Both the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport and Jeep Renegade feel at right home in the wilderness. Which should you choose? Our comparison guide is here to help you choose the small crossover SUV that has everything you want in a daily driver.
Off-Road Adventure: 2021 Ford Bronco Sport
These two crossovers are meant for adventure, but it’s the Bronco Sport that comes standard with extra off-road capabilities. Its standard four-wheel-drive system was designed to handle rugged terrain. And features like roof rails and adjustable drive modes give this all-new Ford crossover extra appeal.
While the Jeep Renegade offers a special off-road-ready trim model, the Renegade Trailhawk, the base model doesn’t come standard with a lot of rugged extras. For example, while the Limited and Trailhawk models come standard with a capable four-wheel drive system, all-wheel drive is only optional for the base Sport and mid-grade Latitude trims.
Sporty Power: 2021 Ford Bronco Sport
Both sporty crossovers offer two engine options. Their respective base engines are pretty similar, with a turbo 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine (181 horsepower, 190 pound-feet of torque) driving the Bronco Sport and a 2.4liter four-cylinder engine (180 hp, 175 lb-ft) driving the Jeep Renegade.
If you want an extra sporty performance, however, you’re going to need the Bronco Sport. Its optional upgrade, a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (250 hp, 277 lb-ft), was designed to improve your off-road experience.
The Renegade’s optional engine, a turbocharged 1.3-liter three-cylinder engine (177 hp, 210 lb-ft) is meant to improve fuel economy rather than speed.
Modern Comfort: It’s a Tie!
The 2021 Ford Bronco and the Jeep Renegade both offer road-trip-friendly cabins, with lots of passenger space and seating support. And each provides plenty of optional comfort features, including dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, and seat heaters.
These crossovers were designed to deliver a sporty performance, so keep in mind that their rides can feel a little firmer than that of other, less off-road-ready models.
Technology: 2021 Ford Bronco Sport
In the tech game, the Bronco Sport takes the lead once again. Every trim model includes the Sync 3 infotainment system, with its user-friendly 8-inch touch screen and smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. And the Bronco Sport also does a good job of keeping wind and road noise in check, so that you can hear the excellent audio system with complete clarity.
The base Renegade infotainment system is pretty user-friendly, and it also includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the base infotainment system isn’t as impressive as the versions that come on higher Renegade trim levels, which include a high-resolution 8.4-inch touch-screen display.
Final Tally
There’s a lot to love about the 2021 Jeep Renegade, especially its off-road-ready Trailhawk trim model. However, the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport comes standard with everything you need for rugged adventure, giving you the best possible value and performance. And the Bronco Sport also throws in options, like the 250-horsepower turbocharged engine, that the Renegade can’t beat.