Ford Bronco: pros and cons

The Ford Bronco was launched in the Philippine market a few months ago. As such, the Blue Oval brand now has a sports utility vehicle that is designed to meet the rigors and demands of Filipino off-road enthusiasts. 

Coupled with its price tag of P4.998 million, the all-new SUV model likewise fits the bill as a relatively more accessible option within its segment. For reference, its main rival, the Jeep Wrangler Ultimate, is currently offered at a starting price of P5.29 million (Sahara). 

With the aforementioned qualities, there’s no doubt that many will have shortlisted the all-new Ford. But the question now is, what are the Bronco’s greatest strengths? Also, does it have any weaknesses to watch out for? Let’s find out. 

Ford Bronco: Pros

No-holds-barred off-roader

From the Ford Bronco’s mechanical specs alone, one can surmise that the model is a straight-up, no-holds-barred off-road beast. 

For starters, the Ford five-seater SUV uses a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, which is good for 330 horsepower and 555 Newton-meters of torque. The aforementioned torque output hits its peak relatively early at just 3,000 revolutions per minute - a useful trait for challenging activities such as towing, rock crawling, and hill-climbing, among others. 

Coupled with early peak torque is its 10-speed automatic gearbox, which means it can cruise relatively well on the highway as well. 

To optimize traction when dealing with tough terrain, the Bronco also uses an advanced 4x4 system paired with Ford’s “goes over any terrain” modes. The said drive modes include Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, Mud/Ruts, and Sand. 

More ability to take on obstacles is provided to the Ford SUV by the Sasquatch package. The said package includes 35-inch mud-terrain tires, 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, and high-clearance fender flares. The tough-looking Ford rig also has a set of Bilstein position-sensitive shock absorbers for a smoother ride and flexibility.

The off-roader also gets a generous ground clearance of 292-millimeters (mm) and a water-wading capability of 850-mm. 

Sturdy but well-appointed

Inside, the American car company gave the off-road SUV a simple and straightforward cabin design that combines soft-touch surfaces and durable plastic. 

The cockpit of the vehicle doesn’t get fancy curves or much in the way of decorative bits, but it was clearly made to handle the rigors of outdoor activities. The leather used in the vehicle is sturdy and not prone to stains. 

The forward-facing element of the dash, meanwhile, is flat and laid out cleanly to prevent snagging with backpacks, belts, or holsters. In addition, all of the vehicle’s buttons are somewhat sealed for some measure of water and dust resistance. 

While it looks utilitarian for the most part, the vehicle does have plenty of creature comforts in store. 

For the driver and front passenger, the Bronco offers power-adjustable seats, a push-to-start button, an electronic parking brake, keyless entry, and heating functionality for the front seats, among others. 

Everyone inside the vehicle, meanwhile, is kept cool and comfortable by a dual-zone automatic climate control system. The second row also gets a 60:40 split-folding bench seat with a center armrest. 

No tech shortage 

For on-board tech, the macho-looking Bronco also gets plenty. 

Positioned on its dash is a sizable 12-inch infotainment display equipped with Ford’s Sync 4 software. The screen also has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the capability to accent voice commands, and a 10-piece Bang and Olufsen sound system. The driver of the Ford SUV, on the other hand, has access to an eight-inch digital instrument cluster.

Safety-wise, the model has plenty of advanced driver-assist systems, most notably adaptive cruise control, evasive steer assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, and lane keep assist, among others. 

Other tech-related features of the Bronco include a wireless smartphone charging pad, two 12-volt power outlets, a 220-volt outlet, and plenty of USB ports. 

Ford Bronco: Cons

Mud-terrain tires are not optimal on paved roads

As mentioned, the Sasquatch package for the Ford Bronco gives the vehicle a set of 35-inch mud-terrain tires. 

The said tires work great for off-roading and unpaved roads, but their aggressive tread may prove noisy when used on paved roads. The large tires are also heavy, so they might have negative impacts on cornering ability and fuel efficiency as well. 

Final thoughts

The Ford Bronco is one of the better options in the market right now for folks looking to get a true off-road beast. From its exterior styling to its interior, it was clearly designed by the Dearborn-based company to give the optimum off-road experience. 

It has, however, a few caveats. As mentioned above, its mud-terrain tires can be detrimental in some situations. The said issue, however, can be easily addressed with a simple tire swap. 

As a reminder for serious buyers, reading up on a vehicle’s specs can be good for researching a car, but going out to give it a test drive will always make for a more informed buy. 

Also read: 

Ford Bronco vs. the competition

Cabin check: What's inside the Ford Bronco?

Here are the Ford Bronco's 6 color options