Ford Bronco: The Iconic Off-Roader Reimagined

The Ford Bronco is a sport utility vehicle (SUV) that Ford introduced in 1966. It was first offered in three different body styles: station wagon, half-cab, and roadster. The three-door wagon became very popular, resulting in the discontinuation of the roadster in 1968 and the half-cab in 1972. This made the wagon the most recognized version of the Bronco. The article offers a detailed look at Ford's first-ever SUV, covering both its strengths and weaknesses.

1966 – 1977

The Bronco wagon, a three-door SUV, was introduced in 1965 and was initially available in three body styles. Its angular shape, square body, and flat windshield made it a popular choice. High-end models featured a removable fiberglass cover with side windows for ventilation. The interior was designed for comfort and visibility, with bucket seats in the front and a bench in the rear. The 1966 Bronco featured a 2.8-liter inline-six petrol engine with 105 hp and an optional 4.7-liter V8 petrol engine with 200 hp. It was paired with a three-speed manual transmission and a two-speed transfer case with a shift-on-the-fly function.

1987 – 1979

The 1978 Ford Bronco was the second generation of the SUV, introduced in 1977. It was a full-size vehicle built on a modified frame from the Ford F-100. It had a slant nose design, chrome bumper, and a flat hood. The car was redesigned with a flat dashboard, square-shaped instrument dials, and a spacious interior. It was available with either a 5.8-liter V8 petrol engine or a 6.6-liter V8 petrol engine, providing 158 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque.

1980 – 1986

The Ford Bronco, introduced in 1980, is a compact, lightweight SUV built on the Ford F-150 truck platform, featuring a sloped windshield, flat front hood, fence-like grille, and square headlights. The 1980 model offers ample interior space and is equipped with either a 4.9-liter V6 gasoline engine producing 190 horsepower or a 5.8-liter V8 Windsor engine. It comes with transmission options including a 3-speed automatic, 4-speed automatic, or 4-speed manual. The vehicle includes two front captain seats and a rear bench seat, along with an AM/FM radio, air conditioning, and cloth-covered seats. It can seat four passengers in the two-door version or five passengers in the four-door version, and provides sufficient legroom for all occupants.

1987 – 1991

In 1987, Ford introduced the fourth generation of the Bronco, featuring a flatter grille, redesigned bumpers, and composite headlights. The vehicle's design aimed to enhance aerodynamics, while interior upgrades included wider seats, reclinable passenger seating, and a sedan-style instrument panel. The engine remained the same, but electronic fuel injection was added. The Mazda-sourced 5-speed manual transmission was replaced by a 4-speed automatic with overdrive.

1992 – 1996

In 1992, Ford introduced the fifth-generation Bronco, based on the Ford F-150. Available in three trims, it featured aerodynamic front fascia, a redesigned grille, chromed bumper, slimmer headlights, a redesigned rear bumper, and a fiberglass rear roof with tamper-proof Torx bolts. The 1996 Bronco introduced turn signal lights on side mirrors. The interior of the model has been updated, featuring an updated dashboard and instrument panel, improved safety features like AM/FM stereo, air conditioning, power windows, mirrors, door locks, keyless entry, and anti-theft alarm. The 1992 Bronco used a 4.9-liter V6 and 5.8-liter V8 engine until 1994, with the 5.8-liter Windsor V8 engine becoming the only option, paired with a 5-speed manual or automatic transmission.

2021 – Present

In 2021, Ford introduced the sixth-generation Ford Bronco, built on the Ranger truck platform. Available in seven versions, it features a flat front grille, round headlights, LED daytime running lights, trail sights, and a 68 kg tie-down point. Inside, it features a functional cabin with rugged toggle switches, grab handles, and an 8-inch SYNC3 infotainment system. The Bronco comes with a turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine or a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, paired with a ten-speed automatic or 7-speed manual transmission.

Finally

The Ford Bronco, a reliable SUV, gained popularity in America from 1966 to 2021. Its on- and off-road usability, reliable camper, and 5-door model in 2021 open new avenues. You can now check the latest Ford Bronco stock list to explore a wider range of available models.