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The new Ford Bronco is a worthy continuation of the original model line, which ran from 1965 through 1996.
Still, a few things are different.
For example, the Bronco is not an SUV version of what would now be the F-150, but shares its engineering base with the smaller Ranger(driving test).
Consequently, the new Raptor is even (slightly) smaller than the last 1990s model.
The Bronco is also an emphatic competitor to the Wrangler, which originally was actually a bit smaller and more spartan.
Both model lines have grown toward each other, so to speak.
As with the Wrangler, the Bronco’s roof and doors are removable and the emphasis is on off-road performance.
A final similarity with the Wrangler is the design with retro features, which in the case of the Bronco refers to the first 1966 model.

The Ford Bronco in Europe: models and versions

After the official announcement in 2022, the time has come this year: the Bronco officially makes the crossing to Europe.
Only not in all versions.
Starting with the engines.
In Europe you always get the 246 kW (335 hp) and 563 Nm strong 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V6, combined with the now familiar ten-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
In the US, a slightly less powerful 2.3-liter four-cylinder and a more powerful 3.0-liter V6 are also on the menu.
The four-cylinder is also available there with a six-speed manual transmission (plus a crawl gear).

In America, the Bronco is available in seven trims that bring more luxury, more off-road stuff, or both.
There is even a genuine Raptor version.
That includes that 3.0-liter V6, with 312 kW (425 hp).
You can read a driving test with the technically related Ranger Raptor here.
European offerings for the Bronco consist only of the off-road-oriented Badlands and the somewhat more civilized Outer Banks.
For the enthusiast: despite the European type approval, the Bronco may also be delivered with small 18.2 license plates.
Ask the dealer for that, looks a lot nicer than those big European plates.

Ford Bronco Badlands

It is the Badlands that stands before us.
We’re not going to run down the entire options list here, but assume that you just have everything you expect in a modern mid-size car.
There are also all kinds of off-road equipment, from thick-tread tires to mounting points for additional off-road accessories.

The Bronco Badlands also features a variety of assistance systems and driving modes for driving on different types of terrain.
Those driving modes are aptly summarized under the heading G.O.A.T. Modes, which stands for “Goes Over Any Type of Terrain.
If you think you know better than the systems, physical buttons on the dashboard also allow you to turn differentials and stabilizer bars on and off as you see fit.
Optional is a system to digitally track your off-road performance and share it online.

Dimensions Ford Bronco

The Ford Bronco measures exactly 4.8 meters in length, about 1.9 meters in width and over 1.9 meters in height.
With that height, it can just fit into most parking garages, and the length and width are still pretty average.
Although these exterior dimensions are partly due to the thick bumpers and wide fenders, the Bronco is quite spacious inside.
In the back seat, for example, there is plenty of leg and especially headroom.
However, the seating position is a bit too upright and for longer journeys the seat could perhaps be a bit softer.
With a capacity of 546 liters, enough fits in the nice square luggage space.

Takes some getting used to, but surprisingly clear

We set out. The first meters take some getting used to.
You sit very high, similar to a large van.
Above all, it takes some getting used to estimating how far away the curb is to your right.
However, this getting used to goes quickly.
Moreover, in other respects the bodywork is actually surprisingly uncluttered.
Unless there are low objects behind the car, reverse parking without the aid of the reversing camera is perfectly doable.
At the front, the attachment points for off-road accessories, on the front corners of the fenders, also provide an immediate marking point to position the front end.

Especially at low speeds, the driving experience is comparable to that of a company car: you sit high up, the powerful engine and transmission audibly do their work, and something rattles in the back.
It’s not the refinement we’re used to in a modern car, but that’s just the way it is.
At constant speed, by the way, the engine does its work almost inaudibly.
However, tire and wind noise do increase, partly due to the deep off-road profile.
The suspension is quite stiff on short bumps, but long ones are well eliminated.
The Bronco is also quite easy to steer through corners, which is not always the case with off-roaders.

Torque, lots of torque

The V6 doesn’t feel as powerful as it is on paper, but then the engine’s character is primarily focused on torque.
There is plenty of that – on wet roads, you even have to be mindful of losing grip when accelerating into a corner.
Maximum torque is released at about 3,000 rpm, and if you just ride with the traffic, you rarely exceed that.
At constant highway speeds, the engine often revs less than 2,000 rpm.
You would almost think it was a diesel.

Practical consumption Ford Bronco

Until you need to fill up.
The Ford Bronco Badlands has an average WLTP fuel consumption of 10.2 l/100 km (1 in 9.8).
That’s also almost exactly what the trip computer shows at the end of the test week.
Despite a bit of offroading.
Otherwise, we just quietly drove along with other traffic.
By modern standards it is not very economical, but for the kind of car it is not that bad.

Offroad with the Ford Bronco

A bit of offroading, yes.
Of course we would like to try the Bronco Badlands off the asphalt as well.
For practical reasons, we get no further than a farm track between two fields for that, but recent rains have turned that into a mud track with deep ruts.
The Bronco is built to handle tougher conditions, but the four-wheel drive, increased ride height and deep tire tread certainly come in handy.
In the pictures it doesn’t look too bad, but with a regular car you’ll really get yourself stuck here.

The Bronco effortlessly makes its way through muddy trenches that you can sink into up to your ankles.
It takes deep potholes as if they were speed bumps.
The terrain we drive on is child’s play for the Bronco, but we have a great time throwing mud.
Later, we also hit some dirt roads in wooded areas, but of course that is no challenge at all for the Bronco.

Prices and competitors Ford Bronco

Well, then we come to a tricky point: the price.
Before tax, the Bronco costs 64,301 euros in the Netherlands, or 65,014 euros for the Badlands tested.
However, the government makes that up to 153,100 or 161,100 euros respectively.
Competitor Wrangler is more expensive before tax, but thanks to its plug-in hybrid powertrain(road test) comes to “only” 90,800 euros after tax, or 94,100 for the off-road-oriented Rubicon.
This suddenly puts the Bronco up against very different competitors, such as the Land Rover Defender and Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
Although their prices are not yet known, the new Toyota Land Cruiser can probably join this list as well.

Conclusion

The question is whether to see the Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz (and Toyota?) as direct competitors.
They are also SUVs that have not lost their off-road character, but they are much more “polished” and intended for everyday use.
In contrast, the Bronco and Wrangler are a bit less refined and offer less luxury on board.
They are primarily aimed at having fun, preferably off the beaten path, and thus appeal to a different target group.
So it remains a battle between the Bronco and Wrangler.

Right now, the Wrangler easily wins that battle with its lower price, but aside from that, it’s a very tough choice.
When it comes to equipment, size and handling, both are equal.
Basically, you just choose which of the two you like best.
Do you go for the familiar and even rather likeable Wrangler or the Bronco with a somewhat more imposing look?

Ford Bronco Hybrid?

By the way, there is hope on the horizon as far as Dutch pricing of the Ford Bronco is concerned.
It has been an open secret for some time that there will be a plug-in hybrid version of the Bronco, expected for model year 2025.
Either way, the introduction should be sometime this year, at least in the US.
Details are not yet known, but it is obvious that the plug-in hybrid powertrain from the Ranger PHEV will be spooned into the Bronco.
Either way, it will make a big difference to the fuel consumption, emissions and thus the V.A.P. and starting price of the Bronco.
That’s when it becomes really interesting.

Ford Bronco Sport

By the way, the Bronco also has a smaller brother: the Bronco Sport.
That one is based on the technology of the Ford Kuga.
Ever since its introduction in 2020, we have been wondering why Ford does not also offer the Bronco Sport in Europe.
A somewhat tougher alternative to the Kuga could score quite well in our opinion.
Given the Kuga base, the Bronco Sport is also easy to deliver as an economical plug-in hybrid.
So Ford, if you are reading this…