Years ago, Ford produced an SUV that grew immensely in popularity before being relegated to the sidelines in the mid-1990s. This SUV was the Ford Bronco, and it has now been over two decades since the last model was produced. However, with the all-new 2021 Bronco and 2021 Bronco Sport, Ford has done the unthinkable and has fully revitalized a classic lineup that was once believed to be forgotten. Although the model had originally left production due to an ever-shifting industry, it has never been a better time to see this fan-favorite SUV return. A launch this exciting can’t be missed, and it is time to start searching for a local Ford Bronco dealer. Since the Bronco hasn’t been sold for a couple of decades now, the new Bronco models are all-new from the ground up and we’re here to cover some of its exciting new features.
This new and improved Bronco starts at an MSRP of $28,500 for the 2-door version, while the 4-door version starts at $33,200. The smaller Bronco Sport is only available with four doors and starts with an MSRP of $26,660 for the base model. Both models come standard with four-wheel drive and plenty of off-road features, making them arguably the most capable SUVs in their segments. They also share many of the same trims, including the entry-level Base, the upgraded Big Bend, the luxurious Outer Banks, and the off-road Badlands. However, there is a pair of trims that are not available on the Bronco Sport: the mid-level Black Diamond and desert-running Wildtrak. While a limited-production First Edition was offered for both models, these were sold out within hours of their being announced.
The full-size Bronco also offers a couple of other special features that set it apart from the Bronco Sport. First, the 2021 Bronco features easily-removed doors and roof for open-air adventure. Second, it offers a high-performance Sasquatch Package on every trim level, which brings off-road features from 35″ wheels to locking differentials. This package truly sets the Bronco apart from the competition and makes it the most factory-ready off-road machine available. On the surface, the new Bronco and Bronco Sport are appealing vehicles, and that first impression only grows stronger the more you learn about them. It’s simply stunning how robust and value-packed these new Ford vehicles are.
How Does The New Bronco Sport Perform?
The engine options are rather simple for the Bronco Sport. Two engines are used throughout the lineup, and both of them are turbocharged to maximize performance and efficiency in a smaller form factor. Serving as the base offering, the first of these engines is a 1.5L three-cylinder that produces 181 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque, which are certainly impressive metrics for its size. This engine also comes paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission that provides a smooth ride and further improves its engine’s fuel-efficient nature. The optional engine is a 2.0L four-cylinder that produces an impressive 245 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque. Compared to the base engine, this upgrade brings roughly 35% more horsepower and a whopping 44.7% more torque, making it the perfect choice for enhancing the Bronco Sport’s off-road (and on-road) performance.
What About The Full-Size Bronco?
With the full-size 2021 Bronco, we see a much stronger arrangement of powertrain options. Both the engines found on the 2021 Bronco are turbocharged, much like the Bronco Sport. However, these engines are much bigger and more powerful. The base engine is a turbocharged 2.3L four-cylinder that produces 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, which is a substantial increase over even the top engine in the Bronco Sport. The next available engine for the 2021 Bronco is a turbocharged 2.7L V6 that achieves 310 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. It’s clear that the regular Bronco is going to be a much stronger contender when in regards to power. However, it also has another trick up its sleeve with the option to choose either a unique 7-speed manual transmission or a 10-speed automatic transmission.
A rather interesting point of comparison is pitting these new engines against the powertrains of the last Ford Bronco. With the previous Ford Bronco being a 1996 model, plenty of advancements have been made since then, and these new engines help to highlight these advancements. Back in 1996, the Ford Bronco was available with a massive 5.8L V8. However, despite its size, it only produced 205 hp and 328 lb-ft of torque. Further, it was only offered with a 4-speed automatic transmission that further lowered its already abysmal fuel economy. With 310 hp, the 2021 Bronco outpaces even the very best that you could get a couple of decades ago while staying more efficient. Between the time the original Ford Bronco lineup ended and the reintroduction of this new and improved take on the original lineup, engines are now stronger, lighter, and more efficient.
Ford is a manufacturer who takes pride in its advancements made throughout the past few decades, and the new Ford Bronco and its new engines are proof of this. Another of the most notable advancements is the G.O.A.T. modes that come standard on a variety of Bronco models. G.O.A.T. was the nickname of the original 1966 Bronco and stands for “Goes Over Any Terrain.” These terrain modes do exactly that and are suited to optimize your Bronco when traversing difficult terrain from desert sands to icy winter roads. However, the exact modes available will depend on the model and trim in question, with different trims being designed for different types of driving. Finally, the Bronco offers a package of advanced off-road driver assist technologies from Trail One Pedal Driving to Trail Turn Assist, making your off-road adventures safer and easier than ever before.
Your New Bronco Awaits
We’re very excited to see the return of the Ford Bronco as it’s not entirely common for a once retired lineup to be brought back into production. The automotive market is always changing, there’s no denying that, and manufacturers such as Ford are continuously innovating. With all the innovation that Ford has been doing, it came as a surprise to many that a lineup that hasn’t seen the light of day in over two decades would enter the spotlight all of a sudden. However, to Ford enthusiasts and previous Bronco owners, the return is well warranted and a long time coming. This new model is ready to revitalize the off-road performance market and provide a worthy challenger to the current market-leading Jeep Wrangler.
We hope to see Ford and other manufacturers around the globe continue to revitalize these once-beloved lineups and introduce an entirely new generation of iconic automobiles. While the full-size Bronco will not reach your local Ford dealership until sometime in 2021, the Bronco Sport is already rolling out across America. Regardless of what kind of driver you are, the new Ford Bronco lineup has something for everyone, and we’re expecting even more exciting additions in the future, including a rumored Bronco Raptor that takes inspiration from Ford powerful F-150 Raptor off-road pickup.
