2021 Ford Bronco review

2021 Ford Bronco Review: 

The 2021 Ford Bronco begins a brand-new generation of the iconic SUV. This is a truck-based SUV that is most at home when it's off-roading. When properly equipped, the Bronco is one of the most capable SUVs you can buy, rivaling the likes of the Jeep Wrangler. That approach comes with some drawbacks, though. 

That starts with on-road comfort. The Bronco is not the SUV for you if you're primarily looking for a road-trip companion or for making big grocery runs. There are other SUVs that better balance storage with comfort. But there are very few SUVs that can, when properly equipped, take you to the places the Bronco can. If that sounds like your ideal next vehicle, read on. 

• Technology

• Comfort

• Cargo and storage

• Ease of use

• Driving

What tech does the 2021 Ford Bronco have?

Connectivity

Every Ford Bronco comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, both of which work well. There are also six USB ports, including a single USB-A port up front if you want to use wired CarPlay. In total there are five USB-C ports, three up front and two in the back. There is no wireless charging pad available on the Bronco. 

Infotainment

The Ford Bronco uses the SYNC® 4 system, which is starting to show its age but remains easy to learn and to use. The built-in navigation system, which is part of an available package, works well and can be used on 4x4-only roads. The eight-inch touchscreen that comes standard on the Bronco is sharp and responsive; it also does a nice job of displaying Apple CarPlay®. 

Driver-Assist Tech

There's good news and bad news here. The good news is that a handful of driver aids, like automatic emergency braking, come standard on the Bronco, and features like adaptive cruise control are part of the Lux package. The bad news: These systems don't work as well as those on some competitors. In Edmunds' one year of Bronco ownership, many of the driver aids like lane-keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control didn't work as expected. The former made the Bronco ping-pong inside the lane rather than keeping it consistently dead center, and adaptive cruise control sometimes struggled to retain a consistent distance behind the vehicle it followed.  

How comfortable is the 2021 Ford Bronco? 

Front Seating

The front seats are plenty comfortable for long drives. They're manually adjustable, and it's easy to dial in a comfortable seating position. There's also a lot of headroom for tall drivers and plenty of leg and shoulder room, too. Heated seats are standard on all but the base trim—aptly named Base—but cooled seats are not available. 

Rear Seating

The back seats of the Bronco are more comfortable and a bit roomier than what you'll find on the Wrangler, but otherwise they aren't great. Getting into the back of the Bronco can be challenging because of its height, and that's doubly true on two-door Broncos, where a fair amount of contorting has to happen to get behind the front seat. 

Ride Quality and Interior Noise

It will not surprise you to know that this is a loud vehicle. The available removable top makes the Bronco a very loud vehicle, seemingly no matter what speed you're going or what type of road you're traversing due to a combination of wind and engine noise. There's also a lot of road noise if you've got all-terrain tires on. 

Does the 2021 Ford Bronco have good storage?

Cargo 

There's 35.6 cubic feet of storage behind the second row of the Bronco, 4 cubic feet better than the Wrangler but quite a bit worse than the new Toyota 4Runner (48.4 cubic feet). The second row of the Bronco folds down, but it doesn't create a flat loading surface because the cargo area is lower than the seatbacks. 

Storage

There are a decent number of cupholders throughout the Bronco, though they're not big enough to handle a large water bottle. The netting-style door pockets up front are OK for storing a paper map but not so great at storing heavier items that might weigh down the pockets. Putting anything bulky in them also compromises leg space. 

How easy is the 2021 Ford Bronco to use?

Entry, Exit, and Car Seats

It's to be expected because of its ride height, but the Ford Bronco can be a chore to get in and out of. It sits higher off the ground than most vehicles, and the supplied strap you're supposed to use to pull yourself in can be tough to reach and is at an odd angle. There's plenty of room for a rear-facing car seat, though getting a seat up and into the Bronco is annoying, especially for shorter folks. 

Interior Layout and Visibility

The Bronco shines here. The layout of the controls up front is easy to understand, and there are big physical controls that can be manipulated even while wearing gloves. Visibility out the front is impressive thanks to the Bronco's big rectangular windows. 

What’s the 2021 Ford Bronco like to drive?

Driving

SUVs that are off-road first are not known for their impressive driving dynamics. But the Bronco is actually a bit better than average. The standard engine, a turbocharged four-cylinder, is powerful enough for most drivers, and the 10-speed transmission is nice and smooth. A seven-speed manual is also an available feature. Steering is also decent on the Bronco; we can't say the same about the Wrangler. In Edmunds' testing, the brakes were less responsive than those on many competitors. 

Towing

Despite its burly styling, the Bronco's towing abilities aren't that impressive. The Bronco can tow up to 3,500 pounds when properly equipped.

Fuel Economy/Electric Efficiency

You don't expect great fuel economy from an SUV that looks like it was modeled after a shipping box. Fair enough. But Edmunds' editors struggled to get the Bronco to meet even its meager EPA estimates, which is a little disappointing.

EPA Fuel Economy Estimates