2022 Ford Bronco Badlands — America’s most anticipated vehicle



By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(January 22, 2022) After a 30-year hiatus, the all-new Ford Bronco is finally here and, in a word, it’s sensational. In a booming adventure vehicle market that’s been dominated by Jeep Wrangler, the uncontested off-road world-class champion, the doors have literally come off with the introduction of Ford’s version of the Jeep Rubicon.

   



It borrows heavily from the Jeep Wrangler, offering removable doors (two or four) with their own storage bags, a massive amount of ground clearance with minimal overhang, and a removable hard or soft top. Our Bronco Badlands tester came with the optional Sasquatch Package that includes humungous Goodyear LT315/70R17 35-inch tires mounted on 17-inch beadlock alloy ring wheels. Ground clearance is 11.5 inches.

Design-wise, the new Bronco looks nothing like the white O.J. Simpson getaway Bronco from 25 years ago, rather the Ford design studio did an exceptional retro-reimagination of the classic 1966-1977 Bronco. It’s so beguiling, nearly a quarter of a million drooling buyers plunked down a deposit to get into the reservation line.

Buyers can select from six trim levels and four optional packages along with a choice of colors including Area 51 (bluish-gray), Cactus Gray, Eruption Green metallic and eight others.

The big Bronco is boxy with large windows, a roomy front seat and ample rear cargo room.  There’s a push-button selector for 4-wheel high or low. A rotary dial accesses the drive selector for eight different terrain modes including  Normal, Slippery, Sand, Baja, Rock Crawl and others.

Power is delivered via a choice of a 270-horsepower 2.3-liter four cylinder with a 10-speed automatic transmission, or the optional 300-horsepower 2.7-liter turbo V6 and a seven-speed manual transmission.

A few drawbacks include dismal fuel economy (we averaged just 16.7 mpg), road and wind noise in the cabin that’s more than significantly loud, sparse rear seat legroom, and hard plastics adorning the entire dashboard.

Overall, the new resurrected Bronco is back with great looks, massive capability, extremely fun drive character, and currently, a two-year waiting list of buyers.

See earlier MotorwayAmerica.com review



Vital Stats
2022 Ford Bronco Badlands Edition
Base Price: $44,590
Price as Tested: $58,905
Engine: 2.7-liter turbocharged V6
Horsepower: 300
Fuel Economy: 17/17/17 MPG city/highway/combined
Seating: 5

Fab Features:
“Go Anywhere” off road capability
Impressive, updated retro-design
An endless list of equipment, features, options