Compare the2026 BMW X3VS 2026 Ford Bronco

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The X3’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Bronco doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The BMW X3 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Bronco doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The X3 has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Bronco doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

The X3 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Bronco doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

With its standard Driving Assistant, the BMW X3 is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Ford Bronco, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	X3	Bronco
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	-10 MPH
25 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-3 MPH
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-23 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-10 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-21 MPH
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-22 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	1.9 sec	1 sec
37 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-8 MPH
Warning Issued-Low beams	2 sec	.6 sec

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the BMW X3 achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Ford Bronco which scored only an “Acceptable” in these critical safety features.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The X3 has a standard Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Bronco doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The BMW X3’s optional Surround View offers available integrated front and rear camera washers, ensuring clear, all-weather visibility without the need for manual cleaning. In contrast, the Ford Bronco lacks camera washers, requiring you to manually clean the cameras for optimal performance.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the X3 has standard Cross Traffic Warning with braking function and automatically engage the brakes. Ford charges extra for Cross Traffic Alert on the Bronco and it’s not available on the Base and the Bronco’s Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the X3 uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The Bronco uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the X3 and the Bronco have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the BMW X3 is safer than the Ford Bronco:

	X3	Bronco
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	96	120
Neck Stress	262 lbs.	364 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the X3 is much safer than the Bronco:

	X3	Bronco
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Chest Rating	GOOD	MARGINAL
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the X3, with its four-star roll-over rating, is 8.7% less likely to roll over than the Bronco, which received a three-star rating.

The BMW X3 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Bronco is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

The X3 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Bronco’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The X3’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Bronco’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X3 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Ford doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Bronco.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the X3’s reliability 32 points higher than the Bronco.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Ford is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 5 places higher in reliability than Ford.

Engine

As tested in Motor Trend the BMW X3 is faster than the Ford Bronco (automatics tested):

	X3 30 xDrive	X3 M50 xDrive	Bronco turbo 4 cyl.	Bronco turbo V6
Zero to 60 MPH	6 sec	4 sec	7.3 sec	8.4 sec
Quarter Mile	14.5 sec	12.6 sec	15.7 sec	16.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	94.5 MPH	109.7 MPH	84.9 MPH	83.5 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the X3 gets better mileage than the Bronco 4-Door:

			MPG
X3
AWD	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	27 city/33 hwy
		3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	25 city/30 hwy
Bronco 4-Door
AWD	Manual	2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	18 city/22 hwy
		Badlands 2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	17 city/18 hwy
		Sasquatch 2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	16 city/18 hwy
AWD	Auto	3.0 turbo V6	15 city/16 hwy
		2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	18 city/22 hwy
		Outer Banks 2.7 turbo V6	19 city/21 hwy
		Sasquatch 2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	17 city/19 hwy
		Big Bend 2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	17 city/19 hwy
		Badlands 2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	17 city/17 hwy
		Badlands/Stroppe/Heritage 2.7 turbo V6	17 city/17 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the X3’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Bronco doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The X3 has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Bronco. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW X3 higher (6 to 7 out of 10) than the Ford Bronco (5 to 6). This means the X3 produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Bronco every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The BMW X3 comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the Bronco.

To facilitate fast shifting and allow the driver to focus on the road, the X3 has a standard up-shift light to indicate when the engine is approaching redline. The Bronco doesn’t offer an up-shift light.

The X3 M50’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Bronco doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the X3’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Bronco:

	X3	Bronco
Front Rotors	13 inches	12.2 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	12.1 inches

The X3 stops much shorter than the Bronco:

	X3	Bronco
70 to 0 MPH	155 feet	221 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	108 feet	144 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	137 feet	168 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

The X3’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Bronco Big Bend’s standard 75 series tires. The X3’s optional 255/40R21 front and 285/35R21 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the Bronco’s optional 70 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X3 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Bronco Base. The X3’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Bronco Outer Banks.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the BMW X3 has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Ford Bronco has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The X3 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the X3 flat and controlled during cornering. The Bronco’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The X3’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.5% to 49.5%) than the Bronco’s (54.5% to 45.5%). This gives the X3 more stable handling and braking.

The X3 30 xDrive handles at .91 G’s, while the Bronco Raptor pulls only .68 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X3 M50 xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 5.6 seconds quicker than the Bronco 4-Door (25.3 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 30.9 seconds @ .51 average G’s).

Chassis

The X3 is 6.5 inches shorter in height than the Bronco, making the X3 much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

Unibody construction lowers the X3’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The Bronco doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

Passenger Space

The front step up height for the X3 is 4.7 inches lower than the Bronco 4-Door (18.5” vs. 23.2”). The X3’s rear step up height is 4.5 inches lower than the Bronco 4-Door’s (18.5” vs. 23”).

Cargo Capacity

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X3’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Bronco doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The X3’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The Bronco’s swing out door blocks loading from the passenger’s side.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the X3’s power cargo door can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Bronco doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening cargo door.

Towing

The X3’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Bronco’s (4001 vs. 3500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Ford Bronco is only 4500 pounds. The X3 offers up to a 4850 lbs. towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The X3 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Bronco uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the X3, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The Bronco doesn’t offer a memory system.

The X3 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Bronco doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The X3’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Bronco’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The X3’s standard power window controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Bronco’s available power window controls are spread out on the center console where they can’t be seen without the driver completely removing his eyes from the road.

If the windows are left open on the X3 the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote or with the driver’s door power window switch. The driver of the Bronco can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The X3’s standard Comfort Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Push Button Start standard on the Bronco only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

The X3’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Bronco’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X3 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Bronco doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the X3 has a standard rear wiper. The Bronco Soft Top doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The X3’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Bronco’s headlights are rated “Marginal.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the X3 offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Bronco doesn’t offer cornering lights. The X3 also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X3 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Bronco doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The X3’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Bronco’s power mirror controls are on the center console where they can’t be seen without the driver completely removing his eyes from the road.

When the X3 is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Bronco’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The X3’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Bronco offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the BMW X3 and Ford Bronco offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The X3 features standard power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Bronco’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The X3 has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Bronco. The X3 also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Bronco.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the X3 keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Bronco doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The X3’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Bronco Base doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

Both the X3 and the Bronco offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the X3 has available rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Bronco doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The BMW X3 has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Ford charges extra for Homelink® on the Bronco and isn’t available on the Bronco Base/Big Bend/Heritage.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW X3 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Bronco Outer Banks/Badlands/Wildtrak/Raptor offers wireless charging and it costs extra.

The X3’s Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling the transmission and speed with the brake pedal. With its available fully controlled system, the driver just activates it and it parks autonomously, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Bronco doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 BMW X3 retains 46.09% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 45.81% resale value of the 2025 Ford Bronco after five years, which can save the BMW’s owner.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X3, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Ford Bronco isn't recommended.

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