2021 Ford Bronco

Once a dominant staple in the sport utility segment, the Ford Bronco has been gone from the market since 1996. The Bronco came in many shapes and sizes during its 31-year, five-generation run, but the new Bronco, now in its sixth generation, returns with a clear purpose; dethrone the Jeep Wrangler. No automaker has dared tread on Jeep's turf in recent years, but Ford seems determined to give buyers an alternative option for a mid-size off-road adventure vehicle.

Like its key competitor, the 2021 Ford Bronco arrives sporting two-door and four-door variants, each with removable roofs and doors. A 270-horsepower 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder is standard paired to a new seven-speed manual transmission (including a crawler gear) or a 10-speed automatic, but a more potent 310-hp 2.7-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 delivers higher outputs and makes do with only the automatic. But whichever engine you choose, a 4x4 drivetrain is a staple. With breathtaking off-road performance, open-top thrills, and proven engines under the hood, the new Ford Bronco could give Jeep a reason to worry.

The 2021 Ford Bronco SUV is set to be a modern icon thanks to its retro looks that pay tribute to the original Bronco while incorporating contemporary design elements. In short, it looks really, really cool. The base model features a manual rear swing-gate with up to 150-degree swing, LED headlights, removable doors and top, and 16-inch silver-painted wheels wrapped in 255/70R16 All-Season 30-inch tires with 17-inch black high-gloss wheels being optional. Big Bend vehicles get standard 32-inch tires. The Black Diamond trim adds full underbody bash plates, rock rails, and added tow hooks. Wildtrak cars get some cool-looking graphics. At the higher end of the trim lineup, vehicles such as the First Edition and Wildtrak benefit from standard 17-inch wheels with 35-inch tires. The optional Sasquatch package adds off-road focused features such as high-clearance suspension, high-clearance fender flares, 35-inch tires, and mud-terrain tires. Each trim level gets unique fender badges, while the base model with the Sasquatch package (nicknamed the Basesquatch) receives a one-of-a-kind Sasquatch logo. The 2-door Bronco is only available with a hardtop roof, while the 4-door Bronco can be specced with a soft top.

The Bronco is all about off-road performance, and its overall dimensions play a massive role in its ability to conquer even the most challenging obstacles. One of the key ingredients is a short wheelbase: the two-door features a wheelbase of only 100.4 inches, while 4-door Broncos are much longer with a wheelbase of 116.1 inches. Overall length is measured at 173.7 inches for two-door models (174.8 inches for the Badlands trim) and 189.4 inches for the four-door (the Badlands measures at 190.5 inches). The height of the Bronco ranges from 71.9 inches for the two-door base model all the way up to 75.3 inches for the four-door Wildtrak. The available roof rack adds another 3.6 inches to the two-door and 3.4 inches to the four-door. Width ranges from 75.9 inches for the base and Big Bend models up to 79.3 inches for the Wildtrak.

But if you're going to challenge the Wrangler, then it's the off-road dimensions that matter most. To this end, the best-case scenario sees approach/breakover/departure angles of 43.2/29/37.2 degrees for two-door models with the Sasquatch Package, while four-door derivatives boast a weaker 26.3-degree breakover and 37-degree departure angle. Base models are less adept but still impressive at 35.5/21/1/29.8 degrees in two-door form and 35.5/20/29.7 degrees in four-door format. With the Sasquatch Package's extra clearance of up to 11.6 inches, the Bronco can ford 33.5 inches of water.

As for curb weight, in any configuration, the Bronco is a heavy machine, but that's testament to its hardy construction. At the lower end of the spectrum, a 4,319-pound base weight accompanies the two-door with the 2.3L motor and manual gearbox, while the auto adds 20 lbs. The 2.7L/automatic gearbox combination weighs in at 4,491 lbs. Four-door models add 170-180 lbs. The heaviest configuration weighs in at 4,661 lbs.

The stylish exterior design of the new Ford Bronco wouldn't be complete without a range of equally exciting colors, and the good news is that Ford has delivered 11 stellar ones. The base model is available in Shadow Black, Oxford White, Antimatter Blue, Iconic Silver, Carbonized Gray, Velocity Blue, and Rapid Red ($295). The Big Bend trim adds Cactus Gray, Area 51, and Race Red. The Black Diamond trim features the awesome Cyber Orange tri-coat for an additional $595, and the First Edition is available with Lightning Blue as one of its limited five-color palette. With so many trims and color options available, the Bronco offers nearly endless possibilities for personalization.

When Ford designed the Bronco, the plan was always to offer excellent off-road performance, without ruining the on-road dynamics entirely, fixing one of the biggest inherent issues with the Wrangler. The two available EcoBoost powertrain options provide loads of power for both situations. This heavy off-roader ain't no slowpoke either; independent testing has revealed a 0-60 mph time of under six seconds for the 2.7-liter car and a quarter-mile time of 14.2 seconds. The Bronco has a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs, exactly matching that of the Wrangler, and we suspect this is no coincidence.

Though its on-road performance isn't on the same level as a crossover, or even the new Land Rover Defender, the Bronco makes up for it off the beaten path. No matter what type of off-roading you enjoy, the Bronco can handle it. It features new "GOAT" driving modes (Goes Over Any type Of Terrain), including Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, Sand, Baja, Mud/Ruts, and Rock Crawl. The off-road toy chest is filled with other goodies too, such as two 4x4 systems with an electric or shift-on-the-fly transfer case, Dana 44 solid rear axle, available Spicer Performa-TraK electronic locking differentials, Trail Control, Trail One Pedal Drive, and a cool new Trail Turn Assist that uses torque vectoring to reduce the turning radius. Every Bronco gets a High-Performance Off-Road, Stability, independent Suspension (HOSS) system with long-travel coil springs, while the Sasquatch models gain Bilstein dampers with end-stop control valves. Standard on the Badlands trim, the Bronco gets a stabilizer bar disconnect to improve rock-crawling capability. The 7-speed manual transmission boasts the best crawl ratio of 94.75:1 in its dedicated crawler gear, while the 10-speed automatic offers up to a 67.8:1 ratio with the optional advanced 4x4 transfer case.

You won't find any naturally-aspirated options here like you do in the Wrangler. Ford offers the 2021 Bronco with two engine options, starting with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder with 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the Broncos four-wheel-drive system via a seven-speed manual transmission with a low-range crawler-gear ratio of 94.75:1 or an optional 10-speed automatic box. If you're after more power, the 2.7-liter turbo V6 engine offers 310 hp and a chunky 400 lb-ft. This larger motor is exclusively paired to the 10-speed automatic. The standard 4WD system uses a two-speed electronic shift-on-the-fly transfer case, and both two and four-door cars are offered with an available advanced 4x4 system that features a two-speed electromechanical transfer case with auto-engaging 2H or 4H. Electronic locking differentials are an optional extra.

We only had a chance to experience the 2.7-liter EcoBoost out on the road, though the 2.3-liter felt more than adequate for off-road duties. Compared to the Jeep Wrangler with the Pentastar V6, EcoDiesel V6, or turbocharged four-cylinder, the V6-powered Bronco delivers much more confident acceleration. It requires far less planning to overtake slower traffic, and the engine seems less stressed at higher speeds. We felt some less-than-smooth shifts from Ford's 10-speed automatic, it wasn't enough to ruin the driving experience. Jeep's eight-speed automatic still excels with seamless shifts that are smoother than we experienced in the Bronco.

The Bronco was built to achieve peak off-road performance, but we came away more impressed with its on-road manners. Compared to a Wrangler, the Bronco feels like less of a compromise on a winding road or a highway. Ford's choice to use an independent front suspension might compromise customizability for owners who want their Bronco SUV lifted and want to buy 42-inch tires, but it pays dividends in everyday driving. The Bronco doesn't bounce over speed humps; it manages them reasonably. It doesn't shake and shimmy on rough roads; it has an ounce of grace. Most notably, you can actually feel what the front end is doing because the Bronco uses a three-mode rack-and-pinion steering rack. This is, by far, the greatest improvement over the Wrangler's recirculating ball unit. Ford felt bold enough to let us test the Bronco on a curvy road, and in that environment, it outshines the Wrangler with ease.

Granted, there are still a few compromises one must make in a Bronco. There's significant wind noise (even with the hardtop), and the optional Sasquatch tires add more road noise than the more reasonable tire setup. In corners, the suspension leans pretty heavily, but with pretty accurate steering, it's reasonably fun.

While the Bronco surprised on the road, it morphed into a superstar when the pavement ended. Anyone who buys a new Bronco gets a trip to one of Ford's new Bronco Off-Roadeo locations, where they can learn how to properly drive their vehicle over obstacles. We highly suggest taking advantage of this opportunity, as it demonstrates the advanced off-road functions available in the Bronco. We mostly piloted Sasquatch-equipped models with the front and rear axle lockers, and other off-road features. The Bronco never felt ill-equipped for a challenge, barely requiring its low range setting aside from a few tricky sections. With Baja, Mud/Ruts, and Rock Crawl modes on the G.O.A.T. selector, few off-road situations will flummox the Bronco. The Trail Turn Assist was our favorite feature, and a potential game-changer for off-road enthusiasts. This system brakes the inside wheel when it detects a full-lock on the steering wheel, helping to nudge the car around tight bends. It's a magical feeling when the 75.9-inch-wide Bronco whips around a bend that would otherwise take multiple maneuvers.

According to the EPA, the Bronco's gas mileage figures range from acceptable to atrocious. The most fuel-efficient model is the 2.3-liter base model that delivers 20/22/21 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycles in both automatic and manual configuration. The automatic 2.7-liter will return 18/20/19 mpg, and the 2.3-liter Black Diamond/Sasquatch will manage 18/18/18 mpg, but the worst combination is the 2.3-liter Badlands model with the manual, attaining pretty thirsty fuel economy figures of 16/18/17 mpg. Only the Wrangler Rubicon 392 performs worse, and Jeep has a hybrid variant that knocks the socks off the Ford in this regard.

Two different fuel tanks are available, with two-door models getting a 16.9-gallon capacity while the four-door boasts 20.8 gallons.

As with the exterior, the interior of the 2021 Ford Bronco takes on a rugged yet modern appearance and looks like it will stand up to even the most hardcore overlanding trips. The chunky dashboard neatly houses all significant controls, and the overall look seamlessly blends in with the overarching theme of beefy dimensions and brawny looks. Ford offers the Bronco with off-road friendly features such as rubberized floors, marine-grade vinyl seats and even includes integrated drainage ducts for when that river crossing is deeper than you expected. The new Bronco also tips its hat to the original with its retro LCD instrument panel, but there's nothing old school about the optional 12-inch infotainment display. Sure, it's no Range Rover, but we think Ford nailed the look and feel of the Bronco's interior; it perfectly matches the look and attitude of the rest of the car.

As a very customizable SUV, the Ford Bronco ranges from quite impractical to very handy depending on its door count. While we love the styling of the two-door model, it offers a tiny back seat with just 35.7 inches of legroom. Total interior volume is only 99 cubic feet in the two-door, with seating for just four people. Stepping up to the four-door model adds a middle seat in the back, but surprisingly only 36.3 inches of legroom and seating for five people despite the nearly 16 inches extra between the wheelbase. Both Ford Bronco models offer an acceptable 43.1 inches of legroom up front. Like a Wrangler, the Bronco feels compromised compared to a unibody crossover, but that's the price you pay for iconic styling and supreme off-road performance.

Much like a pickup truck, the Bronco starts spartan inside, then gets progressively nicer as you move up the trim ladder. The base Bronco ships with cloth seats and carpeted floors, while the Big Bend adds a leather steering wheel and gear knob with optional heated seats. The Black Diamond adds Marine-grade vinyl-trimmed seats with rubberized washout flooring, perfect for buyers who plan to track mud into their vehicle. Badlands models can have the vinyl seats too, or optional leather. The Outer Banks and Wildtrak trims start to add more luxury to the mix, with cloth heated front bucket seats or optional leather. Finally, the First Edition includes unique blue leather in the cabin. Each Bronco trim level comes bundled with an interior color theme, some of which can clash with certain exterior paint options.

The two-door and four-door models vary greatly with regards to usable cargo space. The two-door Bronco provides only 22.4 cubic feet of space behind the backseat, growing to 52.3 cubic feet with the 60/40 split-folding back seats folded down. Naturally, the four-door will offer more space - that's where the bulk of those 16 inches of extra wheelbase went: you get 35.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats, which is enough space to store the four pieces of either the roof or doors. Drop the 50/50 split-fold seats, and you get 77.6 cubic feet of space, but with the soft-top instead of a hardtop, both of these figures increase to 383 and 83 cubic feet, respectively. It's also worth noting the four-door's rear seats fold flatter than they do in the two-door.

Small items can be stashed in the two front cupholders, front-row top panel storage bag, center console storage bin, glove box, or generous door and seatback pockets. There's also space for a phone and a set of keys in front of the shifter. Ford will even offer various off-road storage accessories to equip in the cargo area.

The Bronco ranges from basic to premium across its broad range of trims. The base model comes standard with features like remote keyless access with push-button start, an eight-inch color LCD instrument panel, the awesome G.O.A.T. terrain management system with five modes, four smart charging USB ports, single-zone manual air conditioning, a manual tilt and telescoping steering column, seating with six-way manual adjustability up front, and driver aids such as post-collision braking, trailer sway control, auto high-beam headlamps, and pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking. Going for the Outer Banks trim will score you a remote starting system, lane-keep assist, cross-traffic assist, ambient footwell lighting, a high-level instrument panel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and heated front seats. The Badlands trim features hardcore off-roading gear such as advanced 4x4 with automatic on-demand engagement, electronic-locking front and rear axles, and front stabilizer bar disconnect. The top of the range First Edition adds premium features such as wireless phone charging and power-adjustable leather seats (four-door only). Upper trims also get more drive modes, and an overhead console with all the switchgear you'll need when you remove the doors.

Base Bronco models ship with an eight-inch Sync4 touchscreen packing Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, plus an eight-inch color LCD screen in the instrument cluster, so even the least expensive versions have nice technology. Adding the Mid Package equipment group bundles built-in navigation, dual-zone automatic climate control, and more. The Lux Package brings the screen size to 12 inches and bumps the phone connectivity to wireless. This is the same screen used in the F-150, with the same intuitive user interface. Also included in the Lux Package is a 10-speaker B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen, which easily overpowers the wind noise and is a massive upgrade on the standard six-speaker setup. Though the eight-inch screen is large enough for most buyers, we loved the added size of the upgraded screen.

There's no reliability review for the Ford Bronco just yet, as it is an all-new model, so the jury is still out. The good news is that while the vehicle may be new, the engines certainly aren't, and have been put through their paces in numerous other vehicles where they have proven to be safe bets. Ford covers the Bronco with a basic three-year/36,000-mile warranty, a five-year corrosion warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and roadside assistance for five years, or 60,000 miles.

Unfortunately, there is no safety review of the Bronco from the NHTSA or the IIHS, but as a likely high-volume seller, we don't think it'll be too long before these agencies give it a thorough evaluation.

Every Ford Bronco in the lineup comes standard with a six-airbag system, AdvanceTrac stability control, and Ford's Co-Pilot 360 package. The base model comes standard with pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, post-collision braking, trailer sway control, and auto high-beam headlamps. Trail control is offered on ten-speed-equipped models, as is trail turn assist. Trail one-pedal drive is offered on 2.7-liter cars with the ten-speed auto box. Higher up in the range, driver assistance features such as lane-keep assist, evasive steering assist, cross-traffic assist, and a reverse sensing system become available. In this regard, the Bronco packs the best of Ford's feature catalog, while it's nearest rival simply relies on having your wits about you.

Jeep has had the dedicated off-roader segment to itself for far too long; finally, there's some competition, and serious competition at that. The 2021 Ford Bronco doesn't just take a haymaker swing at the Wrangler, it lands calculated body blows to put Jeep on the ropes. Jeep restricts its bigger tires to the Rubicon, so Ford offers the Sasquatch Package on all trim levels. Jeep has an 8.4-inch touchscreen, so Ford shoves in a 12-inch unit. Jeep owners believe pure off-road performance must come at the expense of road manners, so Ford proves you can have both. It just goes on, and on, and on. Unless you live your life on 42-inch tires, we can see few areas where the Bronco doesn't outshine the Wrangler.

Let's put things into perspective, the Bronco still compromises on space and comfort in an effort to maximize off-road performance, but those compromises feel less severe. The available creature comforts make the Bronco a reasonable daily driver but if you seldom plan to take it off-road, the more mainstream Bronco Sport could be more suited to your lifestyle. But, if you are ready to take the plunge into a more adventurous vehicle lifestyle, the Bronco is ready for action, and the Jeep Wrangler better watch its back.

Ford plans on selling a ton of Broncos, and starting at just $28,500; the newcomer is perfectly priced to compete with the likes of the Jeep Wrangler. The base two-door Ford Bronco has a price of $28,500, excluding a destination fee of $1,495. Adding another set of doors will push that price up to $33,200, and going for the larger 2.7-liter engine will add another $1,895 to the asking price. The Big Bend Ford Bronco starts at a price of $33,385 for the two-door and $35,880 for the four-door. Black Diamond derivatives cost $36,050 in two-door trim and $38,545 in four-door trim. The Outer Banks Bronco is $38,955 in two-door trim and crosses the $40k mark in four-door spec with a price of $41,450. The Badlands trim costs $42,095 in two-door configuration, rising to $44,590 for the four-door. Wildtrak models start at $46,980, and top out at $49,475. The top-of-the-line First Edition costs $56,915 in two-door guise and will set you back $61,110 in four-door spec. The First Edition is a full-house package, but with optional accessories fitted, you can expect an asking MSRP of $63,550.

There are seven trim levels on offer, starting with the base model, followed by the Big Bend, Black Diamond, Outer Banks, Badlands, Wildtrak, and First Edition. Ford offers the Bronco with a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, or a 2.7-liter turbocharged V6 engine with 310 hp and 400 lb-ft. Power is sent to all four wheels via a seven-speed manual or ten-speed automatic transmission, the latter being the only transmission with the larger engine.

The base model comes standard with features such as single-zone manual air conditioning, an eight-inch infotainment display, and driver aids such as post-collision braking, trailer sway control, pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, and auto high-beam headlamps. The eight-inch infotainment display includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, Bluetooth, and a six-speaker sound system.

Big Bend models add features such as 17-inch Carbonized Gray alloy wheels with 32-inch all-terrain tires, a Carbonized gray grille, side steps, LED fog lamps, an extra G.O.A.T drive mode, and a leather steering wheel, but also far greater feature availability.

The Black Diamond gets custom 17-inch gloss black steel wheels, underbody bash plates, rock rails, two hooks, a rear locking differential, a black-molded grille, rubberized flooring with drain plugs, another G.O.A.T. drive mode, and Marine-grade vinyl seats.

The Outer Banks Bronco features 18-inch alloy wheels with 32-inch tires, blind-spot assist with cross-traffic alert, and tube-step running boards. This trim also includes a remote start system, lane-keep assist, a high-level instrument panel, ambient footwell lighting, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. The sound system also gets upgraded to a Bang & Olufsen system with ten speakers, and a navigation system becomes standard.

The Badlands gets serious with a standard advanced 4x4 system with automatic on-demand engagement, electronic-locking front and rear axles, and a front stabilizer bar disconnect. The Badlands also features upgraded bash plates and rock rails.

The Wildtrak benefits from front and rear locking differentials, high-clearance suspension, a molded-in-color hardtop, cool-looking hood graphics, a black grille, and black wheels.

First Edition cars feature a 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise control, increased sound deadening, a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment display, a wireless phone charging pad, leather seats, and power-adjustable front seats (four-door models only).

At a cost of $4,995, any Ford Bronco model can be equipped with the hardcore Sasquatch package. This package adds 17-inch black gloss wheels with 35-inch mud-terrain tires, a 4.7 final drive ratio with an electronic locking front and rear axle, high clearance suspension, and high-clearance fenders. The Big Bend is the first with the available with the $1,495 Mid Package (222A), which adds features such as two-door intelligent access, ambient footwell lighting, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a reverse sensing system, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, remote start, and navigation. The Outer Banks trim is offered with the $3,590 Lux Package (314A), including adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, wireless phone charging, a universal garage door opener, and a B&O ten-speaker sound system. Badlands models can be had with the $2,790 High Package (333A), which adds a 12-inch touchscreen, added sound deadening, a 360-degree camera system, and a forward sensing system, amongst others.

We could spend hours configuring our dream Bronco on Ford's massive configurator, but our recommendation would change drastically depending on usage. Personally, we'd spec a two-door base model with the manual transmission and Sasquatch Package (the Basesquatch), then call it a day at just over $38,000. Buyers who plan to drive on-road more than off-road will prefer the four-door Outer Banks trim with the Lux Package, larger 2.7-liter V6, and safety features, a nearly $52,000 vehicle. Loaded up with packages and accessories, the price of the Bronco can exceed $60,000, but we personally feel this type of vehicle should remain more humble. Like a Wrangler or a pickup truck, few Broncos will be exactly the same, leaving owners endless room for personalization.

They might share the same name, but these two vehicles couldn't be more different if they tried. Whereas the Ford Bronco is a hardcore off-roading machine, the Bronco Sport is more of a city-dwelling SUV. From the outside, it is clear who these cars are targeted towards: the Bronco Sport has softer features and a more urban-friendly appearance in general. It is also smaller than the full-blooded Bronco and rides on a unibody chassis, whereas the Bronco uses a traditional body-on-frame setup, giving the Sport vastly more comfort. Under the hood, the Sport is offered with a 181 hp 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine or a 245 hp 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, both less powerful than the options available in the Bronco. This does, however, mean a cheaper fuel bill. The Bronco Sport also lacks the genuine 4H and 4L 4x4 system found in the Bronco, but its own AWD system is still semi-capable off-road. The interior of the Bronco Sport is more car-like and is only available with Ford's Sync 3 system. If it were up to us, we'd go with the Bronco every time, but those who don't live the off-road life will be happier with the Sport.

At a similar price as the 2021 Ford Bronco, the Jeep Wrangler offers similar off-road capability and is the Bronco's closest rival. Under the hood of the Wrangler, you'll find either a 3.6-liter naturally-aspirated V6 engine producing 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine making 270 hp and 295 lb-ft, or a powerful 3.0-liter diesel engine with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. It even boasts a 470-hp V8 option and a hybrid version that the Bronco can't compete with. For off-roading purposes, the diesel engine reigns supreme. Both cars make use of Dana front and rear axles, but the Wrangler offers one feature absent in the Bronco; a limited-slip differential (when not going for locking differentials). The Wrangler features a shorter wheelbase at 96.8 inches in two-door guise but a longer wheelbase of 118.4 inches in a four-door configuration. The Wrangler also offers a superior approach angle, but break-over and departure angles are a mixed bag depending on trim and the number of doors in play. The Sasquatch Bronco has the upper hand in ground clearance and water-fording levels. The Wrangler offers slightly less interior space and loses out in terms of cargo capacity. On paper, things may seem close initially, but the Bronco is vastly superior on-road, has more comfort and convenience, and more safety features. Being very close to the Wrangler off-road, we're of the opinion that if you're not modding for off-road glory, the Bronco is the better of the two.