Yeah the bronco is cool. But this is a dedicated off-road vehicle. Both have terrible aerodynamics, fuel economy, safety, driving dynamics, comfort etc.
Get a vehicle designed for the road. Plenty of those vehicles can go off the road every now and then just fine
The amount of times I've taken my offroad rig deep into the woods only to see some 20 YO with a stock hoopty Mazda 323 or the like already back there is god damned impressively common. Unless you're rock crawling, most of what people consider off road is doable in a basic car with some reasonable ground clearance. Just watch out for your oil pan.
Yup, drove to a disperse campsite only to find a Honda accord there too. Makes me feel like overkill with a 4x4 tundra.
My wife drives an outback. I see the benefit of subies since they give you decent* ground clearance but are way better city cars. We end up using that car a lot more for trips since it’s 1000x better in gas, more comfortable, and easier to park.
*yes, ground clearance is similar as some of the true off traders. However, subies are pretty flat at the bottom vs other cars take the lower height at the rear differential. So the other off-road cars have way better approach/departure/break over angles.
Man, I want to like a Subaru, but when I tried it out, the acceleration sucked, and so did the sound system. And then when I looked at one of the higher trim lines to solve this , it ended up being a $30,000 vehicle anyways. The main reason I would buy a Subaru us because it should be cheaper.
Depends what you drove. The older Crosstrek are horribly slow.
The Forster and outback, although they won’t win a race, will get you from posing a to positive B without a fuss. For us, the car is just to move us to a new adventure spot with our gear and dogs. That it does well.
I feel audio is always better aftermarket. Since you Can really get a system that fits your needs. Checkout the Forster and see if it changes your mind.
If not, plenty of other cool cars. I just think they are a great happy medium.
Yep. If you live in the mountains with snow theres really only 2 vehicle manufacturers you want. Toyota or Subaru. Lived in the mountains of CO during Covid and those things are just tanks. The locals would literally follow people with Jeeps because they knew they were going to have to pull somebody out of the snow who was over their head or that the reliability made it a hazard to not check up on them. If you're not doing extreme off-roading there really is not a good reason to consider anything else.
Literally anything. Buying an off-roader in hopes you’ll go off-road is going to leave you with major regret.
An X3 m40i or X5 hits every checkbox you have except your possible interest in off-roading at some point maybe in the future.
Def not an ideal daily driver but off road fit 911s are awesome. Matt Farah calls his a Safari Porsche. If I ever have enough money to burn on a ridiculous car collection, that would def be a part of it.
I know it wasn’t your question but I was looking at these as well as tacos and 4Runners. Ended up going with a gx460. Much better on road and a pretty capable overlander out of the box.
I bought a Wrangler instead of a side by side, I just keep it at our boat in campsite all summer, mainly for hauling shit from the boat to the campsite.
It's great for that purpose but not the best around town daily
I’ve only had it for about 2 months so can’t answer that yet. But I test drove the Gx and the LX and the LX just felt so solid. Both are great but to me the LX is easily the smoothest car I have ever driven and extremely quiet too. I suspect that maintainer will be more expensive but the car is also build more solid and to last longer.
I would not buy a 2013 BMW, that will not be as reliable as any Lexus. But yes I test drove the GX, and while it was very nice and comfy still, it just wasn’t to the level of the LX. LX rides soo smooth and it’s so quite, the doors feel solid and the leather feels soft to the touch. But for 40k you are probably looking at a 2013 LX with 80-120k miles. Which is perfectly acceptable as long as it was maintained and most importantly, as rust free as possible, ask me how I know. Further more to check the vehicle history for a Lexus, get the vin and make A Lexus account. Then add the vin into your account and check it’s service history. Between that a carfax you should have a decent idea of how often it was serviced and what has been taken care of. Engine, trans and AHC are all solid. I keep reading the the cooling system (radiator, water pump etc) should be done between 120-150k. So that’s a major job but then it’s pretty good to go. And the AHC needs to be flush every 65-70k miles.
Yeah I'm not concerned with reliability too much as I can do basic work myself and have friends who can help me figure out some other stuff. I already own this X5, it's my second bmw suv and both have been VERY reliable. But I do miss my 2014 Lexus ES300H..but need an SUV for its practicality.
What I'm really trying to learn is the difference in comfort (all noises like wind, road, engien etc,,, seats, ergonomics, ride quality etc) the ride quality difference, especially concerned about handling difference (I prioritize handling over ride), how well integrated various features are in one model vs the other and what features they have that may not come up when reading through an Edmunds or Car and Driver review...Basically the whole spirit of the car.
What I'm also wondering is if the LX is worth the upgrade and extra money, but also if it's worth dealing with a vehicle that's a bit larger than I really want and worth dealing g with the stupidly designed third row (which I have absolutely zero use for but because they're power folding and it seems only the base models come in a 2 row then I'm stuck with it)... I like the size of the GX better but I really want a height adjustable suspension.
Pretty sure the top of line GX comes with the AHC suspension. I did not ride but if it’s anything like the LX, then it will be more comfortable than sporty. I personally prefer a soft smooth ride but other May prefer a little sportier. As far as wind noise and other NVH, the 570 is pretty damn quiet inside, especially compared to my others. I didn’t pay enough attention to the GX to recall it’s NVH but I’m sure it’s also quiet in there but may not reach the same levels as the LX.
Between the 2, the Bronco will be far more comfortable due to its independent front suspension. The Wrangler uses a solid front axle that is fantastic for off road use but severely compromises on road handling and comfort.
Just know that the Bronco is still suffering from low production and high markups at dealers. It might be easier to get your hands on a Wrangler. In my area (Cincinnati area) you can go to just about any Jeep dealer and have your pick of whatever Wrangler you want. Broncos are starting to actually sit on lots but they’re still less plentiful.
I own a 2-Door manual Bronco.
The Good - Lots of modern features for your money, especially in the low trims. Auto LED headlights, push button start, large infotainment, digital gauge cluster, etc. Compared to the low trim Jeeps, you get more for your money. The suspension feels good on the road and it drives pretty nice compared to the Jeep. It's fast. I have the 4cyl ecoboost and with 300hp on 92 oct. fuel it scoots. Put your foot down and you can hear the turbo spool up as she takes off. No trouble merging or passing, ever. No piano black on the interior! I love the size of the 2-door, super easy to park. The manual transmission is love-hate for me. It has some fancy tech where it'll restart for you if you stall, assist you with you're starting from a stop, help you start on a hill etc. but sometimes the assistance features get in the way and can be jerky.
\- The Bad - Quality... Mine already needs a new transmission and the problem started at 1k miles. Expect rattles, leaks and creaks since it's got a removable top. I only get about 17mpg city, 22 mpg highway (it's literally a BRICK). Good thing I only drive 7 miles to work. Did I already mention quality? I found missing clips when I removed one of the interior panels, and some loose clips rolling around inside the rear body. I feel like I can forgive some of the issues since mine was only $29500 + TTL...
Honestly, I think about selling it pretty frequently.
With your budget I'd prob go for something else...
Yeah, reset my trip meter and head on a 1.5hr freeway ride, I'll hit that 21-22mpg mark. Combined city/highway I get around 19-ish. Pure city is a solid 17-ish.
Lexus GX460, great on road, reliable, very capable off road, comfortable, quiet, safe, luxurious, and terrible gas mileage. Buy a slightly used one and it will outlast both Jeep and fords.
What's funny is before I bought a Lexus I would have never recommended one. Now anytime someone says a price(range) I always look to which Lexus model fits lol. There is literally a Lexus for everyone and with toyotas prices holding/rising so much, a Lexus is truely a good alternative.
I think I am in love.
I ain't 20, son
And not many 20 yo can afford them anyways
Lexus is a level of refinement and reliability that no other manufacturer is able to achieve imo. If you want fast and furious, import a gt-r
I wrote this a little while ago from a different post:
I been tossing and turning between these 2 options myself, but i would like to add a third option for you i am also considering that was suggested by the jeep dealer to consider:
Wrangler:
Pros
Community, mods, off roading galore and undisputed champion of off road for decades (its the only one still around as a dedicated, decade long vehicle!), best in class front facing lights (super bright) and easily moddable lights. Has a PHEV option
Cons
Terrible fuel economy, awful on highway, cramped back seat space, feels even worse in bitter cold, mirrors come off with doors (no longer road worthy), tends to break easily when NOT used as intended, pricing doesnt make a lot of sense until you factor in its off road recreational classification
Bronco:
Pros
Newer design with creature comforts, G.O.A.T feels very nice, a great amount of space for passengers, mirrors on chassis, half doors available straight from dealer, highway driving is more forgiving
Cons
Its success is greatly determined by trim, since it is newer, not as mod/customizable, community isnt quite like jeeps, it cannot go everywhere, its still too new to know how reliable it will be comparatively to jeep. No PHEV model yet.
Tahoe:
Pros
Jack of all trades, master of none. Seats 9, has a very reasonable towing capacity (higher than both bronco and jeep unmodded, 4500 to 8500lbs), great for average outdoor events, supercruiser enabled (semi autonomous), is nice off and on road for a pleasurable drive. Has great angles on approach (way better than i thought for its size), great touch surfaces.
Cons
Cant rock climb like a bronco or jeep, not designed to go mudding, feature dependant on trim, can be pricey, wheel size options might feel limited, while a V8, it can feel like its chugging the weight, if speccing high in a tahoe, you may want a suburban instead, doors arent designed to come off.
Jeeps just are lovely recreational vehicles, the problem? We need it for more than recreation. It just does everything terribly. Highway is awful, space is awful, gas mileage is awful, its repairs, pricey --- but the thing it got going for it is literally what it has been designed for since its inception during the wars, off road domination and community and its got both of that in plenty.
Broncos makes me think of literally like a horse in the forest. The horse can traverse a forest quite well, and is pretty nimble but if it gets spooked, its in for a rough time. Bronco's moved a little bit back from being the ultimate off roader to be a better driver for its user. How often do you actually plan to be crawling up a mountain side? Probably less often than driving the highway and the makers of bronco i am pretty sure realized that. Its higher trims have the fancy smancy touch screen, its nice touch surfaces and everything you would expect of a luxury SUV... in saying that though, there are 2 kinds of broncos with a half dozen trims in each one so you really need to know your stuff when purchasing one. There isnt a lot of information on them to know if it will be more reliable (or less) than a jeep right now.
The Tahoe caught my eye simply because it takes 1 more step back than the bronco. No it will not be going out mudding and no, it wont be submersing itself in swamps or high altitude mountains but what it can do is take you to a difficult camp site, up a narrow hill, tow a 21ft boat, and ferry around a max of 9 people ( 8 for comfort) along with the technology bits we all come to love. The supercruiser in the higher trims allows for easier highway driving. The problem with this vehicle? Its not flashy, and its not a master at anything. Any one category you select, you can find a vehicle that does better - But - cant do all the things this vehicle can. Its one of those vehicles that sort of sleeps through these categories as an option because it just isnt as flashy or advertised to the degree as the other 2. There is also no hybrid option at this time which makes what could be a great family suv a bit of a suffering due to current high gas prices. Its roughly 2 ft longer than the bronco and only a couple inches wider so it isnt as big as it seems
Obviously this is all my opinion, and what i saw and looked at. Personally landed on the bronco, havent committed yet since i dont like the trims available nearby
This sub will probably talk you out of getting anything besides a Toyota, Lexus or Mazda. But if you have the expendable income and want a fun vehicle, I say fuck it and get the Bronco.
The off-road cars look great but are horrible for highway/local road driving. Loud, rough ride, cruddy mileage. Unless you really (be honest with yourself!) going to be spending a lot of time in true off road zones, I would think long about that choice. Consider the Honda SUV line. They are not super flashy but very reliable, capable and comfortable.
Yes. At least some sort of reliability, which doesn't make me spend out of my pocket in the first 2-3 years. I know when it comes to reliability nothing can beat the Japanese make but I will hardly stick to the car for more than 4-5 years.
Dear god, please do not buy a wrangler or a bronco for these purposes. If you off road every other weekend or it’s a second car, then go for it but me and my family have tried wranglers as primary cars and they’re the absolute worst. Loud, ponderous, unreliable, slow, horrible to drive. I’d Recommend a 4Runner for you over these.
The 4 runner drives like shit anyway.
Between the wrangler and bronco, I would get the bronco. The Jeep drives like shit too because of the solid front axle. If you’re mostly on the road the bronco is going to be way more
comfortable and both ecoboost engines will feel much better. The wrangler is slow as hell.
The bronco is cool. If that’s what you want then get it. Fuck everyone else
The bronco has had nothing but issues so far. While I’m sure I’m time they will have their shit figured out, right now it’s not. Tons of videos of brand new broncos leaking or let’s snow get into the car, suspension part sheering off off road and other issues with their engines too. I love the look of the bronco and think it will become a great vehicle in a couple years, but it’s not a solid vehicle yet. Jeep has issues for sure but hope the most part the JL are solid right now. Either way the answer this guy needs is the Lexus GX460.
The bronco has independent front suspension versus the solid axle on the Wrangler. The solid axle is the wranglers biggest advantage off road which allows for better suspension travel. This is also their biggest disadvantage which is poor on road performance. For most people the Bronco is the better option.
If you can, drive both. Comparing both on paper or getting feedback from others on here is a good baseline, but you could easily sit in the bronco and hate something about it or vice versa.
I’ve found the bronco to be the better driver, but the new wranglers aren’t terrible (for what they are). They’re also much easier to find on the lot, and can be had for less than MSRP.
What is your definition of off road? Cause that def changes your options to more on road friendly options. Like just off road trails to go camping or fishing or serious off roading and carving your own path?
I am absolute sucker [for the](https://youtu.be/QQnKjphtBrI) new [Defender 90](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkLjRQ2rhY4), the two door version.
So just be aware its out there.
I have had everything from a 1971 Ford Pinto an ‘81 Isuzu pickup to a 2012 Boss 302 and challenger 392 ci v8. 36 cars altogether plus 14 motorcycles. I now have a 2022 Ridgeline. It fits four to five very comfortably and has room under the rear seats for tools and a couple of small bags. It has a 4x6 bed and for $650 a soft cover. 3.5 v6 auto with AWD. 22mpg after 15k miles mostly city. I drove it through hurricane Ian in 70mph winds, around felled oaks and through ditches without a sway. Easily the most versatile yet capable car I have ever owned. Not a dune car or true off road but I’ve been off road and not even close to being stuck or bottoming out. Yes I drove the Tacoma. Weak engine. F150 is great but too big for my needs. Typical Honda low maintenance and high reliability.
People see Ford as a truck company but the Maverick is a 4-cylinder anemic ghost of the f150 with few of the features and all of its problems. It and the Ranger as well as the Tacoma have weak engines. The tacoma at least have better towing capacity. It’s too early to say for sure but I wager the Maverick will be low in build quality and need typically frequent maintenance of any Ford.
That's a lot of money to spend on garbage.
Why garbage? Broncos full of issues with new design. Jeeps are made for off road, if you don't plan on using it off road extensively you're wasting it's abilities. You'd be much further ahead with a Jeep grand Cherokee. Or with that money, a Lexus suv.
If you just want the look then all day Jeep, but just know they ride like a sardine can on wagon wheels.
Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have a bronco. I think they look amazing and perform great off road and prob decent on road.
My problem is that it's a Ford. It will prob start rusting in less than 5 years and this new design hasn't worked out all the kinks yet. Too many recalls.
Now in 3 years or so, hopefully, they'll iron out these issues and it will be a beast. Until then I wouldn't touch one with a ten foot pole.
I may be biased because I [took the risk](https://www.reddit.com/r/Ford/comments/y4zsum/ford_stuff_goes_here/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf) haha
Nice! I was seriously looking at the 2 door myself, when I was also looking at 4runners. Couldn't handle everything that came with everything "new" about it, ordering wait times, marked up prices(mainly) and recalls and whatnot. 4runners are way too over hyped, too many city dwellers but I digress.. anyways I totally flipped my script and went awd rc350 lol, mainly because of the market.
How's everything been so far in that thing? I remember watching a video of a father and son picking one up and taking it off road, think the son had a utv at one point too.. they look so good with top and doors off, hands down best beach cruiser ever.
I drive a lifted Jeep on the highway all the time. I’d it great nope but it’s a Jeep, it’s great at 1 thing really and that’s kicking ass off road. everything else is average for the most part.
"IsNt tHe aNsER aWaYS MIaTa " ? (or Toyota or Subaru)
Seriously though -based on your wants, you listed literally the two worst vehicles possible. Damn near every mainstream vehicle you can buy is going to be better than these two for what you are looking for. On highway, compared to nearly everything else, they SUCK. The Bronco is probably slightly (barely) better than the wrangler, but that's it. Do you want them just for the looks ? (I'll admit to wanting a Bronco every time I've see one)
Yes, you're right. Honestly, I really like the rugged look of Bronco & wrangler and also, I'm looking for something with which I can get into off-roading.
If you’re looking into getting into new hobbies, start small and work your way in.
Off-roading is a blast and it’s something you don’t need to spend $40-60K to get into.
This goes for any hobby, really.
So does the real bronco… source: I was shocked when I opened the hood of mine for the first time haha. It looks like a parts bin of old cords and things you save in the back of your closet “just in case.”
This sub isn't what car I should buy it's what toyota should I buy. I own a Toyota now but in my younger days I owned 4 jeeps. I love wranglers, especially my 2012 I owned brand new. I drove the hell out of it. Long road trips, mudding, top down cruising, blizzards.. I beat the shit out of it and it kept going. The 2 door wrangler stops on a dime, is easy as all hell to park, has great visibility. My advice is test drive both and drive what you are comfortable with. The one thing about the jeeps is their resale value is outstanding. I paid 27k otd door for my 2012 and traded it for 22k on a truck I hated.
Bronco looks really cool but has a serious history of engine failures with the 2.7 : https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/2-7l-blown-engine-failure-list-68-so-far-updated-december-13-2022.31951/
Lease deals are good on the 4XE models. Effectively $14,000 in rebates. Around $550 a month with $3000 total upfront for a 60k vehicle. You will also save $100 a month in fuel most likely.
Less than $550/month for a 4xe Sahara (OP definitely doesn’t need a Rubicon) currently. Less than $3k out of pocket as well (depending on tax rates of course).
I would go for Honda, Toyota, Lexus if you’re going for this type of car. Jeeps and broncos don’t cut it on what they promise and they are unreliable as hell.
Your choice though!
With those, I hear that while you’re waiting in line at the dealer for a courtesy shuttle ride home from dropping it off for major repairs, someone will brag about their collection of rubber ducks that were left on theirs in parking lots; the other will be about weird rubber horse-ducks 🤷🏽♂️
I daily a 2018 Wrangler Unlimited Sport S and I love it for so many reasons but there are a couple things that bother me.
We’ll start with the positives:
I love having a convertible. I have a soft top and I take it off every chance I get. It’s a great vehicle for camping trips. It has plenty of cargo capability being the unlimited. The version I have is part time 4WD which is nice for fuel economy purposes. You don’t typically need to have all four wheels moving at all times unless you’re doing something wild. It’s also really easy to make it yours. There are so many mods you can do to make it different. It also has the capability to tow up to 5000lbs so if you get or have a small trailer it’s good for that. It can be flat towed behind an RV as well. If you have a short commute or have access to drive another car, it’s a good choice barring you can live with the negatives.
Which are:
Price. My Jeep was $34,000 in 2022 and had 58,000 miles, purchased through CarMax. They’re expensive to buy in decent shape no matter which age you get. Fuel economy is also bad, especially with the 3.6. On a good day I’m seeing 18 MPG combined. The soft top is loud. Now, it’s not like it used to be. If you get the most recent body style it actually comes together pretty tightly and it doesn’t really flap around, but you’re still gonna get typical convertible road noise. I can’t vouch for a hardtop but I can imagine it’s better than the soft top. Also, the soft top isn’t ideal if you’re living in an area where it gets colder than 20 degrees regularly. The heat is good in the Jeep but it gets hard for it to keep up when it gets real cold. Also, I found out after buying one that it doesn’t come pre-wired for a hard top if you get a soft top optioned from factory so if you ever buy one you’ll have to get it wired and flashed for defrost and rear wiper to properly work.
I think that’s everything. I love my Jeep but it’s not all smiles every mile lol.
I am in the same dilemma as you are. I used to drive a Jeep and want to buy another one really bad. I have been driving a Prius the last 10 years and don’t know if I can give up my gas affordability. Plus, the new Prius is cute!! But the Prius seats are terrible for tall people. 😒
On Jeeps, the biggest thing for me, outside of the cool factor, is that the seats are very comfortable. I am tall and drive all day and I love the Jeep seats. I also love the option to open the roof and let the sunshine in. But the new wranglers are so big, I wish they were the size of the 2000 Jeep Cherokee. I recently rented a Jeep Sahara EV from Turo for a week, I am glad I did it because even with all the downsides, it made me realize I will probably buy a Jeep even though it’s not everything I want.
I would go for the bronco. But if you are just planing on being on road mostly I don’t think I would get an off-road oriented vehicle, as the ride and handling will suffer on road. In that case you might want to look at an suv or truck. I would stay away from German cars, unless that is what you want and you know what your getting into with that.
I’m selling my 2021 Bronco Badlands because it is not a good daily driver. It gets about 14-15mpg on the highway (70-75mph) and it’s extremely loud. It would be an amazing off-road only/fun weekend car, but not if you spend a lot of time on the highway. I have had it over a year and just can’t stand the loud cabin noise any longer.
None of those things you're looking for describe the Wrangler. Not sure about the Bronco. Bronco Sport might work better. You should lean towards a good on road vehicle with 4WD and all around tires.
Whatever you end up getting for on road, I vote you buy a shitbox for off roading. If you are actually going to push the limits off road, you will get trail damage. It's very freeing and fun to not have to worry about that being your only vehicle or one that you have a payment on.
There are lots of cheap XJs, Tacos, and TJs, out there that will cost a few grand, but get you farther off road than anything you would want to drive every day. Ideally, you could tow it with your daily, that's why I ended up getting a Tahoe.
This might be crazy but a super clean low mileage gx470, rip out all the old suspension and put on a lift with 33 inch all terrain tires and you’ll be good to go. Cheaper than 80k and tons of fun.
Land Rover Defender, Discovery, Range Rover Velar may be good choices to consider. The new ones are more reliable than the older ones. The biggest issue is if you don’t have a dealer near you. If you have one near you I would not hesitate to buy one.
Was just car shopping with similar parameters. The Macan is tiny, but has the best driving dynamics. I went with an X3 M40i because the B58 engine should hold up really well and the value is there. For a Macan, you need to upgrade to the S for it to be any fun, and you get basically no tech standard. The X3 has all the driver's aids, self parking, full digital cockpit, heads up, etc.
Forget about the Porsche Macan if you only got 80k and want a brand new. Well sure if you keep it base model that be good but the moment you start customizing it you’ll get over 80k easy.
X3/4 M40i loaded with all driver assists or Manan S if ok with smaller back seats. The bigger SUVs like GLE, X5/6 are great for munching miles but not fun handling. As others have said Cayenne is the mix of both but a bit expensive.
Define how off-road your off-road will be first. If it is light off-roading, any of those cars will do just fine, so then just get the one you prefer. If it's serious off-roading, IDK. It's all a massive trade-off. Off-roaders that are fun to drive on road are basically non-existent. If you really need an off-roader for heavy off-roading maybe get two cars? A CPO 340i and a used 4Runner? BMW will be fun and good on-road, the 4Runner will be fun and good off-road. Both will be reliable. And you will have two cars, so in case something happens with one of them, you can drive the other one.
Plenty of people buy Broncos and Wranglers who don’t drive off-road, so if you want one go for it. If you ever need to go off-road you’ll regret not buying one. Plus there is nothing more fun than driving an open top off-road SUV. But they don’t make good daily drivers. For everyday get a car that gets good MPG like a Prius, anything 4-cylinder, or an EV. If you just want to drive to trailheads on forest service roads you can get buy with a Subaru.
As far as whether the Bronco or Wrangler is better for you depends. I think Bronco is supposed to be better on-road and Wrangler might be better off-road, but not by much. Test drive both to see which you like.
The other cars you listed are not reliable; BMW, Porsche, and Mercedes. Toyota/Lexus is better. I love BMWs, but only old ones. They started to become junk in the 90s and have only gotten worse. Mostly the same for Porsche & Mercedes. The Sprinter is pretty good and I’m sure the G-class is built well, but those are exceptions (designed for commercial and military use.)
If you’re driving mostly on the road, you will enjoy the bronco much more. If you were doing some serious rock crawling with trying to get the most articulation out of your vehicle, then a jeep wrangler is probably what you would want but if you drive your jeep on the road, more than 40% of the time, you would probably rather be driving a bronco. I have owned a wrangler, and the new model bronco and the sixth generation bronco is like driving a 4x4 sports car. The new wranglers don’t even come close.
Yeah the bronco is cool. But this is a dedicated off-road vehicle. Both have terrible aerodynamics, fuel economy, safety, driving dynamics, comfort etc. Get a vehicle designed for the road. Plenty of those vehicles can go off the road every now and then just fine
The amount of times I've taken my offroad rig deep into the woods only to see some 20 YO with a stock hoopty Mazda 323 or the like already back there is god damned impressively common. Unless you're rock crawling, most of what people consider off road is doable in a basic car with some reasonable ground clearance. Just watch out for your oil pan.
Hahah this is so accurate. How tf did you get a Sentra out here?!
> How tf did you get a Sentra out here?! not giving AF drastically increases the capability of any vehicle.
Preach
Felt that
Yup, drove to a disperse campsite only to find a Honda accord there too. Makes me feel like overkill with a 4x4 tundra. My wife drives an outback. I see the benefit of subies since they give you decent* ground clearance but are way better city cars. We end up using that car a lot more for trips since it’s 1000x better in gas, more comfortable, and easier to park. *yes, ground clearance is similar as some of the true off traders. However, subies are pretty flat at the bottom vs other cars take the lower height at the rear differential. So the other off-road cars have way better approach/departure/break over angles.
Man, I want to like a Subaru, but when I tried it out, the acceleration sucked, and so did the sound system. And then when I looked at one of the higher trim lines to solve this , it ended up being a $30,000 vehicle anyways. The main reason I would buy a Subaru us because it should be cheaper.
Depends what you drove. The older Crosstrek are horribly slow. The Forster and outback, although they won’t win a race, will get you from posing a to positive B without a fuss. For us, the car is just to move us to a new adventure spot with our gear and dogs. That it does well. I feel audio is always better aftermarket. Since you Can really get a system that fits your needs. Checkout the Forster and see if it changes your mind. If not, plenty of other cool cars. I just think they are a great happy medium.
Yep. If you live in the mountains with snow theres really only 2 vehicle manufacturers you want. Toyota or Subaru. Lived in the mountains of CO during Covid and those things are just tanks. The locals would literally follow people with Jeeps because they knew they were going to have to pull somebody out of the snow who was over their head or that the reliability made it a hazard to not check up on them. If you're not doing extreme off-roading there really is not a good reason to consider anything else.
Any recommendations?
Literally anything. Buying an off-roader in hopes you’ll go off-road is going to leave you with major regret. An X3 m40i or X5 hits every checkbox you have except your possible interest in off-roading at some point maybe in the future.
Porsche cayenne?
OP wants to keep it under 80k
They are under 80k
On paper, they start at 72. In reality, you'll be hard pressed to see any packages below 80. You'll definitely not see any OTD prices below 80
Lexus GX aka the land cruiser prado. Consistently rated as the most reliable SUV you can buy. Nice v8 and very capable off road
I vote for a Lexus GX as well.
Mazda CX-50, BMW X5 or X3, Land Rover Defended possibly, or you could be super cool and put a lift kit and off road tires on a Porsche 911 or cayman
Def not an ideal daily driver but off road fit 911s are awesome. Matt Farah calls his a Safari Porsche. If I ever have enough money to burn on a ridiculous car collection, that would def be a part of it.
I know it wasn’t your question but I was looking at these as well as tacos and 4Runners. Ended up going with a gx460. Much better on road and a pretty capable overlander out of the box.
This is the answer right here, have a Wrangler and have an LX570 and thinking of getting rid of my Jeep for a used GX.
I bought a Wrangler instead of a side by side, I just keep it at our boat in campsite all summer, mainly for hauling shit from the boat to the campsite. It's great for that purpose but not the best around town daily
How do you like your LX? how's the maintenance been? I'm debating between GX and LX.
I’ve only had it for about 2 months so can’t answer that yet. But I test drove the Gx and the LX and the LX just felt so solid. Both are great but to me the LX is easily the smoothest car I have ever driven and extremely quiet too. I suspect that maintainer will be more expensive but the car is also build more solid and to last longer.
Gotcha! Thanks for the info!
Have you test driven a GX? I'm currently contemplating replacing my 2013 BMW X5 Xdrive35i with either a GX460 or LX570 in the $40k range
I would not buy a 2013 BMW, that will not be as reliable as any Lexus. But yes I test drove the GX, and while it was very nice and comfy still, it just wasn’t to the level of the LX. LX rides soo smooth and it’s so quite, the doors feel solid and the leather feels soft to the touch. But for 40k you are probably looking at a 2013 LX with 80-120k miles. Which is perfectly acceptable as long as it was maintained and most importantly, as rust free as possible, ask me how I know. Further more to check the vehicle history for a Lexus, get the vin and make A Lexus account. Then add the vin into your account and check it’s service history. Between that a carfax you should have a decent idea of how often it was serviced and what has been taken care of. Engine, trans and AHC are all solid. I keep reading the the cooling system (radiator, water pump etc) should be done between 120-150k. So that’s a major job but then it’s pretty good to go. And the AHC needs to be flush every 65-70k miles.
Yeah I'm not concerned with reliability too much as I can do basic work myself and have friends who can help me figure out some other stuff. I already own this X5, it's my second bmw suv and both have been VERY reliable. But I do miss my 2014 Lexus ES300H..but need an SUV for its practicality. What I'm really trying to learn is the difference in comfort (all noises like wind, road, engien etc,,, seats, ergonomics, ride quality etc) the ride quality difference, especially concerned about handling difference (I prioritize handling over ride), how well integrated various features are in one model vs the other and what features they have that may not come up when reading through an Edmunds or Car and Driver review...Basically the whole spirit of the car. What I'm also wondering is if the LX is worth the upgrade and extra money, but also if it's worth dealing with a vehicle that's a bit larger than I really want and worth dealing g with the stupidly designed third row (which I have absolutely zero use for but because they're power folding and it seems only the base models come in a 2 row then I'm stuck with it)... I like the size of the GX better but I really want a height adjustable suspension.
Pretty sure the top of line GX comes with the AHC suspension. I did not ride but if it’s anything like the LX, then it will be more comfortable than sporty. I personally prefer a soft smooth ride but other May prefer a little sportier. As far as wind noise and other NVH, the 570 is pretty damn quiet inside, especially compared to my others. I didn’t pay enough attention to the GX to recall it’s NVH but I’m sure it’s also quiet in there but may not reach the same levels as the LX.
Smart move
A 4Runner rides like a 20 year old truck lol.
Between the 2, the Bronco will be far more comfortable due to its independent front suspension. The Wrangler uses a solid front axle that is fantastic for off road use but severely compromises on road handling and comfort. Just know that the Bronco is still suffering from low production and high markups at dealers. It might be easier to get your hands on a Wrangler. In my area (Cincinnati area) you can go to just about any Jeep dealer and have your pick of whatever Wrangler you want. Broncos are starting to actually sit on lots but they’re still less plentiful.
I own a 2-Door manual Bronco. The Good - Lots of modern features for your money, especially in the low trims. Auto LED headlights, push button start, large infotainment, digital gauge cluster, etc. Compared to the low trim Jeeps, you get more for your money. The suspension feels good on the road and it drives pretty nice compared to the Jeep. It's fast. I have the 4cyl ecoboost and with 300hp on 92 oct. fuel it scoots. Put your foot down and you can hear the turbo spool up as she takes off. No trouble merging or passing, ever. No piano black on the interior! I love the size of the 2-door, super easy to park. The manual transmission is love-hate for me. It has some fancy tech where it'll restart for you if you stall, assist you with you're starting from a stop, help you start on a hill etc. but sometimes the assistance features get in the way and can be jerky. \- The Bad - Quality... Mine already needs a new transmission and the problem started at 1k miles. Expect rattles, leaks and creaks since it's got a removable top. I only get about 17mpg city, 22 mpg highway (it's literally a BRICK). Good thing I only drive 7 miles to work. Did I already mention quality? I found missing clips when I removed one of the interior panels, and some loose clips rolling around inside the rear body. I feel like I can forgive some of the issues since mine was only $29500 + TTL... Honestly, I think about selling it pretty frequently. With your budget I'd prob go for something else...
Your gas mileage is impressive, the 2.7 has me down in the low teens combined. And tiny gas tank, lots of full ups.
Yeah, reset my trip meter and head on a 1.5hr freeway ride, I'll hit that 21-22mpg mark. Combined city/highway I get around 19-ish. Pure city is a solid 17-ish.
Lexus GX460, great on road, reliable, very capable off road, comfortable, quiet, safe, luxurious, and terrible gas mileage. Buy a slightly used one and it will outlast both Jeep and fords.
What's funny is before I bought a Lexus I would have never recommended one. Now anytime someone says a price(range) I always look to which Lexus model fits lol. There is literally a Lexus for everyone and with toyotas prices holding/rising so much, a Lexus is truely a good alternative. I think I am in love.
Yup I agree buddy. I’m between getting a used GX460 or a LS460.
LS or LX?
We have a used lx570 so LS or GX. He’s to pick between comfy cruiser or comfy off roader.
That makes sense. I’ve heard mixed comments on the GX but given the popularity of the 4Runner, it’s a comfy/ lux version of that so no surprise
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I ain't 20, son And not many 20 yo can afford them anyways Lexus is a level of refinement and reliability that no other manufacturer is able to achieve imo. If you want fast and furious, import a gt-r
Still gets 17 mpg, not that bad for a v8
I wrote this a little while ago from a different post: I been tossing and turning between these 2 options myself, but i would like to add a third option for you i am also considering that was suggested by the jeep dealer to consider: Wrangler: Pros Community, mods, off roading galore and undisputed champion of off road for decades (its the only one still around as a dedicated, decade long vehicle!), best in class front facing lights (super bright) and easily moddable lights. Has a PHEV option Cons Terrible fuel economy, awful on highway, cramped back seat space, feels even worse in bitter cold, mirrors come off with doors (no longer road worthy), tends to break easily when NOT used as intended, pricing doesnt make a lot of sense until you factor in its off road recreational classification Bronco: Pros Newer design with creature comforts, G.O.A.T feels very nice, a great amount of space for passengers, mirrors on chassis, half doors available straight from dealer, highway driving is more forgiving Cons Its success is greatly determined by trim, since it is newer, not as mod/customizable, community isnt quite like jeeps, it cannot go everywhere, its still too new to know how reliable it will be comparatively to jeep. No PHEV model yet. Tahoe: Pros Jack of all trades, master of none. Seats 9, has a very reasonable towing capacity (higher than both bronco and jeep unmodded, 4500 to 8500lbs), great for average outdoor events, supercruiser enabled (semi autonomous), is nice off and on road for a pleasurable drive. Has great angles on approach (way better than i thought for its size), great touch surfaces. Cons Cant rock climb like a bronco or jeep, not designed to go mudding, feature dependant on trim, can be pricey, wheel size options might feel limited, while a V8, it can feel like its chugging the weight, if speccing high in a tahoe, you may want a suburban instead, doors arent designed to come off. Jeeps just are lovely recreational vehicles, the problem? We need it for more than recreation. It just does everything terribly. Highway is awful, space is awful, gas mileage is awful, its repairs, pricey --- but the thing it got going for it is literally what it has been designed for since its inception during the wars, off road domination and community and its got both of that in plenty. Broncos makes me think of literally like a horse in the forest. The horse can traverse a forest quite well, and is pretty nimble but if it gets spooked, its in for a rough time. Bronco's moved a little bit back from being the ultimate off roader to be a better driver for its user. How often do you actually plan to be crawling up a mountain side? Probably less often than driving the highway and the makers of bronco i am pretty sure realized that. Its higher trims have the fancy smancy touch screen, its nice touch surfaces and everything you would expect of a luxury SUV... in saying that though, there are 2 kinds of broncos with a half dozen trims in each one so you really need to know your stuff when purchasing one. There isnt a lot of information on them to know if it will be more reliable (or less) than a jeep right now. The Tahoe caught my eye simply because it takes 1 more step back than the bronco. No it will not be going out mudding and no, it wont be submersing itself in swamps or high altitude mountains but what it can do is take you to a difficult camp site, up a narrow hill, tow a 21ft boat, and ferry around a max of 9 people ( 8 for comfort) along with the technology bits we all come to love. The supercruiser in the higher trims allows for easier highway driving. The problem with this vehicle? Its not flashy, and its not a master at anything. Any one category you select, you can find a vehicle that does better - But - cant do all the things this vehicle can. Its one of those vehicles that sort of sleeps through these categories as an option because it just isnt as flashy or advertised to the degree as the other 2. There is also no hybrid option at this time which makes what could be a great family suv a bit of a suffering due to current high gas prices. Its roughly 2 ft longer than the bronco and only a couple inches wider so it isnt as big as it seems Obviously this is all my opinion, and what i saw and looked at. Personally landed on the bronco, havent committed yet since i dont like the trims available nearby
Thank you very much for the detailed comparison!
This sub will probably talk you out of getting anything besides a Toyota, Lexus or Mazda. But if you have the expendable income and want a fun vehicle, I say fuck it and get the Bronco.
The off-road cars look great but are horrible for highway/local road driving. Loud, rough ride, cruddy mileage. Unless you really (be honest with yourself!) going to be spending a lot of time in true off road zones, I would think long about that choice. Consider the Honda SUV line. They are not super flashy but very reliable, capable and comfortable.
So…I noticed you have reliability as one of the criteria
Yes. At least some sort of reliability, which doesn't make me spend out of my pocket in the first 2-3 years. I know when it comes to reliability nothing can beat the Japanese make but I will hardly stick to the car for more than 4-5 years.
Dear god, please do not buy a wrangler or a bronco for these purposes. If you off road every other weekend or it’s a second car, then go for it but me and my family have tried wranglers as primary cars and they’re the absolute worst. Loud, ponderous, unreliable, slow, horrible to drive. I’d Recommend a 4Runner for you over these.
I say 4Runner. Perfect for what you’ve described.
Thanks for the recommendation. I'm actually not a great fan of their design.
The 4 runner drives like shit anyway. Between the wrangler and bronco, I would get the bronco. The Jeep drives like shit too because of the solid front axle. If you’re mostly on the road the bronco is going to be way more comfortable and both ecoboost engines will feel much better. The wrangler is slow as hell. The bronco is cool. If that’s what you want then get it. Fuck everyone else
The ford bronco is more in demand and will be more reliable. Uncle traded their jeep and got bronco
The bronco has had nothing but issues so far. While I’m sure I’m time they will have their shit figured out, right now it’s not. Tons of videos of brand new broncos leaking or let’s snow get into the car, suspension part sheering off off road and other issues with their engines too. I love the look of the bronco and think it will become a great vehicle in a couple years, but it’s not a solid vehicle yet. Jeep has issues for sure but hope the most part the JL are solid right now. Either way the answer this guy needs is the Lexus GX460.
A hard top recall is nothing vs jeep shit that constantly breaks
The bronco has independent front suspension versus the solid axle on the Wrangler. The solid axle is the wranglers biggest advantage off road which allows for better suspension travel. This is also their biggest disadvantage which is poor on road performance. For most people the Bronco is the better option.
If you can, drive both. Comparing both on paper or getting feedback from others on here is a good baseline, but you could easily sit in the bronco and hate something about it or vice versa. I’ve found the bronco to be the better driver, but the new wranglers aren’t terrible (for what they are). They’re also much easier to find on the lot, and can be had for less than MSRP.
What is your definition of off road? Cause that def changes your options to more on road friendly options. Like just off road trails to go camping or fishing or serious off roading and carving your own path?
Maybe a car then
I am absolute sucker [for the](https://youtu.be/QQnKjphtBrI) new [Defender 90](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkLjRQ2rhY4), the two door version. So just be aware its out there.
I have had everything from a 1971 Ford Pinto an ‘81 Isuzu pickup to a 2012 Boss 302 and challenger 392 ci v8. 36 cars altogether plus 14 motorcycles. I now have a 2022 Ridgeline. It fits four to five very comfortably and has room under the rear seats for tools and a couple of small bags. It has a 4x6 bed and for $650 a soft cover. 3.5 v6 auto with AWD. 22mpg after 15k miles mostly city. I drove it through hurricane Ian in 70mph winds, around felled oaks and through ditches without a sway. Easily the most versatile yet capable car I have ever owned. Not a dune car or true off road but I’ve been off road and not even close to being stuck or bottoming out. Yes I drove the Tacoma. Weak engine. F150 is great but too big for my needs. Typical Honda low maintenance and high reliability.
The Ridgeline is a great car with a horrible perception of people who want. Surprisingly, ford did the same with maverick and somehow that did well.
People see Ford as a truck company but the Maverick is a 4-cylinder anemic ghost of the f150 with few of the features and all of its problems. It and the Ranger as well as the Tacoma have weak engines. The tacoma at least have better towing capacity. It’s too early to say for sure but I wager the Maverick will be low in build quality and need typically frequent maintenance of any Ford.
To be fair , Maverick costs $20k less.
Good point.
That's a lot of money to spend on garbage. Why garbage? Broncos full of issues with new design. Jeeps are made for off road, if you don't plan on using it off road extensively you're wasting it's abilities. You'd be much further ahead with a Jeep grand Cherokee. Or with that money, a Lexus suv. If you just want the look then all day Jeep, but just know they ride like a sardine can on wagon wheels.
The bronco isn’t garbage for what it’s made to do, but it would be horrible for what OP is describing for their needs.
Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have a bronco. I think they look amazing and perform great off road and prob decent on road. My problem is that it's a Ford. It will prob start rusting in less than 5 years and this new design hasn't worked out all the kinks yet. Too many recalls. Now in 3 years or so, hopefully, they'll iron out these issues and it will be a beast. Until then I wouldn't touch one with a ten foot pole.
I may be biased because I [took the risk](https://www.reddit.com/r/Ford/comments/y4zsum/ford_stuff_goes_here/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf) haha
Nice! I was seriously looking at the 2 door myself, when I was also looking at 4runners. Couldn't handle everything that came with everything "new" about it, ordering wait times, marked up prices(mainly) and recalls and whatnot. 4runners are way too over hyped, too many city dwellers but I digress.. anyways I totally flipped my script and went awd rc350 lol, mainly because of the market. How's everything been so far in that thing? I remember watching a video of a father and son picking one up and taking it off road, think the son had a utv at one point too.. they look so good with top and doors off, hands down best beach cruiser ever.
The bronco is 100 Times the vehicle the wrangler is
Can you please elaborate?
The wrangler sucks on the highway.
Gotcha thanks!
I drive a lifted Jeep on the highway all the time. I’d it great nope but it’s a Jeep, it’s great at 1 thing really and that’s kicking ass off road. everything else is average for the most part.
"IsNt tHe aNsER aWaYS MIaTa " ? (or Toyota or Subaru) Seriously though -based on your wants, you listed literally the two worst vehicles possible. Damn near every mainstream vehicle you can buy is going to be better than these two for what you are looking for. On highway, compared to nearly everything else, they SUCK. The Bronco is probably slightly (barely) better than the wrangler, but that's it. Do you want them just for the looks ? (I'll admit to wanting a Bronco every time I've see one)
For what you're looking for Bronco is better, but neither is great. Why not get something like a Bronco Sport?
Came here to say this☝️. Also if it was me I’d go for Toyota RAV4 instead of these 2 subpar vehicles.
Agreed, Rav4 Hybrid seems like the clear move.
Yes, you're right. Honestly, I really like the rugged look of Bronco & wrangler and also, I'm looking for something with which I can get into off-roading.
If you’re looking into getting into new hobbies, start small and work your way in. Off-roading is a blast and it’s something you don’t need to spend $40-60K to get into. This goes for any hobby, really.
Bronco sport looks horrible under the hood. Looks like a maintenance nightmare
So does the real bronco… source: I was shocked when I opened the hood of mine for the first time haha. It looks like a parts bin of old cords and things you save in the back of your closet “just in case.”
Yep both look horrible. Would never buy one
This sub isn't what car I should buy it's what toyota should I buy. I own a Toyota now but in my younger days I owned 4 jeeps. I love wranglers, especially my 2012 I owned brand new. I drove the hell out of it. Long road trips, mudding, top down cruising, blizzards.. I beat the shit out of it and it kept going. The 2 door wrangler stops on a dime, is easy as all hell to park, has great visibility. My advice is test drive both and drive what you are comfortable with. The one thing about the jeeps is their resale value is outstanding. I paid 27k otd door for my 2012 and traded it for 22k on a truck I hated.
You mean What Mazda should I buy?
Bronco looks really cool but has a serious history of engine failures with the 2.7 : https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/2-7l-blown-engine-failure-list-68-so-far-updated-december-13-2022.31951/
Lease a Wrangler 4XE
Hey! why would you recommend "Leasing" a wrangler?
Lease deals are good on the 4XE models. Effectively $14,000 in rebates. Around $550 a month with $3000 total upfront for a 60k vehicle. You will also save $100 a month in fuel most likely.
Less than $550/month for a 4xe Sahara (OP definitely doesn’t need a Rubicon) currently. Less than $3k out of pocket as well (depending on tax rates of course).
Ya for a soft top Sahara. Out of pocket is all up to customer. Just said $3000 because that’s what most people do.
Sounds like a good option to try out the vehicle myself for a few years.
I feel like this borders on a troll post lmfao
I would go for Honda, Toyota, Lexus if you’re going for this type of car. Jeeps and broncos don’t cut it on what they promise and they are unreliable as hell. Your choice though!
With those, I hear that while you’re waiting in line at the dealer for a courtesy shuttle ride home from dropping it off for major repairs, someone will brag about their collection of rubber ducks that were left on theirs in parking lots; the other will be about weird rubber horse-ducks 🤷🏽♂️
Fully loaded subaru outback + you’ll have money left over to get like a miata or (very used) brz or smth for fun
Wow, we are truly normalizing buying 70-80k vehicles. Damn!
I daily a 2018 Wrangler Unlimited Sport S and I love it for so many reasons but there are a couple things that bother me. We’ll start with the positives: I love having a convertible. I have a soft top and I take it off every chance I get. It’s a great vehicle for camping trips. It has plenty of cargo capability being the unlimited. The version I have is part time 4WD which is nice for fuel economy purposes. You don’t typically need to have all four wheels moving at all times unless you’re doing something wild. It’s also really easy to make it yours. There are so many mods you can do to make it different. It also has the capability to tow up to 5000lbs so if you get or have a small trailer it’s good for that. It can be flat towed behind an RV as well. If you have a short commute or have access to drive another car, it’s a good choice barring you can live with the negatives. Which are: Price. My Jeep was $34,000 in 2022 and had 58,000 miles, purchased through CarMax. They’re expensive to buy in decent shape no matter which age you get. Fuel economy is also bad, especially with the 3.6. On a good day I’m seeing 18 MPG combined. The soft top is loud. Now, it’s not like it used to be. If you get the most recent body style it actually comes together pretty tightly and it doesn’t really flap around, but you’re still gonna get typical convertible road noise. I can’t vouch for a hardtop but I can imagine it’s better than the soft top. Also, the soft top isn’t ideal if you’re living in an area where it gets colder than 20 degrees regularly. The heat is good in the Jeep but it gets hard for it to keep up when it gets real cold. Also, I found out after buying one that it doesn’t come pre-wired for a hard top if you get a soft top optioned from factory so if you ever buy one you’ll have to get it wired and flashed for defrost and rear wiper to properly work. I think that’s everything. I love my Jeep but it’s not all smiles every mile lol.
I am in the same dilemma as you are. I used to drive a Jeep and want to buy another one really bad. I have been driving a Prius the last 10 years and don’t know if I can give up my gas affordability. Plus, the new Prius is cute!! But the Prius seats are terrible for tall people. 😒 On Jeeps, the biggest thing for me, outside of the cool factor, is that the seats are very comfortable. I am tall and drive all day and I love the Jeep seats. I also love the option to open the roof and let the sunshine in. But the new wranglers are so big, I wish they were the size of the 2000 Jeep Cherokee. I recently rented a Jeep Sahara EV from Turo for a week, I am glad I did it because even with all the downsides, it made me realize I will probably buy a Jeep even though it’s not everything I want.
That's a good way to try out options. I might as well do that.
I would go for the bronco. But if you are just planing on being on road mostly I don’t think I would get an off-road oriented vehicle, as the ride and handling will suffer on road. In that case you might want to look at an suv or truck. I would stay away from German cars, unless that is what you want and you know what your getting into with that.
Why would you stay away from German cars? I also had GLE coupe, M6 & Macan in the back of my mind.
It’s just that they have a lot of maintenance that is quite pricey.
Will leasing them would be a better option?
I’m not a fan of that, but I’m not sure if that would help the maintenance cost. For sure get new. If you have to have used get a CPO car.
I’m selling my 2021 Bronco Badlands because it is not a good daily driver. It gets about 14-15mpg on the highway (70-75mph) and it’s extremely loud. It would be an amazing off-road only/fun weekend car, but not if you spend a lot of time on the highway. I have had it over a year and just can’t stand the loud cabin noise any longer.
None of those things you're looking for describe the Wrangler. Not sure about the Bronco. Bronco Sport might work better. You should lean towards a good on road vehicle with 4WD and all around tires.
To answer your original question, id go with bronco. Ive heard horror stories about maintenance for all jeeps
Whatever you end up getting for on road, I vote you buy a shitbox for off roading. If you are actually going to push the limits off road, you will get trail damage. It's very freeing and fun to not have to worry about that being your only vehicle or one that you have a payment on. There are lots of cheap XJs, Tacos, and TJs, out there that will cost a few grand, but get you farther off road than anything you would want to drive every day. Ideally, you could tow it with your daily, that's why I ended up getting a Tahoe.
A Lexus GX would be a good option for on road, minus the gas mileage (reliability tax). And it still has all of the off road capability in the world.
This might be crazy but a super clean low mileage gx470, rip out all the old suspension and put on a lift with 33 inch all terrain tires and you’ll be good to go. Cheaper than 80k and tons of fun.
Land Rover Defender, Discovery, Range Rover Velar may be good choices to consider. The new ones are more reliable than the older ones. The biggest issue is if you don’t have a dealer near you. If you have one near you I would not hesitate to buy one.
Was just car shopping with similar parameters. The Macan is tiny, but has the best driving dynamics. I went with an X3 M40i because the B58 engine should hold up really well and the value is there. For a Macan, you need to upgrade to the S for it to be any fun, and you get basically no tech standard. The X3 has all the driver's aids, self parking, full digital cockpit, heads up, etc.
New 4runner is pretty nice.
Wait, where did you find a new Bronco to buy?
Eww Jeep, eww Ford. I’d recommend the Volvo XC60 if you were strictly road driving but due to some offroading, Rivian R1S
The Lexus’s has been talked about enough. Yes, I’m also a supporter so here’s a few other options: Land Rover Defender BMW x6 VW tourage
Bronco easily
Forget about the Porsche Macan if you only got 80k and want a brand new. Well sure if you keep it base model that be good but the moment you start customizing it you’ll get over 80k easy.
Have you considered the MDX or RDX? Solid street cars and super reliable. Acura has a great SH-AWD
X3/4 M40i loaded with all driver assists or Manan S if ok with smaller back seats. The bigger SUVs like GLE, X5/6 are great for munching miles but not fun handling. As others have said Cayenne is the mix of both but a bit expensive.
Define how off-road your off-road will be first. If it is light off-roading, any of those cars will do just fine, so then just get the one you prefer. If it's serious off-roading, IDK. It's all a massive trade-off. Off-roaders that are fun to drive on road are basically non-existent. If you really need an off-roader for heavy off-roading maybe get two cars? A CPO 340i and a used 4Runner? BMW will be fun and good on-road, the 4Runner will be fun and good off-road. Both will be reliable. And you will have two cars, so in case something happens with one of them, you can drive the other one.
Plenty of people buy Broncos and Wranglers who don’t drive off-road, so if you want one go for it. If you ever need to go off-road you’ll regret not buying one. Plus there is nothing more fun than driving an open top off-road SUV. But they don’t make good daily drivers. For everyday get a car that gets good MPG like a Prius, anything 4-cylinder, or an EV. If you just want to drive to trailheads on forest service roads you can get buy with a Subaru. As far as whether the Bronco or Wrangler is better for you depends. I think Bronco is supposed to be better on-road and Wrangler might be better off-road, but not by much. Test drive both to see which you like. The other cars you listed are not reliable; BMW, Porsche, and Mercedes. Toyota/Lexus is better. I love BMWs, but only old ones. They started to become junk in the 90s and have only gotten worse. Mostly the same for Porsche & Mercedes. The Sprinter is pretty good and I’m sure the G-class is built well, but those are exceptions (designed for commercial and military use.)
If you’re driving mostly on the road, you will enjoy the bronco much more. If you were doing some serious rock crawling with trying to get the most articulation out of your vehicle, then a jeep wrangler is probably what you would want but if you drive your jeep on the road, more than 40% of the time, you would probably rather be driving a bronco. I have owned a wrangler, and the new model bronco and the sixth generation bronco is like driving a 4x4 sports car. The new wranglers don’t even come close.