2022 Ford Bronco

　　

Ford Bronco Video Shorts

by zzdcar Test Team

　　

2022 Ford Bronco Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　The Ford Bronco is easily one of the most highly sought-after vehicles on sale today, and it's not all hype. Its all-terrain prowess is impressive, even when compared to the seemingly unstoppable Jeep Wrangler. And just like the Wrangler, the Bronco has a removable roof and doors, so you can drive topless for that extra bit of sunshine while on the street or tackling a trail.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 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

　　$231/mo  for Bronco Base

　　Bronco Base

　　2dr SUV 4WD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 7M) - $31,300 MSRP2dr SUV 4WD w/Advanced 4x4 (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 7M) - $32,095 MSRP4dr SUV 4WD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $35,200 MSRP4dr SUV 4WD w/Advanced 4x4 (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $35,995 MSRPBig Bend 2dr SUV 4WD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 7M) - $35,785 MSRPBig Bend 2dr SUV 4WD w/Advanced 4x4 (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 7M) - $36,580 MSRPBig Bend 4dr SUV 4WD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 7M) - $37,880 MSRPBig Bend 4dr SUV 4WD w/Advanced 4x4 (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 7M) - $38,675 MSRPBlack Diamond 2dr SUV 4WD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 7M) - $37,950 MSRPBlack Diamond 2dr SUV 4WD w/Advanced 4x4 (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 7M) - $38,745 MSRPBlack Diamond 4dr SUV 4WD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 7M) - $40,045 MSRPBlack Diamond 4dr SUV 4WD w/Advanced 4x4 (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 7M) (Most Popular) - $40,840 MSRPOuter Banks 2dr SUV 4WD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $41,355 MSRPOuter Banks 2dr SUV 4WD w/Advanced 4x4 (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $42,945 MSRPOuter Banks 4dr SUV 4WD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $43,450 MSRPOuter Banks 4dr SUV 4WD w/Advanced 4x4 (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $45,040 MSRPBadlands 2dr SUV 4WD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 7M) - $44,495 MSRPBadlands 4dr SUV 4WD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 7M) - $46,590 MSRPWildtrak 2dr SUV 4WD (2.7L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $49,780 MSRPWildtrak 4dr SUV 4WD (2.7L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $51,225 MSRPEverglades 4dr SUV 4WD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $53,000 MSRPRaptor 4dr SUV 4WD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A) - $68,500 MSRP

　　vs

　　$167/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　You can get the standard Bronco with one of two turbocharged engines. Four-wheel drive is standard, and a seven-speed manual transmission is available for those who want to row their own gears. Even more exciting for off-road enthusiasts is the Sasquatch trim, which stands as a capable rival to both the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and the Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro. There are also tons of accessories from Ford and aftermarket manufacturers to customize your Bronco to your heart's desire.

　　The core Bronco lineup grows this year with the addition of the Everglades trim, which includes a few optional packages, plus a snorkel and unique graphics. You can also now get the Sasquatch package in conjunction with the manual transmission — a combo not offered last year. The big news, of course, is the introduction of the Bronco Raptor trim level. Like the F-150 Raptor before it, the Bronco Raptor is aimed at increasing the vehicle's high-speed off-road capabilities. Upgrades are highlighted by a more powerful V6 engine, high-performance Fox shocks, protective plates for the engine and transmission, and unique interior appointments.

　　There aren't a lot of other rivals with off-road chops like the Bronco or Wrangler. The short list includes the 4Runner and the much more expensive Land Rover Defender. The Bronco is easily our favorite in this rather exclusive class. Our Expert Rating clearly spells out why and also where some improvements can be made. Really, the Bronco's scarcity and outrageous dealer markups are the only reasons we'd look elsewhere.

　　

What's it like to live with?

We got our hands on a 2021 Ford Bronco First Edition and are excited to spend 20,000 miles with it in our long-term review fleet. We're putting the Bronco through its paces and checking out where it shines and where it comes up short. We also plan to find out who on the team most excels at cleaning crusted dirt off brushed steel. Check out our experiences with our 2021 Ford Bronco First Edition here.

　　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.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below