The 2026 Ford Bronco is an off-road beast! This midsize SUV is designed as a direct competitor to the Jeep Wrangler and is geared to off-road adventures with its removable doors and roof panels, serious trail hardware and modern tech. But that rugged character means the Bronco has some limitations when it comes to being a daily driver, including noisy and sometimes rough highway manners and poor fuel economy.
Base Price: $69,995
As Tested: $73,035
Horsepower: 330
Mileage: 17 mpg city/17 mpg highway/17 mpg combined
Ford brought the Bronco back for the 2021 model year after a 25-year break. It’s in its sixth generation. The 2026 model gets some modest updates, including the addition of a new 60th Anniversary Package available on the Outer Banks trim, which includes unique styling elements, special badging, and Sasquatch package content. Ford also revised some color options, and one year of the Ford Connectivity subscription becomes standard.
The 2026 Bronco comes in seven trims: Base, Big Bend, Outer Banks, Badlands, Heritage Edition, Stroppe Edition and Raptor. Starting prices range from $40,795 to $79,995. Four-wheel drive is standard across the line-up. All trims come as four-door models, but the Base and Badlands are available with two doors.
Whether you get two doors or four, the Bronco has room for five passengers in two rows of seating.
The Bronco has three engine choices depending on the trim. The base engine is 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder that makes 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, available with a 10-speed automatic or seven-speed manual transmission, something increasingly rare among SUVs. Buyers can upgrade to a 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 that produces 330 horses and 415 pound-feet. The top-of-the-line Raptor has twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 that cranks out 418 hp and 440 pound-feet.
Acceleration is respectable for a body-on-frame off-road SUV, with most trims taking about seven to eight seconds to go from zero to 60 mph. The Raptor can do it in just under 7 seconds. There’s plenty of oomph for merging and passing at highway speeds. The 10-speed shifts smoothly and quickly. Visibility is excellent thanks to the upright seating position and boxy design.
The Bronco excels in the great outdoors. On trails, dirt roads, rocky terrain and sand, the Bronco feels extremely capable. The suspension absorbs bumps and ruts effortlessly. Features such as locking differentials, disconnecting sway bars, trail cameras, specialized GOAT (“Goes Over Any Terrain”) drive modes, and the optional Sasquatch Package make it one of the most trail-ready vehicles available directly from a dealership.
The Badlands, Stroppe Edition and Raptor trims are especially impressive. Their upgraded suspensions, off-road tires, skid plates, and advanced traction systems allow them to tackle demanding rock crawling, desert running, mud, and deep sand with ease.
Want to ford a stream? No problem. Standard and middle trims typically offer a ground clearance and fording depth around 33.5 inches when equipped with the Sasquatch Package. The Raptor can power through up to 37 inches of water.
While the Bronco excels on trails, daily commuting is a different story. The removable roof panels and large tires create considerable wind and road noise, and the body-on-frame design can make the ride feel truck-like and choppy compared to more mainstream SUVs. Of course, buyers are not going to consider the Bronco if they want a civilized SUV for urban settings.
Fuel economy is not great, although it’s similar to the Jeep Wrangler. EPA ratings for my Stroppe Edition test vehicle with the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 are 17 mpg city, 17 mpg highway and 17 mpg combined. I got nearly 18 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving. Other trims do a bit better or worse, depending on the engine and whether you go with the manual or automatic transmission.
When properly equipped, the six lower trims can tow up to 3,500 pounds and the Raptor up to 4,500 pounds. These towing capacities are less than competitors such as the Jeep Wrangler and Toyota 4Runner.
The cabin is a nice blend of ruggedness and modern amenities. Materials are durable, and visible fasteners, grab handles, and washable surfaces are ready for outdoor adventures. The dash looks modern with the standard 12-inch digital instrument cluster and 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Front seats are supportive and comfortable with good leg- and headroom. The rear space in four-door models is reasonable, but the second row is tighter in two-door models. Removable roof panels and doors create an open-air experience that few competitors can match.
The infotainment system looks great with its large screen. Ford’s SYNC 4 infotainment system is one of the best. It’s user-friendly with logically arranged menus and snappy response times. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard on all trims.
Four-door models have good cargo space with 35.6 cubic feet (38.3 with the soft top) behind the rear seats, and 77.6 cubes (83.0 with the soft top) with the second row folded. The two-door models have less cargo space with 20.6 to 22.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats, and up to 52 cubes with the second row folded. The rear seats split-fold 50/50 in two-door models, and 60/40 in four-door models, offering flexibility in hauling passengers and gear. The cargo area opens with a heavy door that swings to the right, which can be challenging to open in smaller spaces.
Here are the trims of the 2026 Ford Bronco.
Base – MSRP $40,795. This entry-level trim is available in two- or four-door configurations. Even though it’s the cheapest trim, it still provides the capability that defines the Bronco. It comes with a 300-horsepower 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, and either a seven-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission. The Sasquatch Package is $8,460 and adds full-time on-demand four-wheel drive, electronic locking front and rear differentials, Bilstein shock absorbers, 35-inch mud tires, and increased ride height. An optional Trailer Tow Package is $750.
- Remote keyless entry
- Push-button start
- Rearview camera
- Cloth upholstery
- Manually adjustable front seats
- 12-inch digital gauge cluster
- Infotainment system with 12-inch touchscreen
- Seven-speaker audio system
- Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- Bluetooth
- USB ports
- Wi-Fi hot spot
- LED headlights with automatic high beams
- Part-time four-wheel drive
- Two-speed transfer case with high- and low-range gearing
- 16-inch steel wheels
- 30-inch all-season tires
- Full-size spare tire
- Off-road drive modes
- Trailer-sway control
- Hill-start assist
- Hill-descent control
- Composite bumpers
- Tow hooks
Big Bend – MSRP $41,295. This trim adds comfort and convenience features while remaining affordable. The Sasquatch Package is available for $6,175 on this trim. The Black Diamond Package is $4,495 with full-time on-demand four-wheel drive, steel bumpers, steel bash plates, auxiliary switches, rock rails and LED fog lights. The Free Wheeling Package is $2,495 and only available on this trim. It adds some groovy retro-inspired exterior and interior trim features that have a 1970s feel.
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- 17-inch wheels
- 32-inch tires
Outer Banks – MSRP $48,190. This trim is aimed at buyers who will do more driving on pavement than trails. It’s only available with the automatic transmission, and has upgraded cabin materials, additional tech features, larger wheels and optional V6 power. It’s the only trim eligible for the new 60th Anniversary Package. The Lux Package is $2,825 which adds a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, surround-view camera, adaptive cruise control, evasive-steering assist and front parking sensors.
- Proximity keyless entry
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Real leather upholstery
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat
- Eight-way power-adjustable passenger seat
- Heated front seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Navigation
- Ambient lighting
- Power outlet
- LED fog lights
- 18-inch wheels
Badlands – MSRP $48,890. This trim is geared towards serious off-roaders and is arguably the sweet spot in the line-up for drivers who’ll take their Bronco off the beaten path. It adds advanced off-road features and is available with the manual transmission and the Sasquatch Package.
- HOSS (High-performance off-road stability 3.0 suspension) system with FOX internal bypass dampers
- More drive modes
- 33-inch rugged-terrain tires
Heritage Edition – MSRP $51,625. This trim celebrates the Bronco’s history with retro styling that includes a white roof, special graphics, and unique interior details. It combines classic appearance with modern off-road capability. It’s available with the seven-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission, and comes standard with the Sasquatch Package.
- Plaid cloth upholstery
- Grille roof
- White side stripes
- Steel bumpers
- Steel bash plates
- 17-inch wheels
Stroppe Edition – MSRP $69,995. This trim honors the Baja racing Broncos inspired by Bill Stroppe in the 1960s and 70s, the Stroppe Edition features retro syling with Code Orange interior and exterior accents, and enhanced off-road performance. It comes with the 2.7-liter V6 and 10-speed automatic. It’s aimed at buyers seeking near-Raptor capability without quite reaching Raptor pricing.
- Surround-view camera system
- HOSS (High-performance off-road stability 3.0 suspension) system with FOX internal bypass dampers
- 17-inch matte black-painted alloy wheels
- Stroppe Racing badging
Raptor – MSRP $79,995. The flagship Raptor has the 418-horsepower twin-turbocharged V6 and extreme off-road capability. Few production SUVs can match its performance in rough terrain. You can deck it out in the Raptor Code Orange Appearance Package ($6,175) or the Raptor Black Appearance Package ($8,945).
- Vinyl seats
- HOSS (High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension) System 4.0 with FOX Live Valve 3.1 Internal Bypass Semi-Active Dampers
- Front stabilizer bar disconnect
- Rock rails with removable running board
- 37-inch all-terrain tires
Standard driver assistance technologies include
- Rearview camera
- Forward collision warning
- Forward automatic emergency braking
- Pedestrian detection
- Hill-descent control
- Hill-start assist
- Trailer sway control
- LED headlights with automatic high beams
- Rear-seat alert
Available driver assistance technologies include
- Surround-view camera system
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane-departure warning
- Lane-keep assist
- Evasive-steering assist (helps steer the vehicle to avoid a crash)
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Front and rear parking sensors
The good:
Exceptional off-road performance
Removable roof and doors
Broad trim range and configurations
Multiple engine choices
Available with a manual transmission
Distinctive styling
Modern, user-friendly infotainment system
Standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
The not-so-good:
Considerable wind and road noise
Poor fuel economy compared to other midsize SUVs
Expensive upper trims
Pricing info:
My 2026 Ford Bronco Stroppe Edition test vehicle starts at $69,995. The Connection Package is $745 for a seven-year, one-time purchase (The first year is free). SiriusXM three-year plan is $300. The destination fee is $1,995, bringing the grand total to $73,035.
Bottom line:
The 2026 Ford Bronco is one of the most appealing vehicles for those who prioritize off-roading and adventure over comfort and daily driving. It delivers extreme off-road prowess, iconic styling, open air fun, and a huge personality. The Bronco won’t be the first choice if you want a quiet cruiser and family hauler, but if you’re ready to explore trails, mountain roads, beaches and deserts, the Bronco is ready!
