
70
Messages
5,019
Reaction score
18,563
Location
Up Doug's ass
Vehicle(s)
d
Your Bronco Model
Raptor
This all went so wonky once the Bronco was compared to the on-road manners of a Mazda6.

Please note that I say this as the owner of a 2018 Mazda6 grand touring reserve. Maybe with the base Bronco tires/suspension this is a comparison to make. It's just odd and so massively opposite of what I've experienced in driving the Mazda6 to the dealership for test drives of a Badlands Bronco.

One of these years a VIN will come through and a more thorough back-to-back comparison can be made.... If there's much of a market for a Bronco Badlands Vs. Mazda6 head-to-head challenge?
 

Sponsored

mikeeshim

First Edition
Well-Known Member
First Name
Michael
Joined
Apr 28, 2022
Threads
10
Messages
687
Reaction score
911
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Vehicle(s)
MBZ E350, supposed daily driver
Your Bronco Model
First Edition
Clubs
 
I need the driver side window adjusted - extra wind noise but that is my only complaint. I


I did what this guy did in the video and my windows are rattle free and super tight. Zero wind noise and best of all, took me all of 10 minutes for both sides.
If you do attempt, make sure to roll down all windows first, loosen one nut partially, with socket still in position, push toward outside panel of door, and tighten. Once tight, release socket. Repeat for other nut.
 

mikeeshim

First Edition
Well-Known Member
First Name
Michael
Joined
Apr 28, 2022
Threads
10
Messages
687
Reaction score
911
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Vehicle(s)
MBZ E350, supposed daily driver
Your Bronco Model
First Edition
Clubs
 
First let me say the Jeep has its own character, but the difference in road manners is night and day. The Bronco is composed over bumps, tracks straight and has good steering response. Bumps that unsettle the Jeep, I don't notice in the Bronco.
Great write up, and great preface.
 

Tarheel_Wes

Black Diamond
Well-Known Member
First Name
Wesley
Joined
Feb 10, 2021
Threads
17
Messages
1,329
Reaction score
2,335
Location
North Carolina
Vehicle(s)
FJ
Your Bronco Model
Black Diamond
Clubs
 
A WILLYS???? This is a Willys.
Ford Bronco Bronco owner rents Jeep for 1200 mile trip, my comparison. BE4D6ACD-4D3A-4CAF-A880-1109EB739341


Better have good hand and arm strength to drive it.

It irritates me that they resurrected the Willys name…..
Ford Bronco Bronco owner rents Jeep for 1200 mile trip, my comparison. What you Talking About
 

Jawaburger

Black Diamond
Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2021
Threads
2
Messages
181
Reaction score
252
Location
Champaign, IL
Vehicle(s)
2022 Bronco, 2 Door, Manual, Cactus Gray
Your Bronco Model
Black Diamond
A WILLYS???? This is a Willys.
Ford Bronco Bronco owner rents Jeep for 1200 mile trip, my comparison. What you Talking About


Better have good hand and arm strength to drive it.

It irritates me that they resurrected the Willys name…..
I much prefer the Willys name for a trim level than what they did with the Jeep Renegade!
 

johndeerefarmer

Badlands
Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2020
Threads
48
Messages
508
Reaction score
549
Location
Texas
Vehicle(s)
'17 F150, '20 F350 Powerstroke
Your Bronco Model
Badlands
Clubs
 
I assume the Jeep rides like my Super Duty with it's SFA. If so not as smooth as my F150 but not bad
Sponsored

 
 


Top