The Ford Bronco is a model line of SUVs manufactured and marketed by Ford. The first SUV model developed by the company, five generations of the Bronco were sold from the 1966 to 1996 model years. A sixth generation of the model line was introduced for the 2021 model year. The nameplate has been used on other Ford SUVs, namely the 1984–1990 Bronco II compact SUV, the 2021 Bronco Sport compact crossover, and the China-only 2025 Bronco New Energy.

Originally developed as a compact off-road vehicle using its own chassis, the Bronco initially competed against the Jeep CJ-5 and International Scout. For 1978, Ford enlarged the Bronco, making it a short-wheelbase version of the F-Series pickup truck; the full-size Bronco now competed against the Chevrolet K5 Blazer and Dodge Ramcharger.

Following a decline in demand for large two-door SUVs, Ford discontinued the Bronco after the 1996 model year, replacing it with the four-door Ford Expedition; followed by the larger Ford Excursion. After a 25-year hiatus, the sixth-generation Bronco was reintroduced in 2021 as a mid-size two-door SUV. It is also offered as a full-size four-door SUV with a longer wheelbase. It competes directly with the Jeep Wrangler as both a two-door and a four-door (hardtop) convertible.

From 1965 to 1996, the Ford Bronco was manufactured by Ford at its Michigan Truck Plant in Wayne, Michigan, where it also manufactures the sixth-generation version.

First generation (1966)

For the 1992 model year, the fifth-generation Bronco followed the design development of the ninth-generation Ford F-150. Again retaining the chassis introduced for the 1980 model year, the front fascia of the Bronco adopted additional aerodynamic revisions. While designed with a larger grille, front bumper, and headlight units, the front fascia was given a slightly rounded design.

Model changes

left|thumb|1995 Ford Bronco XLT, rear view

The interior again saw updates to the dashboard and instrument panel, with the addition of leather front seats as an option for XLT and Eddie Bauer trims as well as optional remote keyless entry with an anti-theft alarm. Maroon and blue leather seats were offered from 1992 through the end of production. After having power windows and locks as an option throughout the 1980s, power mirrors were offered for the first time for 1992. According to Ford, the discontinuation of the model line was unrelated to any stigma created from the then-recent O.J. Simpson police chase, as sales of the model line had been in decline previous to the incident. To better compete with the Chevrolet/GMC Suburban and the Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon, Ford introduced the Ford Expedition for 1997 to replace the Bronco.

Following the lineage of the 1978–1996 Bronco, the Expedition was derived from the tenth-generation F-150, but shifted from a two-door body with a lift-off hardtop to a five-door wagon/SUV body, slotted above the Ranger-based Ford Explorer.

Centurion Classic (1987–1996)

thumb|A 1989 Centurion Classic; a Ford F-350 crew cab mated with rear bodywork of a Bronco|alt=

A four-door Ford competitor for the Chevrolet Tahoe was not released until the introduction of the Expedition for the 1997 model year (and the 2000 Excursion, competing against the <big>¾</big>-ton version known as the Chevrolet Suburban 2500). As the Bronco was produced solely as a two-door wagon after 1972, all four-door Broncos were developed and produced on a license-built basis by the aftermarket.

During the 1980s and early 1990s, Centurion Vehicles, a converter specializing in Ford trucks based in White Pigeon, Michigan, constructed the Centurion Classic, a four-door version of the fourth- and fifth-generation Bronco. In the construction of each Classic, Centurion would mate the cab of an F-Series crew-cab pickup (from the C-pillar forward) to body of a Bronco (from the B-pillar rearward), including the rear quarter panels, hardtop, and tailgate of the SUV. Early models used fiberglass rear body panels, but later, these were made from steel. As the body conversion retained the rear seat of the Bronco, a Centurion Classic was equipped with three-row seating for up to nine people. The incident was simulcast on television worldwide, with approximately 95 million North Americans watching live.

Sixth generation (U725; 2021)

Ford released its sixth generation Bronco for the 2021 model year, after a 25-year hiatus of the Bronco nameplate. Styling recalls many elements from the 1966–1977 series, and the design chief's 1976 Bronco was digitally scanned as a reference during the design process. The Bronco is now a mid-size SUV, bringing its chassis and powertrain closer in size to the Ford Ranger. At the time, it was discussed that Michigan Assembly would cancel production of the fourth-generation Ford Focus and the C-Max, which would move to Mexico.

While Ford did not share future product plans with the UAW, the company confirmed the return of the Bronco at the 2017 North American International Auto Show. Packaged as a direct competitor to the Jeep Wrangler, Ford announced two and four-door variants. Intended for a 2021 model year release, the sixth generation would be based on the Ford Ranger, retaining body-on-frame construction. On November 1, 2019, an announcement was made for a spring 2020 reveal, intended for the 2021 model year. Originally scheduled for a March 2020 unveiling, the Bronco was unveiled on July 13, 2020, following multiple delays, mostly in relation to the global COVID-19 pandemic; Ford unintentionally scheduled the unveiling for July 9 (the date of O.J. Simpson's birthday). On March 27, 2021, at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auto Auction, the first production Bronco, a First Edition, sold for $1,075,000 (~$ in ) with all the funds going to a charity Ford helped establish to help preserve forests.

When the reveal officially premiered, Ford accepted $100 (~$ in ) reservations, with production scheduled for 2021.

The first production units rolled off the assembly line, on Monday, June 14, 2021 at Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan, the production facility of the previous five generations.

The take rate for the seven-speed manual transmission was reported to be around 15% for the initial orders.

Specifications

thumb|Interior

The standard engine is a 2.3-liter turbocharged EcoBoost inline-four that makes and of torque. A 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 is optional; the larger variant makes and of torque. The 2.7-liter V6 is only available with a 10-speed automatic transmission while the 2.3-liter can be mated with either the 10-speed automatic or a standard 7-speed Getrag manual. Despite the nomenclature, the Getrag transmission is not a true seven-speed transmission, instead being a traditional six-speed unit with a dedicated crawler gear (the "C" on the shift knob) as the "seventh gear".

Recalling the original Bronco Roadster, removable doors with frameless glass combined with a detachable roof allow open-air driving on both two- and four-door models, and boast ground clearance. Doors can be user-removed and stored in the rear cargo area. The mirrors are attached to the body cowl instead of on the doors, allowing the user to remove the doors and still have the mirrors attached to the vehicle. The leading edge of the front fenders feature raised black brackets, called trail sights, to facilitate navigation and serve as tie-downs and accessory mounts.

The body-on-frame construction uses front twin A-arm independent suspension and a rear five-link coilover suspension and a solid axle. The optional HOSS (High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension) setup replaces these with position-sensitive Bilstein shocks, with multiple compression and rebound zones, at all four corners. On the Badlands trim, the front sway bar features a hydraulic disconnect to increase articulation when crawling, automatically reconnecting when brought back to speed. An option package, marketed as Sasquatch, includes a mild suspension lift, and 35-inch tires - the largest of any production vehicle besides the upcoming 3rd generation Ford Raptor, which has optional 37-inch tires.

Standard equipment includes Dana axles with front and rear electronic differentials, both user-lockable via dashboard switches. The drivetrain can toggle between 4WD Low, 4WD High, 4WD Automatic, and 2WD High (rear-wheel drive), controlled by a dial near the gear selector rather than a secondary shifter aside the main shift lever. The system calibrates throttle response, four-wheel drive, traction control, and transmission shifts to maximize traction when offroading. Up to seven modes are available with this system: Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, and Sand, along with Baja, Mud and Ruts, and Rock Crawl. The available Trail One-Pedal Drive automatically applies and holds the brakes when the driver lifts off the gas pedal, removing the need for left-foot braking and preventing unexpected rollbacks. The sixth-generation Bronco also offers optional Trail Turn Assist, which utilizes the torque-vectoring system to help the vehicle turn in tight offroad corners.

An optional topographical map software, marketed as Trail Maps, allows owners to share smartphone-downloaded topo maps to the vehicle's In-car entertainment system and record videos of trail runs, display telemetry or map data, and upload to the cloud. The sixth generation features a tray that slides from under the rear cargo compartment. An action mount on the front dash to allow for phone and camera mounting, waterproof switches and rubber floors are also available.

Bronco Raptor

thumb|2023 Bronco Raptor

Ford announced a Raptor trim level for 2022 in a 4-door version only. Developed by Ford Performance, the Bronco Raptor has a EcoBoost 3.0 TT V6 with a "Baja Mode", making and of torque. The vehicle also has an upgraded cooling system, which allows the Bronco Raptor to run better in higher temperatures.

The Bronco Raptor is also wider at and sits on a new FOX suspension with of ground clearance (1.6 inches (41 mm) more than the Bronco with the Sasquatch package). Many other components in the Bronco Raptor have been upgraded or added such as stronger axles, more rigid cross bars, a dual exhaust with several different exhaust modes, 37 inch tires, a higher strength frame, reinforced front bumper, larger drive shafts for increased wheel torque, better brakes (from the F-150 Raptor), Ford nameplate grill (unlike Bronco on other trims), and a tow/haul mode. The Bronco Raptor is capable of towing , which is more than the standard Bronco. Due to the Bronco Raptor's width, there is additional government-mandated lighting. The interior of the Bronco Raptor is also different from other trims, with unique "code orange" accents and stitching, additional bolstering to the seats with Raptor embroidered stitching, carbon fiber trim, a thicker steering wheel, magnesium paddle shifters, a leather stitched dashboard, and a larger center touchscreen.

Trim levels

The Bronco is available in several trim levels:

  • The entry-level trim of the Bronco is known as the Base. Available as either a two-door or a four-door model, the Base comes equipped with the 2.3-liter EcoBoost twin-scroll turbocharged inline four-cylinder (I4) gasoline engine mated to a seven-speed manual transmission, the SYNC 4 eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, a six-speaker audio system, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, a 4G LTE wireless modem, cloth seating surfaces, air conditioning, sixteen-inch silver-painted steel wheels with 30" tires, and keyless entry.
  • The Big Bend trim level of the Bronco, available as either a two-door or a four-door model, adds more convenience and styling features to the Base trim, including seventeen-inch Carbonized Gray-finished aluminum-alloy wheels with 32" tires and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever.
  • The Black Diamond trim level of the Bronco is marketed as the "rugged" trim level of the Bronco lineup. Available as either a two-door or a four-door model, the Black Diamond adds features to the Big Bend trim such as seventeen-inch black-painted steel wheels with 32" tires, marine-grade vinyl-trimmed seating surfaces, a powder coated steel front bumper with LED front fog lamps and tow hooks, and rubberized flooring with drain plugs.
  • The Outer Banks trim level of the Bronco, available as either a two-door or a four-door model, is the luxury-oriented trim level of the Bronco lineup. Added standard equipment to the Big Bend trim level includes eighteen-inch machined-face aluminum-alloy wheels with 32" tires, dual heated front bucket seats, powder coated side steps, and LED front headlamps and fog lamps.
  • The Badlands is one of three off-road oriented Bronco trim levels. Available as either a two-door or a four-door model, the Badlands trim adds features onto the Outer Banks trim level such as seventeen-inch Carbonized Gray-finished aluminum-alloy wheels with 33" tall tires, additional G.O.A.T. modes for the four wheel drive system, an upgraded suspension system, a front stabilizer bar disconnect, a powder coated steel front bumper with integrated LED front fog lamps and tow hooks, and marine-grade vinyl-trimmed seating surfaces.
  • The Wildtrak is another off-road oriented Bronco trim level. Available as either a two-door or a four-door model, the Wildtrak trim adds features onto the Badlands trim level such as the Sasquatch Package, the 2.7-liter EcoBoost twin-turbocharged V6 gasoline engine mated to a ten-speed automatic transmission, a unique front hood graphic, cloth seating surfaces, and dual heated front bucket seats.
  • The Everglades trim, available for the 2022 model year and available only as a four-door model, is a special-edition model based on the standard equipment of the rugged Black Diamond trim, but adds unique front fender graphics that double as a depth meter for fording water, unique aluminum-alloy wheels, a heavy-duty modular front bumper, and the SYNC 4A twelve-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration and SiriusXM Satellite Radio with 360L.
  • The Raptor, introduced for the 2022 model year and only available as a four-door model, is the top-tier Bronco trim level. The Raptor trim adds features onto the Wildtrak trim level such as 37" tall tires and beadlock-capable aluminum-alloy wheels, the 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbocharged V6 gasoline engine mated to a ten-speed automatic transmission, a heavy-duty modular front bumper with Rigid Industries-branded front fog lamps, marine-grade vinyl-trimmed seating surfaces with cloth inserts, specially-bolstered front bucket seats, a 360-degree off-road camera system, the SYNC 4A twelve-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration and SiriusXM Satellite Radio with 360L, and heavy-duty steel bash plates. The Raptor is the second of three vehicles to join the Raptor lineup, following the Ford F-150 Raptor, and will also be followed by an all-new Ford Ranger Raptor model.
  • The First Edition model, based on the equipment of the Badlands trim and available as either a two-door or a four-door model, was also available for the 2021 model year. Production was initially limited to only 7,000 units, although Ford later increased the amount of First Edition Broncos it would build due to increased demand.
  • The Stroppe Edition was introduced for the 2025 model year as a two-door model. It is named for racer Bill Stroppe who built approximately 400 Baja Broncos between 1971 and 1975. It features a Code Orange, Oxford White and Atlas Blue paint scheme reminiscent of the original Stroppe Baja Broncos, and sold for $77,665. For 2026, the Stroppe Edition was moved to the four-door model, and the price was reduced to $69,995.

China

The Chinese market Bronco () went on sale in January 2024. Produced by Jiangling Ford Auto, the Bronco received upgraded interior materials and quality to meet Chinese customers expectations. It is solely powered by the 2.3-liter Ecoboost turbocharged gasoline engine, and only the 4-door version is available. The infotainment system is also unique to the Chinese market with a Ford SYNC+ system that supports over-the-air software update, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 high-computing chip, 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal storage. Trim levels available are base, Badlands and Everglades.

Sales

{| class="wikitable"

!Year

!U.S.

!China

|-

|2021

|35,023

| rowspan="3" |

|-

|2022

|117,057

|-

|2023

|105,665

|-

|2024

|109,172

|8,814

|-

|2025

|146,007

|6,784

|}

Concepts and prototypes

1966 Bronco Dune Duster

For the 1965 Detroit Auto Show Ford constructed a special Bronco roadster. According to Ford,

A special, customized version of Ford Division's 1966 Bronco, the Dune Duster, will be displayed at the Detroit Auto Show from November 27 through December 5. The utility/sports-type vehicle was designed in Ford's Styling Center in Dearborn and built by Parris Kustom in North Hollywood, California. Exterior paint is a specially formulated Golden Saddle Pearl and modifications include an NHRA-approved roll bar with integral headrests, a windshield designed to complement the contour of the roll bar, walnut appliques on the rear side panels and exposed chrome exhaust pipes. Custom interior appointments include a walnut steering wheel and front bucket seats with russet suede bolsters and perforated leather cushions and seatbacks. The instrument panel is trimmed with suede padding and outfitted with walnut-trimmed control knobs. Jump seats have been added to the rear compartment over the wheels and a tonneau cover for rear compartment protection was added for attachment with quick-fastening snaps.

1970 Bronco Wildflower

For 1970, Ford re-dressed the Dune Duster as the Wildflower, customized with luxury and safety features in addition to a "multi-colored paint treatment."

1973 Big Bronco prototypes

In 1973, Ford Advanced Light Truck Engineering developed four future Ford Bronco prototypes. To better match the market success of the Chevrolet Blazer, Ford required its designers to shift from a dedicated chassis used by the model line to a shortened F-100 as the basis for a future Bronco. Dubbed "Project Shorthorn", the prototype was constructed using the top and tailgate from a Chevrolet K5 Blazer, mating it to a shortened-wheelbase F-100. While the Longhorn/Midhorn four-door wagons saw a positive response, they were ultimately shelved, as the Project Shorthorn was introduced for only a two-year production (before a full redesign). Ford would not produce a production four-door SUV until the 1991 Ford Explorer (smaller than the Midhorn) and the 1997 Ford Expedition (between the Midhorn and Longhorn in size).

1981 Bronco Montana Lobo

Built on a 1977 Bronco chassis, it included "a pair of expansive Plexiglas bubble doors that were removable and that had a vague resemblance to the expanse of clear plastic that passed for four-weather doors on the Dune Duster. It included a rollbar that – though likely not NHRA certified and though integrated with side louvers and lights – still had a rough airfoil shape like the Dune Duster's. It included side pipes like the Dune Duster's. It included fold-up bench seats for bed seating like the Dune Duster's In addition, the Montana Lobo included foam bumpers, a winch integrated into the front bumper, a retractable loading ramp built into the tailgate, storage compartments integrated into the bed sides, a T-top roof, and a massive tinted window between the cab and the bed that slid open."

1988 Bronco DM-1

Built on a Ford Escort platform, the DM-1 concept was a "4-wheel drive concept vehicle was the winning design in a Ford sponsored contest for industrial art students. Mr. Derek Millsap, who created the 5-seat sport-utility vehicle, lent his initials to the Bronco DM-1 name. The bulbous body was made of steel-reinforced fiberglass, and the large hatch extended into the roof."

1992 Boss Bronco

The Boss Bronco concept was a restyled Bronco made for a "new generation of light truck buyers", with a modern design and car-like features. It went on display at various auto shows in 1992. The Boss Bronco featured an all-new, modern front end, and a retractable fastback roof. The exterior was painted "lone star" yellow, while the interior trim had a blue/black leather finish.

2001 U260

In 1999, a new Bronco was secretly developed under Moray Callum, as a simple inexpensive off-roader in the spirit of the first generation Bronco, rather than the later full-size models. Planned as a 2-door and 4-door, it was codenamed U260, U meaning utility, 2 meaning 2-door, and 60 referring to the Ford Ranger's T6 platform it would have used. Land Rover underpinnings were considered but was deemed too costly. The project did not progress to a drivable state and was canceled in 2001 due to company cutbacks stemming from the Firestone and Ford tire incident.

2004 Bronco Concept

thumb|right|Bronco concept at the 2004 [[New York Auto Show]]

At the 2004 North American International Auto Show, a Ford Bronco concept vehicle was unveiled. Inspired by the first-generation (1966–1977) Ford Bronco, the 2004 concept adapted a short wheelbase, round headlamps, and squared-off roofline; the concept marked one of the first uses of a three-bar grille on Ford vehicles. Using a minimalist exterior design, the Bronco design was unveiled alongside a Shelby Cobra Concept at the same show.

Using the Ford CD2 platform of the Ford Escape, the Bronco concept was powered by a 2.0L four-cylinder turbodiesel (from the Ford Mondeo) and a six-speed manual transmission. Replacing ControlTrac II, an "Intelligent" 4-wheel drive system was intended for improved stability and fuel economy.

A new production Bronco was proposed in 2006, adapting the Bronco concept's design over the International Ford Ranger's chassis. It was to be exported to the US from South Africa, where it would have been built alongside the Ranger in Pretoria. It was canceled as it was seen as a risk due to rising gas prices, slowing SUV sales and weakening economy ahead of the Great Recession.

2013 Expedition "special edition” concept

Ford marketer Mark Grueber spoke of a Ford Expedition show build concept that wore an intentionally nondescript rear Bronco badge, solely to prevent expiration of the Bronco trademark. The Bronco R also used a 70-gallon fuel tank during the race, allowing the prototype to travel up to 315 miles of the course before refueling.

References

<!-- Per WP:ELMINOFFICIAL, choose one official website only -->

<!--

================== ======================

| PLEASE BE CAUTIOUS IN ADDING MORE LINKS TO THIS ARTICLE. Wikipedia |

| is not a collection of links nor should it be used for advertising. |

| |

| Excessive or inappropriate links WILL BE DELETED. |

| See Wikipedia:External links & Wikipedia:Spam for details. |

| |

| If there are already plentiful links, please propose additions or |

| replacements on this article's discussion page, or submit your link |

| to the relevant category at the Open Directory Project (dmoz.org) |

| and link back to that category using the template. |

|======================== ==========================|

-->