Five generations of the Ford Bronco have come and gone, and now, there’s a new sixth generation model on the horizon. We’ve been able to catch spy shots of an early Bronco mule undergoing testing, from which we concluded that the production-intent Bronco won’t actually look anything like the mule. But now we wanna know: are you planning to buy the new Ford Bronco, sight unseen?
Frankly, that’s a big ask, since any big purchase should be examined with both eyes open. That said, the Bronco nameplate has the potential to command the kind of respect that makes folks plunk down their hard-earned cash without a second thought. Plus, based on what we’ve seen so far, it’s not necessarily an outrageous proposition to begin with.
For starters, we already know that the new Bronco will be based around the new Ford Ranger, offering exterior dimensions skinny enough to keep up with the Jeep Wrangler on narrow trails. As for the exterior design, we’re expecting classic Ford Bronco cues like a rear-mounted spare tire, boxy styling, and of course, two-tone paint. And don’t forget a roof capable of opening.
We probably won’t see a V8 under the hood, but there’s no doubt that the 2.3L EcoBoost four-banger will come as the standard powerplant, while a hybrid model will also be available. The Bronco will also feature solid front and rear axles that will help with off-road agility, as will heavy-duty skid plates and BF Goodrich All-Terrain KO2 tires, as revealed on test mules.
The new Ford Bronco is expected to arrive for the 2021 model year, but specifics and official details are still very much up in the air at this point. And all that brings us back to our original question – are you planning to buy the new Ford Bronco, sight unseen?
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View Comments
I love my '18 Fx4 crewcab with the V8. But I've always wanted a Bronco.
However, if the Bronco is only being made to "compete with Jeep", then they've
already missed the boat, big time. I could care less what or where a Jeep is able
to go or do. I expect a Ford to shoot higher than that! Way higher. If the new
Bronco is narrow, small-framed, shorter than my 6' body is tall, or has a tiny
4-banger engine, it won't be for me (no matter how good looking it is) The
Bronco has a history. Not living up to or exceeding that, is a waste of my money ...
im in the market for a new car as my old 97 honda is slowly succuming to age.
I always liked the jeep wrangler and its ability to be open air and go anywhere. However it seems that the jeep is not perfect and has many issues since its fiat buyout and weak underperforming engines and small tiny windshield with limited visibility all around.
Ford has a chance to do this right and break jeeps stranglehold on the off road recreational market.
Give us a bronco raptor with removable top made in the US and jeep is in deep trouble.
If the ford bronco is as open air as the wrangler , capable off road , and gets slightly better gas milage and has more visibility im 100% on board.
But it has to be open air for recreational purposes or no sale. I have no need for a ford raptor without a bed.
Trying to make my 2004 F150 make it until the NEW Bronco. I owned an ‘87 Bronco and really hope a manual transmission and at least a V6 engine - V8 would be nice!
I'm serious about buying the new Bronco ONLY with a manual transmission and V-6 or V-8. No four banger awfulmatic for me. Low on the tech stuff. Keep it simple and reliable.
Im just curious how they know its a solid front axle, every pic ive seen so far of the mule's undercarriage had independent front suspension
I was thinking the same thing. I know they have the troller which is based on the t6 ranger platform in South America that has solid axles and I know there were plans to give the bronco a solid front axle but this CLEARLY ifs mule does make it a little difficult to believe.
I do plan to buy a new Bronco, it will be my first new vehicle ever. But, if there are things about it I dont like, I will probably just buy a Ranger XL 4x4 or F-150 4x4 instead.
some of the early artist renderings are very nice (the ones in different colors with the front winch and knobby tires) that show the front grill ( with the back drop of an industrial area).....if they make something that looks something like that then I'm in!..but if they look any like the mules, mimic other builds like the troller (which looks like a toyota land cruiser btw!) or any other soccer parent suv appliance (based on what focus groups say) - then i will probably pass. I owned a 78 for almost 30 years and had it restored and eventually had to sell it - these new ones need to be bad arse!!..no exceptions.
If it is the size of the Wrangler, I'm out. We rented one in Puerto Rico, again in Mexico, the Jeeps are just too cramped on the inside for a daily driver. I'm not trying to crawl rocks down narrow paths on the way to work every morning.
Why is it that on nearly every message board about the Bronco, the comment section is always full of people saying they want a V8 engine and bigger body, but all the news we're getting is about a small SUV with a 4-cylinder engine?
I think Ford missed the mark already.
Ok so I’m hoping after what I’m about to say someone from Ford will take this into consideration. First off I would love to buy the new bronco but I have demands that I think 90% of US consumers would want. I understand it might have to be a 4 dr but please make a 2 dr for the younger generation with no kids. ( Personally I want the new bronco to be a 4 door on F-150 frame, solid axles, removable top, removable doors, spare tire on back, with a 3.5 eco boost twin turbo and 5.0 coyote as engine options, it must have a Boxy Body and have room for tall people like me 6ft or taller. I hate the wrangler because it’s nit made for tall people it’s severely cramped.
Ok so I’m hoping after what I’m about to say someone from Ford will take this into consideration. First off I would love to buy the new bronco but I have demands that I think 90% of US consumers would want. I understand it might have to be a 4 dr but please make a 2 dr for the younger generation with no kids. ( Personally I want the new bronco to be a 4 door on F-150 frame, solid axles, removable top, removable doors, spare tire on back, with a 3.5 eco boost twin turbo and 5.0 coyote as engine options, it must have a Boxy Body and have room for tall people like me 6ft or taller. I hate the wrangler because it’s nit made for tall people it’s severely cramped. I like the rendering of the one that has the mountains in the background with different colors with bronco spelled out on the grill instead of the blue oval. If it looks like that Ford I will buy a Bronco in a heartbeat. I’ve been saving 3 years for this and I’m so pumped to see what it looks like. No one wants a grocery getter crossover. We all want a a full size 2 or 4 dr that a convertible 4x4 off road beast that lives up to the Name BRONCO!!! Ford please don’t disappoint me this will be my first new car I’ve ever bought been driving used cars for years and finally you guys are gonna make something I really want hopefully!!!