2021 FORD BRONCO

Committed and “all-in,” Ford flexes its muscles with new Bronco lineup

- Sean P. Holman

The ’21 Bronco is finally here and, if the reception around our first-drive location in Austin, Texas, was any indication, highly anticipated. The Bronco has hit the scene in a way that riding on the back of a zebra in our skivvies couldn’t have caused more of an entrance. The last vehicle we drove that drew this much onlooker attention was the Hummer H2 way back in the early 2000s.

We spent a weekend behind the wheel of the Bronco—which was designed and engineered to take on the Jeep Wrangler directly—and feel like we have a pretty good idea of where it excels and where it might fall short. So, is the Bronco going to be the proverbial nail in Jeep’s coffin? Read on to find out.

Based on the next-generation Ford Ranger architecture, the Bronco has an independent front suspension; a solid axle rear with coilover shocks; and is available in five trims, two body styles, and with two engine and two transmission options. Like the Wrangler, it is a convertible, with either a hard or soft top, and the doors come off. Unlike its prime competitor, though, the windshield doesn’t fold.