The four-wheel-drive Ford Bronco is perhaps the most thrilling off-road vehicle since the Jeep Wrangler, whether it’s crunching through treacherous woodland tracks or calmly idling up to a Wendy’s drive-thru window. The Bronco, which is available in both two- and four-door body designs, was created to do everything a Wrangler can—and even more. Yes, just like a Wrangler, the Bronco’s doors can be removed, but only the Ford keeps its mirrors. The SUVs from both brands are designed to handle large puddles, however the Bronco suffers from substantially less road noise when cruising between puddles. With output ranging from a 330-hp twin-turbo 2.7-liter V-6 to a 300-hp turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four, it boasts greater basic horsepower as well.
What’s New for 2023?
Ford celebrates the good old days with a special Bronco Heritage Edition for both two- and four-door models that brings back a classic 1960s look. Based on the Big Bend trim with the Sasquatch package, the Bronco Heritage Edition comes with the 300-hp turbo 2.3-liter with either a seven-speed manual or available 10-speed automatic transmission. Throwback styling includes a white grille, white roof, and a set of 1960s-inspired wheels. A more expensive Heritage Limited Edition, based on the Badlands trim level, comes with metal Bronco-script fender badging, leather-trimmed plaid seats, and Heritage Limited badging on the center console.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The base two-door Bronco starts at around $33,000 but upgrading to upper trims gets expensive quickly. Our ideal configuration would be a four-door with the more powerful engine, and it needs to have the off-road hardware to live up to its roots. That points us towards the Bronco Wildtrack, which comes standard with 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels and huge 35-inch mud-terrain tires. FYI, the two-door has ample rear-seat room, so if you can get by with two fewer portals, it’s a way to get more for your Bronco bucks.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Sorry, folks. The Bronco doesn’t come with eight cylinders. Instead, there’s a standard 300-hp turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder or an optional 330-hp twin-turbo 2.7-liter V-6. A 10-speed automatic transmission bolts to both gas engines, but a seven-speed manual is only compatible with the smaller one. Unfortunately, neither engine has an enthusiastic soundtrack. Every Bronco sends power to all four wheels, and its independent front suspension is more sophisticated than Jeep’s front stick axle. Other noteworthy options include 35-inch mud-terrain tires, beadlock-capable wheels, electronic locking front and rear differentials, and a sway-bar-disconnect feature.
Towing and Payload Capacity
Both the two- and four-door Ford Bronco models are rated to tow 3500 pounds—the same as the Wrangler.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The four-cylinder Bronco with the automatic transmission is the thriftiest variant, with ratings of 20 mpg in the city and 22 on the highway. Upgrade to the V-6 version with the Sasquatch package that includes aggressive, oversized tires and its fuel economy plummets to 17 mpg both in the city and on the highway. We’ve run automatic-equipped Broncos with both engines on our 75-mph fuel-economy route, with the four-cylinder earning 22 mpg and the V-6 earning 18 mpg. For more information about the Bronco’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Ford’s latest in-dash Sync 4 software powers the 8.0- or 12.0-inch touchscreen that’s embedded in the middle of the Bronco’s dashboard. The setup allows over-the-air updates and can connect to the cloud and the user’s smartphone wirelessly. The infotainment system also supports a host of modern infotainment features that include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot. The unit can also be upgraded with desirable options, such as built-in navigation and a more powerful B&O stereo.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The Bronco is available with a suite of driver-assistance technology, including automatic high beams and parking sensors. It also has equipment that makes low-speed rock crawling and trail driving easier. For more information about the Bronco’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Available forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
- Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
- Available lane-departure and lane-keeping assist
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Ford provides a competitive limited and powertrain warranty that aligns with most of its rivals. However, it lacks the complimentary maintenance that some competitors provide.
- Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance