2024 Ford Bronco Raptor

　　

2024 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.

　　Off-road adventures have enjoyed a renaissance in the last few years. Perhaps it's a rebound for many who have been cooped up during the pandemic, but it could also be due to a new batch of off-road-capable vehicles. The Ford Bronco is easily one of the most popular, and its all-terrain credentials are right up there with the iconic Jeep Wrangler.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 Ford Bronco Raptor 4dr SUV 4WD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A) 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

　　$306/mo  for Bronco Raptor

　　Bronco Raptor

　　Raptor 4dr SUV 4WD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 10A) (Most Popular) - $89,835 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　For 2024, the Bronco carries forward with minor changes to the lineup. A new Code Orange package is available for the Bronco Raptor, adding orange accents and cool orange graphics on the rear door, quarter panel and window. The Raptor is also now available in Shelter Green and Velocity Blue paint schemes. Elsewhere in the lineup, the previously optional 12-inch touchscreen is now standard, and the Everglades trim returns (production was paused partway through the 2023 model year).

　　The Bronco is already one of the best off-road SUVs, but it's not perfect,  and we cover every aspect in our Expert Rating below. If you're hoping to get out into the wild, you really can't do much better even against such strong rivals as the Jeep Wrangler, Land Rover Defender and Toyota 4Runner.

　　

What's it like to live with?

In order to get a more in-depth ownership experience, zzdcar added a 2021 Ford Bronco First Edition to its long-term test fleet. Over the course of a year and 20,000 miles, we'll report on what works and what needs improvement. Check out our results 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