- First Name
- Mark
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2020
- Threads
- 1
- Messages
- 90
- Reaction score
- 208
- Location
- Vancouver, BC
- Vehicle(s)
- Toyota FJ Cruiser
- Your Bronco Model
- Wildtrak
I've recently come to the realization that the bronco I want is around the same cost as a defender, exactly as you mentioned here. I can't get past the fact that the defender feels like you are getting way more car for the money, and only compromising slightly on offroad ability. I test drove the P400 the other day, drives like a range rover with a higher driving position, it's amazing on road. I'm coming from an FJ, so the bronco would also feel like an improvement, but it won't get close to the defender on road. For my use case thats 95% of where it'll be driving.I test drove the new defender with both engines, as well as a 2020 JLU Jeep.
Let me tell you this:
- The Jeep road noise is awful and the Defender was super quiet at 80mph. Quieter than most recent cars I have been in.
- The Defender ride is insanely confortable on road, almost no body roll and flies over road imperfections, all due to the excellent air suspension. The Jeep ride was harsh and unpleasant
- It is absolutely false that the Bronco has better off road capability than a defender. A base defender still has 11.5” clearance, and far superior angles than any Bronco except Sasquatch. If you look on YouTube you will see the defender doing crazy shits than most people will never try in their life wether they have a Bronco or a Defender. It’s more than capable. The only trim that can beat the defender offroad is a Badlands Squatch. With equal clearance but better articulation(sway bar disco) and front locker.
I have the same need as you I do long road trips across western USA, that involve 90% road then 10% of off-roading to reach remote wild places where a Subaru can’t go. Plus it’s also my DD. The Defender is the dream vehicle for that. The only reason I am not getting one is because of poor reliability and extreme depreciation (as seen on any luxury SUV) which makes the cost of ownership awful.
Give me one modern platform for sale that can do the above? I don’t see any other than the Bronco. I hate Toyota/Lexus design and the fact they are old platforms, also hate the way they drive.
TBH the best car for me is probably the Bronco Sport Badlands with 1” lift and bigger tires, that puts it at 10” clearance with rear lockers and all the confort features and quiet ride and stuff for less than a Big bend. But it’s a bit too small.
I am still on the fence but as of now I do not have a better option than the Bronco. I fully expect it drives better on road than the Jeep but noise will be the same shit. I wished they made a non removable top version with SUV like noise insulation.
Valid points on reliability, extended warranty is always an option. I plan on waiting a year or two and seeing how bad it is. You can extend the warranty all the way out to 10 years 200k km for around 7k CAD, they wouldn't offer that if they are really THAT bad. Depreciation also might not be as bad as you'd think, both the bronco and defender are iconic brand new models. Ultimately I think reliability will be the biggest factor in which depreciates faster. The defender is definitely more of a gamble, but even if you need the extended warranty you'll get at least 10 years out of it.
While I was in the dealership they had a customers car there with 1.5" lift (johnson rods) and aftermarket 33" (275/60R20) duratracs on it, it looked amazing and is definitely luring me away from my bad squatch. The more aggressive rubber makes a huge difference to the look of the truck, and won't hurt offroad too. You'd have a hard time going bigger than 33", but you really don't need to.
For my use case I honestly think the defender is a better option than a lux badsquatch. Cost of ownership will probably end up higher, but you are also getting a far more luxurious vehicle for the money.
Sponsored