Payne: Five cool things about the Ford Bronco

Posted by Talbot Payne on July 1, 2021

Ford has reached into its classics stable for another retro-hit.

Following the runaway success of on-track performance coupes like the Mustang GT350 and Ford GT, the 2021 Bronco takes Ford capability off-road. But for all its nostalgic styling touches, the new truck-based ute is a thoroughly modern affair that bristles with state-of-the-art tools (and 200 more accessories to choose from) to make the Bronco a delight to drive on- and off-road.

The 2021 Ford Bronco comes in a variety of colors and 2-or-4-door configurations. Removable doors standard.

Five cool things about the Bronco:

1) Buttons galore. Jump into the Bronco and behold its simple interior design bristling with more button-operated appliances than your kitchen. These buttons unlock drawer-fulls of capability. At the car’s center is the rotary Terrain Management System with GOAT mode (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) selector — stuffed with buttons for 2-wheel-drive (rear-based), 4-wheel-drive-high, 4-low or 4-Auto depending on your type of terrain.

Spin the GOAT and Bronco’s eight available modes (NORMAL, ECO, SPORT, SLIPPERY, MUD/RUTS, SAND, BAJA, ROCK CRAWL) will automatically select their own drivetrain preference. Or you can select your own. At the GOAT’s center is an (available) button for Trail Control — a sort of adaptive cruise control for low speed off-roading so you can concentrate on steering.

2021 Ford Bronco GOAT mode selector.

On the steering wheel are buttons to operate Trail Control (which works up to 20 mph off-road), on-road cruise control, voice commands for Ford’s excellent SYNC 4 infotainment system and instrument menu controls.

Atop the dash is another bank of (up to six) buttons conveniently located so you don’t take your eyes of the road. I recommend Bronco owners take their mules to Holly Oaks ORV Park (or a similar off-road park wherever you live) to experience these buttons. Operated on the fly, they can transform your drivetrain by locking the differentials (for better off-road grip), increasing rotation with Trail Turn Assist, even disconnecting the front sway bars to negotiate rocks.

2) Open-air driving. “That looks like a toy,” said my sons when I texted them photos of my Bronco test. Grown-up toys, no doubt. Bronco engineers designed the ute with Legos in mind so you can easily remove its modular pieces. Go on, take the aluminum doors off to get closer to nature. You’ll need some muscle (they weigh 50 pounds each), but you only need deal with three screws (toolkit included) — then bag the door and stow it in back (four-door models only). Roofs are easy, too. The soft-top pops loose with two latches, then just peel it back like a sardine can.

If the open-air lifestyle appeals to you, option the washable vinyl seats. They come with plugs in the foot well so you drain muddy water.

Powerful engines. The 2021 Ford Bronco features two of the brand's best mills: 300 horse, 2.3-liter turbo-4 (shown) and 330-horse, 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6. A simple hood pull-latch accesses the engines.

3) Engine choices. Speed is at the core of Ford’s DNA going back to Old Man Henry’s racing to attract investors in 1903. Bronco options a twin-turbo 2.7-liter V-6 shared with F-150, but the base 300-horsepower 2.3-liter turbo-4 will do just fine, thank you. Yes, that’s the same 2.3-liter turbo architecture found in Ford’s legendary Focus RS hot hatch and the whip-quick Mustang HiPo. Mated to a similar 10-speed tranny found in the beastly-fast F-150 Raptor (manual also available), the turbo-4 growls aggressively when you put your boot in it.

“I actually prefer the 2.3. It’s lighter up front for better maneuverability,” said King of the Hammers off-road race star Loren Healy as he flung a Bronco sideways around Ford’s Austin Off-Roadeo course. Such standard options make the Bronco a treat no matter which of the seven trims you pick, for example …

4) Sasquatch package. Available on every trim beginning with Base, Sasquatch lives large. The giant 35-inch tires are paired with capable Bilstein shocks to give Bronco formidable off-road chops, and a formidable presence. A Sasquatch-equipped two-door Bronco is one of the coolest looking cars on the road. Like having your own personal monster truck.

With the big, 12-inch screen option, the 2021 Ford Bronco gains multiple camera views so you can better place the vehicle off-road.

5) High-tech. Technology is the defining attribute of the current auto generation, and the Bronco is dripping with it. Right out of the box, the $31,000 Bronco features a standard digital instrument display rich in tech. Roll the GOAT selector and each mode is illustrated with slick graphics.

Also standard is wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Chart a destination on your phone, enter Bronco and the console screen will automatically navigate the route (as well as read your play lists, texts, etc.). If you’re an off-road geek, opt for the 12-inch console screen with its array of camera views — 360-degree, front and rear corners, more — to help you navigate the gnarliest off-road rocks and gulches.

The Ford Bronco: inspired by the ’60s, cutting edge in the ’20s.

Henry Payne is auto critic for The Detroit News. Find him at hpayne@detroitnews.com or Twitter @HenryEPayne.

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