The All-New Ford Bronco: Technology Meets Tradition

If I’m looking for a Ford dealership near me in Albany, NY, to view the breathtaking new 2021 Ford Bronco, the first thing I’m hoping to find is a large selection to choose from. Unfortunately, the Bronco has exceeded Ford’s expectations for buyers’ interest, and the company quite literally can’t build them fast enough. Since the Bronco appeals to everyone from classic fans who like the Bronco’s available manual transmission to refined urban-dwellers looking for something a little different to drive around town, its popularity is almost universal.

What is it about the Ford Bronco that ignites the interest of so many SUV fans? It probably has something to do with the iconic badge’s history and its humble start as a stripped utility off-roading rig. Even luxury-oriented buyers appreciate the thread of rugged capability that runs through every Bronco. It differentiates itself from so many other SUVs in its class because and gives owners access to inarguable bragging rights.

If this is true, perhaps the new Ford Bronco is something of a shapeshifter: it can morph and blend into so many different environments and adapt to a myriad of driving styles because of its thoughtful engineering and dynamic curb appeal. Whatever your preference – aggressive, mud-stained off-roading beast or refined urban oasis – the Ford Bronco has the goods to meet your specific lifestyle and needs.

Ford Bronco – The Overview

The all-new 2021 Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport are designed to equip buyers with everything they want in an SUV and an icon. Starting with the Bronco, Ford offers entry for as little as $28,500. The Bronco is available in two- and four-door body styles, depending on the trim. Speaking of trims, there is seven total to choose from in the 2021 lineup.

The Bronco Base is at the low-end of the model range, and with a starting MSRP of $28,500, it’s affordable and equipped with the basics for a fun off-roading adventure. The Base comes standard with four-wheel drive and removable doors and roof. A seven-speed manual transmission that includes six standard speeds and a Crawler Gear that’s designed to crawl through even the most rugged terrain at a low gear for optimum gripping and handling is also included. The Base is available in both two- and four-door body styles.

Next is the Big Bend, at $33,385, which allows buyers to add some comfort features, like a standard leather-wrapped steering wheel and available cozy heated seats that come in handy when driving in inclement weather. The $36,050 Black Diamond bumps up the off-roading gear, with standard tow hooks – two in the front and one in the rear – and power heated side-view mirrors. Ford even included a bottle opener in the cargo area.

The Outer Banks brings luxury into the mix, with a standard 10-speed automatic transmission, LED exterior lighting, dual-zone climate control, tons of charging ports, and an optional 12-inch infotainment touchscreen and 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Badlands and Wildtrak Broncos are all geared toward performance and off-roading adventure. At $42,095, the Badlands has an advanced 4×4 automatic on-demand engagement system, electronic traction control, a special Badlands Suspension, and a front stabilizer bar disconnect feature. Optional features include a high-clearance suspension for even better off-roading capability.

The Wildtrak is all about speed and performance, with a standard 2.7 liter V6 twin-turbo engine and a 10-speed automatic transmission. Ford’s Sasquatch Package is standard and outfits the Wildtrak with 35-inch tires, Bilstein shocks, and front and rear locking differentials. The Wildtrak starts at $48,875.

Let’s not forget the sold-out First Edition. This introductory Bronco model is designed especially for those waiting the most eagerly for its return. It combines the best of all the other trims to deliver a fully-loaded Bronco. Only 7,000 First Edition Broncos will be made, making it a highly sought after collector’s edition. The First Edition starts at $59,305, but all of the reservations have been filled.

Whichever Bronco you choose, you’ll be getting features that celebrate its four-wheel drive, off-roading history. Whether you decide to stick with the road-ready Base or the loaded up Wildtrak, you are getting a car to brag about.

Ford Bronco – The Beauty

Oh my, does the new Ford Bronco make a style statement. Ford knew that in order to successfully return the Bronco to its lineup, the original design intent had to be recognizable. They couldn’t scrap its heritage and try for an all-new look because this would aggravate Bronco fans everywhere.

Instead, Ford expanded on and improved it, using current angles and modern lines to craft an SUV that is both beautiful and rough around the edges. This is intentional because Ford understands that today’s SUV buyer wants utility wrapped in a pretty package. They don’t want to compromise having gritty capability at their fingertips, but they don’t want to compromise comfort and luxury either.

Let’s look a little bit more closely at the First Edition. This fully-loaded Bronco distinguishes itself from the others as a genuine limited edition run should. The exterior is enhanced with First Edition hood and body side graphics, as well as a nifty modular hardtop. The standard Sasquatch Package equips the First Edition with extreme off-roading equipment like 35-inch tires and 17-inch wheels. As with all the other Bronco models, the roof and doors are removable. LED lighting is standard, as is a heavy-duty front bumper with brush guard.

On the interior, the Bronco First Edition boasts leather-trimmed seats, heated front seats, and a 10-way power driver’s seat. Convenience abounds with six USB ports, a wireless charging pad, ambient lighting in the footwell, push-button and remote start, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. A 10-speaker B&O sound system is also standard, along with the class-leading 12-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Navigation comes standard too, as does SiriusXM capability. All in all, this First Edition Bronco is the toughest, most capable option wrapped in a luxurious package. It’s truly the best of both worlds.

Ford Bronco – The Beast

Speaking of capability, the 2021 Ford Bronco does not disappoint. We know the Bronco is built for backcountry adventure, but it’s also leading its class in several key contests. First, the Bronco offers best-in-class ground clearance, which means traversing rocky, bumpy terrain is less stress-inducing because the potential for scraping the underbody is minimized.

Water fording is another category where the Bronco wins over its competition. Combined with the great ground clearance, the Bronco’s air intake is mounted high on the vehicle, giving it more dependability when crossing water hazards. In fact, the Bronco can run right through up to 33.5-inches of water with ease.

The Bronco is also rated best-in-class on something called Departure and Breakover. This means that incline and decline angles – known as approach and departure angles – can be steeper without worrying about banging the front or rear end of the vehicle. The breakover angle is essentially the angle at which a vehicle would lose traction on all four tires. A higher breakover angle means the vehicle can handle more rocky, uneven terrain.

Ford’s Terrain Management System with G.O.A.T. Modes (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) allows drivers to choose from a variety of drive modes to get the best performance in all ranges of conditions. Choose from sand, slippery, sport, Eco, and normal modes. On the rugged Badlands trim, Ford adds two more – mud/ruts and rock crawl – and changes the sport mode to Baja.

We can’t say enough about how much excitement is packed into each Bronco that comes off the line. We attribute that to Ford’s commitment to preserving its legacy while introducing a range of new features that get off-roaders’ hearts pumping. Technology blends with tradition to deliver an all-new Bronco that looks as good in the driveway as it does on the side of a mountain.