2023 Ford Bronco Review, Pricing, and Specs

Overview

Whether it’s crunching through dense forest trails or quietly idling up to a Wendy’s drive-thru window, the four-wheel-drive Ford Bronco is arguably the most exciting off-roader since the Jeep Wrangler. The Bronco comes in both two- and four-door body styles, and it was designed to do everything a Wrangler can—and it does that and more. Yes, you can remove the doors on the Bronco just like you can on a Wrangler but only the Ford retains its mirrors. Both brands’ SUVs cater to the big muddy but the Bronco suffers from noticeably less road noise when traveling the highways between puddles. It has more base horsepower too, with output ranging between a 300-hp turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four and a 330-hp twin-turbo 2.7-liter V-6. If you’re after more than that, feast your eyes on the swollen fenders of the 418-hp Bronco Raptor, reviewed separately. With a dizzying array of models, trims, and optional equipment the Bronco offers vast configurability that allows it to fit a wide range of needs—even for those die-hards (like us) who want to shift gears with the help of a clutch pedal.

What’s New for 2023?

Ford celebrates the good old days with a special Bronco Heritage Edition for both two- and four-door models that brings back a classic 1960s look. Based on the Big Bend trim with the Sasquatch package, the Bronco Heritage Edition comes with the 300-hp turbo 2.3-liter with either a seven-speed manual or available 10-speed automatic transmission. Throwback styling includes a white grille, white roof, and a set of 1960s-inspired wheels. A more expensive Heritage Limited Edition, based on the Badlands trim level, comes with metal Bronco-script fender badging, leather-trimmed plaid seats, and Heritage Limited badging on the center console.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

The base two-door Bronco starts at around $33,000 but upgrading to upper trims gets expensive quickly. Our ideal configuration would be a four-door with the more powerful engine, and it needs to have the off-road hardware to live up to its roots. That points us towards the Bronco Wildtrack, which comes standard with 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels and huge 35-inch mud-terrain tires. FYI, the two-door has ample rear-seat room, so if you can get by with two fewer portals, it’s a way to get more for your Bronco bucks.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Sorry, folks. The Bronco doesn’t come with eight cylinders. Instead, there’s a standard 300-hp turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder or an optional 330-hp twin-turbo 2.7-liter V-6. A 10-speed automatic transmission bolts to both gas engines, but a seven-speed manual is only compatible with the smaller one. Unfortunately, neither engine has an enthusiastic soundtrack. Every Bronco sends power to all four wheels, and its independent front suspension is more sophisticated than Jeep’s front stick axle. Other noteworthy options include 35-inch mud-terrain tires, beadlock-capable wheels, electronic locking front and rear differentials, and a sway-bar-disconnect feature. After our first driving impressions, the Bronco impressed us with its on-road refinement. Not only is its steering more precise than the Wrangler’s wheel, but the Ford simply handles better overall. Of course, equipped with the largest tires and softest suspension, there’s significant brake dive, and its body-on-frame construction isn’t kept secret. Still, the Bronco isn’t a one-trick pony, and it’s capable of conquering truly treacherous terrain.

Towing and Payload Capacity

Both the two- and four-door Ford Bronco models are rated to tow 3500 pounds—the same as the Wrangler.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The four-cylinder Bronco with the automatic transmission is the thriftiest variant, with ratings of 20 mpg in the city and 22 on the highway. Upgrade to the V-6 version with the Sasquatch package that includes aggressive, oversized tires and its fuel economy plummets to 17 mpg both in the city and on the highway. We’ve run automatic-equipped Broncos with both engines on our 75-mph fuel-economy route, with the four-cylinder earning 22 mpg and the V-6 earning 18 mpg. For more information about the Bronco’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Available with two or four doors, soft tops or hardtops, and removable body panels, the Bronco offers the same open-air possibilities that make the Wrangler an outdoor person’s delight. The Ford’s interior has a few more innovations than the Jeep, too. For example, the Bronco has a rack built into the top of its dashboard that allows smartphones and GoPros to be mounted there. It also has frameless doors that are easy to remove. However, their long side glass can snag the weatherstripping and they allow extra wind noise to enter the cabin. Still, the extended-wheelbase four-door models have space on board to store all four doors. Since the exterior mirrors are mounted on the base of the windshield, they’re still usable when the doors are taken off. When exposed to the elements, the cabin can be protected with the available rubberized flooring and marine-grade vinyl upholstery. Those who want a fancier environment can opt for leather seating surfaces, but the interior’s expansive swaths of plastic look cheap on upper trims. Even in the two-door Bronco, there’s enough space in the back seat to comfortably fit two adults. The four-door version alone has a third, middle seat in the rear and offers a hair more legroom, but most of its extra length applies to the cargo area, which is more than 50 percent larger than the two-door.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Ford’s latest in-dash Sync 4 software powers the 8.0- or 12.0-inch touchscreen that’s embedded in the middle of the Bronco’s dashboard. The setup allows over-the-air updates and can connect to the cloud and the user’s smartphone wirelessly. The infotainment system also supports a host of modern infotainment features that include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot. The unit can also be upgraded with desirable options, such as built-in navigation and a more powerful B&O stereo.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The Bronco is available with a suite of driver-assistance technology, including automatic high beams and parking sensors. It also has equipment that makes low-speed rock crawling and trail driving easier. For more information about the Bronco’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Available forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
• Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
• Available lane-departure and lane-keeping assist

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Ford provides a competitive limited and powertrain warranty that aligns with most of its rivals. However, it lacks the complimentary maintenance that some competitors provide.

• Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance

More Features and Specs