Car and Driver 10Best Trucks and SUVs

Sometimes a new vehicle knocks our hats off at its debut, but then our enthusiasm wanes—10Best has been littered with one-year wonders. The Ford Bronco is not one of them. Although the frenzy is fading and Broncos are now a common sight, we’re still smitten with this SUV, which combines supreme open-air off-road chops with tolerable highway manners. You know what? This whole independent-front-suspension idea just might catch on.

Credit Ford for keeping the fire burning strong even though the latest Bronco is still relatively new and hugely popular. Recent additions to the lineup include the retro Heritage model, the swamp-creature Everglades, and the all-conquering Raptor, which hits 60 mph in 5.6 seconds and comes with tires that would do it proud at the King of the Hammers competition. Ford hasn’t neglected its existing owners either, releasing an upgrade that takes the 2.3-liter inline-four to 330 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque and adds rev matching for the manual transmission for only $825. Speaking of manual transmissions, Ford heard Bronco fans who complained that the Sasquatch off-road package wasn’t available with the manual, and the Blue Oval made it happen. We’re optimistic that if we repeat our “Bronco V-8, Bronco V-8” mantra long enough, it will become reality.

Even if it doesn’t, the Bronco offers variety. Minimalists can get a four-cylinder two-door model with steel wheels. Realists might go for a four-door Outer Banks and its on-pavement civility. And survivalists can park an Everglades, with its winch and snorkel, at their bug-out compound.

All the Bronco models share a commitment to fun, an attitude that driving ought to be a good time. Removing the Bronco’s doors is easy, as is opening up the top. The interior looks good but can tolerate a squall. Ford even built a series of Bronco off-road playgrounds around the country, the Off-Roadeos. That alone tells you the Bronco’s goals transcend anodyne transportation. A Bronco is supposed to deliver a little spark of excitement every time you fire it up. And in its third model year, it definitely still does.