Where do you start with such a legendary SUV as the Ford Bronco? Before it was discontinued back in 1996, the Bronco had built itself a reputation as one of the best SUVs that can churn up the dirt as a truly hardy off-roader, an SUV that can carry you and your gear around to most places, a practically indestructible SUV, and one that looks the part when doing it. Since it was then again gleefully received by all SUV fans in 2021, after a 25-year break, the Bronco’s reputation has not been tarnished and still offers the true grit we want from a proper SUV.
With the release of the sixth generation, the Ford Bronco has done a lot more than just make a lot of off-roading and overlanding aficionados happy; it has changed the face of the 2020s SUV market, and some would say for the better in a lot of ways. This is why we are taking a deeper look at how this legendary SUV’s comeback has shaken up the market, changed the modern SUV game altogether, what trims are available and what you get from the newest Bronco generation and models, and how it appeals to more of us than just those of us who like to get down and dirty in the mud and sand.
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The Return Of A Legendary SUV
Calling something a “legend” may have lost its shine in the modern world as it is used liberally for a lot of things, but from where we are sitting, and we are sure a lot of you will agree, the Ford Bronco is a true legend of the SUV world and automotive world. Released in 1966 as a truly utilitarian, boxy, and mud-munching SUV as a competitor to the Jeep CJ-5 and Toyota Land Cruiser, it didn’t take long for the Bronco to establish itself as a go-to model for rugged work.
Over the next thirty years, the Bronco’s design and purpose changed in line with shifting market tastes, but some things remained: its awesome off-road prowess, its bullet-proof build, and its massive fan base. 1996 saw the last model year of the fifth-generation rollout of the Wayne, Michigan plant, and with that, three decades of SUV greatness came to an end. But, we all got the much-needed rejoice that the SUV market was calling out for in 2021 when Ford announced that they were bringing back the Bronco.
The most rugged 4×4 ever! This is a classic Bronco from the Ford stable of rugged-built trucks and is apparently indestructible.
– Owner review of their 1979 Ford Bronco on Car Survey.org
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Why The Bronco’s Comeback Was The Moment SUV Fans Were Waiting For
The sixth-gen Bronco may be a divisive model for a lot of SUV fans, but what it did was bring back some good-old-fashioned SUV chops to a market that was seemingly totally obsessed with comfort features, a luxe interior, and highway experiences. The Bronco’s reintroduction changed that and made a lot of people very happy.
We are not saying that luxury SUVs are a bad thing for the market at all; they boast some den-like plushness, enjoyably smooth rides, some very impressive off-roading prowess, and all the tech we could ever need in a vehicle to keep us entertained on long journeys, but sometimes a bit of rough and ready is called for; this is where the Ford Bronco’s comeback takes center stage.
The 2021 Bronco lineup, much like the original generation, boasts the famous Bronco boxy shape that is recognizable on the trails, a blend of modern tech with nostalgic-inducing interior and exterior design cues, and a rugged-looking build made for the rough life. But, more importantly, for SUV fans, it brought back the original and most-loved purpose of the best SUVs: hard work, a no-nonsense nature, and off-roading guts, marking a shift in the 2020s SUV market compared to the latter part of the 2010s market.
How Ford Brought Back The Rugged, Off-Road Spirit Of The Classic
Alongside its rugged charm, with the re-release of the Bronco, Ford strived to recreate the classic iconic essence of the original Bronco, both in terms of looks and ability. Drawing heavy inspiration from the 1966 model, the first model year of the sixth generation boasts the iconic shape, round LED headlights, and the Bronco’s signature grille. But what they really concentrated on was bringing back the proper off-roading spirit that it can be argued was lacking throughout the 2010s, even with some of the best off-roaders of the decade. Boasting a high-strength, fully-boxed steel frame, a high maximum ground clearance of 11.6 inches, fully independent front suspension, solid rear axle, locking front and rear differentials, and a 33.5-inch maximum water-fording capability, true off-roading was back for good for the Bronco. All of this, plus some new gadgets and tech to please those of us who have gotten used to receiving some help from the smart features that make up a lot of modern SUVs.
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Redefining The Modern SUV Game
The 2021 reintroduction of the Bronco marked a change in market trends away from a solely refined modern SUV toward a modernly refined SUV that can behave off-road like an old-school adventurer. By combining off-road prowess with modern tech, Ford revitalized the adventure SUV market.
The SUV is currently very pricey and burgeoning from hundreds of models of SUVs and crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, which are great for urban commuting and some light off-road duties, but the Bronco’s return has shifted the focus back to utility, performance, and outdoor adventure thanks to a design that emphasizes off-road spirit, modular features, and cutting edge tech all wrapped up in a stylish and functional factory-ready off-roading menace.
Retro Vibes Meet Modern Tech: Blending Old-School Charm With Innovation
As we have mentioned, the exterior design has clearly been very heavily influenced by the older, boxier Broncos that used to rule the roads and trails. Both the new Land Cruiser and the newer Jeep Wranglers can be argued to do the same to the same degree as the Bronco, but for some, it is not quite as retro-looking, and thanks to the implementation of everything we want in a modern SUV alongside a more attractive design, Ford has found a fine balance that speaks to a lot of us.
Inside, the Bronco boasts a fully digital cockpit, featuring an 8-inch or 12-inch touchscreen, Ford’s 4SYNC system, and an available 360-degree camera. The Bronco also comes equipped with smartphone connectivity, wireless charging, inclusion of premium materials (an upgrade from the purely utilitarian materials found in models of yesteryear), and more importantly, for many of us, better safety features.
The 2021 Bronco Sport boasts a five-star safety rating, despite some recalls that would need to be addressed if you are looking at buying one, thanks to features such as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. These features not only keep us safe, but they make the Bronco a retro-looking, head-turning SUV that serves as a useful modern vehicle with a broad appeal to those of us looking to relive the old days with the design, but also those of us with families who want a classic-looking machine with all the bells and whistles of a modern SUV.
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Off-Road Dominance: Setting New Dirt-Destroying Standards
Because it has been designed as an off-roading SUV at heart, a lot of emphasis has been put into ensuring that the off-roading features match and exceed what its closest competition can muster. While the Wrangler has long been considered the gold standard for off-road performance in the compact SUV market, the new generation Bronco has taken aim at it with improved engineering and advanced tech.
Alongside the already mentioned features, the Bronco’s advanced 4×4 systems, available with two different transfer cases, provide us with well-placed torque distribution across all four wheels, while the introduction of G.O.A.T. (Go Over Any Terrain) in the new generation of Broncos bridges the gap between old-school utility and new-school tech-based off-roading with ease, with a lot of new drivers of the Bronco concurring that it is fantastic to take off-road.
Other available off-road features showcased on the Ford Bronco include:
- Trail Turn Assist. Tightens the turn radius by braking the inside rear wheel.
- Trail Control. A low-speed cruise control for off-road driving which manages throttle and braking so you can focus on steering.
- One Pedal Driving. The brakes apply when gas is released during rock crawling for control.
- HOSS (High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension). Designed for extreme off-roading, it utilizes long-travel suspension with Bilstein position-sensitive dampers for enhanced shock absorption.
- Sway Bar Disconnect. The front stabilizer bar can disconnect automatically under load, giving you better articulation on uneven ground.
- Washable Interior. The Bronco boasts marine-grade vinyl seats, rubber flooring, and built-in drain plugs, which allow for quick clean-ups.
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The 2025 Ford Bronco Lineup: Something For Everyone
Versatility is key in the modern SUV market, and while the Bronco is aimed at adventure, it has forced its market competition to consider making an SUV that can be truly used off-road on the weekends away, and every day as well. Not just a bit of both, but a lot of both.
What is also key is making something that seems very specialist, i.e., a pure off-roading SUV, while also appealing to everyone. The Bronco has managed that as well, with the 2024 Ford Bronco boasting a decent overall score of 76 out of 100, a high-reliability score of 77 out of 100, a low annual maintenance bill of $504, and a top average combined MPG rating of 26 MPG.
It really has been designed to be a jack of all trades with a huge amount of versatility.
2025 Ford Bronco Trims And Performance Specifications
What makes the Bronco a real market disruption and game-changer is the number of options and trims that are available, which not only makes it a versatile model for one driver but very appealing to a lot of different drivers.
- 2025 Ford Bronco Base. MSRP: $40,880. The no-thrills model provides essentials for off-road adventures. It boasts a manual transfer case and steel wheels, making it a blank canvas for aftermarket options.
- 2025 Ford Bronco Big Bend. MSRP: $42,960. It adds more comfort and convenience with features like heated seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, LED fog lights, and remote keyless entry.
- 2025 Ford Bronco Outer Banks. MSRP: $51,525. Tech and luxury come together. This trim boasts body-colored trim, 18-inch wheels, premium leather seats, and a 12-inch touchscreen.
- 2025 Ford Bronco Heritage Edition. MSRP: $52,560. Retro-inspired, this trim features an Oxford White grille, roof, and wheels, alongside plaid cloth seats and vintage-inspired interior details.
- 2025 Ford Bronco Badlands. MSRP: $52,980. Designed for extreme off-roading, the Badlands is equipped with the HOSS 2.0 suspension system, front and rear locking differentials, and heavy-duty skid plates.
- 2025 Ford Bronco Stroppe Edition. MSRP: $78,225. The return of the Stroppe namesake again, this Baja-inspired trim comes with race-ready suspension, upgraded tires, and exclusive Stroppe-style graphics.
- 2025 Ford Bronco Raptor. MSRP: $92,920. The Raptor is built for extreme performance with the largest powertrain option, Fox Live Valve suspensions, 37-inch tires, wider fenders, and reinforced underbody protection.
|
Engine |
2.3-Liter Turbocharged EcoBoost Inline-Four |
2.7-Liter Turbocharged EcoBoost V-6 |
3.0-Liter Turbocharged EcoBoost V-6 |
|
Transmission |
Seven-Speed Manual or Ten-Speed Automatic |
Ten-Speed Automatic |
Ten-Speed Automatic |
|
Horsepower |
275 Horsepower (300 Horsepower w/ Premium Fuel) |
315 Horsepower (330 Horsepower) |
418 Horsepower |
|
Torque |
315 LB-FT (325 LB-FT w/ Premium Fuel) |
410 LB-FT (415 LB-FT w/ Premium Fuel) |
440 LB-FT |
|
Driveline |
All-Wheel Drive |
All-Wheel Drive |
All-Wheel Drive |
|
0-60 MPH |
7.7 Seconds |
7.3 Seconds |
6.2 Seconds |
|
Top Speed |
99 MPH |
99 MPH |
130 MPH |
|
Towing Capacity |
3,500 LBS |
3,500 LBS |
4,500 LBS |
|
Payload Capacity |
Unverified |
Unverified |
Unverified |
Two-Door, Four-Door, And Customization: Options For Every Lifestyle
If the trims aren’t as special as you want them, you’re in luck – there are over 200 factory-backed accessories you can choose from to really make your Bronco your own. You can choose from options such as removable doors, soft tops or modular tops, roof racks, winches, off-road lights, MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-Carrying Equipment) panels, cameras, GPS devices, and pre-wired auxiliary switches, making the market-defining SUV that can appeal to literally everyone because of the ridiculous amount of available options.
On top of all that, there are also six different packages available for the 2025 Bronco; the Sasquatch Package, which includes 35-inch tires, Bilstein dampers, and a 4.7 final drive ratio, the Lux Package, which includes a 12-inch touchscreen, wireless charging and a Bang & Olufsen sound system, the Mid and High Packages, which offers gradual upgrades for feature like the dual-zone climate control system, remote start, the 360-degree camera, and ambient lighting.
The Tow Capability Package provides an upgraded hitch system, trailer sway control, and an integrated trailer brake controller, and the Off-Road Assistance Package boasts Trail Turn Assist, Trail Control, and enhanced underbody protection.
The Bronco’s Impact On The SUV Market
The Ford Bronco’s closest competitors are the Jeep Wrangler and the Toyota Land Cruiser. Both are renowned off-roading beasts with legendary and illustrious backgrounds, but thanks to the reintroduction of the Bronco, both have had to step up even further to be noticed, with the Wrangler going relatively unopposed for a long time.
How The Bronco Shakes Up The Competition
The new generation of the Toyota Land Cruiser has been designed with retro nostalgia in mind as well, with the more-classic-looking body design taking center stage, while as it goes up against the Bronco, new off-road features such as a fluidless disconnecting sway bar, a 30 percent increase in overall rigidity, and a 50 percent increase in frame rigidity are also boasted on top of everything the Land Cruiser to ensure it stays a versatile, off-road-worthy competitor for the return of the Bronco.
The Wrangler also stacks up against the Bronco well, but it has also had to up its game to stay in the fight. The Wrangler has always boasted a striking resemblance to the older models thanks to the front grille and headlights, and it continues to root for the retro option, but thanks to the increased competition in variety and customization available from the Bronco, the Wrangler has subsequently been boasted in new trims and engine options (including more fuel-conscious hybrid trims and a rumored upcoming EV Wrangler), and with upgraded off-road systems, interior designs, and grit about it.
When the Bronco came back to the market, it made a firm point of bringing back some old-school SUV kudos mixed with new-school tech, and thanks to that, some of our favorite SUV brands have had to get very competitive to stay relevant as true adventure SUVs that cater not only to the explorer in us but also the everyday driver on their where to work without losing sight of what a retro-inspired SUV should be; a great off-roader that turns heads.