Until recently, buyers who wanted four-seat convertibles with 4WD had one option, and it was the Jeep Wrangler. Ford decided to change all that by recreating the Bronco, which is now the Wrangler’s main competitor. Before rushing out to the ford dealership san antonio drivers should learn what they need to know about this unique off-road vehicle.
Bringing Back the Bronco.
It’s about time someone took Jeep to account. The brand has had the luxury of unbroken years with no competition for its off-road Wrangler. As a result, Jeep sells more Wranglers than any of its other vehicles.
Ford’s decision to bring back the Bronco was initially a difficult one. The automaker had limited resources to redesign a new variant of the old favorite, so the sixth-gen Bronco uses the same T6 Ranger pickup platform that dates back to 2011. Though that may sound dated, the designers took advantage of a theme to create a retro-modern charm.
The Bronco truly is the competitor the Jeep Wrangler has been missing for years. Ford’s off-roader has more space than a Wrangler, and all of its engines and transmissions are turbocharged for added energy and efficiency.
Changing the Game.
The Ford Bronco pushes the bar in other ways, too. The designers included modern features that have already forced Jeep to struggle to catch up.
In the Bronco, you’ll find things like side curtain airbags and a large touchscreen. These amenities aren’t always important to avid off-roaders, but they’re must-have features for most of today’s drivers, and they add a much-wanted dose of civility and comfort to four-wheeling that makes it more accessible to the average American.
Ford doesn’t sacrifice anything in the way of power or capability to include these modern amenities. The Bronco features powerful engine options, a topside cargo area, and frameless windows to complement the convertible soft-top.
How Does It Drive?
For avid off-road enthusiasts, the question isn’t what the Bronco looks like or whether it’s got a touchscreen. It’s how it drives and handles off-road.
In terms of handling, the Bronco Badlands hits a perfect sweet spot between the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and traditional, fully-enclosed body-on-frame SUVs. The vehicle’s wide stange, square styling gives it some extra space on the Wrangler, but the Bronco still handles like an off-road vehicle.
Buyers looking for some extra excitement should consider the Bronco Raptor, though. This trim level is the real wildcard. At 85.7” wide, it’s large, in-charge, and deeply capable off-road.
Drivers will immediately appreciate the Fox Live Valve suspension taken from the F-150 Raptor, which creates a downright luxury-level comfort for passengers and lets drivers take unmaintained dirt roads like they’re on pavement. Though the Bronco Raptor has a GVW of over 5,700 lbs, it remains nimble and almost playful.
The Bronco Raptor features a 3.0L twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6 engine good for 418 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque, which offers plenty of power for off-roading. Buyers will also get an upgrade to 37” tires from 35s and other off-road-ready alterations to make it a better adventure vehicle.
The Raptor trim of this already popular off-road SUV is also a genuine show-stopper on pavement. The SUV’s bold styling and commanding presence turn heads no matter where it goes.
A Tow Capacity That Rivals the Wrangler.
The Ford Bronco doesn’t just look cool and excel at getting drivers off-road for their favorite adventures. It also has a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs, which matches that of the Wrangler.
Buyers who want to make the most of their weekends and vacations will appreciate that this high tow capacity means they can bring along more off-roading toys, or even a small camper-trailer, to make every getaway exceptional.
The Bronco also rivals the Wrangler in terms of fuel economy, though few people interested in these kinds of 4×4 vehicles prioritize efficiency. The EcoBoost engines get drivers up to 20 mpg in the city or 22 mpg on the highway.
Cargo Space and Passenger Comfort.
Although it’s hard to make too many generalizations about the Ford Bronco’s comfort levels due to the many variants available, the line-topping models offer some pretty extreme luxury. Drivers who care only about adventure can get everything they need from entry-level and lower-trim models, including their choice of two or four doors, hardtops or soft tops, and removable body panels.
Every Bronco has a rack built into its dash to mount smartphones and GoPros and easy-to-remove frameless doors. The extended-wheelbase four-door Broncos even have enough room on board to store them. When exposed to the elements in this way, the cabin gets protection from available rubberized flooring and marine-grade upholstery.
For the most cargo space, buyers will want the four-door version of the Ford Bronco. This larger SUV has a middle seat in the rear, which allows seating for five, plus more legroom for added passenger comfort. More importantly, though, it adds extra length to the cargo area, which is 50% larger than that of the two-door Bronco.
Impressive Infotainment.
Modern drivers expect a lot from their infotainment systems, and Ford does not disappoint. The Bronco features the automaker’s latest in-dash Sync 4 software, which powers an impressive embedded 12-inch touchscreen.
This infotainment setup allows Ford to send over-the-air updates and users to connect to the cloud and their smartphones wirelessly. Buyers will also get important features like Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a WiFi hotspot in the entry model, plus available upgrades like built-in navigation and a powerful B&O stereo.
Does the Jeep Wrangler Have Genuine Competition?
Given its long stretch as the only truly off-road-ready 4×4 SUV, the Jeep Wrangler hasn’t seen any real competition in some time. The new Ford Bronco changes all that.
Not only does this vehicle offer the same off-road adventures as the Jeep, but it also draws in new drivers with added amenities, comforts, and options that Jeep has yet to match. The Bronco is perfect for both novice and experienced off-roaders alike.
With plenty of trim levels and options packages, any buyer will be able to find the perfect option to meet their needs and budget.