Starting at
Starting at
181-250 | Horsepower (hp) | 177 |
65.2 | Cargo Space (cu.ft.) | 50.8 |
8.8 | Ground Clearance (in) | 8.7 |
Off-road subcompact SUVs are a great way to get into the hobby without having to fork over a lot of money on an off-road capable vehicle. Both Ford and Jeep have entry-level options available for potential customers in the form of the Ford Bronco Sport and the Jeep Renegade. If you want something small, capable, easy to handle, and tuned for off-road adventures, vehicles like these are the perfect solution. But if you had to choose between the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2022 Jeep Renegade, which one should you go with?
Get ready for us to break down the performance, capabilities, and other features of both vehicles to give you an idea of which one will fit your expectations of what you want from an affordable off-road-ready SUV. For the 2022 model year, the Renegade upped its infotainment package for the Sport and Latitude trims from a seven-inch screen to an 8.4-inch screen while also adding a new Altitude Package for potential customers. The Limited trim also received an overhaul in the form of a new front fascia, rear valence, and 18-inch wheels. You can get the 2022 Renegade in six trims, including the Sport, Latitude, Altitude, (RED), Limited, and Trailhawk.
The 2022 Ford Bronco Sport is on its second model year after making its debut for the 2021 model year. The Bronco Sport is the subcompact version of the larger Bronco, featuring four doors and a lower cost of entry for those who want something roomy, comfortable, and off-road ready. The Bronco Sport is available in four trims for the 2022 model year, starting with the entry-level Base, followed by the Big Bend, the Outer Banks, and finally, the Badlands. For maximum off-road capability, you will want to select the Bronco Sport Badlands, which has more power and extra performance features.
The Bronco Sport is powered by two different power plants. The base turbocharged 1.5-liter EcoBoost inline three-cylinder makes 181 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque. The second power plant is a turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost inline four-cylinder that propels the Bronco Sport with 250 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are married to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Bronco Sport Badlands also features a twin-clutch rear drive unit to dynamically shift torque laterally between the wheels for when you need to climb over difficult terrain.
The standard GOAT modes (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) mean you can easily switch between Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, and Sand. The Bronco Sport Badlands trim also comes with Rock Crawl and Mud/Ruts modes. For those of you who plan on taking your vehicle into more unpredictable terrain, the additional modes will help with rock crawling and mudding. And since the Badlands comes with all-terrain tires, it's easier than ever to scale difficult trails. The SelectShift transmission also puts control back into the hands of drivers, providing the ability to manually shift as necessary.
The HOSS suspension adds even more capability to the Bronco Sport. No matter which trim you choose, every single one comes standard with the HOSS suspension. This means uniquely tuned sports struts, anti-roll bars, and off-road adjusted springs that give the Bronco Sport the proper wheel travel and agile articulation to make its way over difficult terrain.
How does Jeep's offering measure up? Well, in the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2022 Jeep Renegade showdown, the Renegade falls short in several key areas. Unlike the Bronco Sport, the Renegade only has one powertrain, and it doesn't offer the same level of performance as the Ford. The Renegade is limited to just a 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that provides 177 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque. Although it has a nine-speed automatic transmission for smooth shifts and fuel-saving efficiency, the Jeep simply doesn't provide the same power.
Much like the Bronco Sport, the Renegade also features 4x4 (although it is not standard) and a Selec-Terrain system that offers different drive modes, including Auto, Snow, Sand, and Mud. There is also an exclusive Rock Mode that's available only for the Trailhawk trim. Even though both the Bronco Sport and Renegade have similar off-road specs, the Bronco offers more powertrain performance, and the specially tuned HOSS suspension, which certainly helps give it an edge over the Renegade.
Subcompact SUVs may be small, but that doesn't mean they can't be accommodating when it comes to passenger volume and cargo space. In the case of the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2022 Jeep Renegade, both vehicles push the boundaries by offering SUV shoppers as much space as possible within the segment. However, the Bronco Sport comes out on top by a considerable margin.
The Renegade only offers 18.5 cu.ft. of space behind the second row and tops out at 50.8 cu.ft. of cargo volume with the second row folded down. Compare this to the 2022 Bronco Sport, which offers up to 32.5 cu.ft. of cargo volume behind the second row and up to 65.2 cu.ft. of total cargo volume with the second row folded down. You clearly get more space to work with when it comes to the Bronco Sport and its storage capacity, which makes a massive difference for those who need a vehicle that can get them to and from their destination while carrying all of their belongings in one go.
Both vehicles have seating for up to five people across two rows, featuring captain chairs up front and a split bench for the second row. However, the Bronco Sport manages to separate itself from the Renegade when it comes to interior features. While the Renegade offers an eight-way power driver seat and a four-way manual front passenger seat, the Bronco Sport Outer Banks and Badlands offer an eight-way power driver seat and a six-way power passenger seat. The Badlands also features exclusive perforated leather seats, giving it an extra level of luxury accommodations over the Renegade.
There are a lot of available technologies and standard features present in both the Bronco Sport and the Renegade. However, when shopping for the best subcompact SUV and deciding between the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2022 Jeep Renegade, you want to know that you're getting the best features the segment offers. On that front, there are some exciting benefits and tech integration that make both vehicles well-rounded offerings for SUV shoppers.
On the driver-assistance front, both SUVs come with a lot of the basics, such as automatic high beams and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts. The Bronco Sport, however, steps out ahead with Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go, supported by a Lane-Keeping System and more, thanks to the robust Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, which is standard across the entire Bronco Sport lineup. In contrast, some of the more advanced active driver-assist features are only available for the upper trims of the Renegade.
The Renegade does offer a slightly larger touchscreen that clocks in at 8.4 inches compared to the Bronco Sport's eight-inch screen. Both vehicles feature integrated support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with features like FordPass Connect for the Bronco Sport and Family Drive Alerts for the Renegade. With voice-supported navigation, it might seem like both vehicles have the same level of tech features, but there is more to it than that. For instance, even though both offer 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity, the Renegade only supports up to eight devices. The Bronco Sport's Wi-Fi hotspot supports up to 10 devices.
There are certainly a lot of similarities between the Bronco Sport and Renegade, and both feature a lot of great tech and driver-assist features. However, the Bronco Sport consistently manages to offer more or better features. With the added emergency services support integrated into the SYNC 3 infotainment suite, or the ability to remotely start, unlock, or locate the vehicle via a smart device, the Bronco Sport offers a new level of technological convenience within the segment. With its added comfort and performance benefits, the Bronco Sport is just a step above the Jeep Renegade.