If you are interested in off-road vehicles, you have probably already met the Wrangler and Ford Bronco. In base trim, both vehicles have rugged capabilities that surpass any competitor. However, like kids in the same neighborhood, they keep pushing each other to climb higher and faster. So, is the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 worth $10,000 compared to the ?
The rivalry between Wrangler and Bronco
The rivalry between these two dates back to 1965 when Ford introduced the original Bronco. But the SUV took a break from 1996 to 2021 as it built a following. The battle for supremacy is becoming an arms race as both automakers add powerful engines and high-tech suspension upgrades, reports MotorTrend.
. While both offer decent technology and upscale amenities like heated seats, neither would be anyone’s first choice on a long road trip. That’s not to say either has bad road manners, as they both ride and handle well enough, but they’re loud, bouncy, and not as comfortable as other SUVs.
What does the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 offer?
The number in the Rubicon 392’s name refers to its 392 cubic inch (6.4 liter) Hemi V8 powerplant that produces 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. The Rubicon 392, featuring full-time all-wheel drive to minimize wheel spin, starts from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and completes the quarter mile in under 13 seconds.
Jeep engineers did more than just roll out a huge . They also raised the 392’s suspension an inch higher, moved the rear suspension mounts, stiffened the springs, and added Fox 2.0 shocks. As a result, reviewers say the 392 is better than the current-generation standard Rubicon despite lacking the improved ride quality.
How does the Ford Bronco Raptor compare to the Wrangler Rubicon 392?
Power comes from a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 producing 418PS and 440Nm of torque. That’s a significant improvement over the standard Bronco’s numbers, but the Bronco Raptor, or “Braptor” if you prefer, is about 1,000 pounds heavier. tests clocked the Raptor in 6.3 seconds from 0 to 60 mph and 14.9 seconds in the quarter mile.
Reviewers found the flat like sound of the V6’s exhaust note at full throttle and instead pined for a V8. However, it shines when it “bombs through terrain that would fold a Honda in half,” thanks to its modified high-performance off-road stability suspension (HOSS 4.0). With 13-inch front and 14-inch rear suspension travel, “significantly beefed up” suspension mounts, and rubber “bumpers,” the Braptor promises more high-speed desert racing capability than its rivals.
Which off-road beast is better?
The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 is faster and boasts a better engine sound, but costs $10,000 more than the Ford Bronco Raptor. Plus, you’ll need to add $6,000 to both SUVs for the price MotorTrend tested. On the other hand, the Braptor goes wherever the 392 can, albeit slower, but with more style.
You’d need badging to know it wasn’t any other Wrangler Rubicon until you hear the engine start. But because the Bronco Raptor is nearly 10 inches wider than other Ford Bronco models, it stands out in crowded mall parking lots and boulder-strewn mountain passes.
The Wrangler’s 5-year-old cabin design pales in comparison to the Raptor’s latest interior design and technology. It also offers more stability and better handling on the highway thanks to its wider wheelbase. However, the 392 makes navigating tight parking spaces a breeze with its small footprint and improved outward visibility from the driver’s seat.
