Being a legend is not for the timid—as the brand-new Ford Bronco boldly demonstrates.
This reinvention of the classic Bronco is a thoroughly up-to-date SUV that reboots the legendary name. It’s offered in both a two-door and a new four-door body style in trim levels ranging from merely looking rugged to my test-drive’s real-deal Badlands version equipped to handle the gnarliest of trails.
Under the hood is a choice of a standard 300-horsepower, turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder or my tester’s gutsy 330-horsepower, twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6. Both engines come mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission (a 7-speed manual is offered with the smaller engine) and full-time four-wheel drive. Towing capacity is a decent 3,500 pounds.
In the cabin, the aggressive tire tread and wind noise made the space less than serene, but it should be tolerable by folks who prioritize the Bronco’s go-anywhere capability. Figure in modern amenities such as an available 12-inch center touch-screen with navigation, and you have a legend you can live with every day.
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STRENGTHS
Trail-ready: available locking differentials and huge tires are just a start.
Customizable with 200-plus dealer-installed accessories
WEAKNESSES
Appalling fuel economy
Rough ride over bad pavement
BOTTOM LINE
If you don’t intend to go off-road, you probably ought to look elsewhere.