Spec Check: Ford Bronco Sasquatch vs. Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Xtreme Recon

The call of the Sasquatch has been answered and competition in the off-road world continues to heat up: The Sasquatch package for the 2021 Ford Bronco has been countered by the Xtreme Recon package for the 2022 Jeep Wrangler. For better or worse, we can now finance (and warranty) factory 35s on both the Ford Bronco and the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. It's glorious.

Let's take a look at the similarities and differences between the Sasquatch package and the only offering directly rivaling it, the Xtreme Recon package.

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Tires and Wheels

The Sasquatch package adds 35-inch Goodyear Territory mud-terrain tires (LT315/70R17) mounted on 17-inch black-painted forged aluminum beadlock-capable wheels with Warn alloy beauty rings. The Xtreme Recon package adds 35-inch BF Goodrich KO2 all-terrain tires (LT315/70R17) mounted on 17-inch x 8.0-inch beadlock-capable wheels. Swing gate reinforcement also comes with the package.

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Suspension

The Sasquatch package has a high-clearance suspension and a track that is roughly two inches wider than that of lesser Broncos. Sasquatch-equipped Broncos sit a little taller (with a small decrease in up-travel), too, and have the High-performance Off-road Stability Suspension (H.O.S.S.) system with position-sensitive Bilstein shocks. The Xtreme Recon package includes a 1.5-inch factory suspension lift complemented by a pair of specially tuned shocks.

Drivetrain

The Sasquatch package adds front and rear electronic locking axles with a 4.7:1 final drive ratio. Although the package was originally not available with Bronco's seven-speed manual transmission, this was later revised and now you can Sasquatch a stick-shift Bronco. The Xtreme Recon package includes 4.56:1 axle ratio gearing ("shorter" than the Rubicon's 4.10:1 and Rubicon 392's 3.73:1). There's also a 4.88:1 axle ratio axle option for the six-speed manual (that'll be available later) that can be had with or without the Xtreme Recon package. That equates to an awe-inspiring factory crawl ratio.

Availability

The optional Sasquatch package is available across the full lineup of Ford Broncos. The caveat is the Bronco Wildtrak and First Edition models (only because these ones already come Sasquatch'd). That means you can get 35s on the base two-door and four-door Bronco, which has us all sorts of happy. On the other hand, the Xtreme Recon is limited to the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited four-door with the eTorque "mild-hybrid" 3.6-liter V-6 backed by the automatic transmission or the Wrangler Rubicon 392 with the beefy 6.4-liter V-8. That's pretty specific. No Rubicon, no Xtreme Recon.

Price

The Sasquatch package costs $4,495. The Xtreme Recon package rings up at $3,995, and production will start in August.

So which package is better: the Ford Bronco Sasquatch or the Jeep Wrangler Xtreme Recon? Although there's no clear-cut winner, one thing's for sure: a little friendly competition elevates the off-road prowess of both of these SUVs.