2021 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2020 Jeep Renegade | Phoenix, AZ

When shopping for a new, family-friendly and rugged vehicle for outdoor adventures, it’s hard not to run into the Jeep Renegade. But there’s a new kid on the block: the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. How does it compare to the more established Renegade? To put it mildly: quite well.

Better engine

In the engine department, the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport is the clear winner. It has a 2.0-liter EcoBoost^® four-cylinder producing 245 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. That’s not just better than what the Jeep Renegade offers, it’s better than anything else you’ll find in the non-premium, subcompact utility segment. Even the base 1.5-liter EcoBoost^®, with its 181 ponies and 190 lb-ft of torque, has more power than the Renegade’s smaller, 177-horsepower base engine.

Better drivetrain

You’d think a vehicle marketed for its off-road capabilities would come with standard 4x4 capability, but that’s not the case with the 2020 Jeep Renegade. You’ve got to pay extra to get 4x4, but why do that when you could just get it standard on the Bronco Sport? Better yet, the Bronco Sport features a twin-clutch rear drive unit and selectable G.O.A.T. Modes^™ that further enhance the SUV’s ability to distribute power on loose surfaces.

Better off-road performance

When exploring the wild outdoors, you’ll be better off with a Bronco Sport. That’s because it has better water fording capabilities than the Renegade: it can wade through waters 23.6 inches deep, while the Renegade can only handle 19 inches. The Ford also has a class-exclusive available Trail Control^™ feature that takes over the vehicle’s speed and lets you focus on the steering.* There’s no comparable feature in the Jeep.

More functionality

Performance and ruggedness are not everything. What about utility and functionality? On that front, the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport also delivers with substantially more maximum cargo space than the 2020 Jeep Renegade: 65.2 cubic feet vs 50.8 cubic feet behind the first row, and 32.5 cubic feet vs 18.5 cubic feet behind the second row. If you plan to bring things along on your adventures, you’ll probably prefer the Bronco Sport.

More technology

Finally, the Ford Bronco Sport offers a lot of standard features that make the Jeep Renegade seem a little underwhelming. Both vehicles offer Apple CarPlay^® and Android Auto^™ smartphone integration, as well as a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot, but you have to pay extra to get them on the Renegade — and the Ford’s hotspot supports more devices. The Bronco Sport is also offered with a standard Ford Co-Pilot360^™ suite of safety technologies, and while the Renegade has a very similar set of features, they’re once more not available on the base model.
 
Ultimately, the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport is the full package, soundly beating the 2020 Jeep Renegade. Turns out experience isn’t equivalent to competence. Make sure to check out the adventure-ready Bronco Sport at Sanderson Ford in Glendale, Arizona!

*Class is Non-Premium Subcompact Utility.