MotorwayAmeica.com

By Jim Meachen
Editor, MotorwayAmeica.com

(February 25, 2024) Ford has had some bright and profitable ideas in recent times — the two biggest were the development of a small pickup truck called the Maverick that can be purchased for under 30 grand, and the resurrection of the iconic Bronco off-road vehicle as a modern interpretation of a go-anywhere body-on-frame truck in direct competition with the Jeep Wrangler.

So successful has Ford been that even after several years on the market, both vehicles are hard to find on a dealer lot and may require joining a waiting list to get the exact vehicle you desire.

Today I am here to discuss the revitalized Bronco, which entered the marketplace as a 2021 model. The original Bronco was sold through five generations from 1966 through 1996. Following a decline in demand for large two-door SUVs, Ford discontinued the Bronco after the 1996 model year, replacing it with the four-door Ford Expedition.


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Now, with the seemingly unquenchable thirst for everything off-road in the 2020s, Ford jumped back into the fray with the sixth generation Bronco with styling elements from earlier Broncos. And in fact the 1976 Bronco was digitally scanned as a reference during the design process.

What's new for 2024? — Aside from Ford dropping the Bronco's base trim, not much changes for the Bronco in 2024. The 12.0-inch infotainment screen is now standard and the Bronco Badlands trim receives a heavy-duty bumper with its bevy of equipment.

For 2024 the least expensive new Bronco is the Big Bend model starting at $41,025 having discontinued the $36,785 base model. Aside from the Big Bend, prices across eight of nine different Bronco models offered all have a factory price increase of at least $1,000 with the Bronco Raptor, which added a new Code Orange accent package, now has a base price of $91,730, a not so insignificant price increase of $3,255 over the 2023 model. There's even a modest price increase for some of the optional equipment. Only the Big Bend didn't see a price increase.

Ford has really loaded up on the number of Bronco model variations, as well as offering two-and four-door body styles, two transmissions, two engines, soft-and hard top roofs, and a gorgeous palette. Certainly enough choices for the right combination and style for those with the desire to grab a new Bronco.

No matter how hard core your off-road adventures, virtually every Bronco owner will spend a vast majority of driving time on the streets and highways. And the good news here is that the Bronco exhibits excellent road manners — for an off-road vehicle. In fact, we think it outshines the vaunted Wrangler in that regard. The Bronco is easy to live with as a commuter vehicle or a grocery runner.

And it will not be relegaded to the slow lane regardless of which of the two available engines you purchase. We drove the smaller base engine and found it rewarding in all aspects of driving including passing and merging.

The base turbocharged 4-cylinder makes 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, and the optional engine, a 2.7-liter V-6, creates 330 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The 2.7-liter is mated to a 10-speed automatic and the 4-cylinder gets a 7-speed manual transmission as standard equipment. But we figure most people will opt for the 10-speed automatic for a small option price. We drove the four-banger with the 10-speed and were surprised at its lively step, measured at 0-to-60 in around 7 seconds.

The Bronco available in eight primary trim levels — Big Bend, Black Diamond, Heritage Edition, Outer Banks, Badlands, Wildtrak, Heritage Edition Limited, Everglades and Raptor. All Broncos can be purchased with a long list of options, ranging from appearance and personalization items to different roofs to off-road hardware, wheels and other accessories.

We drove the specially equipped Everglades trim. Ford says the Everglades edition is made for customers who want to venture deep into the wild with the assurance of a factory-installed snorkel, integrated 10,000-pound ZEON 10-S WARN winch and Sasquatch Package.

The class-exclusive Ford-designed snorkel with quick-swap, reversible air vent helps optimize performance in extreme conditions such as dust, snow and water by raising the engine air intake. The Bronco Everglades comes standard with a Ford Performance heavy-duty modular front bumper with WARN winch.



The snorkel — which runs up the passenger-side A-pillar — optimizes vehicle performance in dust, snow and water by raising the engine air intake above nasty trail conditions. Its design uses two easy-to-swap plates to change the direction of the inlet based on trail and weather conditions.

"Bronco enthusiasts demand style as well as performance, so we challenged ourselves to create a snorkel with high-end function and a look that really suits the vehicle,” said Ryan Olsson, design manager. “What really sets the Everglades snorkel apart is the head and reversible intake. It completely changes the way a snorkel can look and function.”

One big downside — the Bronco had a noisy interior at highway speed. You will be forced to pump out the tunes from the audio system at high volume and converse in elevated tones just short of shouting.
 
The elevated noise level is partly due to the fact that the truck can be literally stripped of its roof, doors, fenders and grille for the adventurous off-roader using a few wrenches and a screw driver. Because of this, the sideview mirrors are anchored to the A pillar and the window switches are not on the door, but in the center console.

Our Bronco Everglades did not come with a price tag, but I estimate the bottom line at about $60,000.

2024 Ford Bronco Everglades

Essentials
Base price: $57,415; as driven, $60,000 (est.)
Engine: 2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder
Horsepower: 300 @ 5,700 rpm
Torque: 325 foot-pounds @ 3,400 rpm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Drive: four wheels
Seating: 2/3
Wheelbase: 116.1 inches
Length: 198.9 inches
Curb weight: 5,296 pounds
Turning circle: 39.9 feet
Luggage capacity: 35.6 cubic feet
Cargo capacity: 77.6 cubic feet
Towing capacity: 3,500 pounds
Fuel capacity: 20.8 gallons (premium recommended)
EPA rating: 17 city, 18 highway, 18 combined
0-60: 7.1 seconds (Car and Driver)
Also consider: Jeep Wrangler, Toyota 4Runner, Land Rover Defender

The Good
• Impressive off-road capability
• High level of customization
• Agreeable on-road performance

The Bad
• High level of wind noise at highway speeds

The Ugly
• Poor fuel economy