Many like to believe that SUVs are largely a modern development, especially now that they’ve started to dominate the roads. However, as much as they have become infamous for their recent explosion in popularity, the SUV itself has been a concept in society for a long time. The first SUV dates back to at least the 1980s, and that largely depends on what you consider an SUV – some people even say the first SUV was made in the 1930s! In this way, SUVs are better seen as traditional vehicles, and many modern-day SUV models have a very long history. This applies to many SUVs on the road today, and it is particularly well seen in comparing the 2021 Ford Bronco vs 2020 Jeep Wrangler.
Traditional Experience
Both the Ford Bronco and the Jeep Wrangler, as models, have a longer history than most people would expect from an SUV. For example, the Ford Bronco dates back all the way to 1965, when it first entered production. While the Jeep Wrangler name was only introduced in 1986, the vehicle can trace its roots all the way back to the original military Jeep of 1940. Naturally, for their models to still be in mass-production even today, there must be something about the traditional experience of driving these SUVs. After all, if that wasn’t true then the models would have died out a long time ago.
The Off-Road Experience
Nowadays, an SUV without at least some off-road capability is likely to fail. These days, people want an SUV that can not only drive comfortably but can also act as a vehicle for their outdoor hobbies and active lifestyle. If an SUV isn’t able to handle the toughest terrain and roads, then it’s definitely lacking in a country filled with beautiful landscapes and rugged terrain.
The 2020 Jeep Wrangle has long offered a very strong off-road experience, which is a large part of why it’s dominated the road to such a degree. Built with a high air intake, the 2020 Jeep Wrangler is able to handle nearly all shallow water conditions, like creeks, rivers, and streams, with ease. This comes in addition to features like standard 4×4 systems that allow for higher traction in muddy and sandy areas, as well as axle articulation to assist in uneven slopes. Altogether, this means that the 2020 Jeep Wrangler is able to excel in most remote off-road excursions, regardless of the difficulty, while doing so in a way that’s comfortable to the driver and passengers.
On the other hand, despite being just released, the 2021 Ford Bronco has also proven itself to be a fierce competitor on the off-road. Ford largely designed the 2021 Bronco to be an excellent off-road driving machine, with standard 4×4 driving and exquisite performance statistics. While specific features will largely depend on your trim, all 2021 Ford Bronco trims offer “G.O.A.T” modes, which will adjust various settings to better perform in certain types of terrain. And given that a Bronco prototype has already competed in the Baja 1000, one of the most difficult off-road endurance tests out there, it’s safe to say that the features in the 2021 Ford Bronco will deliver on their promise of off-road performance.
Comfort and Convenience
Convenience has been a make or break point for most SUV models. If two SUVs can compete in performance, then convenience is the point that is going to change minds when choosing between two models. And for an SUV, there are a lot of different areas where convenience can be displayed, whether that be easy-to-remove tops, good seating fixtures, or removable doors. The bottom line is that offering convenient features will enhance the experience of driving an SUV, and both the 2021 Ford Bronco and the 2020 Jeep Wrangler offer something unique in this category.
When talking about convenience, the 2020 Jeep Wrangler was largely built with convenience in mind. While it does offer a very large quantity of convenience features, like its state-of-the-art Uconnect system, what really makes the Wrangler conveniently comfortable is the design of the car itself. A Jeep has largely become famous for its easy to remove doors and roof, giving you a true open-air off-road machine that was previously unavailable from any other manufacturer. The ability to feel the wind blowing without the doors or top of the car makes for a summer drive that is both cool and invigorating.
However, this formerly unique capability of the Wrangler has now been one-upped by the Bronco. Not only can the Brocon have its roof and doors removed more quickly, but the design has also been refined so that you keep your side mirrors even when the doors are removed. The Bronco also offers conveniently designed seating made out of marine-grade-vinyl and rubberized interior surfaces. This makes the 2021 Ford Bronco very easy to clean in a way that the competition could only dream of. Of course, this is also in addition to the tremendous amount of interior space the SUV offers.
Modern Approach
What is so interesting about the 2021 Ford Bronco and the 2020 Jeep Wrangler is their clear usage of technology to make a traditional experience modern. That isn’t to say that the traditional experience is gone; they still largely have the feel of their predecessors in the model given that they’ve inherited their initial designs. But it’s still important to note that the newest iterations of these models have enhanced the experience of driving an old-school SUV by including many new technological features.
With an information center filled with diverse, technological features, the 2020 Jeep Wrangler does this very well. Powered by Alexa, the driver can now handle communications without lifting a hand from the wheel, delivering a convenient working experience, and making for a safer drive overall. With great phone connectivity and a responsive GPS for constantly changing traffic conditions, this will make for an easier infotainment experience.
On the other hand, the 2021 Ford Bronco also offers a very unique technological experience, with a purpose-built instrument panel easily accessible to anybody in the vehicle. The Bronco Cockpit was designed with quality user performance and comfort in mind. It includes a central panel with very clearly visible gauges and controls and an off-road hero switch pack made for easy off-road functionality. The switch pack offers a variety of innovative off-road features, such as easy-to-use trail turn assistance for difficult narrow turns and stability control.
What’s in a Modern SUV?
So, in the end, SUVs are nothing modern. As you would expect, the SUV has a very long history, and many of our modern-day models have had a large effect on the industry in the past. Both the 2021 Ford Bronco and the 2020 Jeep Wrangler have many features that add to their traditional experience. However, the best drive is only created when the designer can develop an SUV that perfectly blends the traditional old-school feeling of an SUV with the innovative technology of modernity – a process that the 2021 Ford Bronco and 2020 Jeep Wrangler do very well in their own ways.
