Ford Bronco: The Return of an Icon
Rugged and unique Ford Bronco
The Ford Bronco is back! After years of speculation and teasing, Ford finally released a brand new Bronco in 2021. This marked the first time since 1996 that buyers could find a brand new version. The revival of the historic Bronco nameplate created a lot of buzz and excitement among enthusiasts. Ford made it clear from the start that the new Bronco was something special and that it was going to be a true modern day representation of the original version from the 1960’s. Ford also wanted to make sure that their new Bronco was significantly better than its primary rival, the Jeep Wrangler. Now in its fourth year on sale, it’s safe to say that the new Bronco has been a resounding success. Sales have been strong and the Bronco remains one of the coolest new vehicles money can buy. It’s highly customizable, has an attractive retro/modern look and is very capable off-road. The Bronco is equally at ease on a busy downtown street as it is at the campsite. It’s a truck based SUV that grabs attention and is the perfect companion for enjoying earth’s more natural and beautiful environments. The Bronco is the ultimate lifestyle vehicle for those who love to explore and want to have some fun.
Exterior Design: Finding the right balance of modern and retro
It was a sad day when the Ford Bronco ended production in 1996. After a 30 year run, the Bronco was replaced by the newer, larger and more practical Expedition for 1997. Despite its absence, Ford has been thinking for years of how to revive the Bronco. They even launched an awesome concept in 2004 that could’ve previewed a future Bronco. Unfortunately, it never reached production, but the internal rumor was that Ford wanted to bring back the Bronco when the timing was right. As SUV’s rapidly gained popularity in the late 2010’s, Ford decided that it was time to revisit the idea of launching a modern day Bronco. That day finally came as 2021 saw a new Bronco emerge in both two and four-door versions.
Hood tie downs that Ford calls “Trail Sights”
Designing an icon is difficult and Ford knew that they had to absolutely get the styling right to even have a chance of success. They knew they wanted to base it off of the original 1966 model, but designers knew they needed to find the right balance of retro and modern design. The end result turned out fantastic, as it references the legacy of the old version, without it being too retro or over styled. The Bronco features simple, tidy lines that resembles the classic. Round headlights and a straightforward grille with the word Bronco written across it makes up the front. On the top of each front fender, two hood tie downs are available. Ford calls these “Trail sights” as they also act as a point of reference for placing your tires while off-roading in steep terrain. Fenders are flared around the wheels and the doors are completely frameless. The overall shape is quite square and the rear is completed with a large spare tire. With plenty of ground clearance, the new Bronco has a strong and rugged look, especially in the Sasquatch package.
Side mirrors are body mounted
All two-door models come with a standard hard-top, while the four-door variant comes with either the hard-top or a soft-top. All Broncos have the ability to become convertibles as roof panels are easily removable. They can be taken off partially or completely, allowing occupants to soak up the sunshine. Doors can also be removed, which is similar to what the Jeep Wrangler can offer. One thoughtful feature that is not included in the Jeep is that with the removal of the doors, the side mirrors remain intact as they are mounted to the body below the windshield. Therefore, even with the doors off, drivers don’t have to worry about not having the side mirrors. Lastly, the Bronco is extremely customizable and Ford made sure those who want an even more rugged version can upgrade it with a winch, safari bar, pod lights and brush guards.
Interior Design: A nice place to be on or off the road
The interior of the Bronco is decidedly rugged with retro styling cues that works very well with the exterior. It’s the kind of design one would expect the interior to look like when observing the Bronco from the outside. All Broncos come with a 12.0-inch touchscreen in the middle of the dash. A 12.0-inch LCD digital gauge cluster is also standard, informing drivers of all necessary instrumentation. The infotainment touchscreen is available with Ford’s latest Sync 4 software. All maps and graphics are well done and the system is both responsive and easy to operate. As the Bronco is a serious off-road oriented vehicle, large buttons and knobs are available. This allows for essential controls like climate to be easily used by someone wearing gloves (or muddy hands).
12.0-inch digital gauge cluster with nice graphics
With the Bronco being an important new vehicle, Ford has given the interior some extra character. First off, the interior can be had with two tone contrasting colors that add even more visual detail and interest. For example, my blue Bronco had extra splashes of blue trim that kept the already attractive black and beige interior refreshing. Blue bungee cord grab handles are found on the roof and rubber lined grips are found to help you climb aboard. Storage bags on the doors and a lockable center console bin adds to the rugged theme that the Bronco aims for. The interior is well laid out and unique details can be discovered as you become more familiar with the Bronco.
Blue bungee cord style grab handles
As for comfort, I’d say the seats are a bit flat but for the most part are relatively comfortable. Visibility is great and you sit quite high in the Bronco. The front passenger area is roomy and spacious. In the rear of the 4-door Bronco, passenger space is also good. The square shape allows rear occupants to have plenty of headroom and when the roof is on, large rear windows allow plenty of natural light in. Swing open the tailgate/lift the hatch and generous cargo space is revealed. The roof and door panels are straightforward to remove and can be stored in the cargo area.
Rear occupant area in the Bronco
Ford has done a nice job with the interior of the Bronco. However, one area that could be fixed is improving the material quality. Harder plastics and rubbers are found throughout the interior. They are easy to scuff and scratch and in pricier Bronco trims, higher quality materials would be greatly appreciated. Despite that, the Ford Bronco has a rugged, functional, roomy and thoughtful interior that is a nice place to be whether you’re on or off the pavement.
Neat details can be found throughout the interior
How it drives: Genuine SUV that’s better than the Jeep Wrangler
In terms of performance, the standard Ford Bronco comes available with two engine options. For starters, a 300 HP turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 325 lb-ft of torque is available. Higher end trims receive a 2.7-liter turbocharged V-6 that produces 330 HP and packs 415 lb-ft of torque. A smooth 10-speed automatic transmission is used with both gas engines, while a 7-speed manual is only compatible with the smaller unit.
Ford Bronco engine bay
So how does it drive? Well with two body styles and many different options and packages that include different shocks, suspension heights, tires; it’s safe to say that each trim level will perform differently in real world driving. I ended up testing a Bronco Wildtrak with the Sasquatch package. One thing that all Broncos will have in common is wind and road noise. The square shape doesn’t slide through the wind and off-road oriented tires will create road noise, especially at highway speeds. To truly appreciate the Ford Bronco, you need to first realize that this vehicle is very different from most SUV’s on the market. Its main competitor is the Jeep Wrangler and the Bronco is an authentic 4x4 that will perform exceptionally well when tasked with meandering down a steep trail. While it won’t match a similarly priced crossover in on-road refinement or sophistication, it still is a blast to drive.
Big, off-road tires
Hop into the Bronco and it feels seriously massive. Its high driving position gives off the illusion that you are in something much larger. Find some open road and the turbocharged V-6 offers plenty of power. The quick shifting 10-speed automatic feels precise and pairs wonderfully with this engine. Despite the large rugged 35’’ tires, the Bronco can be surprisingly agile, bringing an element of fun to highway driving. At cruising speeds, expect wind noise, which of course can be tuned out by cranking up the radio. The rigid truck-based construction will offer a slightly firm and bouncy ride. Slam on the brakes and plenty of nosedive will be felt, which is also normal from off-road SUV’s.
Ford Bronco uses a truck based platform shared with the Ranger
In the handling department, the Bronco actually handles itself fairly well, with accurate steering. This is notably better than the Jeep Wrangler thanks to the Bronco having an independent front suspension setup, versus the Jeep that has solid axles front and rear. The Ford’s front suspension helps keep the vehicle planted to the road with more control and stability. Bumps are soaked up independently by each front wheel, therefore creating a smoother than expected ride. You can’t drive a Bronco like a sports car around curves but it is more comfortable and calm thanks to Ford’s smart decision with the suspension.
Center console with G.O.A.T. Modes knob
In the middle of the center console you’ll notice a large G.O.A.T. mode knob. This stands for Goes Over Any Type of Terrain. This is Ford’s terrain management system that allows the Bronco to electronically adjust itself to the driving conditions that have been selected. Sport, eco, normal, snow/sand, mud, tow and even rock crawl can be selected as unique modes in the system. This allows the Bronco to conquer nearly every condition that mother nature can throw at it. Even though most Broncos will stay on nicely paved roads, Ford goes one step further by offering Trail Turn Assist and Trail Control to help drivers maneuver tight angles while on an off-road adventure. I was able to drive the Bronco over a rutted light gravel trail and I have to admit the Bronco asserted itself in the most positive way. I can see how off-roading in a Bronco can be an enjoyable experience.
Ford Bronco in its natural surroundings
The Bronco isn’t just a one trick pony, as it also offers an array of the latest safety features such as Pre-Collision Assist with automatic braking, Cross-traffic Alert and a Lane-Keeping System. Visibility from the front is excellent, but from the rear, the spare tire blocks out most of the view. Luckily Ford includes a backup camera with a 360-degree overhead view.
Backup camera and 360-degree overhead view
Final Thoughts: Explore nature in style
Most SUV’s these days offer soft rides and cookie cutter style. The Ford Bronco keeps things interesting with unique modern/retro styling and off-road capability that is virtually unmatched. The only other real competitor in this market space is the popular Jeep Wrangler. When the Bronco returned, Ford’s goal was to be better than the Jeep in almost all categories and I think they nailed it. The Bronco drives better, looks better and is just as capable off-road. It’s a fun vehicle that draws plenty of attention. Those who buy these types of SUV’s aren’t looking for a vehicle that has performance or handling, they are looking for an old-school, authentic 4x4 that is civil enough for the daily grind around town and highly qualified for outdoor adventures on the weekend. The Bronco will take you anywhere, rain, shine or snow. They say that there are lots of benefits of being in the great outdoors and there’s no better way to experience it than in a Bronco.
Pricing and Specifications:
2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder - 300 HP; 325 lb-ft torque
2.7-liter turbocharged V-6 - 330 HP; 415 lb-ft torque
Canada:
Big Bend - $49,265
Black Diamond - $55,315
Outer Banks (4-door only) - $59,640
Heritage Edition - $62,765
Badlands - $63,555
Everglades (4-door only) - $75,215
Wildtrak - $78,805
Heritage Limited Edition - $90,925
US:
Big Bend - $39,130
Black Diamond - $42,630
Heritage Edition - $47,855
Outer Banks (4-door only) - $47,940
Badlands - $49,395
Everglades (4-door only) - $55,520
Wildtrak - $60,025
Heritage Limited Edition - $69,685
Main Competitors:
Jeep Wrangler, Toyota 4Runner
Ford Bronco is ready for adventure
