2024
The Car Connection
Best Car To Buy
The Car Connection Expert Review
Cherise Threewitt Contributing Editor
November 21, 2022
Likes
- Brick-like retro shape
- Removable roof and doors
- Stout powertrains
- Trail-ready
- So many decisions...
Dislikes
- ...so many decisions
- Road noise
- Wind noise
- Roof noise
- Overwhelming trim and package pricing options
Buying tip
The four-door Bronco Outer Banks with a soft top is the best choice for buyers who don’t plan to venture off-road, and the Bronco Badlands paired with the Sasquatch package is the best for more adventurous buyers.
features & specs
Badlands 2 Door Advanced 4x4
Badlands 4 Door Advanced 4x4
Base 2 Door 4x4
MPG
16 city / 17 hwy
MPG
16 city / 17 hwy
MPG
20 city / 21 hwy
See Full 2023 Ford Bronco Specs »
The 2023 Ford Bronco presents itself as a modern yet retro alternative to Jeep’s Wrangler—and betters it in lots of ways.
What kind of vehicle is the 2023 Ford Bronco? What does it compare to?
The Ford Bronco brings real off-road capability to the SUV segment thanks to its pickup truck-based chassis. Offered in two- and four-door body styles, and with soft- or hard-top options, the 2023 Ford Bronco is tough competition for the Jeep Wrangler variants, in particular.
Is the 2023 Ford Bronco a good SUV?
The 2023 Bronco is a great SUV for off-roading, but its road manners are more average. Great technology features, off-road capability, and its topless fun factor combine to earn the Bronco a TCC Rating of 6.5 out of a possible 10 points. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What's new for the 2023 Ford Bronco?
The 2023 model year sees the addition of two new trim levels to the Ford Bronco’s already robust menu of offerings. The Heritage Edition is based on the Big Bend configuration, and the Heritage Limited Edition is based on the Badlands series. Both bring throwback styling (yes, even more than the standard Broncos) with a two-tone paint job with Oxford White hardtop roof, grille, and stripes, and painted wheels. Both models also offer exclusive interior touches, such as plaid upholstery and special badging.
The 2022 model year brought the roaring Bronco Raptor, the Everglades with a standard snorkel and winch, and the ability to order the 7-speed manual gearbox with the Sasquatch package. Broncos with the Sasquatch treatment get 35-inch mud-terrain Goodyear rubber on 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, locking Dana axles, a raised suspension system, and Bilstein shocks. The Sasquatch would be the go-to for off-roading, if not for the Raptor model. The Raptor edges into cartoon territory with a hilariously wide body backed up by a twin-turbo V-6 engine good for 418 hp, sturdy off-road tools, and massive 37-inch rubber. It’s built only with four doors, though other models are available with two doors, if you prefer. With two roof styles, two body styles, three powertrain options, two transmissions, 10 trims, and five packages, there are as many available Bronco configurations as there are opportunities to get lost in the wilderness. With its squat chassis and muscular build, the Bronco looks like a bulldog, moving along on a choice of rollers from 16-inch steelies to 35-inch studded mud-terrain rubber or 37-inch treads specifically for the Raptor. The broad and flat dashboard has more throwback appeal, accented by rubberized switchgear, knobs, and floor mats. The base Bronco bucks thanks to its 2.3-liter turbo-4, good for 275 hp put to the ground through a 7-speed manual, with a crawler gear to travel off road without riding the clutch. Most Bronco buyers will opt for the four-door model that comes standard with a 2.7-liter twin-turbo V-6 and 10-speed automatic; the Raptor gets a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6. Fuel economy’s a strain with either, and goes as low as 15 mpg combined with the Raptor. Ford offers some choices when it comes to off-road gear, including 2-speed transfer cases and available locking differentials, front and rear. On pavement, the electric-assist steering and independent front suspension keep the ride relatively comfortable until the Bronco reaches highway speeds and starts to resemble an animal, bucking and whinnying. The hardtop and doors are designed to be removed quickly by a single person and stowed in the cargo area; the soft top tucks away easily. Two-door models accommodate four passengers under the standard hardtop roof; four-door models come with a cloth top and add a fifth seat. For 2023, the Ford Bronco earns a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA; the IIHS faults the Bronco’s headlights and whiplash injury protection. Standard safety tech consists of automatic high beams, automatic emergency braking, and hill descent control. How much does the 2023 Ford Bronco cost? The Base Bronco two-door costs $33,890 (prices include $1,595 destination), which features an 8.0-inch touchscreen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, keyless start, cloth upholstery, and 16-inch steel wheels. Choosing a four-door adds anywhere between about $2,000 to about $4,000; this includes the 10-speed transmission, which would add about $1,600 on its own. Each model is offered with four feature packages: Mid, High, Lux, and Sasquatch. Upgrades such as the surround-view camera system and 12.0-inch touchscreen are worth the cost, particularly for the additional views provided while off-roading. The Wildtrak model climbs to just over $53,000, though depending on desired features, it can achieve a price tag of well over $60,000 and that’s even before perusing the accessories catalog of more than 200 goodies, ranging from Carhartt seat protection to Warn winches. The 2023 Bronco Raptor? It’s $75,375, including destination and handling. All 2023 Ford Bronco purchases or leases include a 1.5-day Ford Bronco Off-Roadeo off-road experience at one of four locations across the U.S. Where is the 2023 Ford Bronco made? The Bronco is built in Wayne, Michigan, just like the original Bronco.
8
2023 Ford Bronco Styling
Like a LEGO set come to life, the 2023 Ford Bronco makes adulthood fun.
Is the Ford Bronco a good-looking SUV?
Ford nails the perfect balance of modern and retro with the Bronco’s return to the current SUV-dominated culture. During the Bronco’s 25-year hiatus, SUVs appeared everywhere, but the bricky Bronco stands out both for paying homage to its heritage and for its commitment to a new era of customization. We award an 8 here, which includes two points for the Bronco’s timeless exterior and one for its rugged interior.
The bold grille comes stamped with the Bronco’s name, adding visual interest between the round classic headlights; there’s a clear connection to the compact Bronco Sport’s front end, but they’re distinct from each other, as well. The Bronco’s front end features trail sights along the hood and rock rails closer to the ground, and the tailgate swings wide to accommodate gear or provide a cozy seating spot while camping. The modular bumpers and fender flares can be removed for a new look or for easy replacement. The Raptor, too, gets some removable body elements to slim down its intimidating stance, which can be helpful in navigating tight trails. The inside, too, gets painted with the broad brush, with features such as the horizontal dashboard flanked by grab handles, though we’d like higher grab handles, too. Bronco stamping and badging abounds, adding to the throwback feel despite the modern 8.0-inch or 12.0-inch dash-mounted touchscreen in the center. There’s a lot of attention to detail, but make no mistake, it’s not remotely glamorous. In Sasquatch form, wider fender flares add more vintage look and feel, and cover the SUV’s track, wider by nearly two inches. A powder-coated bumper integrates fog lamps and recovery points. Or, go for the new Heritage Limited’s gloss black 17-inch “dog dish” wheels with an Oxford White painted lip, plus a cabin outfitted with plaid cloth seats and more Oxford White trim. If you want the Heritage Limited Edition, with metal Bronco script fender badging, exclusive leather and vinyl upholstery with contrast stitching, and other neat bits, you’re limited to a Robin’s Egg Blue exterior, at least for now—Yellowstone Metallic becomes available in late 2023.
7
2023 Ford Bronco Performance
The 2023 Ford Bronco focuses on the thrill at the expense of the chill.
The Bronco’s fantastic all-terrain capability and robust turbo engines earn a 7 here.
How fast is the Ford Bronco?
Slow down, Buckeroo. The Bronco’s main concerns are not speed or quickness; however, when fitted with the 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V-6, the Bronco can reach 60 mph in under seven seconds. A 2.3-liter turbo-4 that makes 275 hp and 315 lb-ft of torque (or 300 hp and 325 lb-ft with premium fuel) comes standard, and it’s also found in Ford’s Ranger pickup and the Mustang coupe. The Ford F-150 shares its torque-heavy 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 with the Badlands and Wildtrak models, and it’s rated for 315 hp and 410 lb-ft (or, with premium fuel, 330 hp and 415 lb-ft). With both engines, a properly-equipped Bronco has a maximum 3,500-pound tow capacity. The 2.3-liter engine comes standard with a 7-speed manual; the 2.7-liter gets only the automatic. With the manual, the Bronco gets a “crawler” setting with a 94.75:1 gear ratio to make off-roading a little less taxing on the clutch leg. On the road, the manual behaves like a 6-speed, with short shifts and well-balanced clutch feedback. A seamless and smooth 10-speed auto transmission is available with the 2.3-liter engine and standard with the 2.7-liter. Up to seven drive modes are available, fine-tuning driving dynamics; Sport, for example, adds red illumination to the instrument cluster, strengthens steering feedback, and boosts throttle response. The hefty 4,500-pound weight maintains road stability, and it’s noisy, as one could expect for a vehicle with removable body panels. The numerous tire options each add their own auditory touches to the experience, and hard-top models are the loudest of all. Is the Ford Bronco 4WD? A four-wheel-drive system comes standard on every Bronco, though there are different levels of capability here: the base offers shift-on-the-fly capability, while a system with a 2-speed transfer case is available. The Bronco’s charming because it’s accessible to off-road novices as well as it’s capable for experts. The independent front suspension, rear coil-over shocks, and electric-assisted steering system provide decent road manners, but the faster you drive, the more you’re reminded that it’s not really set up for pavement. The fuel tank, engine, and transmission are protected by skid plates, and the upgraded four-wheel-drive system brings in a Dana 44 solid rear axle and the option of independent front and rear lockers. A torque inhibitor locks the inside rear wheel for sand crawling or hairpin turns; available descent and ascent control aids low-speed off-roading; and a disconnecting sway bar helps round out the list of standard features. The Sasquatch package gets any Bronco off-road ready, with an advanced 4WD system, 35-inch all-terrain rubber, and position-sensitive Bilstein shocks with three zones of damping. The Bronco’s capabilities include slick 40-degree rock climbs, a fording depth of 33.5 inches, and launching off jumps with the Wildtrak’s Baja mode. Ford Bronco Raptor The Bronco Raptor goes hard with a wide body powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 that produces 418 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. Upgrades include a two-speed transfer case, Dana 50 and 44 axles, Fox semi-active shocks, performance dual exhaust, and wider fenders that cover a 8.6-inch wider track and 37-inch rubber. With 13.1 inches of ground clearance and a maximum tow capacity of 4,500 pounds, the Raptor boasts a factory warranty alongside its unbelievable capability.
6
2023 Ford Bronco Comfort & Quality
The Ford Bronco comes with two doors or four, hard top or soft.
The 2023 Ford Bronco accommodates four passengers in two-door models or five passengers in four-door configurations with plenty of room all around. The Bronco beats a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon in width, length, and cabin space.
Our rating here is based on a Bronco four-door. For most trim levels, configuring for the extra two doors costs about $2,500 more, though that does vary somewhat across the lineup, and it adds 16 inches to overall length. The generous cargo capacity, 35.6 cubic feet, and generous rear legroom, 36 inches, each earn an extra point on our scale; we then deduct a point for the hard top’s wind noise and the tires’ road noise, finishing with a 6 on the TCC scale here.
Removable roofs In two-door guise, the Bronco comes standard with a three-section hard top with right, left, and rear panels. There are retractable soft tops available, which are easier to change on the go and vary in price from about $1,400 to about $2,500. Four-door Broncos come standard with a quiet, roomy cloth soft top, which can be switched out for a four-panel hard top for about $700. There’s no crossbar, so it takes less than a minute to fold back the soft top here. With both body styles, the cargo area and cargo bags can store the doors or the roof panels, but not both. Removable doors Ford made the door removal as easy as possible: remove two bolts, disconnect from the wiring harness with one plug, tuck away in the dedicated storage bag, and stack in the cargo area, using the door sills’ built-in hand holds for support. On two-door models, the doors weigh 62 pounds each; on four-door models, the fronts weigh 55 pounds each and the rears 44 pounds each. The side mirrors mount to the vehicle, not to the doors, so they remain even when the doors are off — a lesson learned from Jeep Wrangler design. The mirrors are manually adjustable on lower grades, though. Interior comfort The front seat cushions in the Bronco are on the short side, much like those found in the Escape and the Bronco Sport; however, back support is good. Four 6-foot passengers won’t be happy on the trails for long in a two-door model, but the four-door body provides 36.3 inches of legroom and better shoulder and hip room for rear passengers, even though the fifth passenger is going to be squeezed in the middle. The interior design is a reflection of the Bronco’s commitment to adventuring, and the durability that best serves that goal. Though cloth upholstery is standard and an upgrade to leather is available, the Badlands trim comes with vinyl boat-like seating that resists mildew and is easy to clean. For even easier maintenance, consider the available rubber-coated flooring and passive drain plugs that enable moisture to drain—whether that’s from fording a river or hosing down afterward.
7
2023 Ford Bronco Safety
The 2023 Ford Bronco comes up short on some safety standards.
How safe is the Ford Bronco?
For 2023, the Ford Bronco was awarded a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, although it scored a four in the rollover evaluation. The IIHS has not tested the 2023 model, but in 2022 testing, faulted the Bronco’s head restraints for inadequacy in whiplash injury protection and gave the Bronco’s headlights a rating of “Marginal.” That said, the 2022 Bronco fared well in the independent safety organization’s five other evaluations. It earns a 7 here, with room to rise.
The 2023 Bronco provides automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, and hill descent control. Blind-spot monitors and active lane control can be added with the Mid package, and come standard with Outer Banks and higher trims. You’ll need the Lux package for evasive steering assist and adaptive cruise control.
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9
2023 Ford Bronco Features
The 2023 Ford Bronco comes in as many confusing configurations as a pickup truck.
The base Bronco delivers on its promises, riding on 16-inch steelies with 30-inch all-season rubber and offering up a cabin fitted with an 8.0-inch touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, manually-adjustable seats with cloth upholstery, keyless start, and LED headlights. Every Bronco comes standard with four-wheel drive and a 7-speed manual transmission; all this will run you about $34,000, and a 10-speed auto transmission adds $1,595. The good base content, numerous options, user-friendly infotainment, and competitive starting price each earn an extra point to add up to a 9 here.
Ford provides a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty with included roadside assistance.
There are 10 model grades this year, and the differences are generally mechanical with different wheel options and all-terrain hardware, although the Heritage and Heritage Limited Editions build on the Big Bend and Badlands grades. Available features and options are generally separated by packages: Mid, High, Lux, and Sasquatch. Need a breakdown? Here you go. The Big Bend sits above the base trim and adds 17-inch wheels fitted with 32-inch all-terrain rubber, the six selectable driving modes, and leather-trimmed shifter and steering wheel. The Bronco Black Diamond, at about $40,500, is a great choice for off-roading at a value, with vinyl upholstery, rubberized flooring, Molle straps, rock rails, steel bumpers and bash plates, two tow hooks at each end, auxiliary switches, and a Rock Crawl mode. At $43,450, the Outer Banks is relatively road friendly, easier to drive thanks to the 10-speed automatic, easier to get into thanks to tube steps, and comes with 18-inch alloy wheels. It’s a good choice if you prefer comfort over off-road capability. The Mid features package is included with Outer Banks and Wildtrak Broncos, so you’ll also get dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, navigation, remote start, and active lane control, among other driver-assist tech features. The $47,500 Badlands trim is for a dedicated off-roader, upgrading Black Diamond’s offerings with 33-inch all-terrain tires, a front stabilizer bar disconnect, Baja mode for high-speed all-terrain driving, and front and rear electronic locking differentials. The same amenities come with the Wildtrak trim, though Wildtrak also includes the Sasquatch package. Outer Banks models and above are available with the High package, which brings an upgrade to a 12.0-inch touchscreen and a surround-view camera setup. In off-road driving, this camera system provides a view of obstacles near the front axle. For a heated steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, wireless smartphone charging, two additional USB ports, and a Bang & Olufsen 10-speaker sound system, add the Lux package. Which Ford Bronco should I buy? To off-road at a value, consider the $40,500 Black Diamond. Keep in mind, though, that adding the Sasquatch amenities costs about $7,000, though it’s only about $4,000 more with the Badlands model. For road-going comfort, we suggest the well-equipped Bronco Outer Banks four-door model for about $46,000. How much is a fully loaded 2023 Ford Bronco? At roughly $54,000, the Bronco Wildtrak includes the larger engine and the Sasquatch off-road features. The new Heritage Limited Edition, about $68,500, builds on the Badlands with a retro two-tone color scheme and exclusive details. Even at the top of the food chain, the Raptor’s $75,375 sticker looks exorbitant, though it’s hard to argue with all that power.
2
2023 Ford Bronco Fuel Economy
The Bronco’s brick design offsets gains from its turbo engines.
Is the Ford Bronco good on gas?
The Bronco is not good on gas, though it could potentially be worse; its 10-speed auto transmission and turbo engine lineup work hard to get the ratings as high as they are.
EPA ratings in volume-selling trims range from 17 mpg combined for the Badlands and Sasquatch models to a high of 20 mpg combined for models equipped with the base 2.3-liter turbo-4 engine. That serves as the key data for the score here, with the Bronco earning a 2 on the TCC scale for EPA ratings of 20 mpg city, 21 highway, and 20 combined with either the 7-speed manual or 10-speed auto transmission. The 2.7-liter V-6 engine, available only with the 10-speed automatic, drops to 19/21/20 mpg. If you want one of the dedicated off-road trims, be prepared to suffer more at the gas pump. Black Diamond, Sasquatch, and Badlands models get 18 or 17 mpg combined, depending on configuration; the Raptor drops to 15 mpg combined.
