Ford Bronco
Back in in the late 80’s I bought a well used Ford Bronco XLT as my first truck. This truck needed a bit of TLC but, with a little elbow grease, I proudly made it my own. I was hit by a wave of nostalgia when the newly designed Bronco hit the market. So in this month’s Weekend Test Drive column, let’s take the Bronco out on the road.
While the older models were strictly two door models, similar to the Jeep Wrangler, today’s Bronco comes in both a two door and a four door model. In fact, the Bronco in many ways compares to the Jeep Wrangler. I’m sure that is by design as Ford works to unseat the many die hard Jeep Wrangler customers out there.
The model I drove had a 330-hp twin-turbo 2.7-liter V-6 under the hood. There is a more economical inline-four option and, if you’re really looking to burn some gas, there is a 418 horsepower Raptor edition as well. The V-6 was aptly powered and handled nicely on the road. Honestly, in my opinion, it is much smoother than the Jeep Wrangler. This is likely due to its independent front suspension and the quick, 10-speed transmission shift points.
The interior of the Bronco offers some cool features. For example, there is a rack system built into the dash allowing for smartphones, cameras and other tech driven gear to be easily and securely mounted. The seats are are offered in two tone fabric or can be upgraded to optional leather. The two tone fabric looks great and is very comfortable but the leather is a nice option. Like the Jeep Wrangler, both the two door and four door models have ample space in the back seat for two adults. With the rear seat folded down, the available cargo space is cavernous.
The exterior of the Bronco is edgy and offers a bold design mix of the original Bronco cues coupled with what we’ve all come to expect from today’s SUV. The headlights and grill convey a current feel but the stance and hard body lines feel a bit more vintage to me which I really like. It’s clear Ford took their time designing the Bronco. Popping open the tailgate reveals a couple of these design elements. Specifically, the cargo mats on the floor and on the back of the rear seat are easily cleaned and have a rugged feel to them. In addition, I love the inclusion of a bottle opener on the rear pillar making this an absolutely perfect tailgate vehicle.
Overall, Ford did an excellent job with the Bronco. And, having been an owner of a “real Bronco”, I’m a tough critic. In the end though, this truck benefits from a myriad of technological advancements making it a functional daily commuter and a capable off road vehicle. Whether you choose to drive it shiny and clean or splashed with mud, this really is a Ford Bronco.
Krbehn@MetroWest-Living.com
