The all-new 2021 Ford Bronco is the new standard in off-road vehicles. This highly capable SUV marks the latest chapter in the storied Bronco saga, combining power, performance, and innovation to create the ultimate vehicle for those who hold adventure close to their hearts. Available as either a nimble two-door or as a utilitarian four-door model, the 2021 Ford Bronco is a versatile vehicle with something for everyone. But no matter which version of the Bronco you pick, you will be rewarded with the same exceptionally capable drivetrain and unmatched open-air driving experience.
Unique mechanical options for the 2021 Ford Bronco include a special seven-speed manual transmission, factory 35-inch all-terrain tires, and Bilstein position-sensitive dampers. Further, the Bronco offers a wide array of advanced technology designed to enhance both off-road and on-road driving. This includes the cutting edge Sync 4 infotainment system and a massive 12-inch touch screen for endless on the go entertainment. Inside and out, there is simply no equal to what the 2021 Ford Bronco brings to the table.
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The 2021 Ford Bronco can be equipped with either of two powerful turbocharged engines. Making use of Ford’s trademark EcoBoost technology, the Bronco’s engines deliver an excellent combination of both power and efficiency. The base engine option is a 2.3L four-cylinder producing 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. However, if even more muscle is desired, you can upgrade to a larger 2.7L V6 that delivers 310 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. But either of these engines will give the 2021 Ford Bronco more than enough power to conquer any challenge and will allow this SUV to tow up to 3,500 pounds.
The most common transmission option in the Bronco is a highly capable ten-speed automatic. This large number of gears maximizes fuel economy while still providing plenty of torque on the low end. And of course, manual gear shifts are possible for precise control during technical off-roading. But unlike most modern SUVs, the 2021 Ford Bronco is also available with a manual transmission that will give you even greater control over your vehicle. Further, the manual option is a special seven-speed unit optimized for low-speed off-road work. The transmission has six normal forward gears for when you are on the road, but it also includes a seventh ultra-low crawl gear behind a lockout that can be engaged when negotiating rugged terrain.
Continuing to move along the drive train, every 2021 Ford Bronco comes standard with a true part-time four-wheel drive system. As should be expected of any serious off-road vehicle, the Bronco has a two-speed transfer case with 4Hi and 4Lo ranges that will lock power to both axles to keep the wheels turning no matter the conditions. However, the 2021 Ford Bronco also has 4Auto mode. When this mode is selected, the four-wheel drive system will function as on-demand all-wheel drive and shift power to the front wheels as needed. While not technically as capable as the four-wheel drive modes, the 4Auto setting is ideal for situations where you might unexpectedly need four-wheel drive.
Finally, the 2021 Ford Bronco offers both front and rear electronic locking differentials. In a vehicle without this feature, it is still occasionally possible to lose traction even when four-wheel drive is enabled. However, when the Bronco’s locking differentials are engaged, all four wheels will keep turning at a constant speed, even in mud or on ice. And when combined with the available 35-inch mud-terrain tires, the drivetrain in the 2021 Ford Bronco makes this vehicle an incredibly capable off-road machine straight from the factory.
The 2021 Ford Bronco is built around a top of the line drivetrain designed to give it more power than its competitors. However, power alone does not create a first-rate off-road machine. That requires a well-engineered vehicle where even the smallest detail has been carefully engineered for maximum performance and utility. Fortunately for the Bronco, Ford’s engineers are among the best.
The boxy look of the 2021 Ford Bronco screams adventure, but every element of it is highly functional and allows this SUV to offer many capabilities that cannot be found on any other vehicle. To begin with, the Bronco has up to 11.6 inches of ground clearance when equipped with its available 35-inch tires, allowing it to cross obstacles that would stop a lesser vehicle. This SUV can even plow through over 33 inches of water without an issue, making it exceptionally capable of cross-country driving.
But sometimes an obstacle is too large to simply drive over even for a Bronco, and it must be climbed over instead. In this case, the exceptionally long wheelbase of the 2021 Ford Bronco gives it a 43.2-degree approach angle and a 37.2-degree departure angle, allowing it to crawl over rough terrain without catching its bumpers. However, this is one place where the four-door Bronco is at a disadvantage compared to the two-door model. This is because the break-over angle of the larger vehicle is 26.3 degrees instead of the 29.0 degrees of the more agile two-door. But if the break-over angle is not enough and you do bottom out, then the Bronco’s metal skid plates will prevent any serious damage.
The excellent climbing abilities of the 2021 Ford Bronco are further enhanced by its suspension features. While some may claim that the front independent suspension on the Bronco is not as capable as a traditional solid axle, the truth is that the separate travel of an independent suspension has many advantages over the older and increasingly rare solid axle. And these advantages are further enhanced by the High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension or HOSS. This already carefully engineered system can also be upgraded with Bilstein position-sensitive dampers and a front swaybar disconnect. And with all of this, the 2021 Ford Bronco has unmatched stability and range of motion.
The peerless off-road capabilities of the 2021 Ford Bronco are not the only reason this vehicle stands out in a crowd. It is also an extremely comfortable and high tech design that will make you feel at home no matter how far from home you wander. And if you want to enjoy the outdoors, then simply remove the roof and doors for the ultimate open-air experience. This feature was particularly well-implemented in the Bronco, as Ford made sure to include enough space in the back for the doors after you have removed them. Further, the side mirrors in this SUV are attached to the body rather than the doors, so the Bronco is still fully functional even with the doors gone.
Even when you are not enjoying the fresh air, the Bronco offers a feature-rich cabin with plenty of comforts and entertainment. With available dual-zone automatic climate control, heated leather seats, and even a heated leather steering wheel, this SUV is as luxurious as any other vehicle on the road. However, if you want power-adjustable seats, then you will have to opt for the Bronco four-door. And this comfort does not come at the cost of off-road utility, as the interior is fully water-proofed with marine-grade upholstery and even offers floor drain plugs so that you can hose down the vehicle after each exciting adventure.
For technology, the 2021 Ford Bronco is equally impressive and comes equipped with Ford’s latest Sync 4 infotainment system. This not only includes all the usual features that we have come to expect from Ford’s vehicle software, including support for Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio, but it now offers over the air updates to ensure that you always have the latest features at your fingertips. In the Bronco, this software is accessed through a standard 8-inch dashboard touch screen, but the vehicle can be upgraded to include a massive 12-inch display instead. Audio output is also similarly high quality, with an available ten-speaker Bang and Olufsen premium sound system.
Finally, the Bronco includes plenty of advanced driver assistance technologies for use both on and off the road. The normal Ford Co-Pilot 360 suite of technologies makes the Bronco an extremely safe and convenient vehicle in traffic and around town. But it also has some unique features designed to aid off-road driving as well. Trail turn assist will lock the inside rear wheel during a tight turn, allowing the pivot more sharply. Trail control is an off-road cruise control that will keep you at a constant speed while negotiating rough terrain. Finally, one-pedal driving will automatically apply the brakes whenever you lift off the accelerator, helping you to stop more quickly and preventing you from rolling backward by accident. Not only is the technology in the Bronco fun, but it keeps you safe as well.