2023 Ford Bronco Review

 First hitting the roads in mid-1960’s, Bronco joined a stable of equestrian-inspired names (Mustang, Pinto) first resonating during the 1960s and 1970s.  The feisty Bronco (with a $2,194 starting price in ’65) carried forth bucking through five generations until 1996 when Bronco temporarily galloped to a stop, replaced in the marketing mix with the larger, family focused five-door Expedition.

 What’s old is new again and in the late twenty teens, Ford began teasing the general public and gullible media with a modern-day vision of a sixth-generation Bronco. Teasing finally stopped in the 2021 model year when Ford welcomed back the Bronco name with a host of modern-day technologies honed during its 25-year absence. It was all-new for the 2022 model year in limited quantities as 2023 marked the first year of full-production capacity.  Ford sold 127,758 Broncos in 2023, beating 2022 calendar year and Covid-influenced results (94,031) substantially.
 
To its credit, Ford sidestepped the trendy and often times confounding alpha-numeric postings especially popular in Europe and Asia (see Toyota bZ4X, Volkswagen ID.4 and just about any Lexus or Infiniti model).  Bronco says it all, inspiring an active visual rather than a mouthful of slippery syllables.
 
The four-wheel-drive Bronco returned to a waiting audience ready to tackle multiple terrains with its heavy duty, body-on-frame construction utilized in conventional pickup-trucks and larger SUVs with multiple configurations.  Two or four side doors get offered as well as removable hard tops and soft tops. Bronco instantly appealed to an outdoorsy, ready-made clientele who had few options beyond the Jeep Wrangler for smallish, trail-ready travel.

As a side note, it’s important to distinguish Ford’s Bronco from the similar sounding Bronco Sport; two very different animals.  Bronco shares off-road underpinnings with the mid-size Ford Ranger pickup.  The tamer, smaller Bronco Sport (also introduced in 2021) borrows its undercarriage from the uni-body (car based) Escape crossover intended for dryer, highly plebian pavements.
 
In 2022 Bronco went a step further, offering an ultra “Raptor” trim level.  Raptor, another visually appealing Ford identifier, graced Ford’s best-selling F-150 pickup for two decades combining high-performance with both on and off-road grace. In the 2024 model year Ford debuts a third Raptor variant here in the U.S. within the mid-size Ranger pickup trim level selection. Ranger Raptor existed outside the U.S. market for several years prior to its 2024 invite to the States.

Among all the various Bronco configurations, Raptor stands apart. It’s solely a five-door, hard-top selection with a wider stance (by 9.8 inches) visually enhanced by sizeable, flared, black fenders housing 37-inch off-road tires.  Each tire combines with  a 17-inch alloy wheel creating a monster truck-like theme. Rock rails and removable side running boards come standard. No major changes to Bronco Raptor in the 2023 model year from 2022.
 
Under hood expect the most potent engine available in any Bronco of any size, Fords twin-turbocharged V-6 EcoBoost engine cranking out 418 horsepower and mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, allowing a zero-to-60 time in 5.6 seconds.  This engine works in tandem with start/stop technology automatically quieting the engine at prolonged stops, then urging Bronco back to attention once the right foot lifts from the brake pedal.  This system may be disengaged via a lower central dash push button.

Also included; a two-speed transfer case with high and low selections. Drivers easily switch from two-wheel rear drive to four-wheel drive on the fly. Bronco remains one of the few 2023 offerings available with a manual transmission, although not within the Raptor trim.

Conventional Broncos offer an in-line four-cylinder Eco boost engine (275 horses) and a 2.7-liter V-6 Eco boost (315 horses) counterpart, both accepting regular, 87-octane fuel.

Another perk apparent during off-road traversing, Raptor suspension with integrated reservoirs in front and remote rear reservoirs.  Along with unique control arms, Raptor delivers a maximum wheel travel of 13 inches front and 14 inches rear, 60 and 40 percent more respectively than a base Bronco. This system’s been trail tested for years within the F-150 Raptor franchise.

While rock climbing was not on the docket during our week together, popup potholes sprang up throughout the Chicago area after a significant snow fall, diving below-zero temperatures and quick thaw. Raptor’s highly capable suspension certainly earned its keep.  When properly equipped, Raptor tows up to 4,500 pounds, 1,000 pounds better than other trimmed Bronco.
 
Built for rugged, dusty, off-the-beaten-path travel, removable and wash/sprayable inside rubber floor/cargo mats transform from muddy to magnificent with assistance from a conventional garden hose. Ten exterior Bronco exterior color choices include our tester’s red-like Code Orange.

All this extra fun comes at a price, as Raptor takes a sizeable bite out of checking accounts when compared to non-dinosaur related Bronco travel. Before extras, a 2023 Raptor starts at $86,580 and jumps to $89,835 in 2024. It’s quite easy to tickle close to $100,000 when decked out with the one available option package (a $3,050 Lux) and assortment of a-la-carte selections.  A two-door 2023 Bronco starts at about half that price, in the $34,000 neighborhood.

The Lux Package includes adaptive cruise control, automatically speeding and slowing down Raptor on the highway through the magic of radar, upgrade Bang and Olufsen 10-speaker audio system, heated steering wheel, built-in navigation and wireless Smartphone charging.

Black Onyx vinyl seats come standard but owners who spend time pavement style may upgrade to a suede-style seating material for an extra $2,995.
   
Our tester indeed started at $86,580 and included the $3,050 Lux package and added the $2,995 suede seating perk, $1,725 carbon fiber interior nuances, $395 code orange seat belt hue, $1,995 upgraded wheels and $110 keyless entry pad for a $96,740 bottom line with a sizeable $1,795 destination charge.
 
Expect another bite at the fueling station as the turbo six suggests premium fuel for optimal performance inside the 20.8-gallon tank with economy figures well below average at 15 miles per gallon city and 16 mpg highway. The maximum highway cruising range checks in at 332 miles when fully topped off.
 
For a compact-sized SUV, ground clearance measures a significant 13.1 inches, in part because this vehicle’s built to travel off road over rocks and streams. A side benefit of the high seating position; great visual command of the road ahead. Small grab handles built into the ends of the dash come in handy when first-row travelers enter. In true off-road fashion, the spare tire mounts to the back door rather than under the platform where it would interference with off-road obstacles.
 
This placement plays havoc with rear-view mirror perception.  Other than removing the spare and dropping it in the cargo region, technology may have a better answer. Recently, a couple of inspired nameplates (Toyota and its Lexus subsidiary to name two) incorporated a full-color digital rearview mirror feed through the wizardry of a tiny, well-paced camera.
 
This perspective circumvents shoulders, heads or a big old spare tire encountered within a conventional mirrored view resulting in an uninhibited view beyond the hatch window.  It’s easily switched back to a reflective format with a pull-push of a manual tab under the mirror frame.
 
The spare-tired rear door, hinged at the right side, swings open a-la refrigerator door style from a large, sturdy left-side vertical black handle (side doors include large, horizontal black grab handles).  Once opened, the top glass window swings upward and out of the way if loading large cargo. Two small, vertical, inline, square taillights flank the door with a tic-tac-toe arrangement of red LED bulbs.
 
Up front, the rectangular grille spells out ‘Ford.’ Some trims opt for the word “Bronco.” No matter the choice of words, two circular headlights flank the grille and frame with each boasting an amber-tinged popsicle stick like rectangular protrusion working as a turn signal blinker. Bronco’s upright, non-aero-dynamic design welcomes wind noise inside especially at Interstate 88 highway speeds. In front, a thin, whip-like antenna extends up from the front passenger-side fender.

Large rear fenders, narrow rear side doors and sizeable ground clearance create entry/exit challenges especially to the  second row.  It’s a non-starter for many in the mobility challenged community.  Row two handles two adults with optimal comfort. Squeeze three riders in for short jaunts but the beleaguered middle rider must contend with the vertical floor hump.

As with the conventional Bronco, Raptor includes a sizable 12-inch touch-sensitive infotainment screen with swipe capabilities smack dab in the middle of the dash programed with the latest Sync4 updates. It requires little time to master. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come standard as does a Wi-Fi hot spot. It’s flanked by vertical air vents also prominent at both ends of the straight-across workman-like dashboard.
 
Below the square screen, two welcome sizeable twist knobs, one for volume and its twin monitoring selection.  Too many automakers sent these tactile darlings into retirement way too soon.  Glad to see both back where they belong.  Below the dials, a diminutive HVAC region with outside twist dials handling dual front temperature zones, a push bar handling fan speed and push button controlling direction.
 
Also quite prominent and helpful, a 12-inch digital instrument panel with extra-large circular odometer and tachometer gauges for aging peepers. The wide and narrow dash top welcomes a windshield that’s highly vertical rather than angled in step with thick A-pillars.  Button’s atop assist when locking the differential or disconnecting the sway bar below.
 
Since Bronco side doors remove when desired, the power window and power outside mirror tabs relocate from the inside door panel to the front side of the center storage bin between front buckets.  A paneled hard-top also peals away letting the elements inside.  During our mid-January test period, snow and below-zero wind chills helped assured panels and doors remained intact with inside heat set to high.
 
Near power window controls, one finds the mechanical, vertically sliding automatic transmission shifter, inline cup holders and an electronic four-wheel-drive shifter dial working in tandem with Ford’s seven G.O.A.T. mode settings reflected with icons within the instrument panel.
 
Selections including ‘Rock Crawl’ require Bronco engaged within the four-low setting. The dial’s top includes push buttons when selecting among two-wheel rear drive, all-wheel drive, four-wheel drive high and four-drive low designed for low-speed off-road and ‘Rock Crawl’ travel. Rapture remains the sole Bronco with a ‘tow haul’ setting within the G.O.A.T selection.
 
2023 Bronco 4 x 4 Raptor

Price as tested: $96,720
Engine: 3.0-liter twin turbo V-6
Horsepower: 418
Wheelbase: 100.4 inches
Overall Length: 191.0 inches
Overall Height: 77.8 inches
Overall Width:  85.7 inches
Curb Weight: 5,733 pounds
Fuel Economy:  15 mpg city, 16 mpg highway.  
Powertrain Warranty: Five year/60,000 miles
Assembly:  Wayne, Michigan