I test drove the 2.3L 4 cylinder Bronco on Sunday

[Jeeperjamie]

I feel like we're creeping further off topic but, I think stock for stock the Bronco is a much better looking vehicle. The Gladiator is a bit... awkward in stock config. Which is part of why I ordered one. I like the quirkiness.

The fender flares on the Bronco Raptor are a whole different thing though

They look like they stretched garbage bags over a frame

They got a metal fender option for 2022, we added them to our package when we built ours. I hate the way the raptor ones look.

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[dcmdon]

I drove a 2 door 4 cylinder bronco and it was definitely faster than my Gladiator. Particularly in the midrange. Our trucks do great if you wring the engine out to 6000 rpm. but at 3000 rpm they are gutless. The 2.3 turbo had a much fatter midrange with power that trailed off after 5000 rpm.

 

[Trauma PA]

the 2.3 bronco engine even on a loaded 4dr bronco is faster than a JT, so I have no idea where you're getting the idea it's a slug by comparison. The 2.3 is faster than the 3.6 in a wrangler too, which is lighter than the gladiator. With premium fuel it's faster than the 2.0 wrangler as well, but slower on regular gas.

As for looks, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I don't like Bronco 4dr softtops. But personally, I think most gladiators are ugly. Especially sports on silver wheels with tiny tires and no lift. Gladiators can be beautiful; i see more pretty ones than ugly ones on the forums, but I see more ugly ones than pretty ones on the road.

I had a 2dr manual sasquatch bronco ordered before I even considered a gladiator. Only reason I gave up on my 2dr bronco is Ford kindly told me because I dared to want a bargain I was going to have to wait until 2026 to get mine. Realty is, a bronco just the way I wanted it was under 41k. My ordered mojave is just shy of 53. I love the gladiator, but i'd rather save 12k... except Ford doesn't seem to want my money, so Jeep it is!

Driving the 2.3L then driving my Pentastar V6 made me feel like the Bronco was a turd. And we all know our JTs are sluggish. Maybe it was a feel thing. I don’t know but that was my perception. Now I will say this, my test drive was limited to city driving. I probably should have insisted on going on the interstate but after the bait and switch to the 2.3L I lost interest.

 

[Plywood]

The 2.3 is 275Hp and the 2.7 is 315HP.

 

[JTDay]

My 21 Ranger ripped compared to the gladiator. That 2.3 in the ranger could make 320-330whp and close to 400tq at the wheels with just bolt-ons and a tune . With a hybrid turbo upgrade, it's closer to 450 hp and 450 tq at the wheels. The gladiator probably makes something like 240hp at the wheels. Still, unquestionably, much happier with the Gladiator than the Ranger. Just wish it had a turbo.

 

[Litfuse]

The 2.3 is a much stronger running motor than the 3.6. The problem with Ford’s DI motors is valve coking and how it impacts performance.

 

[Trauma PA]

I hear you all and on paper the 2.3L out performs our Pentastar. My perception was it felt like a dog and I like the drive of our JTs better. I’m still intrigued by the 2.7 L ecoboost. I drove my brother in law’s F150 and loved it. Now if only I can find a 2.7 L Bronco to drive.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

I gotcha, didn't realize premium fuel option added 25HP. I know I talked with the shop manager at RTR Racing and he said they have a tune for the 2.7 that gets it to just over 400HP, cost around $500.

 

[dcmdon]

The 2.3 is a much stronger running motor than the 3.6. The problem with Ford’s DI motors is valve coking and how it impacts performance.

Another reason to get the 2.7. It is direct AND port injected. The use of the port injection prevents the valves from coking.

 

[Gren71]

The Bronco Sport is an entirely different model, not just a different package. Based off the Escape platform, I think.

I sat in a sport at the philly auto show and was pretty impressed! I can see the appeal of them after actually getting in and around it.

 

[MaximusGladius]

I owned a Gladiator and now have a 2022 Black Diamond Bronco with the 2.3L. The Bronco is a beast on and off road. A much better truck than the Gladiator. If Jeep wants to be the top dog again then the have to fatten up the Wrangler a little bit to match the proportions of the Bronco. If Ford wants to became the unanimous winner of the trail, then they have to build the Bronco pick up, and provide a hybrid engine across all trims.
FYI
I still have that Voodoo fabrications bed rack for the Gladiator for sell. See my post in the Georgia marketplace.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

I sat in a sport at the philly auto show and was pretty impressed! I can see the appeal of them after actually getting in and around it.

I didn't like them at first either. After driving one and actually being inside one I was sold. I don't like it better than the Gladiator and I wouldn't get rid of my Gladiator for one. If I was choosing between a Bronco and Wrangler then that's where it would be tough. I need a truck and the JT is a perfect compromise for me. For a second vehicle I think the Bronco is a good choice for on road driving and some decent off road I would imagine. I wish they would if put a solid axle in the front though

 

[dcmdon]

I sat in a sport at the philly auto show and was pretty impressed! I can see the appeal of them after actually getting in and around it.

I agree. For what it is, its a neat little rig. The funny thing, and something that drove me nuts when I ordered my Bronco was that I could get things in a loaded $35k Bronco Sport that I couldn't get for $60k in a full sized Bronco. Stuff like tan leather (terrible leather choices in the Bronco) and power seats with memory.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

I agree. For what it is, its a neat little rig. The funny thing, and something that drove me nuts when I ordered my Bronco was that I could get things in a loaded $35k Bronco Sport that I couldn't get for $60k in a full sized Bronco. Stuff like tan leather (terrible leather choices in the Bronco) and power seats with memory.

Yeah for 2022 they added a steel fender option in the base sport. You really can't beat what you get in a base model honestly for the price. We built our 2022 out for $47,400, 4 door base sport with Hard top and steel front bumper with bull bar, steel fenders and Sasquatch package with the 2.7. I don't really care much about the interior stuff but my wife loved the simple base model one we test drive which was a surprise to me because she is normally hard to please.

 

[dcmdon]

The fact that you can get all the off-road goodies on a base 2 door is pretty key. BaseSquatch.

Its much MUCH less money than buying a base Wrangler and then buying wheels, tires, gears, shocks, lockers, and a lift.

But that's not what I wanted. I wanted it loaded. And when I saw the pathetic cargo space, I knew the Bronco wasn't for me. I expected it to be a bit bigger than the Wrangler Unlimited. But its not. Sure the interior is a bit roomier. Wider really that's it. But the cargo area isn't much larger.

The Gladiator with a cap meets my needs much much better.
I need covered cargo space.

Its funny but the crate only fits crosswise in the Bronco and Wrangler. It fits length wise in my wife's Volvo wagon, so there is then plenty of room to stack stuff next to the crate.

The Gladiator is a whole different story. It swallows the crate and leaves room for skis, luggage, or a bike.

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