Ford gave Jeep a run for its money in the 1960s when it debuted the Bronco, an off-road SUV that would soon earn legendary status. Over the next several years, the Bronco morphed into a full-size SUV and made room for a smaller, more agile sibling. However, it eventually faded out of the spotlight by the late 1990s, yet it was far from forgotten. After all, how could you forget a legend?
With rumors running wild for years about the Bronco’s return, Ford finally answered the call and reintroduced the legend in 2021. Bigger, better, and more capable than ever, the Bronco is once again giving Jeep a run for its money. The 2023 Ford Bronco is quickly overshadowing the Jeep Wrangler and other rivals, making it the most anticipated SUV to debut in decades. But what makes it so extraordinary?
The 2023 Bronco strikes an exceptional balance between its on-road manners and off-road capability. It’s comfortable navigating the highway or running errands in town, but it’s also at home on the trail where it can ford streams, climb rocks, and navigate mud better than most. This capability stems from the Bronco’s innovative build, capable powertrain, and the Bronco-exclusive Terrain Management System with G.O.A.T. Modes that ensure the SUV can "go over any type of terrain" without breaking a sweat.
Along with its capability, Ford adds to the Bronco’s appeal by making it fully customizable to your every need. Its diverse trim lineup has something for everyone, from those looking for luxury to others ready to find sasquatch deep in the woods. The 2023 Ford Bronco can handle it all, doing so in style and with the capability expected of a legend that bears the iconic Blue Oval.
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The 2023 Bronco lineup begins with the Base model, which you can treat like a blank canvas and customize with the off-road-oriented Sasquatch package. The Base rolls off the factory floor with Ford’s four-wheel drive system with Part-Time Selectable Engagement, the Terrain Management System with five G.O.A.T. modes, the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, 30-inch all-season tires, cloth seats, carpeted floors, and an eight-inch SYNC 4 infotainment system. With the Sasquatch package, the Base gets 35-inch tires, electronic-locking front and rear axles, Bilstein Position-Sensitive Dampers, and fender flares to heighten its performance on the trail.
The Big Bend builds on the Base by including a few more comforts to enhance your ride. For example, the Big Bend adds a sixth G.O.A.T. mode, 32-inch all-terrain tires for improved performance, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift knob, a distinct carbonized gray grille, and privacy glass. The Outer Banks takes these features further by adding amenities like heated front seats, LED headlamps and taillamps for outstanding visibility, powder-coated tube steps, and optional leather upholstery. Adding the High Package or the Lux Package equips the Outer Banks with a 12-inch touchscreen display, sound deadening for a quieter ride, a 10-speaker B&O sound system, and advanced technologies like a 360-degree camera, navigation, and Evasive Steering Assist.
Next in the lineup is the Bronco Badlands, an extreme off-roader with seven G.O.A.T. modes and 33-inch all-terrain tires. It comes with the HOSS 2.0 system with Bilstein Position-Sensitive Dampers, powder-coated front and rear steel bumpers, integrated LED fog lamps, and tow hooks. The interior is designed to withstand every adventure and features rubberized flooring with drain plugs and Marine-grade vinyl seats for easy cleaning. The Bronco Everglades shares the same interior attributes but adds water-friendly features like a factory-installed snorkel intake system and a heavy-duty modular front bumper.
The top of the Bronco lineup includes the Raptor and the Heritage Limited models. The Raptor is as adventurous as it gets, featuring the potent 3.0L EcoBoost V6 engine, 37-inch all-terrain tires, and a front stabilizer bar disconnect to optimize handling on any terrain. New for 2023, the Heritage Limited celebrates the Bronco’s legacy with distinct design elements, like the Oxford White hard-top and Oxford White instrument panel. It also features exclusive badging and vintage plaid seats.
The 2023 Bronco is destined for adventure on the trail, but Ford ensures its on-road manners are just as impressive as its prowess when the pavement ends. Ford accomplishes this by outfitting every Bronco with what’s known as the HOSS System or “High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension.” The unique system adds an independent suspension to the front with long-travel coil-over springs that enhance the Bronco’s handling and ride quality. At the rear, the solid axle also has long-travel coil springs with five links that optimize your control over the SUV at any speed and in any condition.
Ford gives you every opportunity to enhance the Bronco’s performance and handling with upgrades like the position-sensitive Bilstein dampers, which are standard on the Badlands and with the Sasquatch off-road package. The Bilstein dampers minimize the Bronco’s response when navigating bumpy terrain, improving its durability on the trail and minimizing the potential for a harsher ride. As a result, you spend less time bracing for impact and more time enjoying the adventure.
The Bronco’s heartbeat plays a significant role in its on and off-road manners. The legendary SUV comes standard with Ford’s proven 2.3L EcoBoost inline-four engine that delivers 275 horsepower and a class-leading 315 lb-ft of torque. When you fill the tank with premium fuel, you can expect the Bronco’s power output to climb to 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque for exceptional capability for a standard powerplant. Those looking for more power don’t have to look beyond the Bronco and the available 2.7L EcoBoost V6 engine. The powerplant delivers class-leading potency to the tune of 315 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. Those numbers climb to 330 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque with premium fuel.
Ford makes harnessing the Bronco’s capability straightforward by equipping every trim with the Bronco-exclusive Terrain Management System with G.O.A.T. Modes. The system offers up to seven driver-selectable modes that let you tailor the Bronco’s performance to the terrain, condition, or your driving preferences. For example, normal mode balances power delivery and efficiency, and Eco prioritizes efficiency, with Sport mode stiffening the steering for a dynamic driving experience. Slippery and Sand modes are ideal for the pavement, while Baja, Rock Crawl, and Mud/Ruts are designed for off-road terrain.
“Built Ford Tough” takes on a new meaning with the "Built Wild" 2023 Bronco. Knowing the Bronco will see extreme conditions, Ford gives drivers every opportunity to enjoy the ride by offering class-exclusive features that are functional and stylish. For example, the Bronco is the only SUV in the industry to feature frameless doors and cowl-mounted mirrors. As a result, the doors are easy to remove, and the mirrors stay in place without compromising your visibility.
The Bronco’s trail sights on the front fenders pay homage to the first-generation Bronco but serve a functional purpose as cargo tie-downs that can support up to 150 pounds, making them perfect for securing kayaks, canoes, and other bulky gear. Beyond this, you can outfit the Bronco with steel bash plates that protect vital underbody components like the fuel tank, engine, transfer case, and transmission from damage on technical terrain. These plates give you the confidence to explore the unknown and push the Bronco to its limits.
In doing so, you can rely on the Bronco’s expansive suite of technology to keep you connected and help you enjoy the ride. The 2023 Bronco offers Ford’s latest SYNC 4 infotainment system with wireless smartphone integration, over-the-air updates, navigation, and in-vehicle apps that ensure you never miss a turn, text message, call, or update when you’re behind the wheel. However, there’s even more technology working behind the scenes.
Ford understands that enjoying the ride is much easier when you have the right tools. On the 2023 Bronco, tools like Trail 1-Pedal Drive, Trail Control, and Trail Turn Assist transform your experience in the driver’s seat. For example, when navigating winding trails, you can engage the class-exclusive Trail Turn Assist to apply the brakes to the inner rear wheel to tighten the Bronco’s turning radius. Exploring long trails with few turns is also enjoyable with Trail Control, an off-road cruise control that can adjust the Bronco’s low cruising speed while you manage the steering wheel. On more technical terrain, you can optimize your focus using Trail 1-Pedal Drive, which combines the function of the accelerator and brake pedals to limit the required movement so that you have total control.