2024 Ford Bronco: A Comprehensive Overview
Mud is some of nature’s best medicine, and mucking through it in the Ford Bronco comes strongly recommended. The Bronco is Ford’s answer to the longtime unchallenged success of the Jeep Wrangler. Like the Jeep, the Bronco comes in two- and four-door varieties and features both an optional manual transmission and four-wheel drive. Even the most basic Bronco provides plenty of pep from a 300-hp turbocharged inline-four with a 10-speed automatic transmission or an available seven-speed manual. Moreover, the wilder powertrain is a 330-hp twin-turbo V-6. The Bronco Raptor, reviewed separately, boasts 418 horsepower but presents itself as a different beast entirely. Inside the Bronco is a rugged control room that’s easy to clean up. While driving on the street between campsites, the Bronco proves to be equal parts fun lifestyle vehicle and proper rock-crawling tool, which is why it remains a favorite year after year.
Where This Vehicle Ranks
#5 in Best Mid-Size SUVs
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 a host of additional equipment.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The price of the 2024 Ford Bronco starts at $41,525 and ranges up to $71,580, depending on the trim and options.
The Big Bend trim is rather spartan, but mid-range trims such as Black Diamond and Outer Banks offer more features. A four-door Black Diamond is recommended for under $50,000, providing standard features like Ford’s G.O.A.T. drive modes, 32-inch tires, a powder-coated steel bumper, additional bash plates, and access to numerous factory options.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Unfortunately, the Bronco doesn’t come with eight cylinders. Instead, a standard 300-hp turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder or an optional 330-hp twin-turbo 2.7-liter V-6 powers the vehicle. Both gas engines are paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, while a seven-speed manual only works with the smaller engine. While neither engine produces an enthusiastic soundtrack, all Broncos distribute power to all four wheels. Its sophisticated independent front suspension outclasses the Jeep’s front stick axle. Additionally, noteworthy options include 35-inch mud-terrain tires, beadlock-capable wheels, electronic locking differentials, and a sway-bar-disconnect feature. Consequently, the Bronco impresses with its on-road refinement. Its steering offers more precision than the Wrangler’s wheel, and it handles better overall. Despite significant brake dive with larger tires and softer suspension, the Bronco is capable of tackling treacherous terrains with ease.
2024 Ford Bronco Towing and Payload Capacity
The maximum towing capacity for the 2024 Ford Bronco is 3,500 pounds. This figure matches the Wrangler but is lower than other rivals like the Toyota 4Runner.
Ford Bronco MPG
The four-cylinder Bronco equipped with the automatic transmission achieves the best fuel economy, rated at 20 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway. Accordingly, upgrading to the V-6 version with the Sasquatch package leads to a decline in fuel economy, yielding only 17 mpg in both city and highway driving. In prior tests, automatic-equipped Broncos with both engines achieved 22 mpg for the four-cylinder and 18 mpg for the V-6. For further details about the Bronco’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Available with two or four doors, softtops or hardtops, and removable body panels, the Bronco offers open-air possibilities that appeal to outdoor enthusiasts. The Ford’s interior features more innovations than the Jeep, including a rack built into the dashboard for smartphones and GoPros. Furthermore, frameless doors make removal simple. However, their long side glass can snag the weatherstripping, causing extra wind noise in the cabin. The extended-wheelbase four-door models also provide sufficient space for storing all four doors. The exterior mirrors are mounted on the base of the windshield, remaining usable even after removing the doors. For added protection against the elements, available rubberized flooring and marine-grade vinyl upholstery ensure durability. Those desiring a more upscale feel can opt for leather seating surfaces, though the extensive plastic present in upper trims can seem cheap. In the two-door Bronco, there’s sufficient rear space for two adults, while the four-door version accommodates an additional middle seat and offers more cargo area, measuring over 50% larger than the two-door.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Ford’s latest in-dash Sync 4 software powers a 12.0-inch touchscreen embedded in the Bronco’s dashboard. This setup allows over-the-air updates and connects wirelessly to the cloud and the user’s smartphone. The infotainment system supports modern features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and optional Wi-Fi hotspots. Additionally, the unit can be upgraded with desirable options such as built-in navigation and a premium B&O stereo.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The Bronco is available with a suite of driver-assistance technologies, including automatic high beams and parking sensors. Additionally, it includes features that facilitate low-speed rock crawling and trail driving. For detailed 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 rivals. However, it is important to note that it lacks the complimentary maintenance offered by some competitors.
- Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
Specifications
2022 Ford Bronco Everglades
Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear/4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $54,595/$56,835
Options: navigation, $695; slide-out tailgate, $600; towing capability, $595; front row top panels and door storage bags, $350
ENGINE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 138 in3, 2264 cm3
Power: 300 hp @ 5700
Torque: 325 lb-ft @ 3400 rpm
TRANSMISSION
10-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: control arms/live axle
Brakes, F/R: 12.2-in vented disc/12.1-in vented disc
Tires: Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT
LT315/70R-17 113/110S M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 116.1 in
Length: 198.9 in
Width: 79.4 in
Height: 78.7 in
Passenger Volume: 104 ft3
Cargo Volume: 36 ft3
Curb Weight: 5296 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 7.1 sec
1/4-Mile: 15.7 sec @ 85 mph
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 8.8 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 4.0 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 5.5 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 99 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 196 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.70 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 15 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 17 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 350 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 18/18/17 mpg
2021 Ford Bronco Wildtrak
Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear/4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $50,970/$58,420
ENGINE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, iron-and-aluminum block and aluminum heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 164 in3, 2694 cm3
Power: 330 hp @ 5250 rpm
Torque: 415 lb-ft @ 3100 rpm
TRANSMISSION
10-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: control arms/live axle
Brakes, F/R: 12.2-in vented disc/12.1-in vented disc
Tires: Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT
LT315/70R-17 113/110S M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 116.1 in
Length: 189.5 in
Width: 79.3 in
Height: 75.3 in
Passenger Volume: 104 ft3
Cargo Volume: 36 ft3
Curb Weight: 4971 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 6.2 sec
1/4-Mile: 15.0 sec @ 92 mph
100 mph: 19.1 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 6.7 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.2 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 4.2 sec
Top Speed (gov): 100 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 189 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.71 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 15 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 17 mpg
Highway Range: 350 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 17/17/17 mpg
