For 2026, the Ford Bronco is no longer available in this Robin’s Egg Blue, a $600 option on the 2025 version.Mark Richardson/The Globe and Mail
The latest generation of the Ford Bronco was introduced almost six years ago as a direct competitor to the Jeep Wrangler. Back then, the Wrangler had a chokehold on the market for rugged-but-affordable four-wheel-drive SUVs – nothing else came close for the money.
The current vehicle is officially the sixth generation of the body-on-frame Bronco, after a 25-year gap in production from the fifth generation. It has not been changed in any meaningful way since that introduction for the 2021 model year and Ford says the next generation will not appear until near the end of this decade.
Instead, the company tweaks the design each year, mostly to update the SUV’s software, and releases special editions, such as the $75,630 Heritage edition I drove recently.
This tester was a 2025 model, which means the gorgeous Robin’s Egg Blue and white paint (a $600 option) is no longer available for the 2026 model, replaced on the options sheet by Velocity Blue Metallic. It’s all part of the tweaking to maintain demand. That’s too bad, but at least the new darker blue comes at no extra cost.
The chunky 35-inch tires create almost 30 centimetres of ground clearance.Mark Richardson/The Globe and Mail
The Heritage edition comes with retro-but-comfortable plaid cloth seats.Mark Richardson/The Globe and Mail
There are seven versions of Bronco, from the $54,360 base edition to the $112,590, 418-horsepower Raptor. Almost all come with a choice of inline-four or V6 Ecoboost engine, two- or four-door, seven-speed manual or 10-speed automatic and any number of off-road options.
Each ties in closely to one of the 12 versions of the Jeep Wrangler, which starts at a cheaper $44,000 but leases for a far-more-costly interest rate at more than 8 per cent, compared to the Ford’s lease rate of no more than 2.99 per cent.
The Heritage edition comes standard with the Sasquatch wheel-and-suspension package, normally a $11,275 option, which includes the hefty 315/70R17 all-terrain tires mounted on white wheel rims, beneath squared-off fenders. The tester was nicely equipped with both the 2.7-litre V6 (a $2,695 option) and the 10-speed automatic (an extra $1,495), and drew many admiring comments in various Tim Hortons parking lots.
Looks
The Bronco looks serious and doesn’t look like a Wrangler, which is probably most important. The frameless doors and roof remove completely for summer cottage credibility and the mirrors are attached to the body, so they stay on when everything’s stripped down. The doors even store within the vehicle, which is handy, but they’re not quick to remove and reinstall, so if they do come off, they’ll probably be left in a corner of your garage.
The V6 engine version has 330 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque.Mark Richardson/The Globe and Mail
Interior
The SUV feels large and roomy inside, more so than the Wrangler, with more space for the three passengers in the back. The Heritage edition comes with retro-but-comfortable plaid cloth seats, all manually adjustable. There are fewer buttons and switches than the Wrangler, with many controls accessed through the large central touchscreen, but without being overly minimalist like so many other vehicles these days. Radio and climate control is managed through simple buttons and switches, while drive modes are controlled through a dial in front of the transmission lever on the centre console. It’s all easy to use without being overwhelming.
It’s not as quiet in the cabin as in a more conventional SUV, mostly thanks to the lighter construction of the removable roof and doors, but it’s not so loud as in the Wrangler. People in the Bronco will need to raise their voices to be heard in a conversation on a highway at speed, while in the Wrangler, they’ll need another few decibels still. Often, this means passengers just stay quiet, which is not always a bad thing.
There is more space for three passengers in the back seats than in the Wrangler.Mark Richardson/The Globe and Mail
Performance
The biggest difference between the Ford Bronco and the Jeep Wrangler is that the Bronco has a fully independent front suspension while the Jeep has a solid, or “live,” front axle. If you forget everything else in this review, that’s all you need to know. The Jeep’s solid axle is beloved by off-roaders looking to rock-crawl over the gnarliest trails, but they pay for it with a bouncy ride on the highway and steering that must be constantly corrected at speed. The Bronco’s independent front axle provides a much more comfortable and forgiving ride on the highway, with little wandering around within its lane.
The Sasquatch package of the Heritage edition adds additional off-road ability with front and rear axles that can each be locked electronically, as well as an improved suspension system that uses Bilstein dampers. The chunky 35-inch tires create almost 30 centimetres of ground clearance, which means you need to climb up into the cabin – this is not an SUV for people with dodgy hips or knees.
And then there’s the fuel consumption. It’s not good. Officially, the average consumption is 13.3 litres per 100 kilometres, and my consumption during a week of mixed use was 14.4. This is all on par with other serious off-roaders, however. If you want the full 330 horsepower, you’ll need premium fuel, but it’s not required if you’re content to take a 15-horsepower hit with regular gas.
Technology
It’s easy to hook up your phone wirelessly to the Bronco’s infotainment system through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto but there’s no wireless phone charger. This is an odd omission for a $70,000 vehicle but it’s surely a first world problem. There’s no adaptive cruise control either, though there’s still plenty of clever assistance offered to the driver. Different Bronco editions provide different technology options, so if there’s something you really want that’s missing on the throw-back Heritage, take a look at the other trim levels instead.
There are fewer buttons and switches on the Bronco compared to the Wrangler, with many controls accessed through the large central touchscreen.Mark Richardson/The Globe and Mail
Cargo
There’s reasonable luggage space behind the rear seats, but the floor is high and access is hindered by having to open the swinging lower door before raising the glass upper door that’s attached to the soft-top’s roof (just like on the Jeep Wrangler). Officially, there’s a little more than 1,000 litres of cargo space behind the second row (a bit more with the better accessibility of the soft-top), and almost 2,200 litres if you fold down the hard-top’s rear seats. There’s an extra 150 litres for the soft-top when the seats are folded. In short, more than the Wrangler, with more convenient access.
The floor of the trunk is high and access is hindered by having to open the swinging lower door before raising the glass upper door.Mark Richardson/The Globe and Mail
The verdict
The Ford Bronco is a capable SUV and a worthy adversary for the Jeep Wrangler. If you don’t need the Bronco’s off-roading ability, you’ll probably be happier with a quieter and smoother vehicle, but if you want a true four-wheel drive that’s good for almost any terrain, the Bronco will get you there – and look good doing it.
Tech specs
2025 Ford Bronco Heritage
- Base price/as tested: $69,455/$73,335 including freight and pre-delivery inspection, plus taxes
- Engine: 2.3-litre inline-four or 2.7-litre Ecoboost V6
- Horsepower/torque (lb-ft): I4 – 300/325; V6 – 330/415
- Transmission/drive: Seven-speed manual or 10-speed automatic/4WD
- Fuel consumption (litres per 100 kilometres): 13.8 city, 12.7 highway, 13.3 combined
- Alternatives: Jeep Wrangler, Land Rover Defender, Toyota 4Runner
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