The New Ford Bronco Has Arrived. Here’s Everything You Need to Know

The new 2021 Ford Bronco is finally here after years of build-up. Here’s a quick rundown of the information you need to know.

By Tyler Duffy

Published July 18, 2020

Updated November 29, 2021

After years of waiting, the new Ford Bronco family has finally arrived. It’ll be some time before we (or anyone else outside of Ford) gets to drive it; production doesn’t start until next year. But the new SUV certainly looks the part, and it’s loaded with features that should delight enthusiasts and mainstream buyers alike. (Also, embrace the phrase “Built Wild,” because Ford plans to make it the new “Built Ford Tough.”)

Below, we’ve compiled a quick rundown of everything you need to know about the new range of Bronco SUVs and crossovers. And, of course, a lot of photos.

There are three Bronco vehicles (for now)

Ford is launching two-editions of the Bronco off-roader based on the Ranger’s truck platform. A two-door version seats four, and a four-door version seats five. Ford is also releasing the Bronco Sport — a rugged, Escape-based crossover.

No, the Bronco isn’t getting a V8

2021 bronco chassis and powertrain with 27 liter ecoboost v6 engine, 10 speed automatic transmission and sasquatch package suspension and tires

The Bronco will have two engine options, at least for now. Neither of them is a V8; the base engine is a turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four putting out 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, while the upgraded engine is a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 with 310 hp and 400 lb-ft. The Bronco Sport will also have two engines, a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder with 181 hp and 190 lb-ft and a more powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter with 245 hp and 275 lb-ft.

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Meet the Bronco and Bronco Sport trims

The Bronco will start with six trim levels, as well as a First Edition available just at launch. The Base trim can serve as a budget version, or your stripped-down starter for accessorizing. Moving up the ladder, the Big Bend, Black Diamond and Outer Banks trims add amenities; the Wildtrak and Badlands serve as the more hardcore off-roading trims.

The Bronco Sport will begin with four trims (again, besides the First Edition): Base, Big Bend, Outerbanks and Badlands. The major differentiator is that Badlands will be the more off-roading spec, with bigger tires, a full-size spare and access to Ford’s Off-Roadeo program.

2021 bronco two door features class leading open air design roof and instrument panel inspired by the first generation bronco, with intuitive, clearly visible gauges and controls in this prototype version not representative of production model prototype not representative of production model static display on private property with aftermarket accessories not available for sale

The Bronco will have a manual transmission

The Bronco’s standard transmission will be a seven-speed Getrag manual. It will function as a six-speed in normal driving, with a super-low crawl gear meant for off-roading. The stick will only be available with the 2.3-liter engine. A 10-speed automatic will be available for the four-cylinder, and standard on the six-cylinder. The Bronco Sport will use an eight-speed automatic with both motors, although the bigger engine will have paddle shifters.

You’ll be able to enjoy the open air

Like the Jeep Wrangler, you’ll be able to order the Bronco with a soft top (with or without a companion hard top) or a segmented removable hard top. It will also have what Ford is calling “frameless” removable doors. Plus, on the four-door Bronco, you’ll be able to store the removed doors (each in a protective bag) inside the trunk.

You can choose from all the Bronco customization options

Ford gave the new Bronco a very modular design, which they are describing as “infinitely customizable.” Along with 11 color options, you will be able to outfit a Bronco with more than 200 dealer-installed accessories. Many of the components are designed to be easily removable and swappable with standard tools.

The Bronco Sport will carry all your gear

The Bronco Sport is designed to help you enjoy the outdoors. It will feature more than 100 factory accessory options, which can be tied together in Bike, Snow, Water and Camping bundles. Some of the options include an overlanding-ready roof rack that can hold a rooftop tent and a Yakima interior bike rack that can hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. The Bronco Sport also has a built-in bottle opener.

class exclusive 10 speed automatic transmission and standard terrain management system™ with goat modes™ in this prototype version of the 2021 bronco can help off roaders venture over any type of terrain not representative of production model static display on private property with aftermarket accessories not available for sale

The Bronco will offer G.O.A.T. Modes

The Bronco will have up to seven different drive modes, known as G.O.A.T. modes, as part of its Terrain Management System: Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery and Sand, Baja, Mud/Ruts and Rock Crawl. (G.O.A.T. in this context stands for “go over any terrain.”) Other off-roading features include Trail Control, a low-speed cruise control for crawling, Trail Turn Assist and Trail One Pedal Driving.

The Bronco will have two 4WD systems

The standard two-speed 4×4 Bronco transfer case will be a selectable, shift-on-the-fly unit. The advanced version is a two-speed 4×4 automatic electromechanical transfer case with on demand 4H engagement. The combination of the manual transmission with the advanced transfer case can give the Bronco a crawl ratio of 94.75:1.

trail sights on the front fenders serve as tie downs, reminiscent of the first generation bronco aftermarket accessories shown not available for sale prototype not representative of production vehicle

The Bronco will boast impressive off-roading specs

The Bronco will use a solid rear axle and an independent front suspension and have electronic locking differentials. It can be fitted with 35-inch tires. It will have up to 11.6 inches of ground clearance and wade through water up to 33.5 inches deep. The two-door Bronco in maximum-attack spec will boast formidable approach (43.2 degrees), breakover (29 degrees) and departure (37.2 degrees) angles.

Bronco Pricing and Availability

You can reserve the Bronco and the Bronco Sport now, with a $100 deposit. Bronco production will start in early 2021, with the SUVs arriving at dealers in spring 2021. The starting MSRP will be $29,995. The Bronco Sport will be available in late 2020, though Ford did not give pricing information yet.