The Ford Bronco is an off-road vehicle that offers minimal road driving capability. Disadvantages include energy savings, wind noise, slow mileage, and some cheap-looking interior equipment. Plus, the Bronco is fun to drive and comfortable to live with.
From its character and design to its helpful driving modes and extensive out-road package availability, the Bronco is the most attention-grabbing model among its competitors to get the most buyers.
Off-road adventures have enjoyed a prime time in recent times. Maybe this is the answer for many people who are stuck during the epidemic, but it could also be because several new vehicles can be used on the roads.
The Ford Bronco is one of the most popular, and its all-terrain capability is on par with the iconic Jeep Wrangler.
For 2024, the Broncos are making slight changes to the lineup. A new Code Orange package is available for the Bronco Raptor, adding orange accentuation and cool orange plates to the rear doors, quarter panels, and windows. The Raptor is now also available in Shelter Green and Velocity Blue makeup schemes.
Within the lineup, the initially voluntary 12-inch touchscreen is now standard, and the Everglades trim returns (the product breaks down midway through the 2023 model).
The Bronco used to be one of those stylish, but not perfect, off-road SUVs, and we cover every aspect in our Expert Ratings below. However, you really can't do much better against similarly powerful rivals like the Jeep Wrangler, and Land Rover Defender, if you're hoping to get out into the wild.
What is it like to live together?
For a more immersive power experience, Edmunds added the 2021 Ford Bronco First Edition to its long-term test track. Across time and 20,000 timeframes, we'll report on what's working and what needs improvement.The Ford Bronco is an off-road vehicle that offers minimal road driving capability. Disadvantages include energy savings, wind noise, slow mileage, and some cheap-looking interior equipment.
Plus, the Bronco is fun to drive and comfortable to live with. From its character and design to its helpful driving modes and extensive out-road package availability, the Bronco is the most attention-grabbing model among its competitors to get the most buyers.
How does the Bronco drive? Whether you stick with the turbo four-cylinder or end up with the turbo V6, the Bronco has enough power and is smooth for diurnal driving with the quick-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission.
The V6's excessive oomph makes short ramps and merges easier and more fun, and the V6 Bronco reaches 60 mph from a standstill in 7.3 seconds, a noticeable average considering the big tires and four-door configuration.
Jumping hard in the bushes results in a lot of diving—normal for a highway SUV, but urgent stopping distances are much longer than we'd like. From 60 mph, the fear stop occurs at 146 bases - we usually see that kind of distance with heavy-duty volley exchanges.
It's worth noting that our test Bronco was equipped with the Sasquatch off-road package and its rugged tires, but another Bronco we tested with less aggressive rubber stopped just 10 bases shorter—which is still longer than we'd like.
The real star is the steering. Thanks to the independent front suspension, the Bronco's steering wheel provides the driver with confidence and stability when driving on the road.
Even if you don't anticipate the excitement of winding roads, you'll appreciate that long-distance driving won't tire you out.
How comfortable is the Bronco? While far from a luxury vehicle, the Bronco is more comfortable on the road than the original Jeep Wrangler, its main competitor. The Bronco's seats have better support and enough adaptability to reduce fatigue on long highway trips. Its truck-mounted construction means it lifts a little firmer and bouncier than other SUVs, but not enough to make you want to drive it any less.
Plenty of headroom makes the Bronco's interior feel spacious. This feeling continues in the back seats, even in two-door models, but accessing those seats in the two-door Bronco can feel like a squeeze because the front seats can't be slid far enough forward.
How is the technology? There's a mix of standard and available driver aids, including adaptive cruise control and an exterior camera. Additionally, the Bronco is available with a suite of useful off-road driver aids that can be controlled individually by experienced drivers or automatically engaged by the vehicle via different driving modes for beginners. Unfortunately, we found some systems, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, weren't tuned well.
The center screen offers clean graphics and easy integration with Android and Apple smartphones whether you want to go wired or wireless. The stereo on our test vehicle struggled to mask road noise at freeway speeds.
Plenty of headroom makes the Bronco's interior feel spacious. This feeling continues in the back seats, even in two-door models, but accessing those seats in the two-door Bronco can feel like a squeeze because the front seats can't be slid far enough forward.
How is the technology? There's a mix of standard and available driver aids, including adaptive cruise control and an exterior camera. Additionally, the Bronco is available with a suite of useful off-road driver aids that can be controlled individually by experienced drivers or automatically engaged by the vehicle via different driving modes for beginners. Unfortunately, we found some systems, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, weren't tuned well.
The center screen offers clean graphics and easy integration with Android and Apple smartphones whether you want to go wired or wireless. The stereo on our test vehicle struggled to mask road noise at freeway speeds.
How is it stored? The Bronco's larger size compared to the Wrangler results in a larger interior with more cargo volume. But the four-door Bronco has less space than a similarly sized Toyota 4Runner. The Bronco's rear swing gate opens to the passenger side and stays in place thanks to a kickstand. On the hardtop model, the rear window can be folded easily, but the soft top doesn't open very far and requires a support rod to keep it upright.
Interior storage options are adequate, with a suitable number of cup holders and nooks and crannies for personal items. The mesh on the door pockets is too shallow for most water bottles. The front seat backs on some models have Molle-style mounting points for hanging fixtures.
Interior storage options are adequate, with a suitable number of cup holders and nooks and crannies for personal items. The mesh on the door pockets is too shallow for most water bottles. The front seat backs on some models have Molle-style mounting points for hanging fixtures.
All Broncos can be flat towed (all four wheels are on the ground).
What about fuel savings? Since this is a new vehicle with a 10-speed automatic transmission, we expected the Bronco's fuel economy to be better. Four-cylinder Broncos have EPA-estimated fuel economy ranging from 17 to 20 mpg combined. Likewise, six-cylinder versions range from 17 mpg combined to 19 mpg combined. In general, these figures are lower than similar Jeep Wrangler models.
Our test vehicle, a four-door First Edition Bronco with a 2.7-liter V6 engine, had an EPA estimate of 17 mpg. We were able to match those estimates in mixed driving, but other than a V8-powered Jeep 392, those estimates are lower than any Wrangler you can buy.
Is the Bronco a good value? Some may be put off by some of the Bronco's cheap-looking interior materials, especially on higher-end models, but others may see the benefit of long-term durability when the interior is exposed to the elements. The Bronco features a broader range of off-road hardware across its price spectrum than the Jeep Wrangler, providing greater accessibility for buyers at different price points. But it's worth noting that our test vehicle was a First Edition Bronco that cost more than $60,000. That's a steep price, but luckily it comes with nearly every standard and optional equipment the Bronco offers.
Warranty and ownership perks are average with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. The corrosion warranty is valid for five years regardless of mileage, and roadside assistance is provided for five years or 60,000 miles.
The Bronco offers commendable capability and character in equal measure. The rugged design looks cool without trying too hard. As with the Wrangler, removing the Bronco's roof and doors makes for a very pleasant driving experience, but the Bronco has more appeal on the road with its superior ride and handling.
The Bronco offers commendable capability and character in equal measure. The rugged design looks cool without trying too hard. As with the Wrangler, removing the Bronco's roof and doors makes for a very pleasant driving experience, but the Bronco has more appeal on the road with its superior ride and handling.
Off-road driver aids not only welcome beginners but tools like Trail Turn Assist add to the fun even for experienced off-road riders. And if getting a manual transmission isn't something to brag about, the Bronco does one better by giving you a super high-ratio crawler kit.
