Given that the Jeep Wrangler is the most
accessorized vehicle in the FCA/Mopar
arsenal, Ford intends to encourage an
equal degree of personalization on its
new Bronco icon. So at launch there will
be more than 200 available accesso-
ries that can be installed at the plant,
the dealership, or by the customer.
These include tubular doors, roof racks,
camping equipment, auxiliary lighting,
bead-lock wheels, bikini tops, etc. New
accessory grilles are planned, as well,
and they’re said to be easily swapped.
Ford has gone a bit further in
encouraging customization by utilizing
special Bronco-branded fasteners
throughout the interior and exterior that
are designed to be used for attaching
accessory items. There are 42 such bolts
on the interior and 12 to 18 of them on
the exterior (not including the optional
modular bumper, which is designed
to have numerous things attached toit). An interior example: Bolts near the
center-top of the dash can be used to
mount “bring your own device” bars of
two lengths. These BYOD bars provide a
mounting place for phones, GoPro or other
dash cams, etc. Ford also provides a bank
of six aux switches at the top-center of
the windshield frame, only these switches
connect to factory-installed wiring that
runs to various places in the car where
owners are likely to want to mount lights
and other accessories, greatly simplifying
their eventual installation. One more fun
accessory demonstrated to us: a slide-out
tailgate/table that retracts into a new,
higher false floor in the cargo area.Screws labeled “BRONCO” mark accessory
mount locations and remove body panels.Standard auxiliary switches include
wiring for future lights and accessories.2021 Ford Bronco
PRICE $32,000-$46,000 (est)LAYOUT 5-pass, Front-engine, 4W2- or 4-door SUVD,
ENGINE 2.3L/270-hp/310-lb-ft
turbo DOHC 16-valve
I-4; 2.7L/310-hp/400-
lb-ft twin-turbo V-6
TRANSMISSION 7-speed manual,
10-speed auto
CURB WEIGHT 3,950-4,450 lb (mfr)
WHEELBASE 100.4-116.1 in
L X W X H 173.7-189.4 x 75.9 x 72.9 in
0-60 MPH 5.9-8.0 sec (MT est)
EPA FUEL ECON Not yet rated
ON SALE Early 2021system applies and will hold the brakes.
It’s ideal for novice off-roaders negotiating
tricky terrain. Every modern off-roader
has terrain modes, and Bronco’s got ’em,
but you really only need the Rock Crawl
setting. This mode automatically opti-
mizes the differential lockers, stabilizer
bar disconnect, and myriad other parame-
ters to remove the guesswork.
When rock crawling, the various
displays can show vehicle pitch and roll
angles, tire pressures, and 360-degree
camera views that include a fisheye view
of what lies ahead and what’s happening at
each front tire. These camera views allow
drivers to do without an exterior spotter
and verify that the path ahead is safe.
The undercarriage is comprehensively
armored from the bumper past the first
crossmember, with separate shields
protecting the anti-roll bar disconnect
device, the gas tank, and the transmission.
Top models add further protection for the
rear dampers and radius-arm mounts.
Rock rails are rated to support the weight
of the vehicle at any point and are “sacri-
ficial,” easily replaced if damaged. The
tow hooks are rated to support at least the
weight of the vehicle, but as for towing
via the hitch, Bronco is rated for 3,500
pounds (same as Wrangler).The Bronco is designed to get wet, muddy,
and dusty. A drain hole in each footwell
features a quarter-turn plug to facilitate
hosing off the rubber-lined floors. Verti-
cally exposed switches like those on the
steering wheel and those atop the center
stack for the diff locks and bar disconnect
are fully covered by a silicone membrane.
For those just looking for style, leather
and carpet are available, but the marine-
grade vinyl upholstery that pairs with
the rubber floors looks cooler and more
appropriate. Because the doors will often
be removed, both the glove box and center
console bin feature key locking. Replacing
the map pockets on the seat backs (who
uses a map?) is a Molle strap system to
which all sorts of aftermarket accessories
can be attached. The dash features an8.0- or 12.0-inch infotainment screen plus
a 6.5-inch driver information screen.
The new 2021 Ford Bronco is impres-
sive, in both its off-road capability/
technology and design. Quite obviously
the Jeep Wrangler is both the 900-pound
gorilla and the elephant in the room.
But Ford seems to have improved upon
several of the Jeep’s shortcomings.
True, it’s not 75 years old like the OG
jeep. Perhaps most important, it looks
better, and for many people design is
the ultimate selling point. How often
are you going to go off-road, versus how
often do you want to have a killer-looking
off-roader? Think about it. Ford has. QSEPTEMBER 2020 MOTORTREND.COM 33