Model tested: 2024 Ford Bronco Big Bend 4-door 4×4
Engine: 2.3-liter Ecoboost I-4
Transmission: 10-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
Horsepower: 300 (premium fuel)
Torque: 325 lb.-ft.
EPA ratings (mpg): 18/ city, 17/highway, 18/combined
Base price: $40,370
As tested: $55,415
Overview: Ford revived the legendary Bronco nameplate in 2021 with an excellent modernization that leaned more toward the original compact 1966 Bronco than the various large Broncos that ceased production in 1996. The full-size, four-door 2024 Bronco is a very competent off-road vehicle despite its considerable size. The off-road characteristics diminish freeway and city manners but not in an unacceptable way. After all, this is a Bronco, not a Lincoln.
Walkaround: Ford hit a grand slam home run with Bronco styling. Our 2024 Big Bend edition tester was hard to miss and hard to walk away from without looking back and grinning. The Bronco is an overkill for daily commuting and even challenging for tight city travel, but who cares when it looks so cool? Its massive LT315/70R17 tires on bead lock alloy rims made the Bronco (with Sasquatch Package) look like a real-life Mattel Hot Wheels SUV — sheer marketing genius.
Interior: There are interior compromises such as odd switchgear locations, but space is ample and the seats are supportive and comfortable. Removable doors and roof panels make the Bronco an open-air SUV for sun and nature lovers as well as city commuters who crave even more attention than a Bronco with its doors on. Ingress and egress were challenging given the Bronco’s tall stance, but sturdy grab handles helped. Large B-pillar grab handles helped rear-seat occupants. Both front and back seat room was ample and head room was top-hat friendly. A two-part, side-hinged tailgate provided good access to the flat cargo deck.
Behind the wheel: The Bronco is quite civilized in spite of its off-road technology, and even the monster tires weren’t too noisy. The biggest thing about freeway and city driving is getting comfortable with how wide the Bronco is. Compact parking spaces aren’t Bronco friendly, but the tall stance makes a fine perch for freeway open-lane searching. The small displacement turbocharged four-cylinder engine has ample grunt for a vehicle that would seem better suited to a V8. We’ve driven Broncos off-road and their technology and ruggedness are impressive.
Bottom line: The 2024 Ford Bronco four-door SUV is a real-life adult version of a child’s dream truck. It’s not the most space-efficient SUV, but it sure can pile on smiles. Ford offers the 2024 Bronco in many trim, horsepower and price levels. Practicality and minimalism aren’t Bronco pluses, but you have to applaud Ford for still offering such fun vehicles in an era of impending electrified, driverless transportation modules.
Comments