Big, brawny, and the revival of a legend have lead to this boxy SUV winning our award for the pinnacle of off roading
Death seems to be inevitable for most cars. Nearly every vehicle, nameplate, make, and model will eventually meet their demise someday. We talk about endings enough, this year alone we’ve covered the death of the Audi R8, Chevrolet Camaro, Acura NSX, and the HRV. But what about resurrection? Sure it’s a novel idea. The notion of a car company bringing back a beloved marque has always been handled with great enthusiasm amongst the automotive community. Seldom does anyone rebut the argument of a classic making a return.
However, more often than not, auto manufacturers squander the opportunity and fail to capitalize on impending hype. One glance at history brings evidence of the bastardization of various models being bastardized by the very company they’re manufactured by. A revel into the history books shows embarrassing failures such as the Ford Thunderbird and the Mitsubishi Eclipse, names tarnished after the revival. While some were doomed from the start, what happens when it’s done right? Ford knows.
The Ford Bronco is the Revival of a Legend
As the epitome of the off roading world for decades, the Bronco badge has brought upon an aura amongst auto manufacturers. Forget OJ Simpson being chased in a pearly white stallion along the 405 tailed by the fuzz, the bucking horse on the front of nearly boxy American SUV meant more. The ability to outmatch any terrain.
Ford first gave us a tease of what the Bronco nameplate would have to offer with the retrogressive Bronco Sport, a 3-cylinder compact SUV with splashes of the original tacked on in various places. After its reveal, the Ford fanfare started to die down, which we couldn’t blame anyone for. A former shell of the brand it was meant to represent, the Sport was based off the Escape platform as yet another econobox in Ford’s lineup.
But this isn’t about the Sport is it? No, it’s about its big brother, the real Bronco. Coming in nearly every single variation and size, the Bronco is the rebirth of a once harrowed brand. With the original funeral of the Bronco in 1996, the revival started in 2021.
Winning with Brawns over Brain
No matter what way you shape it, the Bronco has set a new precedent to the rise in off road oriented SUVs over the past decade. Consumers have loved the SUV for its off the beaten path capabilities, a trait which we found instantly admirable. Built to go off the highway and into the deep wilderness, the Bronco has set an industry standard for what a true off roader is.
Its hardcore prowess off the asphalt lands it as our top off roader, especially when one opts for all the power ups that Ford offers on the spec sheet. Choose the Bronco with the optional Sasquatch Package and reap the slew of dirty features it comes with 35-inch meaty rubbers, front and aft electronic locking differentials, beadlocked wheels finished in satin black on a 17-inch diameter, and a 7-speed manual allowing the Bronco to crawl the rocks better.
During testing, our Bronco made quick work of whatever setting we put it through. The boxy design made it agile around large and steep rocks, with its aired-down beefy tires slicing through the cold Texas night. The technology accessible in the cabin is some of the best in its class, compared to other vehicles in its sector. The G.O.A.T. modes, which cleverly stand for “Go Over Any Terrain” according to Ford. These modes prepare the Bronco for nearly every type of surface. The list includes Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, Sand, Mud, Rock Crawl, and Baja. Each tailored to its specific occupation, these modes more than adequately prepare the SUV to optimize its performance.
Toughest in its Class
While the Bronco isn’t the most technologically advanced, it doesn’t need to be. There’s no screens the length of the dashboard nor self-driving capabilities rivaling that of a Tesla. However, what good are those out in the baja or wherever else the Bronco has to go? Instead, the friendly folks in Dearborn engineered the Bronco to outclass its competitors with brute strength.
The factory off roading sector is an interesting one as is. While the majority of automotive classes focus on one body style, this one hails vehicles from all sorts of different styles and shapes. From the Ram 1500 TRX & Ford Raptor R to even the new Porsche 911 Dakar and the Lamborghini Huracan Steratto. Attempting to be more than just a number in a tightly packed class, the Bronco had to show up and show out on a different level in order to take home number one.
The Jeep Wrangler and other competitors are simply lacking in fixtures that the Bronco had that we found woeful in other vehicles. For example, the Wrangler’s outdated design meant we had to spend more time trying to get the car in and out of 4WD instead of actually rock crawling. The Bronco didn’t have us terrified of tipping over every single time we took a turn because of its more modern design allowing it to have a lower center of gravity. The Bronco’s 415 lb-ft of torque also outduels most of its competitors, digging us out of ruts when we needed it. The 2.7 L EcoBoost V6 comes with 330 horses, and while severely lacking behind the Wrangler 392, we didn’t find any need for more poot on the trails.
Value, Outmatched
Despite the elementary form of the Bronco, the vehicle itself is light years above its best foe. With vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler and the Ford Raptor all having more noticeable flaws, we found the Bronco’s rudimentary ethos powerful in a world where everyone is trying to be the next best thing. Ford didn’t reinvent the wheel, yet they didn’t have to. The suite of technology available in the Bronco is nearly unfindable short of breaking the bank with a G-Wagon.
Our Wildtrak build with no options came out to a $54,320 MSRP plus an additional $1,595 in destination charges. A similarly built Wrangler 392 comes out to well over $82,000. Ford’s own in-house competitor charges a pretty penny for the Raptor at over $76,000. Our Bronco may not have the same luxuries under the hood as either, but the Bronco is one of the most cost-efficient ways to show up a Land Cruiser at your local mud crawl.
As for the interior, it’s a typical Ford. Yet, it’s still one of the more premium interiors of its competition. The Wrangler’s antiquated cabin made it almost impossible to sit in for long stretches of time. The Bronco is livable, with loads of cargo space in the back to make it even more of a daily driver. The intuitive infotainment system makes life a lot easier than its opponents. We’ve always raved about Ford’s SYNC system, and it only gets better here.
Plastic bits and pieces are scattered all around the cabin, but this is meant to be an off roader, not a S-Class. For something that’s purposed to be a trail warrior and will get dirtier than a dumpster, the interior works perfect. The uncompromising attitude of the Bronco is what landed it here.
The Verdict
The 2022 Ford Bronco Wildtrak is a no-frills, no-shenanigans way to get your hands dirty without coughing up some extraordinary price. While it’s not the fastest, it didn’t seem bothered too much by any challenge we put it up to, getting itself muddy and nasty in the process. For a hair under $55,000, the Bronco is a willing proponent of going off the asphalt and into the wilderness.
