2021 Ford Bronco Review

　　

2021 Ford Bronco Review

byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　Just like Hollywood, Ford has no qualms about remakes of past hits. Its latest is the 2021 Ford Bronco, which is both a revival of a famous nameplate and a highly capable off-road 4x4. After a 20-plus-year absence, this storied SUV has arrived at Ford dealerships boasting the style and spirit of the original 1966 Bronco. Its strong off-road capability, extensive customization options and modern technology features make it an intriguing rival to the Jeep Wrangler, Toyota 4Runner and Land Rover Defender.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Ford Bronco 2dr SUV 4WD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 7M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$226/mo  for Bronco Base

　　Bronco Base

　　2dr SUV 4WD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 7M) - $28,500 MSRP2dr SUV 4WD w/Advanced 4x4 (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $30,890 MSRP4dr SUV 4WD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $33,200 MSRP4dr SUV 4WD w/Advanced 4x4 (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $33,995 MSRPBig Bend 2dr SUV 4WD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 7M) - $33,385 MSRPBig Bend 2dr SUV 4WD w/Advanced 4x4 (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $35,775 MSRPBig Bend 4dr SUV 4WD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 7M) (Most Popular) - $35,880 MSRPBig Bend 4dr SUV 4WD w/Advanced 4x4 (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $38,270 MSRPBlack Diamond 2dr SUV 4WD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 7M) - $36,050 MSRPBlack Diamond 2dr SUV 4WD w/Advanced 4x4 (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 7M) - $36,845 MSRPBlack Diamond 4dr SUV 4WD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 7M) - $38,545 MSRPBlack Diamond 4dr SUV 4WD w/Advanced 4x4 (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 7M) - $39,340 MSRPOuter Banks 2dr SUV 4WD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $38,955 MSRPOuter Banks 2dr SUV 4WD w/Advanced 4x4 (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $40,545 MSRPOuter Banks 4dr SUV 4WD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $41,450 MSRPOuter Banks 4dr SUV 4WD w/Advanced 4x4 (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $43,040 MSRPBadlands 2dr SUV 4WD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 7M) - $42,095 MSRPBadlands 4dr SUV 4WD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 7M) - $44,590 MSRPWildtrak 2dr SUV 4WD (2.7L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $46,980 MSRPWildtrak 4dr SUV 4WD (2.7L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $49,475 MSRPFirst Edition 2dr SUV 4WD (2.7L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $56,915 MSRPFirst Edition 4dr SUV 4WD (2.7L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $61,110 MSRP

　　vs

　　$166/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　Available in two- and four-door versions, the 2021 Bronco is a body-on-frame vehicle like traditionally defined SUVs and most modern pickup trucks. (Just don't confuse it with the Bronco Sport. That's an entirely different, smaller and less capable vehicle that's based on the Ford Escape crossover SUV.) Power comes by way of a standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine or an optional and more powerful turbocharged V6. It also has cool touches such as an easily removable roof and doors and available rubberized floors with drain plugs — remove them and you literally see the ground underneath.

　　Not all remakes are good, but Ford has created a blockbuster hit with the new Bronco. Getting your hands on one — and paying a fair price — might be difficult for this inaugural year, but overall this is a great pick for a SUV with loads of rugged character and rock-crawling capability.

　　

What's it like to live with?

We got our hands on a 2021 Ford Bronco First Edition and can't wait to spend 20,000 miles with it as it joins our long-term review fleet. We'll put the Bronco through its paces, check out where it shines and where it comes up short and find out who on the team most excels at cleaning crusted dirt off brushed steel. long-term review fleet.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the Bronco drive? Whether you stick with the turbo four-cylinder or opt for the turbo V6, the Bronco has sufficient and smooth power for daily driving with a quick-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission. The extra oomph from the V6 makes on-ramps and short merges easier and more fun, and the V6 Bronco reaches 60 mph from a standstill in 7.3 seconds, an average showing considering the big tires and four-door configuration.

　　Jumping hard on the brakes produces plenty of nosedive — normal for off-road SUVs — though emergency stopping distances were much longer than we'd like. From 60 mph, a panic stop took 146 feet — we typically see that kind of distance with heavy-duty pickup trucks. It should be noted that our test Bronco was equipped with the Sasquatch off-road package and its rugged tires, but other Broncos we've tested with less aggressive rubber only stopped a mere 10 feet shorter — that's still longer than we'd like to see.

　　The real star is the steering. Thanks to an independent front suspension, the Bronco's steering wheel relays confidence and stability to its driver at freeway speeds. While you shouldn't expect excitement on curvy roads, you'll appreciate that the steering on long-distance drives won't leave you fatigued.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Bronco? While far from a luxury vehicle, the Bronco is more comfortable on the road than an equivalent Jeep Wrangler, its most direct competitor. The Bronco's seats feature better support and enough adjustments to reduce fatigue on long freeway drives. A truck-based construction means the ride is a bit firmer and bouncier than in other SUVs, but not enough to make you want to drive it any less.

　　The available, and effective, dual-zone climate control allows you to adjust the intensity of the auto setting, and the heated front seats work extremely fast, which is excellent if you've got the doors off on a cold day. The removable hardtop lets in a significant amount of wind noise at pretty much any speed, dragging down the Bronco's score in this category. There were also several rattles and vibrations during our off-road testing.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? Like other off-road vehicles, getting in and out of the Bronco can require a decent step up or down, but there are plenty of grab handles placed throughout the cabin to help. We'd prefer the front grab handles be placed on the windshield pillars instead of the dashboard, but they'll do in a pinch. Inside, the generous adjustment ranges for the driver's seat and steering wheel will ensure that all controls and gauges are within easy view. We appreciate the large and chunky physical controls — their size and placement make them easy to see and use when you're wearing gloves.

　　Lots of headroom makes the Bronco's interior feel large. This feeling continues in the rear seat, even in two-door models, but accessing those seats in the two-door Bronco can feel like a pinch because the front seats don't slide forward far enough.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? There's the usual mix of standard and available driver's aids, including adaptive cruise control and exterior cameras. On top of that, the Bronco is available with a suite of useful off-road driver aids that can be individually controlled by experienced drivers or automatically deployed by the vehicle through different drive modes for novices. Unfortunately, we found some of the systems, including the adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist, are poorly tuned.

　　Otherwise, the Bronco benefits from the latest Ford infotainment and connectivity software. The center display boasts clean graphics and easy integration with Android and Apple smartphones whether you want to use a cable or go wireless. The stereo in our test vehicle had trouble covering up road noise at freeway speeds.

　　

Storage

7.0/10

　　How’s the storage? The Bronco's bigger size compared to the Wrangler translates into a larger interior with more cargo volume. But the four-door Bronco has a touch less space than the similarly sized Toyota 4Runner. The Bronco's rear swing gate opens to the passenger side and stays in place thanks to a strut. On hardtop models, the rear glass folds up easily, but the soft top doesn't open as far and needs a prop rod to stay up.

　　Interior storage options are adequate, with an appropriate number of cupholders and nooks and crannies for personal items. The netting on the door pockets is too shallow for most water bottles. The front seatbacks on some models have Molle-style attachment points for hanging equipment.

　　An optional trailer hitch that includes four- and seven-pin connectors gives the Bronco the ability to tow up to 3,500 pounds. A trailer brake controller is not included but is available as an accessory. All Broncos can be flat-towed (all four wheels on the ground).

　　

Fuel Economy

6.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? Because it's a newer vehicle with a 10-speed automatic transmission, we expected better from the Bronco's fuel economy. Four-cylinder Broncos have an EPA-estimated fuel economy ranging from 17 to 20 mpg combined. Similarly, six-cylinder versions range from 17 mpg combined to 19 mpg combined. Generally these figures are lower than those for comparable Jeep Wrangler models.

　　Our test vehicle, a four-door First Edition Bronco with the 2.7-liter V6, had an EPA estimate of 17 mpg. We were able to match that estimate in mixed driving, but aside from the Jeep's V8-powered 392, that's a lower estimate than any Wrangler you can buy.

　　

Value

7.0/10

　　Is the Bronco a good value? Some people might be disappointed with a few cheap-looking interior materials in the Bronco, especially in higher-end models, but others may see the benefit to long-term durability when the interior is exposed to the elements. The Bronco delivers off-road hardware more broadly through its pricing spectrum than the Jeep Wrangler, providing greater access for shoppers at different price points. It should be noted, though, that our test vehicle was a First Edition Bronco that cost over $60,000. That's a big price tag, but thankfully it comes with pretty much all the standard and optional equipment that the Bronco offers.

　　Warranty and ownership perks are about average with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. The corrosion warranty lasts five years regardless of mileage, and roadside assistance is provided for five years or 60,000 miles.

　　

Wildcard

10.0/10

　　The Bronco offers praiseworthy capability and character in equal measure. Its rugged design looks cool without trying too hard. As with the Wrangler, removing the Bronco's roof and doors makes for a highly enjoyable driving experience, but the Bronco has more on-road appeal with its superior ride and handling.

　　The off-road driver aids not only welcome rookies, but tools such as the Trail Turn Assist add genuine fun even for seasoned off-roaders. And if getting a manual transmission wasn't a bragging right already, the Bronco does one better by giving you a super high-ratio crawler gear.

　　

Which Bronco does zzdcar recommend?

How dedicated you are to the off-roading lifestyle will certainly affect your decision, but we think the Big Bend is a great place to start. It offers a few extra items to differentiate it from the Base trim level and has access to the feature-filled Mid package. Should you really want to hit rugged trails, the Sasquatch package is also available.

　　

2021 Ford Bronco models

The 2021 Ford Bronco is a four-wheel-drive SUV available in seven trim levels: Base, Big Bend, Black Diamond, Outer Banks, Badlands, Wildtrak and the limited-production First Edition. It's also available as either a two-door or a four-door and can be kitted out with a long list of options, ranging from appearance and personalization options to different roofs to off-road hardware, wheels and other accessories. Highlighted features include:

　　Base:

　　Starts you off with:

　　2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (300 horsepower, 325 lb-ft) Seven-speed manual transmission or optional 10-speed automatic 16-inch steel wheels Tow hooks (two front, one rear) LED headlights Hardtop (two-door versions) or soft top (four-door versions) Digital instrument panel Cloth upholstery Six-way manually adjustable front seats Power windows 8-inch infotainment touchscreen Six-speaker audio system Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration (with wireless connectivity) Push-button start Basic terrain management system with five drive modesThe Bronco's optional engine is a turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 good for 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. It comes with the 10-speed automatic transmission.

　　All Broncos also come with:

　　Hill start assist (momentarily holds the brakes to keep the Bronco from rolling backward at a stop) Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time) Hill descent control (keeps the Bronco at a constant speed while descending steep slopes) Trailer sway damping (adjusts vehicle brakes to help control trailer movement if a trailer begins to sway) Trail Turn Assist (can help the Bronco make very tight turns when off-road; automatic transmission only)Big Bend

　　Adds some style and a few other features, such as:

　　LED foglights Different grille Tinted second-row and rear windows 17-inch alloy wheels Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob Interior grab handles Upgraded terrain management system with six modesBlack Diamond

　　Ratchets up the off-road capability with:

　　Heavy-duty front and rear bumpers Skid plates Black grille Rock rails (prevents body damage while off-roading) 17-inch steel wheels with all-terrain tires Prewired auxiliary switches Vinyl upholstery Rubber flooring Seven-mode terrain management systemOuter Banks

　　A fancier version of the Big Bend trim thanks to:

　　Body color-painted door handles, fender flares and mirrors 18-inch aluminum wheels with all-terrain tires Side step rails Upgraded LED headlights Contents of the Mid package (detailed below)Badlands

　　Combines the Big Bend's features and the Black Diamond's off-roading-oriented features. It also has:

　　Upgraded LED headlights Unique Badlands suspension Front stabilizer bar disconnect (allows for improved wheel articulation for off-road driving) Seven-mode terrain management systemWildtrak

　　Builds on the Outer Banks with:

　　Turbocharged V6 engine Special graphics Hardtop Prewired auxiliary switches Seven-mode terrain management system Contents of the Mid and Sasquatch packages (detailed below)First Edition

　　This limited-production trim adds to the Badlands with:

　　Turbocharged V6 engine First Edition hood and body-side graphics Heavy-duty bumper with brush guard Leather and vinyl upholstery Heated front seats Power-adjustable front seats Contents of the Mid, High, Lux and Sasquatch packagesHere's what you need to know about the Bronco's main optional packages.

　　Sasquatch package:

　　Optional on most trim levels, it adds more off-road capability thanks to:

　　17-inch beadlock-capable alloy wheels (beadlocks can secure the tire to the wheel to help maintain tire pressure at low pressure settings) 35-inch mud-terrain tires Shorter final drive ratio with electronically locking front and rear axles Lifted suspension Modified fender flaresMid package

　　Adds more tech and convenience via:

　　Proximity keyless entry Ambient interior lighting Auto-dimming rearview mirror Dual-zone climate control Heated front seats Remote start (available only with automatic transmission) Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking) Upgraded 8-inch touchscreen Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse) Lane keeping assist (steers the Bronco back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)High package

　　Adds to the Mid package with:

　　12-inch infotainment touchscreen 360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Bronco and its surroundings for tight situations) Extra sound deadening Front parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of the vehicle when parking) Mirror-mounted approach lights and spotlightsLux package

　　Requiring the High package, the Lux package adds:

　　Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Ford and the car in front) Upgraded 10-speaker audio system Integrated navigation system Evasive steering assist (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance) Heated steering wheel Wireless smartphone charging pad

　　

2021 Bronco Highlights

Trim: BaseBig BendBlack DiamondOuter BanksBadlandsWildtrakFirst EditionBase

　　

Base MSRP	$28,500
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	21 MPG
Cost to Drive	$226/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	22.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	four wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles