2024 Ford Bronco Review: Wrangling The Competition

The Jeep Wrangler has dominated the compact off-road SUV segment for ages, with other capable cars like the Land Rover Defender positioned in a more expensive bracket. However, the Ford Bronco has upset the status quo over the past few years with its rugged abilities, which explains why the automaker has stuck with its winning recipe for another year. This means the 2024 Ford Bronco comes with a choice of a four-cylinder or V6 engine, with outputs varying from 300 to 330 horsepower. The main ingredient is the hardy body-on-frame construction that allows the car to go wherever it pleases. While we wish there were a more efficient hybrid or diesel model, we still think the 2024 Ford Bronco deserves a spot near the top of your shortlist if you're shopping for an off-road warrior.

New for 2024

The new Ford Bronco SUV remains mostly unchanged, though the lineup is now one trim shorter since the Base has been dropped. This also means that the 12-inch infotainment touchscreen is now standard. Lastly, the Badlands trim gets a heavy-duty bumper.

2024 Ford Bronco Price: Which One to Buy

The price of the 2024 Ford Bronco ranges wildly since there are eight trims to choose from. The Big Bend starts things off at $39,130, while the Black Diamond adds $3,500. The first of the two special editions is the Heritage at $47,855 MSRP. Next up is the Outer Banks, which only comes with four doors and a price tag of $47,940, then the Badlands at $49,395. Another four-door-only model is the Everglades, which sells for $55,520. After that comes Wildtrak at $60,025, with the Heritage Limited Edition will cost you the most at $71,105. Aside from those mentioned, all models come with two doors as standard, while upgrading to four doors will cost you somewhere between $500 and $1,500, depending on trim. These prices don't account for the $1,895 destination charge.

With so many to choose from, picking the right model can be tricky. If you're after an adventure vehicle to supplement your family cars, the entry-level Big Bend is perfect once you add the Sasquatch package. This is a pricey $9k addition, which simply reaffirms the choice to stick with the cheapest trim. But if this is going to be your daily driver, a more luxurious trim like the Outer Banks will keep your family happy while still offering some great off-roading opportunities. If you don't add the Sasquatch Package, you can even upgrade to the stronger engine and still end up spending less than the upgraded Big Bend.

Interior and Features

The bold and aggressive styling of the Bronco extends to the interior, where a chunky dashboard dominates the cabin.

The interior of the Bronco looks almost as rugged as the exterior, but it is spacious and well-appointed. The dashboard is extremely wide, giving it a chunky appearance, with the infotainment touchscreen positioned right in the middle. There are some physical controls further down on the center console and on the steering wheel. The rugged interior is further enhanced by rubber floors, durable vinyl, and even drainage ducts when you opt for some of the specialized off-road packages.

Space

There are a couple of size options to choose from with the new Bronco, and most models offer a two- or four-door configuration. The former supplies you with spacious front seats but very little in the way of interior space in the back. Sadly, even the four-door model doesn't really make use of the extra 16 inches of wheelbase length, as the rear seats get less than one inch of additional legroom. However, the bench can support an extra person, making this a five-seater as opposed to a four-seater. The front seats are manually adjustable as standard, so it can take some patience to find a comfortable driving position, but getting inside is quite easy, and sight lines are excellent.

Cargo

While switching between the two- and four-door models does very little for passenger space, it does make a big impact on cargo space. The smaller variants give you 22.4 cubic feet, while the larger ones have 35.6 cubes. Both versions can fold their rear seats down to increase the overall area, namely 52.3 cu-ft for the two-door and 77.6 cubic feet for the four-door. If you opt for a soft top instead of a hard top, these figures are slightly better still. For smaller items, there are two cupholders in the front, a center console storage bin, a glove compartment, and sizeable pockets in each door.

Materials and Colors

True to its rugged character, the Bronco has hardy materials, starting with vinyl upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. A combination of Dark Space Gray/Black Onyx is the only color available here. The Heritage Edition gets plaid cloth upholstery in Navy Pier, which foreshadows the leather-trimmed vinyl seats in the Heritage Limited that have perforated plaid inserts. This leather-trimmed vinyl combination is also standard in the Outer Banks upward, with interior colors including Roast/Black Onyx and Dark Space Grey/Navy Pier. The Badlands and Everglades make use of marine-grade vinyl instead, while the Wildtrak enjoys the more exclusive leather/vinyl combo.

Features and Infotainment

The Bronco range is extensive, so you can have anything from a cheap off-roader with just the basics to an everyday city SUV with all the trimmings that isn't afraid to get dirty. At the lower end of the spectrum, the Big Bend has manual air conditioning, keyless entry, push-button start, an eight-inch digital gauge cluster, and a 12-inch touchscreen.

For infotainment, you get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth streaming, and AM/FM Radio with seven speakers. There are two USB ports in the front and another two in the back. The Heritage upgrades to dual-zone automatic climate control and intelligent access, as well as remote engine start, and heated front seats. Infotainment is also improved with SiriusXM. Through the available packages, you can add a ten-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, a wireless charging pad, adaptive cruise control, and a heated steering wheel.

Performance

The Bronco does an excellent job of balancing true off-roading capabilities with acceptable on-road performance.

Powering the majority of the Ford Bronco models is a 2.3-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine, developing 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. This comes mated to a seven-speed manual transmission as standard, though a ten-speed auto is available. There is also a turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 that makes a more impressive 310 hp and 400 lb-ft, and which is mated exclusively to the automatic gearbox. No matter which powertrain you go for, a 4x4 drivetrain is standard, with a more advanced version available as part of the Sasquatch Package that uses a two-speed electromechanical transfer case. The base engine will launch the Ford Bronco from 0-60 mph in 7.6 seconds, while the V6 does the job in 6.2 seconds, both according to independent tests. Top speed is set at 124 mph.

The 2024 Bronco feels comfortable enough on the road, but it is far from being your typical city crossover. It has confident acceleration, especially with the V6 engine, and the steering is responsive enough for most daily driving. However, it's when you travel off the beaten path that the Ford SUV really shines. It comes equipped with G.O.A.T driving modes (Goes Over Any Terrain), which include Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, Sand, Baja, Mud/Ruts, and Rock Crawl. But these are just the beginning, as the 4x4 drivetrain is the real star, especially if you upgrade to the advanced version found in the Sasquatch Package, along with a Dana 44 rear axle, and optional Spicer Performa-TraK electronic locking differentials. The most off-road-focused trims, like the Badlands, get a stabilizer bar disconnect to improve rock crawling.

This is all very technical, but the message at the end of the day is that the Bronco can tackle anything a Jeep Wrangler can. It matches the competition pound for pound with a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs.

Fuel Efficiency

There are numerous configurations, and each has its own gas mileage. With the 2.3-liter four-cylinder and manual gearbox, the base-level Ford Bronco gets 20/21/20 mpg across the city/highway/combined cycles, and swapping to the automatic gearbox makes no difference. The V6 engine with the auto box drops slightly to 19/21/20 mpg, but it is the specialized models like the Badlands and Black Diamond, with their heavier kit, that get the worst fuel economy. Badlands models vary between 16/17/17 mpg and 17/17/17 mpg, with the manual transmission being thirstier. Black Diamond models manage slightly better, between 16/18/17 mpg and 18/18/18 mpg, with automatic models being more frugal. Adding the Sasquatch Package will also affect fuel economy.

Two-door models get a 16.9-gallon tank, while four-door models have a higher fuel capacity of 20.8 gallons. This means that the Bronco has a traveling range of between 287 and 416 miles, depending on how you configure it.

Safety

The Bronco has earned lukewarm safety reviews from the NHTSA, and while the IIHS is more forgiving, the car gets very few standard driver assists.

The NHTSA has only performed a partial safety review of the Ford Bronco, awarding it four out of five stars for frontal crashes and just three stars for rollover tests. The IIHS was more flattering, with scores of Good in every category except for head restraints and headlights, which received Acceptable and Marginal, respectively - these ratings are for 2023 models, but they are likely to carry over for 2024.

Standard safety features include only the basics, such as six airbags, ABS, and AdvanceTrac with roll stability control. You also get the mandatory rearview camera, along with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and trailer sway control. Upper trim levels can choose to add a few more systems like blind-spot assist, rear cross-traffic assist, lane-keep assist, evasive steering assist, and reverse sensing.

US NHTSA Crash Test Result

Reliability

Ford has a solid reputation in the USA, but the Bronco's reliability for 2024 hasn't been established yet. 2023 models were rated at 77 out of 100 according to JD Power for Quality & Reliability, so there is still room to improve. The SUV was also recalled a total of six times last year, for reasons including incorrect load capacity information, unsecured transmissions, improperly tightened lug nuts, and the steering wheel locking up while driving. In fact, the NHTSA even issued a "Do not drive" warning for the vehicle. At the time of writing, there were no recalls for new 2024 models.

In terms of manufacturer coverage, the 2024 Ford Bronco gets a warranty valid for three years or 36,000 miles, with five years or 60,000 miles allocated to the powertrain.

Warranty

Design

While many automakers are looking to stand out with futuristic designs, the Ford Bronco harkens to the past with its retro styling inspired by the original Bronco. Naturally, it is a stout little SUV with a chunky front bumper and protruding grille bearing the full Bronco name. The headlights are LED as standard, and the car rides on 17-inch wheels wrapped in 32-inch all-terrain tires on most models, or 33-inch all-terrains in the case of the Badlands. Heritage Edition, Everglades , and Wildtrak models get 35-inch mud-terrain tires, and Outer Banks trims get 18-inch alloys.

The trunk door is manually operated and swings out at 150 degrees. The roof can be removed and is available in soft- or hard-top form, depending on whether you choose the four- or two-door model, respectively. In Black Diamond guise, the Bronco sports full underbody bash plates and rock rails, while the Wildtrak gets bespoke graphics. If you equip the Sasquatch Package, you'll immediately notice the added ground clearance of the off-road suspension.

Verdict: Is The 2024 Ford Bronco A Good SUV?

You normally have to choose between on-road comfort and off-road adventures, but the 2024 Bronco presents shoppers with an acceptable compromise. True, the bias is definitely towards off-roading, but rivals like the Jeep Wrangler can't hope to match it around town, while the Land Rover Range Rover is so much more expensive that it may as well be in an entirely different segment. Smack dab in the middle of these two extremes, the Bronco is perfectly situated to claim the "undecided" portion of the market. It will still only really appeal to those who want to wander off the beaten path regularly, as there are many more capable urban runabouts out there, but if you're looking to kill two birds with one stone, it is the perfect weapon.