It’s the battle of the 4x4s, between two well-known manufacturers, Ford, and Land Rover; and two seemingly similar cars, the Bronco, and the Defender.

Similar because they are both capable on the outside and both available with luxury and comfort inside – the difference is that the Bronco range starts from $30,000 and goes up to $65,000, while the Defender starts at $52,000 but goes up to more than $115,000.

This means that you can fully load a Bronco on Ford’s website for the same price as a Defender with a few options.

We see what the main differences are if you’re spending $65,000 on a mean Bronco or lightly-specced Defender.

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A Fully Loaded Bronco Is A Capable But Stylish SUV

Bronco
Via: Ford 

The Bronco range starts with the Base model and ends with the Wildtrak, at which point you can add another $15,000 in options for the most luxurious model, with luxury being relative in this outdoor-focused 4x4.

Standard Wildtrak highlights include the electronically-locking front and rear axles, Bilstein shocks, auxiliary switches with pre-run wires, a 12” infotainment screen, and a multitude of safety features.

This most expensive trim level nets you a 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V6 with 330 hp and 414 ft-lb of torque, made to run through a 10-speed automatic transmission. As standard, you get a removable hard roof, but we added the premium lux pack, the $2,500 retractable full soft top, towing pack, a pin-code-entry system, all the body armor, bash plates, and side tubes, a slide-out tailgate, and an engine block heater.

This runs the price up to $65,000 with the destination charge, but leaves you with a rugged and capable vehicle with enough accessories and creature comforts inside to make it pleasant to live with.

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Land Rover’s Defender Is A Different Kind Of Animal

Land Rover Defender 110 Explorer Pack Via Land Rover
Via: Land Rover

Where the Defender and Bronco Wildtrak Lux overlap is at the cheapest version of the Defender with just the Explorer pack.

This standard Defender gets you as a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with 395 hp and 406 lb-ft and an 8-speed automatic instead of the 10-speed in the Ford Bronco.

Without options, the Land Rover offers 18-inch gloss white steel wheels, air suspension, a suite of safety features like the Bronco, and a slightly smaller touchscreen at 11.4-inch. In the Land Rover Defender configurator, adding on the Explorer Pack and Tow Pack, and off-road pack to price it up to the fully loaded Bronco, the cars’ feature lists were similar, if not identical.

Both cars were configured with off-road packs and came with extra body protection, roof racks, towing kits, electronic systems to control the differentials, and all the interior accessories matched.

What the Bronco has in its favor – apart from the less-premium badge - is the same thing it lacks: less luxurious interior and perceived luxury.

What this means, potentially, is that it would be more durable and wipe-cleanable day to day if this car is doing what it should be doing, off-roading and being a ‘lifestyle’ vehicle.

In the end, if you can buy this top-end, loaded Bronco for the same price and spec as a basic Land Rover Defender, what you’re getting is the same potential and kit on paper with less image and a less impressive interior, which in all honesty probably matters less when you’re out in the wastes hunting, exploring, surfing, or working.

In the end, the Bronco will get the job done, and who doesn’t like a 4x4 with the doors and roof off – making you feel like Crocodile Dundee as you wirelessly charge your smartphone in the desert.