2023 Ford Bronco Assessment, Pricing, and Specs

Overview

Whether or not it’s crunching by means of dense forest trails or quietly idling as much as a Wendy’s drive-thru window, the four-wheel-drive Ford Bronco is arguably probably the most thrilling off-roader for the reason that Jeep Wrangler. The Bronco is available in each two- and four-door physique kinds, and it was designed to do every part a Wrangler can—and it does that and extra. Sure, you possibly can take away the doorways on the Bronco similar to you possibly can on a Wrangler however solely the Ford retains its mirrors. Each manufacturers’ SUVs cater to the large muddy however the Bronco suffers from noticeably much less highway noise when touring the highways between puddles. It has extra base horsepower too, with output ranging between a 300-hp turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four and a 330-hp twin-turbo 2.7-liter V-6. In the event you’re after greater than that, feast your eyes on the swollen fenders of the 418-hp Bronco Raptor, reviewed individually. With a dizzying array of fashions, trims, and non-obligatory tools the Bronco affords huge configurability that permits it to suit a variety of wants—even for these die-hards (like us) who wish to shift gears with the assistance of a clutch pedal.

What’s New for 2023?

Ford celebrates the nice outdated days with a particular Bronco Heritage Edition for each two- and four-door fashions that brings again a basic Sixties look. Based mostly on the Huge Bend trim with the Sasquatch package deal, the Bronco Heritage Version comes with the 300-hp turbo 2.3-liter with both a seven-speed guide or obtainable 10-speed computerized transmission. Throwback styling features a white grille, white roof, and a set of Sixties-inspired wheels. A dearer Heritage Restricted Version, primarily based on the Badlands trim stage, comes with steel Bronco-script fender badging, leather-trimmed plaid seats, and Heritage Restricted badging on the middle console.

Pricing and Which One to Purchase

The bottom two-door Bronco begins at round $33,000 however upgrading to higher trims will get costly rapidly. Our best configuration could be a four-door with the extra highly effective engine, and it must have the off-road {hardware} to stay as much as its roots. That factors us in the direction of the Bronco Wildtrack, which comes normal with 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels and big 35-inch mud-terrain tires. FYI, the two-door has ample rear-seat room, so if you may get by with two fewer portals, it’s a option to get extra on your Bronco bucks.

Engine, Transmission, and Efficiency

Sorry, people. The Bronco does not include eight cylinders. As a substitute, there’s a typical 300-hp turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder or an non-obligatory 330-hp twin-turbo 2.7-liter V-6. A ten-speed computerized transmission bolts to each gasoline engines, however a seven-speed guide is barely suitable with the smaller one. Sadly, neither engine has an enthusiastic soundtrack. Each Bronco sends energy to all 4 wheels, and its impartial entrance suspension is extra subtle than Jeep’s entrance stick axle. Different noteworthy choices embody 35-inch mud-terrain tires, beadlock-capable wheels, digital locking entrance and rear differentials, and a sway-bar-disconnect characteristic. After our first driving impressions, the Bronco impressed us with its on-road refinement. Not solely is its steering extra exact than the Wrangler’s wheel, however the Ford merely handles higher general. In fact, geared up with the most important tires and softest suspension, there’s important brake dive, and its body-on-frame development is not stored secret. Nonetheless, the Bronco is not a one-trick pony, and it is able to conquering actually treacherous terrain.

Towing and Payload Capability

Each the two- and four-door Ford Bronco fashions are rated to tow 3500 kilos—the identical because the Wrangler.

Gas Financial system and Actual-World MPG

The four-cylinder Bronco with the automated transmission is the thriftiest variant, with scores of 20 mpg within the metropolis and 22 on the freeway. Improve to the V-6 model with the Sasquatch package deal that features aggressive, outsized tires and its gasoline financial system plummets to 17 mpg each within the metropolis and on the freeway. We have run automatic-equipped Broncos with each engines on our 75-mph fuel-economy route, with the four-cylinder incomes 22 mpg and the V-6 incomes 18 mpg. For extra details about the Bronco’s gasoline financial system, go to the EPA’s website.

Inside, Consolation, and Cargo

Out there with two or 4 doorways, comfortable tops or hardtops, and detachable physique panels, the Bronco affords the identical open-air potentialities that make the Wrangler an outside particular person’s delight. The Ford’s inside has a couple of extra improvements than the Jeep, too. For instance, the Bronco has a rack constructed into the highest of its dashboard that permits smartphones and GoPros to be mounted there. It additionally has frameless doorways which can be simple to take away. Nevertheless, their lengthy facet glass can snag the weatherstripping they usually enable further wind noise to enter the cabin. Nonetheless, the extended-wheelbase four-door fashions have house on board to retailer all 4 doorways. Because the exterior mirrors are mounted on the bottom of the windshield, they’re nonetheless usable when the doorways are taken off. When uncovered to the weather, the cabin might be protected with the obtainable rubberized flooring and marine-grade vinyl upholstery. Those that need a fancier atmosphere can go for leather-based seating surfaces, however the inside’s expansive swaths of plastic look low-cost on higher trims. Even within the two-door Bronco, there’s sufficient house within the again seat to comfortably match two adults. The four-door model alone has a 3rd, center seat within the rear and affords a hair extra legroom, however most of its further size applies to the cargo space, which is greater than 50 p.c bigger than the two-door.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Ford’s newest in-dash Sync 4 software program powers the 8.0- or 12.0-inch touchscreen that is embedded in the midst of the Bronco’s dashboard. The setup permits over-the-air updates and might hook up with the cloud and the consumer’s smartphone wirelessly. The infotainment system additionally helps a bunch of contemporary infotainment options that embody Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot. The unit can be upgraded with fascinating choices, similar to built-in navigation and a extra highly effective B&O stereo.

Security and Driver-Help Options

The Bronco is on the market with a set of driver-assistance technology, together with computerized excessive beams and parking sensors. It additionally has tools that makes low-speed rock crawling and path driving simpler. For extra details about the Bronco’s crash-test outcomes, go to the Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS) web sites. Key security options embody:

• Out there forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking
• Out there blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
• Out there lane-departure and lane-keeping help

Guarantee and Upkeep Protection

Ford offers a aggressive restricted and powertrain guarantee that aligns with most of its rivals. Nevertheless, it lacks the complimentary upkeep that some opponents present.

• Restricted guarantee covers three years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain guarantee covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled upkeep

More Features and Specs