Ford Bronco Raptor vs Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392
Last Updated April 16, 2024 | Meghan DrummondThe Ford Bronco has presented the Jeep Wrangler with its first real off-road competition in years. But now, Ford’s provided a new top-of-the-line competitor for the Rubicon 392.
These two elite off-roaders both have major upgrades over lower trims. But how do they compare against each other? Here’s how the Ford Bronco Raptor stacks up against the Jeep Rubicon 392.
Spec | Bronco Raptor | Rubicon 392 |
---|---|---|
Price | $69,995 | $76,395 |
Engine | 3.0L Twin-Turbo EcoBoost V6 | 6.4L HEMI V8 |
Horsepower | 400 hp estimated | 470 hp |
Torque | 500 lb-ft estimated | 470 lb-ft |
Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
Axles | Dana 44 front axle with reinforced half-shafts Dana 50 solid rear axle Locking differentials |
Dana 44 front and rear axles Electronic locking differentials |
Ground Clearance | 13.1” | 10.3” |
Height | 77.8” | 74.5” |
Width | 85.6” | 73.8” |
Towing Capacity | 4,500 lbs | 3,500 lbs |
Body Styles | 4-door only | 4-door only |
Approach Angle | 47.2 degrees | 44.5 degrees |
Departure Angle | 40.5 degrees | 37 degrees |
Breakover angle | 30.8 degrees | 22.6 degrees |
Standard Wheel and Tire Setup
One of the features that people are most excited about on the 2022 Bronco Raptor are the 37-inch BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrain tires. These come mounted on a set of 17” standard wheels. Two different beadlock-capable 17” wheels are also available as options.
Beadlocks are desirable for off-roaders for a variety of reasons, but they aren’t street-legal. Beadlock-capable rims offer the best freedom for both serious and novice off-roaders.
The Rubicon 392 comes standard with 33” BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrain tires mounted on 17” beadlock-capable wheels. You can get a set of 35-inch tires, but only as part of the Xtreme Recon Tire Package. This package does come with more than just bigger tires and different wheels, but it still costs extra.
Winner: Bronco Raptor. To get tires that are even close in size to the Raptor’s, you’d have to pay an extra $3,995 on top of the already hefty 392 Rubicon price tag. Having to pay extra for beadlock-capable wheels on the Bronco while getting the larger tires feels like more of a win.
EcoBoost vs Hemi?
We don’t know everything about the Bronco Raptor’s engine yet, but Ford claims the twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6 EcoBoost engine will provide over 400 horsepower. It’ll most likely be similar to the one found in the F-150, which makes 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque.
In Baja mode, the Bronco Raptor’s engine will include the same turbocharger anti-lag feature that’s found on the F-150 Raptor. The new tow/haul mode increases the Bronco Raptor’s towing capacity to 4,500 pounds. That’s 1,000 more than other Bronco models.
The Jeep’s engine is a little more well-known. A 6.4L HEMI is an enviable engine with phenomenal horsepower and torque. It can go from 0-60 in just 4.5 seconds.
Winner: Still a toss-up. V8s are great, but less useful for off-roading than for street racing. Assuming the Bronco has the same torque as the F-150 Raptor (a safe guess), then it’s going to be the more adept off-roader. Plus there are ways to add more than 30 horsepower to an engine that don’t cost nearly as much as the price difference between the Rubicon 392 and the Bronco Raptor.
Exhaust
The Bronco Raptor comes standard with Active Valve Exhaust. This lets you start up in quiet mode and then let loose in Baja mode when you’re off-roading. This exhaust system is 30% less restrictive than others paired with this engine, and features a true dual setup.
The Rubicon 392 also features a dual exhaust with a quiet mode! Unlike the Ford system (which has 4 modes), the Jeep 392 only has two modes, Performance and Quiet.
Winner: Bronco Raptor. It’s never a bad thing to have more options, and being able to preset hours for Quiet mode is a great feature.
What’s Inside
The Bronco Raptor also includes a unique, and exclusive, interior package. Some features, like code orange and carbon-fiber-look accents, are purely for appearance. Others offer legitimate performance benefits.
The 12” digital gauge display is totally customizable, much like the one found in the Mustang. But while Mustangs feature Track Mode, the Bronco Raptor has a “Performance View.” In this mode, the tachometer and chosen gear are given visual priority over the other gauges.
The rest of the interior includes washable floors and marine-grade vinyl. Which means this Bronco is ready to get dirty and be hosed out. Of course, if you’re more interested in luxury, you can also get the Premium trim with leather and faux suede seats.
The Bronco Raptor is also only available with the 12” Sync 4 display that includes a 360 degree camera system. The camera system should make tricky off-road situations more navigable.
By contrast, the Rubicon 392 comes standard with leather seats. It also has an 8.4” touchscreen that’s equipped with Jeep’s Off-Road Pages system. The system gives valuable information like pitch, roll, and GPS while you’re off-roading.
Winner: Bronco Raptor. The Bronco Raptor’s interior is less luxurious, but more rugged. Perfect for off-roading.
Off-Road Mods
It’s clear by the mods they selected that both Jeep and Ford intended for these vehicles to actually go off-roading.
The Rubicon 392 has many of the features that made the Rubicon an off-roading icon. Like an electronic disconnecting sway bar.
But Ford learned from the Rubicon and then built on it. The Bronco Raptor’s sway bar disconnects hydraulically instead of electronically.
Under the Bronco Raptor you’ll find skid plates protecting the engine, the transmission, and the transfer case. Skid plates under the Rubicon have gotten some criticism for not being as robust as you need for off-roading. They’re more than enough for light off-roading though, and protect the transfer case and gas tank.
Both the Bronco Raptor and the Rubicon 392 benefit from actual structural improvements over their counterparts. For the Bronco Raptor this comes in the form of a structural brace between the B-pillars and a carbon fiber brace above the cargo area. This creates a more rigid chassis. It also gets a hardier steering rack and knuckles.
The Rubicon 392’s chassis has been strengthened with extra steel. It also has cast-iron steering knuckles.
Winner: Bronco Raptor. The Rubicon 392 plays Jeep’s greatest off-roading hits, but the Raptor builds on them.
Steering Differences
One of the biggest differences between the Rubicon 392 and Bronco Raptor is the steering system. The Rubicon 392 has a recirculating ball steering system, pretty standard for most solid axle vehicles. But the Bronco has an independent front suspension, and a rack and pinion steering system to accompany it.
There are a lot of differences between solid front axles and independent front suspension. And just as many between recirculating ball steering systems and rack and pinion ones. But what this means for you is that even though the Rubicon’s V8 can create more speed, the Bronco can handle it much better.
More precise steering feedback creates a better highway driving experience.
Of course the major drawback to independent front suspension is less suspension travel. But the Bronco Raptor’s suspension has overcome that. New control arms, shock towers, and other improvements create 13 inches of front suspension travel and 14 inches of rear suspension travel.
Winner: Bronco Raptor. If you can have that much suspension travel and better road manners, why wouldn’t you?
Which Is the Better Off-Roader?
There’s no way to be sure before the Bronco Raptor actually releases, but based on numbers, it looks like a much better deal than the Wrangler Rubicon 392. You can find out more about the 2022 Bronco Raptor’s specs, features, and gaze at pictures here.
It comes standard with many of Jeep’s premium options, and you get them at a much lower price point.
The only area where the Rubicon 392 really comes out ahead is in the engine bay. Its V8 engine provides tons of power, but for most off-roaders, this won’t matter much.
Many off-roaders say the major advantage of a V8 is that they have a better tow rating. But the Bronco manages to tow 1,000 lbs more with the V6.
You might not get a Jeep Wave with a Bronco, but you’ll certainly be able to navigate the trails better. And with an extra $6K in your pocket, you can plan a lot of outings.
Sources: The 2022 Bronco Raptor’s Fender Flares are Outrageous but Essential, The Drive | 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 Specs Revealed, Car and Driver | 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 Price, Specs, Review, Motor Authority | 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor SUV Reveal, CNET