If you interpreted GOAT as Goes Over All Terrain, then yes, the Ford Bronco is the SUV with that exclusive feature. You are also correct if you think the Bronco is a mountain GOAT compared to many other off-roaders because its ease on challenging terrains is mind-blowing. But if it means Greatest Of All Time off-roader to you, we’ll leave you to judge. The Jeep Wrangler puts up a good fight, but we will understand if you put the Bronco ahead of it.
The Bronco nameplate evokes an unmistakable image – a brutal rock crawler with plenty of ground clearance, can-do looks, daring performance, and a humbling reputation. It strips when you want it to go topless, speeds when you need the juice, hikes when the road rises to the sky, and tows when you have company on your tail. This post tells you everything you need to know about the beastly off-roader, the 2024 Ford Bronco.
Can-Do Looks
As always, Bronco’s looks are not deceiving. It does away with the trendy curves, remaining brick-like. Its shape raises questions about aerodynamics and fuel efficiency, but that boxy look is what makes a pure off-roader. They set out to impress on the trails, not necessarily in pictures. Like the Wrangler, the Bronco offers both 2-door and 4-door varieties, except for the Everglade and Raptor trims, which only offer 4-door. The 2-door Bronco has long doors for easy access, especially to the back seats.
On the other hand, the 4-door Bronco has smaller doors (compared to the 2-door, but perfect enough) with a longer wheelbase. The extended wheelbase creates more room inside, allowing the 4-door Bronco to house five adults comfortably. Depending on the model, you can get a soft or hard top. And you can remove the roofs and doors if you desire some free-flowing breeze.
Few Engine Options, but Power Abounds
The 2024 Ford Bronco does not offer any V8 engine options, not even in the wild Raptor model (the Wrangler beats it hands down in that section). But all three turbocharged engine options are potent enough to satisfy your power and performance cravings. The base engine is a turbocharged 2.3L in-line four-cylinder engine capable of churning out 275 hp and 315 lb. ft of torque. With premium gas, the figures shoot up to 300 hp and 325 lb. ft of torque. The Wildtrak and Heritage LE trims come standard with a 2.7L V6 with 315 hp on tap and 410 lb. ft of torque (330 hp and 415 lb. ft of torque with premium gas). Only the revered Raptor trim has a 3.0L V6 under its hood, producing an aggressive 418 horsepower and 440 lb. ft of torque.
Depending on trim and configuration, the 300-hp four-cylinder pairs with a 7-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission. However, the V6 engines are only compatible with the 10-speed automatic transmission. To no surprise at all, every trim comes standard with four-wheel drive.
Bonus: Global SUV was present at the Chicago Auto Show, where we had fun seeing the Bronco climb the Bronco Mountain. See below:
And here is a look from the Ford Bronco cabin climbing the same mountain:
Good Drive or Just There?
Depending on trim and configurations, you may notice some differences, but all 2024 Bronco drive well. Its independent front suspension lives up to the hype, giving it an advantage over the Jeep Wrangler, which features solid axles. The nicely-weighted steering is precise, making it easy for the Bronco to track straight on the highway. You might feel most of the bumps your Bronco goes over, but it doesn’t make it an uncomfortable ride. The low side, however, is that the Bronco can be loud, even with sound-deadening rood-panels. We’re talking about serious road, wind, and engine noise here, especially at highway speeds.
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Functional Cabin, Roomy Cargo Area
Just as the exterior is unmistakable, the Bronco’s interior shows that it means off-roading business. The dashboard sits upright, with racks installed to keep your gadgets mounted during off-road turbulence. In addition, there are strategically placed grab handles all over the place (some of them are available features).
Look towards the BMW X6 and the Toyota Land Cruiser if you crave a plush, pillowy ride because the Bronco won’t indulge you. Most trims come standard with rubberized flooring and drain plugs so that after a day of plowing through the mud, you can flush the dirt away with a garden hose. Great way to clean your cabin, isn’t it? Ford might have prioritized interior durability at the expense of sophistication, however. Even some of the materials in the high-end trims look cheap. Notwithstanding, whether you opt for the 2-door or 4-door version, the Bronco has a roomy interior and a generous cargo area. A 4-door Bronco with a soft top is the combo maximum space.
Rich in Tech
While a considerable part of the Bronco’s off-roading prowess stems from its rigidity and hardware, some are from its tech. For example, the convincing Bronco-exclusive G.O.A.T (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) Modes can tweak power distribution, braking, and traction to make the SUV suitable for different terrains, including mud, sand, snow, off-road, rock, etc. The modes have different settings and options depending on the selected trim.
For infotainment, the dashboard houses a 12.0-inch touchscreen powered by Sync 4 and compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Driver-assist and safety features also abound. They include lane-keeping assist, auto high beams, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, etc. There are also lots of available features.
What’s Different?
2024 does not come with many changes for the Bronco, although there are a few tweaks. Ford dropped the base trim, making the Big Bend the entry trim for 2024. The previously available 12.0-inch infotainment display is now standard on all trims. Also, the Raptor gets new exterior color options, while the Badlands trim now wears a standard heavy-duty modular front bumper.
Pricing and Recommendation
There are nine trim options, with the Big Bend on the lower end and the Raptor as the highest and most sophisticated trim. The Big Bend starts at $39,630, while the Raptor starts at $90,035. For the budget, we like to keep things under $50k. However, since the Outer Banks trim does not offer a 2-door variety, we recommend Black Diamond (2-door starts at $43,330 while 4-door starts at $44,070). The trim comes standard with seven G.O.A.T modes, rubberized flooring with drain plugs, Powder-coated steel bumper with integrated LED fog lamps and tow hooks, powder-coated steel rear, Rock rails and heavy-duty bash plates, etc.
