Truck Review: Ford’s New Bronco Is the Ultimate 4×4

The new Ford Bronco is the most capable 4×4 you can buy for both off-road and on the highway. While this proficiency will appeal to sportsmen and women who need to access challenging terrain, there are practical limitations based on its abilities. I’ll explain why the Bronco is so superlative, but will focus on whether hunters and anglers can fit this new Ford into their lives. Going hunting or fishing often involves moving gear, dogs, friends, and maybe even a boat or ATV. How well will the Bronco perform those tasks?

The Bronco Comes at Jeep’s Wrangler Head-On

The Bronco has supplanted the Jeep Wrangler as the best off-road 4×4. As long as I can remember, the Jeep Wrangler has held the title of the most capable 4×4. But it took a relatively old-school approach, with a live front axle that maximized articulation at the expense of ride quality and on-road handling. Jeep hasn’t done much innovation in recent decades. The Wrangler you can buy today doesn’t feel much different from one you drove two decades ago.

The Bronco challenges the Wrangler head-on, with modern technologies and approaches backed by Ford’s budget and enthusiast-based corporate culture. Its independent front suspension delivers smoother, more predictable on-road handling and the ability to tackle high-speed off-road terrain. With more wheel travel and articulation than the Wrangler, the Bronco is better at rock crawling.

Until now, rock crawling and high-speed off-road terrain required different vehicles. The short wheelbase and slim dimensions of the Wrangler could handle anything, but the big front axle limited speeds. With the Bronco’s Sasquatch package, it has better angles, more articulation, and the ability to land jumps and fly through desert terrain like the Raptor.

The Bronco Cuts No Corners

What makes the Bronco impressive is the ease with which it makes its capability accessible. Ford started with a clean sheet and a thorough approach, ensuring that a completely stock Bronco outperforms modified trucks in the past. Even in its most capable form, the Bronco rides and handles like a stock vehicle.

Ford also made accessing the Bronco’s extreme capabilities easy and seamless. Switches on top of the dash control features like locking axle diffs and disconnecting sway bars. A rotary dial on the center console controls the four-wheel drive transfer case and accesses the Bronco’s electronic driving modes. Simply match the dial with the type of challenges you’re facing, and the Bronco automatically engages four-wheel drive and modifies its electronic traction solutions. Pushing a button can lock or unlock the diffs at any speed or disconnect/reconnect the sway bars at any degree of articulation.

This means that drivers of any experience level can confidently use these features. Even a teenager with a freshly-printed driver’s license can handle the Bronco on a city street, while someone who has never driven off-road before can traverse obstacles safely. No matter who’s driving, they’ll feel confident on highways, trails, and in bad weather. This can allow you to access remote hunting or fishing spots that your competition can’t reach.

The Best of the Ford Bronco

Here are the key attributes of the Bronco:

• A stock Sasquatch driven by engineers placed third in its class at the NORRA 1000 off-road race.
• The Bronco performed durability testing on the King of the Hammers course.
• The $4,995 Sasquatch package is available on all Bronco trim levels.
• It’s fun and easy to drive on the road.
• Ford prioritized safety, even in areas where it wasn’t required.
• The Bronco inspires confidence off-road, even for first-time drivers.
• Ford’s turbocharged engines are the most powerful and fuel-efficient in the class.
• The driver’s seat provides excellent vision for parking and navigating obstacles.

Where the Ford Bronco Missed the Mark

The Bronco is an exceptional vehicle, but Ford left out a few desirable features for hunters and anglers:

• While the interior is comfortable and spacious, there’s not a lot of room for dogs or gear.
• All models have the same 3,500-pound towing capacity, limiting options for larger boats or multiple ATVs.
• The dynamic roof load is only 110 pounds, restricting the use of the optional roof rack.
• The licensed accessories from third parties are not of the same quality as those developed by Ford.
• The Bronco is currently sold out through 2022, requiring patience for those who want one.

Is the Bronco the Right Truck for You?

Consider payload and towing capacity before purchasing the Bronco. The payload ranges from 1,032 to 1,452 pounds, depending on the model and accessories. Exceeding these ratings is dangerous and can damage the vehicle during normal driving.

Running some calculations can quickly demonstrate how a hunter could exceed the Bronco’s payload. The Bronco’s size and limited capacity may not be suitable for those needing to haul a lot of gear or larger wildlife.

How to Configure a Bronco

To maximize off-road capability, start with a base four-door Bronco and add the Sasquatch package. From the Ford Performance catalog, add rock rails, a table for the tailgate, and a bumper with a recovery kit. Aftermarket options can address the Bronco’s lack of storage space, such as a hitch rack and a hardshell rooftop tent. Off-road lights and a set of Maxtrax are also essential accessories.

With this configuration, you can take full advantage of the Bronco’s capabilities.

With this configuration, you can take full advantage of the Bronco’s capabilities.