The Ford Bronco wasn’t the original off-road SUV, but it has gained a certain reputation since it joined the Ford lineup in 1966. The early Bronco was something to be reckoned with, with no doors, no roof, and a windshield that could be folded flat against the hood. It held a wide stance on a short wheelbase, with plenty of ground clearance and agile handling, making it an ideal off-road partner. Furthermore, it just looked cool. Today’s drivers can capture some of the 1960s spirit with the 2023 Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport Heritage models.
Though modern frills like seat belts and climate control are included on today’s Bronco, there are many ways in which the Heritage models replicate the straightforwardness of the Broncos of yesteryear. Sure, technology has advanced by leaps and bounds since then, but the bond between driver, machine, and the raw state of nature beyond the pavement remains the same. Check out how the 2023 Heritage models make the Bronco feel more familiar than ever.
The 2023 Ford Bronco Heritage Edition
The Bronco Heritage is a welcome sight for those who have missed the big boxy SUVs of days gone by. From its Oxford White wheels to its Oxford White roof, it sits wide and aggressively commands the terrain as it rumbles ever onwards. Offered as both a two-door and four-door model, the Bronco Heritage includes standard 4×4 with Automatic On-Demand Engagement. The 2.3L EcoBoost inline-four engine is paired with a seven-speed manual transmission, though a 10-speed automatic is available. You can also add the 2.7L EcoBoost V6 if you desire more power.
All of the Heritage Broncos come with the exclusive Oxford White removable hardtop. However, a variety of canvas and mesh roofs can be added as options if you want an easier way to enjoy the open air. The Sasquatch Package is also standard, with the unique Oxford White wheels wearing 35-inch mud tires. Another homage to the model’s old-school roots can be found in the interior. The cabin looks remarkably clean and modern with its white dash, streamlined driver controls, and expansive digital displays. The plaid upholstery, however, is a nod to the early Bronco models, though heated seats in an off-road vehicle were just a dream back then.
Overall, the Bronco Heritage is just as tech-savvy as the rest of the 2023 lineup. Equipped with six GOAT modes (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) and electronic-locking front and rear axles, it is trail ready. Meanwhile, features like ambient lighting and an auto-dimming rearview mirror remind us that the 21st century is a wonderful time to be behind the wheel.
The Bronco Heritage Limited Edition
Ford has indicated that it will produce just 1,966 Bronco Heritage Limited Edition SUVs in total, so in this instance, the “Limited” actually means “in short supply.” They mean it, too, with both two-door and four-door versions counting towards this total. Every Heritage Limited Edition vehicle will come in one of two exclusive paint options: Robin’s Egg Blue or Prairie Yellow, so you can easily identify this rare model at a glance.
Under the hood, the Heritage Limited Edition comes standard with the larger 2.7L EcoBoost V6 engine that supplies a zesty 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. This engine is exclusively paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission, which might be a deal breaker for manual aficionados.
Many of the exterior features remain the same, including the Oxford White hardtop and grille. However, the Heritage Limited Edition includes 17-inch “Dog-Dish” gloss black wheels with a white wall stripe, so named because of their resemblance to canine dining ware. Another way to identify this rare edition is its unique metallic “Bronco” badging on the front fenders.
Inside, you will again find plaid seats, this time in a perforated leather and vinyl combination that takes terms like “low maintenance” and “deluxe” seriously. In contrast, the state-of-the-art 12-inch touchscreen and SYNC 4 infotainment system offer access to a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. A wireless charging pad keeps devices functioning, so you don’t have to remove your hands from the heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Also included are the features of the famous Sasquatch Package. Designed to help make the Bronco ready to climb, ford, creep, and crawl directly from the factory, this off-road package includes 35-inch mud-terrain tires, Bilstein position-sensitive dampers, and wider fender flares. Also of note: the Heritage Limited Edition has washout rubber flooring with a drain plug to keep things tidy. All of this proves that working hard and looking good are not mutually exclusive in the 2023 Ford Bronco.
What About the Bronco Sport?
The 2023 Bronco Sport is also being given the Heritage treatment. Both the Heritage and Heritage Limited Edition will be offered to Bronco Sport drivers. In order to understand how the Bronco and Bronco Sport Heritage editions differ, it’s important to know how the Bronco and Bronco Sport differ. Many experts have covered this topic in detail, but in a nutshell, the Sport is smaller in stature.
The Bronco Sport also has a proportionately smaller engine. The Sport Heritage Edition makes use of a 1.5L EcoBoost engine with 181 hp, while the Heritage Limited Edition includes a 2.0L EcoBoost engine that’s good for 250 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4×4, although that means there is no manual option for Bronco Sport drivers.
However, there are plenty of very cool trail-related features on board. The Heritage Limited Edition includes an advanced 4×4 system with a twin-clutch rear drive unit that supplies one-wheel traction. Ford Trail Control acts as a type of off-road cruise control, allowing you to set the speed, then focus entirely on whatever you’re rolling over. For better visibility, you can activate an available 180-degree forward-facing camera with split-view to give you even more clarity in a messy situation.
The vintage good looks are still part of the Heritage offerings on the Bronco Sport, including an Oxford White roof and grille, along with 17-inch Oxford White wheels. The throw-back plaid interior remains intact, as well. It is tradition, after all.
Buying the 2023 Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport Heritage Editions
As noted, the Heritage Limited Edition will be limited in production to a grand total of 1,966 units for each model. However, the base Heritage Edition will be more widely available. Therefore, if one of these models invokes a deep desire within you, it’s not a bad idea to hurry over to your local Ford dealership for more information.
You may argue that the Heritage and Heritage Limited editions are more appearance packages than upgrades. However, if the Oxford White accents and retro features invoke a deep emotional response, recalling days when off-roading was a sweaty, gritty sport and 4×4 didn’t just activate with the twist of a dial, there is no reason to pass up these nostalgic models. Whether you were there back in the day or wish you had been, the Heritage and Heritage Limited Edition versions of the 2023 Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport manage to make us all feel a little sappy about “way back when.”
