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Bronco was reintroduced last year. New in 2021 is the addition of the Everglades model, which builds on an off-road-oriented Sasquatch package and the introduction of a special new package for the Wildtrak model. For the 2021 model year Ford has introduced a Hoss 3.0 package for the Wildtrak Bronco, which costs about $2,505. The Hoss 3.0 package adds surdier Fox adaptive dampers and other chassis upgrades to the Wildtrak Bronco model. New for the 2021 model Year is also the Raptor version with 400-plus-hp twin-turbo V-6 engine, 37-inch tires and a beefier suspension.
Pricing and Trims
Let's start with the pricing and the trims of the 2021 Ford Bronco. The base two-door Bronco starts at just about $30,000, but your cost may nearly double if you want to upgrade to the upper trim levels. Here are the prices and the trims of the 2021 Ford Bronco.
- Base $32,295
- Big Bend $36,780
- Black Diamond $39,445
- Outer Banks $42,350
- Badlands $45,990
- Wildtrak $51,275
- Everglades $54,495
If it is clear that the Bronco is a vehicle capable of following the Wrangler in a path strewn with pitfalls, it must also be determined if it has what it takes to withstand the ultimate test.
The 2021 Bronco's Wildtrak package that Torque News is reviewing this week comes in two configurations: 2-door SUV and 4-Door SUV. The price difference between these two configurations is respectively $2,500. Whildtrak is the high-speed off-roading trim. Black-painted hardtop, black grille and black wheels characterize the Bronco Wildtrack package. It comes with many standard features to ensure the driver is prepared for the road ahead.
Ford Bronco's Wildtrak version was designed for a little more delinquent driving in rough terrain. Until recently you could consider this the closest option to the F-150 Raptor. I said until recently because now there is a Bronco Raptor which is reportedly the most tooled model when in service.
Like the F-150 Raptor, the Wildtrak livery was designed for high-speed off-road courses in the Baja desert. Yet, it can also survive the rough and narrow paths of forests. Anyway, let's say that its specialty is to roll quickly.
Bronco's Effective Design
Looking at it in the pictures, you might think that the Ford Bronco a midsize crossover, but the reality is that it's even smaller than a Ford Escape. It measures 4.3 meters long, which puts it closer to a Mazda CX-30 or Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross than to a Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4.
The illusion of size comes from its very square shapes, a very long chest, which by the way looks gigantic from the cockpit, well-marked expression lines and the fact that it is somewhat tall, measuring 1.8 meters tall compared to 1.6 meters that compact SUVs generally have.
With the design of the Bronco, Ford was able to concentrate on offering a recipe for the Wrangler in terms of presentation (vertical dashboard, original touches unique to the model, unique ergonomics, etc.), but adding the necessary in terms of comfort.
The sides of the 2021 Ford Bronco continue to show us those rough and square lines as well as a good color contrast with the black roof. For this Badlands version we have 17” black wheels and All Terrain Off-Road tires.
The 2021 Ford Bronco comes with tons of choices, colors and eye-catching packaging. I already mentioned the trims, but every Bronco can be delivered in two- or four-door configuration. Even better, all can receive the Sasquatch package, the ultimate group of equipment that allows any off-road driving enthusiast – and any novice too – to advance where it is not allowed at all.
This is made possible, among other things, thanks to the various driving modes offered. We find a variety of them. Some are available across the range, others reserved for certain versions. It's that each Bronco caters to various types of adventurers.
And add to that a color palette capable of thrilling a painter, two types of roofs (hard and soft), two powertrains (2.3-litre EcoBoost 4-cylinder, 2.7-litre Ecoboost V6), two gearboxes gear and accessories by the ton (more than 200 and more to come), in particular. If you feel like setting up a template for yourself, plan some time; a lot of time.
The 2021 Ford Bronco's Wildtrack edition comes with 315 HP and has a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. Other performance specs include a 2.7L Ecoboost V6 engine and a 10-speed auto transmission.
Interior, Comfort and Cargo Infotainment and Connectivity
Inside the 2021 Ford Bronco looks very interesting, some reviewers say the Badlands trim has the best equipment available. Its materials for the price may attract your attention, but remember that this is not a glamorous crossover, it is a tough one that is not so afraid of abuse, that's why there are more hard plastics.
But here in the Wildtrak trim in terms of equipment, we have an 8” screen with SYNC3 compatible with CarPlay and Android Auto, capable of providing Wi-Fi to various mobile devices, Bang & Olufsen audio system with 10 speakers and subwoofer, wireless cell phone charger, instrument panel analog with 6.5” screen, two-zone automatic air conditioning, sunroof, electrically adjustable seats and heating in the front.
The rear sitting area is still comfortable enough with headroom thanks to an extension of the roof height. Of course, perhaps because of its length, the legroom in the rear may be a bit affected, not excessively, but somewhat smaller than common crossovers of a similar size.
The assembly feels good, considerably better than that of a Ford Escape for example.
The seats can be folded down, but not only with the backrest, but also the base to put more things that could dirty the seats. Bronco has heavy-duty plastic mats throughout the interior. Here, in this vehicle you can say goodbye to the carpet. It's good because if you get dirty with mud it will be easier to clean, while carpets are harder to clean. Good thinking from Ford. With these rugs, soap and water is enough to leave them clean and dry in record time.
The trunk is big enough to carry necessary belongings, groceries and more.
Safety
In terms of safety and assistance, you already know that Ford is looking to be the spearhead, which is why the 2022 Bronco has 9 airbags, ABS brakes, electronic stability control, torque vector control, autonomous emergency braking, blind spot alert, lane keeping, reverse camera and even a front camera with a 180º view.
The Drive
Near our neighborhood there are new housing development. The construction companies felled many trees creating a perfect off-roading location. On several occasions I took the Bronco Wildtrak to test its off-roading capabilities and I should say in each time it handled the very challenging terrain with utmost readiness and preparedness.
I want to stress that the 2021 Bronco is a vehicle that can be operated under different conditions. You need to take several tests of the model, carried out everywhere and at any time of the year to have a clear portrait. As for the Torque News, I mainly drove on the road and did lots of off-roading as you can see from the accompanying images.
On the road, the Bronco proved to be very stable and quite comfortable.
When off-rading we had the impression of being behind the wheel of a very big vehicle. All the imperfections of the trail on which we found ourselves were annihilated. The Bronco leaped over the bumps with the ease of a cowboy on horseback, at full gallop.
By following a narrower and steeper path where everything takes place at low speed (in low range), we discover all the capabilities of the model which, unsurprisingly, has everything it takes to follow a Jeep Wrangler.
For the moment, there is no doubt that with the Bronco Ford made a very successful first step, that of bringing a competent product to market, a product capable of stealing direct sales from the Jeep Wrangler. Well, we haven't seen that for a long time.
The rest, it's up to you, because the Bronco also remains a toy for wealthy people. While the entry price is enticing at around $40,000, it climbs at lightning speed as you move up the line and add packages and options. As with the Wrangler, finally.
I really loved the very successful style of the 2021 Ford Bronco, its undeniable off-road skills, the power of the twin-turbo V6 and the great capacity for customization.
Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebok, Linkedin and Youtube.
Reference: Auto 123, Motor Passion.
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