One of the greatest songs of the 1960s was “Wild Thing.” Sure, you’ve heard it before, but I bet most of you couldn’t name the artist—British garage band The Troggs. Do you think, all those years ago, they intended it to be the theme song for a car? Because I’d say it’s a perfect fit for the 2023 Ford Bronco Wildtrak, and I can no longer think of the two as independent from one another.
What else can you say about a high-performance SUV built for off-roading? Imagine roaring through the wilderness in an SUV with the side panels and roof off, feeling the wind rushing through your hair; this is what the Wildtrak is all about.
Ford made a lot of folks in the automotive world stand up and take notice when it announced it was bringing back the Bronco as an off-road specialist. This would not be the basic midsize SUV that had last appeared in 1996; no, this was truly something unexpected. The relationship of the new Bronco (introduced in 2021) to any prior model is purely coincidental. Other than the name, Ford didn’t borrow much from the original Bronco. In addition, Ford introduced several new trims—including the Wildtrak—to provide you with a model built for speed and ruggedness.
Run Through the Jungle
When you’re out forging trails, you need assurance that your vehicle’s engine can get you through it in one piece. Thus, Ford has given the 2023 Bronco Wildtrak a powerful 2.7L EcoBoost Turbo V6—an engine larger and more powerful than the 2.3L EcoBoost Turbo I-4 gas engine on most other Bronco models. This engine comes paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission, giving you exceptional control over performance. It has an engine block made of iron and aluminum with aluminum cylinder heads set up in a dual overhead camshaft configuration, with 24 valves feeding its six cylinders; it utilizes twin turbochargers and direct fuel injection to deliver up to 330 hp at 5250 RPM and 415 lb-ft of torque at 3100 RPM.
This engine’s output gives the Bronco Wildtrak some serious performance, as this SUV can go from zero to sixty in just 6.2 seconds, with a top speed of 100 mph. That is superb swiftness for a vehicle designed for off-roading. Its exceptional handling is evident in its ability to complete the quarter mile in just 15 seconds at 92 mph. This engine is also reasonably efficient, with a combined fuel economy of 20 MPG. As a result, you won’t have to be worried about your Bronco Wildtrak getting too thirsty out there on the trail.
Built on the Outer Banks
The 2023 Bronco Wildtrak is built on the Outer Banks model, meaning you get all of the equipment that comes standard on the Bronco Outer Banks, along with additional Wildtrak equipment. This includes the 2.7L EcoBoost Turbo V6 engine. You also get the choice of a two-door model with seating for four passengers and a four-door model with room for up to five passengers.
Just like the Outer Banks model, the Wildtrak rides on a set of 18-inch black-painted machined-face aluminum wheels wrapped with 32-inch all-terrain tires. This gives the two-door Bronco Wildtrak 8.4 inches of ground clearance and the four-door model 8.3 inches. However, if you opt for the Sasquatch Package—which comes included with the Wildtrak model—you get a set of 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels with 35-inch mud-terrain tires. Choosing these wheels and tires increases the ground clearance to 11.5 inches on the four-door Wildtrak and 11.6 inches on the two-door model. In addition, this improves the approach angle to 43.2 degrees, the breakover angle to 29.0 degrees, and the departure angle to 37.2 degrees on the Wildtrak. Going with this package makes the Wildtrak even more capable in off-roading.
The Bronco Outer Banks model features a set of powder-coated tube steps to make entering your vehicle easier. It also has signature LED headlamps and taillamps to improve on- and off-road visibility. These are all carried over to the Wildtrak. However, the Bronco Wildtrak adds a number of other features that will come in handy when you are out on the trail. Fog lamps will help in low-light conditions, and a front steel bumper helps to shield the Wildtrak’s grille. You also get bash plates to shield the Bronco’s undercarriage and a set of two front and one rear tow hooks to help you get your Wildtrak out of a tight spot.
Furthermore, the Wildtrak comes with a Terrain Management System with seven GOAT modes. These “go over all terrain” modes include Normal for regular driving, Eco for improved fuel economy on the highway, Sport for increased acceleration, Slippery for inclement weather, Sand for dirt roads, Mud/Ruts for forests, and Baja to help your Bronco Wildtrak attack the dunes. These modes work with the transfer case to deliver the right amount of horsepower and torque to the wheels to maximize traction and performance for the conditions selected. These GOAT modes will help you get the most out of your Wildtrak’s four-wheel drive system.
The Wildtrak also features electronic locking front and rear axles. These are designed to detect an RPM imbalance between the two wheels and then automatically lock the axle to prevent skidding. These are a must for serious off-roading. Ford has also given the Wildtrak a specialized off-road suspension consisting of HOSS 3.0 FOX internal bypass dampers to give you and your passengers a smooth ride no matter where your adventures take you.
Sasquatch Package
Ford has made the Sasquatch package standard on the 2023 Bronco Wildtrak. In addition to the beadlock wheels and larger mud-terrain tires, you get a number of other key features, including a set of Bilstein Position-Sensitive Dampers for the off-road suspension system. When combined with the standard HOSS 3.0 suspension system, you get an off-road ride like no other.
The Sasquatch package also gives the Wildtrak electronic-locking front and rear axles with a 4.7 final drive ratio. You also get a set of Fender flares. Together, the Sasquatch package helps push the Wildtrak to become one of the top off-road SUV models on the market. Just head to your favorite trail, take off the removable door and top, and roar your Wildtrak out for a run through the wild.
Comfortable Interior
The 2023 Ford Bronco Wildtrak comes with a standard set of cloth seats, although you can opt for leather seats if you’d prefer. The front seats are heated for those cold days out camping, and the second row features a split bench. No matter whether you choose a two-door or four-door model, you and your passengers will get plenty of room to stretch out. The front row has 43.1 inches of legroom. Meanwhile, the rear seats in the two-door model offer 35.7 inches of legroom, while the four-door has slightly more, at 36.3 inches.
You will be able to stay connected no matter where you go in your Wildtrak. Each model comes with the SYNC 4 system on an 8.0-inch capacitive touchscreen. This allows you to navigate with the swipe of a finger. It also has voice recognition capabilities if you don’t want to take your hands off the wheel. You also have wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you can leave the USB cables at home; stream all your favorite apps with ease. You can also use the standard AppLink with App Catalog to stream your favorite music or other programming. The SYNC 4 system has a seven-speaker audio schema with a subwoofer, so your music will sound great no matter where you roam. Imagine cranking up “Wild Thing” while you’re out surfing dunes in your Wildtrak!
For real audiophiles, Ford offers an elevated sound system by Bang & Olufsen as an option on the Wildtrak. This gives you ten speakers and an unparalleled sound system by one of the leading brands in audio equipment. You can also opt for the SYNC 4 system with a larger 12.0-inch touchscreen.
Wildtrak, You Make My Heart Sing!
The 2023 Ford Bronco Wildtrak is equipped for off-roading with a powerful engine that gives you exceptional acceleration on and off the road. This is just one of the great models of the Bronco that Ford offers drivers seeking a vehicle built to thrill. It wouldn’t be surprising if you were to belt out “Wildtrak, I think I love you” when you are out on the trail in this amazing vehicle.
