The Ford Bronco Generations

 The Ford Bronco, a venerable American sport utility vehicle (SUV), is famous for its classic design, versatility, durability, and most importantly, its off-road capabilities. The original Bronco, launched in 1966, was a compact SUV that came in three designs - a sport utility pickup, a roadster, and a wagon, a two-door SUV with a removable top, which is echoed in the new 2021 Bronco.

In 1978, Ford introduced the second-generation Bronco, rugged and boxy in style and utilitarian, to compete with the Chevrolet K5 Blazer and the Dodge Ramcharger. It came with a 5.8L or 6.6L V8 engine, a 4-speed manual transmission and an independent front suspension system that made it more off-road capable. This Bronco came with four-wheel drive and four-door model options.

The third-generation Bronco (1980-1986) featured a completely redesigned frame and body to make it lighter, smaller, and more fuel-efficient. Its engine variants included a 4.9L V-6, a 5.8L V-8, and a smaller 4.9L V-8, with all versions displaying impressive on- and off-road performance. This generation Bronco was also the first to feature independent front suspension instead of the “moonbeam” front end.

The fourth-generation Bronco (1987-1991) had minor upgrades, with the most notable being an updated cabin and a visual change to the bumper to match that of the eighth- generation Ford F-150. This Bronco kept the same engines as the third generation, but added a 5-speed manual transmission and a new 4-speed automatic. The various trim levels of the Bronco were the XL, XLS, Eddie Bauer, and a Special Edition celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Generation five (1992-1996) had minimal body and style upgrades and the same engines as the previous generation, but this Bronco sported enhanced safety and utility features, including a three-point seat belt system, driver’s-side airbags, and air conditioning. After this generation, production stopped for more than two decades.

The new 2021 Bronco was launched with new looks, style, comfort, and better functionality. These features made it stand out considerably from its earlier designs. This generation came in six unique trim levels - Base, Badlands, Black Diamond, Wildtrak, Outer Banks, and Big Bend. It also came in a two and four-door configuration with a roof designed to be easily detachable, the with the four-door also being convertible.

In terms of performance, the 2021 Ford Bronco included a robust powertrain lineup of 3.5L V6, 2.7L V6, and 2.3L V6 EcoBoost engines that came with either a 10-speed automatic or 7-speed manual transmission. Its sophisticated terrain management system, designed to boost its on- and off-road capabilities, let drivers choose between seven distinct driving modes, allowing them to adjust the SUV’s performance on any terrain. The 2021 Ford Bronco’s off-road technology, such as the independent front suspension (IFS), active four-wheel drive, and terrain management system, meant the vehicle was much more capable in mud or sand.

The 2021 Ford Bronco also offered a Sasquatch package, an additional set of features designed to enhance off-roading performance. This was available in all trim levels, excluding the Raptor. The package included 35-inch mud tires, upgraded suspension, electronic locking front and rear differentials, heavy-duty Dana front and rear axles, and a 4.7:1 rock crawl ratio. The package also featured a distinctive grille and hood, a bigger hood scoop, skid plates, and rock rails. However, it only came with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the 7-speed manual not being offered.

The recently launched 2023 Ford Bronco model runs on a new body-on-frame chassis that is stiffer and lighter than its predecessor. While many other things, like the engine, transmission, dimensions, and utility, remain the same or feature minor changes compared to the previous version, the 2023 Bronco adds performance upgrades to make it more capable off-road. For instance, the Ford Bronco Raptor, the common 2023 variant, sports improved durability, a “goes-over-any-terrain” (GOAT) feature that offers three drive modes, and an upgraded two-speed transfer case with a crawl ratio of 94:75:1 with the manual transmission. It also has a high-performance off-road stability suspension (HOSS) feature for a more comfortable and stable ride in off-road conditions.