We knew there would be a new Bronco. In fact, we knew it was even going to have a little brother. What we didn't know was that "Bronco" would be its own comprehensive sub-brand.

Obviously, it consists of the vehicles themselves, confirmed to be the 2021 Bronco two-door and four-door, plus the Bronco Sport compact crossover. You can get a taste of those in the teaser image above before they're officially revealed July 13 at 8 p.m. Eastern. However, they will exist on their own island within the Ford sea and satisfy a specific ethos of "Built Wild," a sort of mixture of Ford trucks' "Built Ford Tough" and Jeep's Trail Rated designation.

Unlike Ford's current crossovers and SUVs, the "Built Wild" Broncos will have undergone elevated torture tests in the lab, proving ground and real world; come standard with four-wheel drive and a terrain management system; and have the "confidence to go over any type of terrain." Each will also share a common design language separate from other Fords and offer more opportunities for personalization.

Now, to clarify, they will officially be called the "Ford Bronco" and "Ford Bronco Sport," but there will be a Bronco emblem on the front rather than a Blue Oval. Think Mustang rather than Lincoln. Or, within the off-roader realm, a Land Rover Range Rover rather than a Jeep or Ram.

However, there is more to creating a brand (or sub-brand, really), than introducing some new models. To that end, there will be four Bronco Off-Roadeos, described as "off-roading and outdoor adventure playgrounds" intended for drivers of all experience levels. Basically, they're off-roading driving schools, not unlike the Land Rover Experience. Their locations are still to be announced, but the events are said to be starting next year.

There will also be Bronco Nation, an online community devoted to the brand and new models. It will technically be independent of Ford, which seems like a sound legal decision given the inevitable reality of internet forums. And of course, there will be Bronco merchandise. Lots and lots of Bronco merchandise, which Ford has already made available for sale on Amazon.

In total, Ford seems to have borrowed a little from Jeep, a little from Land Rover and a little from itself to create something that's new, distinctive and reasonably authentic. Of course, we still need to see that actual Bronco trio to really know how successful it is, but at least we only have a week now to wait.

We knew the 2021 Ford Bronco was going to be a big deal, but we're not sure anyone was fully expecting this return of the legendary nameplate to be as thoroughly comprehensive and impressive. From the SUV's specs to the innovative methods used in its design and the wide-ranging marketing approach, the new Bronco demonstrates Ford took the task most seriously. This isn't just another Ford SUV or a haphazard, me-too answer to a Jeep Wrangler.

While we weren't able to check out the 2021 Bronco Two- and Four-Doors in person as we would at a typical reveal event or auto show, we received extensive information and sat in on live product presentations. We're still left with plenty of questions that can only be answered with eventual hands-on experience, but for now, this is what we know.



Frame, suspension and clearances

The new Bronco rides on a fully boxed, high-strength steel frame that will be shared with and adapted for the next-generation Ford Ranger. It has an independent front suspension with twin alloy A-arms and coil-over springs, while the rear is a solid axle with five links and coil-overs. This is the key mechanical difference between the Bronco and Wrangler, as the Jeep has a live axle in the front and rear.

Despite the independent front end, Ford insists the Bronco can have 17% more suspension travel than the Wrangler (sorry, its "closest competitor") and the top Badlands trim has a hydraulically controlled stabilizer bar that can distinctively be disconnected when on an angle and under load. There are also Bilstein position-sensitive dampers, intended for higher-speed, desert-running use, available with the "High Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension" or HOSS.

Clearances depend on trim level, number of doors and, crucially, whether you outfit the Bronco in question with the segment-exclusive 35-inch tire option. There's at least 8.3 inches (Four-Door) or 8.4 inches (Two-Door) to start, but the big wheels bump it up to 11.5 and 11.6, respectively. The Jeep Wrangler starts off higher at 9.7, but tops out at 10.8 for the Rubicon.

The approach angle is 35.5 degrees for both body styles (43.2 with the big tires). The breakover angles are 21.1 degrees (29.0 with big tires) for the Two-Door and 20.0 (26.3) for the Four-Door. The departure angles are 29.8 degrees (37.2) for the Two-Door and 29.7 (37.0) for the Four-Door. In short, the base numbers are broadly less than what a base Wrangler can accomplish, but with the big tires, the Bronco can not only surpass a base Wrangler but effectively match the most capable Wrangler Rubicon.

Powertrains

There are two available engines, both of which put up impressive numbers. The standard 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four, shared with the Ford Ranger, produces a stout 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Then there's the heavy artillery: a 2.7-liter turbo V6 good for 310 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, which betters the 2.7 offered in the Ford F-150 and just about blows away every Wrangler engine. The only exception is the Wrangler's diesel V6 that makes 442 pound-feet of torque, but its 260 horsepower is shy of both Ford engines.

Standard on the 2.3-liter is technically a seven-speed manual transmission, but it's not like the one you'd find in a Porsche 911 or C7 Corvette. Instead, it's effectively a six-speed manual with a crawler gear that, when equipped with the upgrade 4x4 system and its electromechanical transfer case, can achieve a crawl ratio of 94.75:1. For some comparison, the base 4x4 system with the automatic can best achieve a ratio of 57.19:1.

Speaking of the automatic, its Ford's now-familiar 10-speed that's optional on the 2.3-liter and standard with the 2.7 liter. So no, you can't get the big motor with the manual. Commence complaints. The automatic's best crawl ratio is 67.8:1.

Four-wheel drive is standard on every Bronco, but there are two systems. The standard system features a two-speed, electronic, shift-on-the-fly transfer case with a 2.71:1 low ratio, while the optional system has a a 3:06:1 low ratio and adds a 4A mode that automatically goes between 2H and 4H when needed. This has been seen previously on other Ford trucks and SUVs.

The differentials are produced by Dana, with the rear being a Dana 44, with standard AdvanTEK units and available Spicer Performa-TraK electronic locking units.

Off-road tech

All of the above was tested to a higher standard than the usual "Built Ford Tough" regimen applied to the company's truck offerings. Dubbed "Built Wild Extreme Durability Testing," it included extensive off-roading on King of the Hammers trails and was done to make sure the new Bronco satisfied the revived "Go Over Any Terrain" or GOAT mantra originally concocted for the original Bronco back in the 1960s.

We largely mention that to explain why the Bronco has something called GOAT modes. Like other terrain-specific vehicle modes offered by Jeep, Land Rover and others, these alter various mechanical components and vehicle settings based on the driver's selection. Depending on trim level there can be seven in total: Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery and Sand, plus Baja, Mud/Ruts and Rock Crawl.

Also offered is Trail One-Pedal Drive intended to improve precision and increase confidence while rock crawling, as well as Trail Control, the low-speed off-roading cruise control system that we found works well in the Ford Ranger. More intriguing is the Trail Turn Assist that effectively uses 4x4 torque-vectoring to tighten turning radii.

To make things even easier when venturing off the beaten path, an available 360-degree camera system is enhanced with cameras at each front wheel to help you spot yourself. There are also more than 1,000 curated topographic trail maps available with either the standard 8-inch or optional 12-inch touchscreens that can work with or without internet access.

And finally, those touchscreens operate using the latest Sync 4 software/interface. It's a substantially quicker system, and among its feature upgrades are wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It can also be updated over the air, albeit only when the owner chooses.

Roofs and doors

When Ford was doing market research for the new Bronco, it was clear that potential buyers wanted the ability to remove the roof and doors. You know, like a Wrangler.

The Bronco Two-Door, which is expected to sell in far fewer numbers, is available only with a hardtop. However, there is still a choice. The standard roof has three removable sections: two over the front occupants that can be safely stored in the trunk and a large rear section that'll have to stay behind. The premium painted option gains a fourth section, a removable panel that spans the rear seats and cargo area. It's also big to fit in the cargo area.

The Bronco Four-Door comes standard with a cloth soft top, but you don't have to choose between it and the optional four-section hardtop — owners can keep both. It should also be noted that there is no cross brace between the B pillars as in the Wrangler (it's behind the back seat instead), allowing for an uninterrupted view of the heavens with the roof panels removed.

The doors can be removed as in the Wrangler, but there are innovations. While developing the Bronco, Ford's designers noticed Jeep doors chained to trees or just lying about trails. They also wondered "what if the owner doesn't have a garage?" Their answer to the problem: the Bronco's doors have frameless windows and are therefore smaller, making it possible to stow them in the Four-Door's cargo area complete with storage bags. (We assume this is not possible in the Two-Door as Ford specifically called out the Four-Door). The smaller size should also make them lighter and less cumbersome to remove, although by how much we'll have to wait and see.

There's also the matter of mirrors. On the Wrangler, when you take off the doors you're also getting rid of the side mirrors. The Bronco's are mounted to the body.

There will also be different door designs available as accessories, which are just some of the hundreds of customization opportunities that will be possible with the 2021 Bronco. According to head designer Paul Wraith, "With one hour and a wrench, you can strip this truck down," referring to the body panels that can easily be removed. He specifically noted that the fender flares come off in seconds, while the bumper end caps can be removed for greater wheel clearance. Basically, the Bronco is modular.

We received some mixed information about how much of this capability is intended for customization and how much is simply to make repairs easier. It’s something we'll be investigating for future posts.




A new kind of design process

Designer Paul Wraith's team literally started by scanning the original-generation Bronco owned by Ford's VP of Design Moray Callum in order to properly study the classic SUV's packaging. It would also use that original Bronco to establish the key basic design elements of both the 2021 Bronco and the Bronco Sport crossover: a simple grille with two round headlights intersected by a Bronco-branded trim strip, an arrow-straight line down the sides, and a horizontal trim piece at the rear bookended by simple vertical taillights. The result is unquestionably clean, purposeful, and as the original, likely to age very well.

Beyond the looks, however, Wraith decided to do things differently in designing the Bronco.

"It's not the normal approach," he said. "But we haven't done something weird in ages."

The team used working, useable scale models they could climb into, take apart and swap on new pieces. There were many comparisons to building with Lego during the press briefings. Those working models were then used in conjunction with extensive VR testing and were even mounted on inclines to see how various functions might behave when off-roading. This led to the design of grab handles located on the center console and at the ends of the dash that are removable and replaceable on most trim levels. It was also where the available dash-top device rack was devised and designed. Pictured below right, it provides a place to securely mount smartphones, GoPros or whatever without suction cups.



Besides the working models, the designers also mixed things up by using story-board-like drawings to identify how people might actually use the Bronco. This led to things like a bottle opener in the cargo area and an available slide-out panel in the cargo floor that effectively turns into an open tailgate (pictured above left).

Indeed, real-world functionality was the driving force behind the entire design.

"There's nothing on this truck that's superfluous," Wraith said. "Function not fashion. Everything is exactly where you would need it."

Take the "trail sights" as one example. They're obviously a nifty styling flourish, but they serve real purposes by helping the driver ID the SUV's corners while maneuvering off-road and as tie-down points for securing things to the roof without damaging the paint or lights.

Seven series

You may consider them trim levels if you wish, but Ford prefers "all-new experiential-based equipment series." Whatever. There are seven of them with all but the "Base Bronco" having outdoorsy trademarked names that go far beyond the usual XLT and Limited variety. And no, one isn't Eddie Bauer.

The Base is described as the one for purists who'd buy a new '66 Bronco if they could. It'll start at $29,995, including destination, for a Two-Door model. Note that's the only price available at this time.

We'll have a complete post breaking down the series’ content, but in short, Big Bend adds greater off-road capability and more creature comforts. Black Diamond basically adds more rugged attire: heavy-duty bumpers, skid plates, a wash-out and drainable rubber floor, and marine-grade vinyl upholstery that resists water and mold. The Outer Banks is the fancy one with high-gloss trim, a B&O sound system, the 12-inch touchscreen standard, etc.

There are then two harder-core offerings that fork in two off-roading directions. The Bronco Wildtrak is intended for high-speed desert running (not unlike the Gladiator Mojave), and includes the Bilstein dampers and 2.7-liter engine as standard. The Bronco Badlands, meanwhile, gets the full rock-crawling menu of mechanical upgrades, the Black Diamond's tough stuff and the Outer Banks' fancy stuff. Basically, it’s the answer to Jeep's Rubicon.

However, you don't have to get one of the pricy Bronco trim levels to get their extra off-roading equipment. The Sasquatch Package (yes it's really called that) adds the more advanced 4x4 system, upgraded tires, HOSS suspension and locking diffs. Only the disconnecting stabilizer bar is missing.

All trims also come standard with a pass to one of the four Bronco Off-Roadeo experience sites that provide owners with hands-on instruction to match their level of off-roading experience.

On-sale date

You can order a 2021 Ford Bronco right now, as reservations can be made by putting down $100. Production will begin at the Wayne Township factory in Michigan in early 2021 with deliveries beginning in the spring. So, basically, you'll be waiting awhile, especially since everything we've seen would suggest that demand is going to be quite high.

Everybody who loves off-roading knows what a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is. Most Jeep enthusiasts will know what a Sahara or Sport is, too. They’re just some of the many trims Jeep offers the Wrangler in. These days, the Wrangler configurator lists 13 trims, but many are simply offshoots or slight variations on others.

Ford sees Jeep’s success in this area, and is adopting a similar (but different) strategy with the 2021 Ford Bronco. In the beginning, Ford will sell seven trim levels, most of them with intriguing names. Here they are: Base, Big Bend, Black Diamond, Outer Banks, Wildtrak, Badlands and First Edition. All of them receive a unique emblem, purpose and equipment package.

The First Edition will only be offered at launch, so expect that trim to be culled for the second model year. Now that we know everything about the Bronco in general, it’s time to learn what the different trims get you both mechanically and visually.

Base

The party starts right here at $29,995. It’s the most basic Bronco you can buy, which means it’s also a great trim level if you intend on highly customizing. It comes with the 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and manual transmission (six-speed plus a crawler gear). You get four-wheel drive, 16-inch steel wheels, LED headlights, cloth seats, carpeted flooring and the eight-inch touchscreen.

Ford will let you tack on some rather desirable options to the Base Bronco, though. The 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 can be had, and the 10-speed automatic transmission and more advanced four-wheel-drive system come along with it — you can also tack on an automatic transmission with the four-cylinder.

Additionally, Ford will let you spec its Sasquatch package on even the lowest trim. Think of it as a Rubicon-lite off-road package. You get 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels wrapped in 35-inch mud-terrain tires, electronic-locking front and rear axles, 4.7:1 final drive ratio, Bilstein shocks, high-clearance suspension and high-clearance fender flares.

If you want the four-door, add $4,700 to the base price of the two-door — that brings the Base four-door to $34,695.

Big Bend

Named after the national park in Texas, this one is meant to be slightly more upscale than the Base Bronco, while still keeping the off-road focus. The powertrain story is the same as the Base Bronco, but Ford adds 17-inch gray-painted aluminum wheels wrapped in 32-inch all-terrain tires, LED fog lamps, “carbonized” gray grille, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and privacy glass. It also adds a sixth mode to Ford’s GOAT mode switcher, up from five in the Base Bronco. (The mode switcher borrows the Go Over Any Terrain mantra.)

Heated front seats become optional if you select the automatic transmission, and the Sasquatch package (explained above) is also available. Lastly, opting for the Big Bend unlocks the ability to option the “Mid Package.” This adds keyless entry, remote start, a 110-volt power outlet, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, rear parking sensors, an enhanced Sync infotainment system, and Ford’s Co-Pilot 360 suite of driver assistance systems.

• Two-door: $34,880
• Four-door: $37,375

Black Diamond

This one takes the added amenities of Big Bend and adds even more off-roading equipment and materials for additional functionality. Once again, the four-cylinder and manual are standard. The new headliners include heavy duty steel bumpers, rock rails, bash plates, 17-inch black-painted steel wheels wrapped in 32-inch all-terrain tires, vinyl-trimmed seats, a rubberized washable floor and auxiliary switches in the overhead console. Finally, it adds a seventh mode to the GOAT mode switcher.

All the optional equipment is identical to the Big Bend trim, which means the V6, Sasquatch Package and Mid Package can all be tacked on.

• Two-door: $37,545
• Four-door: $40,040

Outer Banks


The Outer Banks trim has different styling than the first three trims we’ve gone over. It includes all of the Big Bend equipment, but adds body-colored door handles, mirrors and fender flares. The “Mid Package” comes as standard, in addition to black-painted 18-inch aluminum wheels shod in 32-inch all-terrain tires, “Signature” LED headlights and taillights, powder-coated tube steps and cloth front seats (heated). Since it’s slanted more toward style, the Outer Banks trim scales things back to just six of the GOAT modes.

The optional packages really begin to add up in this trim, though. In addition to the Sasquatch Package, you can also add the High Package, Lux Package and leather seats. Ford’s High Package includes the 12-inch touchscreen display, 360-degree camera, more sound deadening, forward parking sensors and side view mirror approach lighting. If you go with the highest-possible Lux Package, that adds a 10-speaker B&O audio system, heated steering wheel, wireless charging pad, universal garage door opener, two additional USB ports, adaptive cruise control with Evasive Steering Assist and navigation. With these packages added on, this Bronco is comparable to the more luxury-oriented Wranglers.

• Two-door: $40,450
• Four-door: $42,945

Wildtrak

Next up is Wildtrak, which Ford calls the “all-out desert runner” version of the Bronco. This includes all of the standard equipment from the Outer Banks trim, but makes the 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 and 10-speed automatic standard. That means it also gets the more advanced four-wheel-drive system as standard equipment, too. Since this one’s the “desert-runner,” Ford adds the seventh GOAT mode back in and makes it a Baja mode. Ford also makes the Mid Package and Sasquatch package standard on the Wildtrak.

It looks slightly different from other Bronco trims in that it has a black-painted hard top roof and Wildtrak hood graphic. Just like the Outer Banks trim, you’re able to option leather seats, and both the High Package and Lux Package.

• Two-door: $50,370
• Four-door: $52,865

Badlands

Here’s your Rubicon equivalent. The Bronco Badlands, named after Badlands National Park, is meant to be the most capable of any Bronco trim available. It comes with a unique heavy-duty suspension setup with a front stabilizer bar disconnect. It’s based on the Big Bend trim when it comes to the rest of its makeup, so the four-cylinder and manual transmission come standard. There’s a long list of extras, though. Ford adds 17-inch gray-painted aluminum wheels, 33-inch all-terrain tires, the steel bumpers, vinyl-trimmed seats, washout rubberized flooring and auxiliary switches. That GOAT mode switcher is also at its full capacity of seven different modes.

A number of different packages are available, including the Sasquatch Package, Mid Package, High Package and Lux Package. Leather seats can also be added separately from these packages. The one omission here is the V6 engine option.

• Two-door: $43,590
• Four-door: $46,085

First Edition

UPDATE: FORD SAYS ALL 3,500 FIRST EDITIONS HAVE BEEN RESERVED.

If you’re planning on being one of the first Bronco owners, the First Edition might be your cup of tea. Only 3,500 will be built, Ford says, and it’s limited to the first model year. Essentially, it’s all of the possible off-road performance and all of the possible luxury combined into one model that also features a special styling package.

You get the Badlands mechanicals (heavy duty suspension), Outer Banks interior and Wildtrak exterior. There are no optional packages, because everything comes standard. This lineup includes the Mid, High and Lux packages and Sasquatch Package. It also adds a First Edition hood, body side graphics, Shadow Black-painted hardtop, Safari bar, carpeted floor, leather seats (power driver seat) and a unique interior spec. There isn't an option box left unchecked.

• Two-door: $60,800
• Four-door: $64,995

We have the 2021 Ford Bronco two-door and four-door covered from every angle at this point. The return of the Bronco has us pumped to learn more, and we assume you’re looking for the same. So, we thought we’d go over a few cool features you may have overlooked in the hectic reveal.

Here are five things that stand out to us in no particular order of importance.

Slide-out tailgate tray

The Bronco is no pickup truck with a bed, but it does its best impression of one thanks to the slide-out rear tailgate tray. Pictured above, the tray sits underneath the cargo hold until you slide it out. This can be all sorts of convenient as folks with pickups already know.

It sounds especially helpful for stacking a bunch of gear, taking a quick seat or … tailgating. Some SUVs have hatches that offer a similar (but cushier) convenience such as the two-piece hatch in a BMW X5 or Rolls-Royce Cullinan. This feature is also something you won’t find on a Wrangler, but Jeep, there’s no shame in copying something useful like this. Ford has even made it attractive to look at with “FORD” stamped into it next to horizontally-running lines. It looks like a perfect spot to set a beer down when camping, which is a use case that just so happens to relate to one other feature we’ll dive into in this list.

FordPass Performance app with off-road navigation

Alright, hear me out. Fancy infotainment tech gizmos aren’t exactly top of mind when it comes to off-roading, but this bit of software is legitimately cool. Ford’s navigation system includes over 1,000 trail maps from NeoTreks’ AccuTerra Maps, Trails Offroad trail guides and FunTreks trail guides. You don’t need an internet connection to use it, and it works on both the 8-inch and 12-inch touchscreens for a comprehensive off-road navigation system.

That’s cool, but there’s more. You can also record your adventures using the Bronco’s cameras and then share it with whoever you’d like to. Of course, you can also use a GoPro to record, but the Bronco’s app includes a comprehensive set of telemetry and mapping that’s saved on top of the footage. It’s extremely rad. Many sports cars and supercars offer a similar thing for race tracks and lapping telemetry, but now Ford has a system specially built for off-road trails in the Bronco. We dig it.

Disconnecting stabilizer bar

Now for something awesomely mechanical (and electric). The disconnecting front stabilizer bar can be disconnected at load, something you can see happen in real time in the gif above. Being able to do so while the vehicle is under load is a win over the Wrangler Rubicon, which requires you to be on relatively flat terrain for it to disconnect. Ford’s sway bar disconnect appears to happen in a split second, too, whereas the Wrangler’s takes longer. Sure, that’s nit picking, but Ford's tech is cooler.

If you want a full breakdown of the Bronco’s undersides, check out our suspension deep dive here.

You can put the doors in the back

Here’s yet another convenience Ford has engineered into the new Bronco. Removing the doors is cool, but then you’re left with the conundrum of where to store them. If you have a Wrangler, that location is probably your garage, since there’s no great way to store them inside the vehicle. Ford has thought of a solution. The Bronco comes with protective door bags for all four doors (or two doors) to be put in. Then, they can be stowed in the storage compartment and stay fully protected from damage. Now you can swap between doors on and doors off for highway and off-roading use.

The roof system is rather spectacular, too, but we go into all the details on that in a separate post.

Bottle opener in cargo area

Told you we’d get back to beer (Ford knows its audience). Sure, this one is minor and can easily be rendered pointless by remembering to bring a bottle opener into the wild with you. But what if you forgot? The Bronco has got your back (and so does the Bronco Sport, pictured above, right). Small things like this aren’t game changers in any way, but knowing that the tool you used to get to the campsite is also the tool you’ll use to crack that first drink open at the campfire is just plain cool.

Find the pillar opener, pop the cap and drink up.