Bronco vs Defender
Few matchups in the midsize off-road suv class come up as often as the Bronco against the Defender. The Defender is up against it here: the Bronco wins 1 of the 4 areas on our scorecard, with fuel economy & range as its standout.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Trade-off
- Fuel Economy & Range Bronco wins
- Space & Practicality Defender wins
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Engine & Performance1.0
- Fuel Economy & Range10.0
- Engine & Performance1.4
- Fuel Economy & Range6.9
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Defender has 21 hp more power
The gap on total system output is slim (296 hp against 275 hp), yet it tips toward the Defender. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
-
The Bronco has better fuel economy
You may not notice this one every day, but the Bronco’s 20 mpg is a step ahead of the Defender’s 19 mpg. Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold.
-
The Defender has room for 5 seats
Slight advantage to the Defender: 5 seats compared with 4 seats. Extra seats mean you can take more people along without taking a second car.
-
The Bronco has 20 lb-ft more torque
On torque, the Bronco edges out the Defender, 315 lb-ft to 295 lb-ft. The Bronco’s extra torque makes it more relaxed when fully loaded or towing.
-
The Bronco has better highway fuel economy
Don’t expect a night-and-day difference here. 22 mpg against 20 mpg is a small but genuine lead for the Bronco. Highway fuel economy matters if you cover long distances at steady speeds.
Design & Size
Dimensions
| Spec | Bronco | Defender |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 173.7 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Width (no mirrors) | 75.9 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Height | 71.9 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Wheelbase | 100.4 in | N/A (not specified) |
Engine & Performance
Trade-off
The engine & performance section is split: the Bronco has 20 lb-ft more torque, while the Defender counters with 21 hp more power. If you’re torn on engine & performance, the other sections may help break the tie.
Total system output
Bronco: 275 hp Defender: 296 hp More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
Torque
Bronco: 315 lb-ft Defender: 295 lb-ft Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type.
Fuel Economy & Range
Bronco leads
This is one of the Bronco’s strongest areas. On fuel economy & range, the Defender falls well short. The Bronco comes with better fuel economy. Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership. Anyone shopping mainly on fuel economy & range should start with the Bronco.
Fuel economy (combined)
Bronco: 20 mpg Defender: 19 mpg The Bronco uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot.
Fuel economy (highway)
Bronco: 22 mpg Defender: 20 mpg Speed, wind and load affect highway use a lot, but the official rating is a fair comparison point.
Space & Practicality
Defender leads
If you’re keeping score, the space & practicality point goes narrowly to the Defender. The Defender takes this one with room for 5 seats. Third-row seats are often best for kids, so check legroom figures if adults will sit there. Net result: the Defender leads this part of the comparison.
Seats
Bronco: 4 seats Defender: 5 seats The Defender has room for more passengers, useful for growing families and carpools.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
The Bronco and the Defender match each other closely in this area. So off-road & towing is a non-factor here; move on to the areas where they actually differ.
Safety & Tech
For safety & tech, the spec sheet lists components and formats rather than figures we can rank. The table shows what the Bronco and the Defender each bring.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Bronco | Defender |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 2.3L turbo I4 (EcoBoost) | 2.0L turbo I4 |
| Total system output | 275 hp Least powerful in class | 296 hp (winner) |
| Torque | 315 lb-ft (winner) | 295 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic (7-speed manual available) | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | 4x4 | 4WD (twin-speed transfer case) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Bronco | Defender |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 20 mpg (winner) Most efficient in class | 19 mpg |
| Fuel economy (city) | 18 mpg | 18 mpg |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 22 mpg (winner) Best highway economy | 20 mpg |
| Fuel tank | 16.9 gal | N/A (not specified) |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Bronco | Defender |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 seats Fewest seats in class | 5 seats (winner) |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 22.4 cu ft | N/A (not specified) |
| Cargo (seats folded) | 52.3 cu ft Least room, seats folded | N/A (not specified) |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Bronco | Defender |
|---|---|---|
| Max towing | 3,500 lb Lowest towing capacity | N/A (not specified) |
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Bronco | Defender |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | 12 in Smallest touchscreen | N/A (not specified) |
| Driver-assist suite | Ford Co-Pilot360 | N/A (not specified) |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Bronco | Defender |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 173.7 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Width (no mirrors) | 75.9 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Height | 71.9 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Wheelbase | 100.4 in | N/A (not specified) |
Price
| Spec | Bronco | Defender |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $39,995 | N/A (not specified) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Bronco if…
- you want better combined fuel economy (20 mpg vs 19 mpg)
- you want more pulling power from low speeds (315 lb-ft vs 295 lb-ft of torque)
- you cover long highway distances (22 mpg vs 20 mpg on the highway)
Choose the Defender if…
- you want more power (296 hp vs 275 hp)
- you need more seats (5 seats vs 4 seats)
- you prefer staying with Land Rover
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Bronco or the Defender?
We’d point most buyers to the Bronco. The main exception is if having 21 hp more power matters more to you than the rest.
Executive Summary
Here’s my honest read on a classic rivalry: Ford’s Bronco against Land Rover’s Defender. In daily life, I think the first difference you’d notice is better fuel economy, and that goes to the Bronco. The Bronco also scores with 20 lb-ft more torque. Where the Defender fights back is 21 hp more power.
If your days lean on fuel economy & range, I’d pick the Bronco; if they lean on space & practicality, the Defender.
My pick: if it were my money, the Bronco, unless you value 21 hp more power above everything else.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.