It's clear in reviving one of its most fabled franchises that Ford Motor Co. with the 2022 Bronco is throwing down multiple gauntlets while trying to knock the Jeep Wrangler down a few switchbacks or boulders.
The two- and four-door Bronco goes on sale this summer after a delay with supply issues. Prices start at $29,995 for the two-door and $34,695 for the four-door, including $1,495 for shipping.
The Bronco will be offered with a choice of two turbocharged engines: a 270-hp, 2.3-liter four-cylinder and a 310-hp, 2.7-liter V-6. There are two transmissions available: a seven-speed manual and a 10-speed automatic. The 2.7-liter turbo engine is fitted with just the automatic transmission.
In a shot across the grille of the Wrangler, most of the Bronco's seven trim lines at launch have clever names -- Big Bend ($34,860), Black Diamond ($37,505), Outer Banks ($40,450), Badlands ($43,550) and Wildtrak ($48,435). A limited-production First Edition ($58,865) will be available at launch.
Ford describes the base Bronco as a rather simple, bare model, thus it has marshaled a catalog with more than 200 components and accessories to help buyers equip and tailor their own. Look for more of these accessories in the years to come as Ford strives to keep the buzz going.
Indeed, in recent days, a new Bronco prototype has emerged on the streets of Dearborn, Mich., with all the running gear of an Overland-ready adventurer: a reworked front fascia with an integrated Warn winch and a passenger-side A-pillar heavily camouflaged to conceal an exhaust snorkel to aid in extreme water fording. Under the top camo, a raised roof signals there may be extra lighting, a cargo basket, or even a top-mounted tent. The adventure-ready Bronco prototype was equipped with the Sasquatch package to maximize clearance.
In the meantime, the first reviews of the Bronco are out and we've collected a sample.