2023 Land Rover Defender vs. Ford Bronco

The 2023 Ford Bronco is capable and smartly designed, but there’s no beating the Land Rover Defender on the trails. The 2023 Land Rover Defender doesn’t just offer superior off-road performance. It also offers more available seating and a stronger range-topping engine—and it practically goes without saying that the Defender is the more luxurious of these two models. Find out which option is right with our in-depth Land Rover Defender vs. Ford Bronco comparison.

Defender vs. Bronco: Performance

This Ford SUV looks like Range Rover, but that doesn’t equal our SUV. Even with its new Raptor configuration, the Ford Bronco will struggle to keep up with the Land Rover Defender. Although the base-level four-cylinder powertrains in these two SUVs are more or less equally matched, those who pursue upgrades will find that the Defender has a lot more to offer:

Defender vs. Bronco: Engine Output

• Base 4-Cylinder Engines: 290 hp in the Defender / 300 hp in the Bronco
• Available V6 Engines: 395 hp in the Defender / 330 hp or 400 hp in the Bronco
• Available V8: 518 hp in the Defender

If you’re comparing the Defender vs. Bronco, there’s a pretty good chance that you’ve got big adventures in your future. Choose an SUV that will never leave you wanting more when it’s time to hook up a trailer or load up with cargo:

Defender vs. Bronco: Towing Capacity

• 2023 Land Rover Defender Towing Capacity: Up to 8,200 pounds
• 2023 Ford Bronco Towing Capacity: Up to 4,500 pounds

Defender vs. Bronco: Payload Capacity

• 2023 Land Rover Defender Payload Capacity: Up to 1,984 pounds
• 2023 Ford Bronco Payload Capacity: Up to 1,370 pounds

As you can see, only the Land Rover Defender has what it takes to tow large and midsize campers out past Newport Beach and Irvine. It can even manage lighter-than-average sailboats—a feat no Ford Bronco can match.

Land Rover Defender vs. Ford Bronco: Size Comparison

We couldn’t paint a complete picture of this matchup without including a Land Rover Defender vs. Ford Bronco size comparison, and the results speak for themselves:

• First, only the Land Rover Defender interior can seat up to eight passengers. The Ford Bronco never seats more than five, which means only one SUV can be a good fit for larger families. To access the maximum capacity in this Land Rover, you’ll want to choose the Defender 130 configuration.
• Those planning to fly solo should know that both models offer two-door configurations: The Defender 90 and the Bronco Sport. You can go either way—but you’ll find that the Land Rover offers more luxury features. In between these two options, there’s the Defender 110, a four-door model with available seating for up to seven.

Experience the Land Rover Defender at Land Rover Newport Beach

If you’re ready to bring home a new Land Rover Defender, all you have to do is let us know! Explore our special vehicle operations at home in Corona Del Mar or Newport Beach, and find out how much your trade-in is worth today.