Firsthand Accounts

After a test drive, drivers often say the Bronco rides smoother on pavement than they expected from a body-on-frame SUV. Many point out how steady the steering feels at highway speeds, thanks to the independent front suspension, and how comfortable the seats stay on longer trips.

Every Ford Bronco runs on an EcoBoost engine. EcoBoost pairs turbocharging with direct fuel injection. A turbocharger uses exhaust gases to spin a turbine, forcing extra air into the engine for a bigger punch of power per drop of fuel.

You can pick the transmission that fits how you like to drive:

• 7-speed manual: Standard with the 2.3L engine. Its extra-low "crawler" first gear lets you creep forward slowly and precisely, and it includes Hill Descent Control.
• 10-speed automatic: Available with the 2.3L and standard with both V6 engines. It adds Ford Trail Control™, which works like low-speed cruise control on uneven ground, plus Trail 1-Pedal Drive.

As a first-time buyer, you can start with the 300-horsepower 2.3L and hitch up a small camper using the standard Trailer Tow Prep Pack. Standard Hill Start Assist briefly holds the brakes on steep driveways so you can move your foot to the gas without rolling back.

The Bronco treats the sky as an optional ceiling. Its frameless doors remove with the included toolkit, and on 4-Door models, each front door weighs 55 pounds while each rear door weighs 44 pounds.

The 4-Door Bronco seats five, and the 2-Door seats four. Cargo space is measured in cubic feet, a simple way to compare how much stuff fits inside. The 4-Door soft top offers 38.3 cubic feet behind the second row and 83.0 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, plenty for camping gear.

Ford designed the Bronco to be customized, so you can add and swap gear as your hobbies change:

• Dual Tops Soft Top Add-In: New for 2026 on select trims, this option gives you a hard top and a soft top with the same vehicle.
• Fender tie-down hooks: These handle up to 150 pounds each and double as trail sights, small markers that show where your front corners are.
• Washout flooring with drain plugs: Standard on Badlands and included in the Black Diamond™ Package, so muddy floors rinse out with a hose.

For a shopper who values freedom and fun, this flexibility turns a single SUV into a convertible, a cargo hauler, and a gear locker rolled into one.

Every new Bronco comes with G.O.A.T. Modes, meaning Goes Over Any Type of Terrain, as standard equipment. With the Terrain Management System™, you pick a mode and the Bronco adjusts its drive settings to match the surface under your tires.

2026 Bronco models with the 10-speed automatic gain clever trail tools:

• Trail Control™: Works like low-speed cruise control off-road. The driver steers while the Bronco manages throttle and braking.
• Trail 1-Pedal Drive: Lifting off the accelerator slows the vehicle, giving precise control on technical terrain.
• Trail Turn Assist: Brakes the inside rear wheel to tighten turning on tight switchbacks (2.7L and 3.0L engines).

For tech-savvy explorers, these features keep the driver in command on pavement and dirt alike.