2021 Bronco on-road review

[chevypower]

I know there a lot of reviews now the embargo has been lifted on driving impressions, but this has to be one of the best on-road YouTube reviews I have seen. I’m willing to bet Ford will eventually sell this in Australia - it doesn’t make sense not to.

How do you guys think it would do in the Aussie market?


https://youtu.be/Z66yxbK9W-k

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by chevypower

I know there a lot of reviews now the embargo has been lifted on driving impressions, but this has to be one of the best on-road YouTube reviews I have seen. I’m willing to bet Ford will eventually sell this in Australia - it doesn’t make sense not to.

How do you guys think it would do in the Aussie market?


https://youtu.be/Z66yxbK9W-k

Bloody ugly - looks like a hat full of assholes! It's the AU Falcon of 4x4s

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Bloody ugly - looks like a hat full of assholes! It's the AU Falcon of 4x4s

The “target market” production is sold out for a couple of years.

I don’t think those buyers agree, or care what you think

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Fordman1

The “target market” production is sold out for a couple of years.

I don’t think those buyers agree, or care what you think

Such a stunning response from buyers with 125k confirmed orders.
Even with a slam dunk home run in USA, Ford is just so ROW myopic,
certain versions of Bronco in Australia/New Zealander would be a smash hit.

[CyberWasp]

Comparison to the US Ranger with the 35" Wheels.

[roKWiz]

Looks like the perfect candidate for Black Bear Road, CO.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Fordman1

The “target market” production is sold out for a couple of years.

I don’t think those buyers agree, or care what you think

I'd hope that something designed and catering solely for the US market would be popular in the US market

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

I'd hope that something designed and catering solely for the US market would be popular in the US market

Agree you’d hope so.

It probably won’t sell in big numbers in Lebanon Or Australia

[jpd80]

Is the styling considered so terrible that it wouldn’t sell in Australia or that
it would just displace high series Ranger sales that Ford already has here?

If it’s the latter, I can see how an Aussie Bronco could be a self defeating exercise,
would a Ranger with more Bronco DNA be a much better, more effective solution?

Get NG Ranger and Everest right and sales could really take off…..

[Ben73]

I think it would sell OK here. From what I have seen in YouTube videos they are trying to steal sales from the Wrangler. I think some Australian Wrangler owners would consider a Bronco. Plus people coming from other brands.

It wouldn't be a huge seller, but it would move.

[XR Martin]

Id love an Ecoboost 2.7.
Dont really get the removable doors and roof though.
Anyone who has driven off road even with a window open knows the car going to fill with dust.
And I've also dealt with siezed heater boxes on various Hiluxs and Rangers due to this issue.
I know Aussie bulldust is particularly fine, but I'm sure the US has its own.

[CyberWasp]

Every 4x4 (that is actually driven offroad) that you see driving is modified to the some effect.
They want suspension lift and larger tyres ect.
The problem is that once you start to modifiy you run into big problems problems.
Speedo is out, Diff Ratio is wrong, Wheel Offsets, Wheels Rubbing, Gearing, Electronic Gizmos like AEB+ others are out of whack ,as vehicle is not at factory height, the list goes on and on.
Ford has solved all of this by giving people what they aspire to do, to their 4X4 with a factory package.

So yes, all eyes now turn to Everest to see how much off this DNA is included.
If Everest doesn't have this set up (Goat Mode, 35's ect) as an option then then Ford has wasted a crap load of development money and should be shot.
Given the same options, more modern raptor like styling, and a powerful diesel engine they would hit it out of the park in Australia.

Ford should worry less about cannibalising Ranger Sales, and more about stealing sales off Toyota.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Ben73

I think it would sell OK here. From what I have seen in YouTube videos they are trying to steal sales from the Wrangler. I think some Australian Wrangler owners would consider a Bronco. Plus people coming from other brands.

It wouldn't be a huge seller, but it would move.

It’s targeted directly at wrangler. And jeep are ****ting themselves. Jeep dealers went into panic mode and bombarded jeep hq with worried questions asking what they were supposed to do to match it.

Bronco blew it right out of the water.

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by XR Martin

Id love an Ecoboost 2.7.
Dont really get the removable doors and roof though.
Anyone who has driven off road even with a window open knows the car going to fill with dust.
And I've also dealt with siezed heater boxes on various Hiluxs and Rangers due to this issue.
I know Aussie bulldust is particularly fine, but I'm sure the US has its own.

Agreed. I’d be tempted to remove the roof for on-road driving (especially a nice cruise through the mountain roads), but not off-road. The dust triggers my allergies, and once it’s in your HVAC system, it’s impossible to get out.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by XR Martin

Id love an Ecoboost 2.7.
Dont really get the removable doors and roof though.
Anyone who has driven off road even with a window open knows the car going to fill with dust.
And I've also dealt with siezed heater boxes on various Hiluxs and Rangers due to this issue.
I know Aussie bulldust is particularly fine, but I'm sure the US has its own.

It’s more of a rock crawling thing. So you can see exactly where the vehicle is positioned. I don’t think many people would do it in the dust. But bronco has drain plugs in the floor, and a hose out interior. And the doors can be stowed inside the vehicle, so easily put back on when needed.

[XR Martin]

The 2.7L ecoboost version does a 14.2 second 1/4mile.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

It’s more of a rock crawling thing. So you can see exactly where the vehicle is positioned. I don’t think many people would do it in the dust. But bronco has drain plugs in the floor, and a hose out interior. And the doors can be stowed inside the vehicle, so easily put back on when needed.

It’s also got hose out floor with proper drain plugs, to wash out any mud or
bad diahorea from kids or dogs, trust me it’s a real thing….

[simon varley]

unfortunately RHD is never going to come. At least not from the factory. Reckon there might be a market for some modifiers though.

[prydey]

I can see nothing in current buying trends to suggest the bronco would sell well here.

Ford have been caught a few times offering answers to questions no one has asked so there's no way they'll get too carried away bringing niche vehicles here, in my view.

[naddis01]

Don't worry about the Bronco, Great Wall has your back...

[Charliewool]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

It’s targeted directly at wrangler. And jeep are ****ting themselves. Jeep dealers went into panic mode and bombarded jeep hq with worried questions asking what they were supposed to do to match it.

Bronco blew it right out of the water.

Don’t know if it’d blow this outta the water? (13sec 1/4 on 33” mud tires)
https://www.motortrend.com/news/2021...ok-review/amp/

[chevypower]

Probably in acceleration (in a straight line anyway), but they’re selling the 392 Rubicon about $20k-30k higher than the Bronco Badlands 4 door with Sasquatch. The Bronco Warthog/Raptor is about two years away.

Originally Posted by Charliewool

Don’t know if it’d blow this outta the water? (13sec 1/4 on 33” mud tires)
https://www.motortrend.com/news/2021...ok-review/amp/

[smoo]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

It’s targeted directly at wrangler. And jeep are ****ting themselves. Jeep dealers went into panic mode and bombarded jeep hq with worried questions asking what they were supposed to do to match it.

Bronco blew it right out of the water.

Blew it right out of the water is an over statement.
Jeep have a huge range with the Wrangler and nearly all bases covered - 4 cylinder turbo petrol, 4 cylinder TD, 4 cylinder plug in hybrid, V6 petrol, V6 petrol hybrid, V6 turbo diesel and 392 450kw Hemi V8.
I'd be surprised if they're ****ting themselves over the Bronco but no doubt it will steal sales.
Jeep have added another Rubicon trim level with the addition of 35" tyres to compete with the Bronco Sasquatch. Which appears to be the only knee jerk reaction to the Bronco as the Rubicon does everything else.

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

Ford has solved all of this by giving people what they aspire to do, to their 4X4 with a factory package.

Jeep did that 15 years ago with the JK Wrangler Rubicon.

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by smoo

I'd be surprised if they're ****ting themselves over the Bronco… (Recon package) appears to be the only knee jerk reaction to the Bronco as the Rubicon does everything else.

Consider this article from last year.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a3...cept-revealed/

“Two days after Jeep teased a V-8–powered Wrangler, and on the day of the Bronco debut, it reveals the Wrangler Rubicon 392 concept.”

I absolutely think Stellantis is concerned. The standard 2.3EB is more powerful than both the Jeep’s 2.0T and 3.6 V6. Jeep doesn’t have a power train that competes directly with the 2.7EB. The 392 is a niche model, not a volume seller. However, what I think Ford has done is expanded the pie, not just eaten a big piece of the pie that Jeep owned. Jeep will continue to do well, but I do think they can no longer sit back and do nothing. So the consumer wins. I think we will see a 3.0L I-6 turbo, and I’m betting the next generation Wrangler will be slightly bigger with a better balance of on-road comfort.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by prydey

I can see nothing in current buying trends to suggest the bronco would sell well here.

Ford have been caught a few times offering answers to questions no one has asked so there's no way they'll get too carried away bringing niche vehicles here, in my view.

Correct, anything developed only in LHD has practically zero chance of ever being sold here.

The big rider clause here is that we don’t know all that’s planned for NG Ranger,
there could be some interesting equipment options thanks to the Bronco project.

[smoo]

Originally Posted by chevypower

Consider this article from last year.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a3...cept-revealed/

“Two days after Jeep teased a V-8–powered Wrangler, and on the day of the Bronco debut, it reveals the Wrangler Rubicon 392 concept.”

I absolutely think Stellantis is concerned. The standard 2.3EB is more powerful than both the Jeep’s 2.0T and 3.6 V6. Jeep doesn’t have a power train that competes directly with the 2.7EB. The 392 is a niche model, not a volume seller. However, what I think Ford has done is expanded the pie, not just eaten a big piece of the pie that Jeep owned. Jeep will continue to do well, but I do think they can no longer sit back and do nothing. So the consumer wins. I think we will see a 3.0L I-6 turbo, and I’m betting the next generation Wrangler will be slightly bigger with a better balance of on-road comfort.

Announcing the 392 Hemi at that time is probably more of a strategic marketing move than Jeep ****ting themselves.
This is more the answer Jeep have on reaction to the Bronco.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a3...uatch-hunting/

I don't think Jeep have been sitting back and doing nothing - prior to the JL Wrangler the only engine option available in the states was the V6 petrol. Compare that to the list of engines available now, plus the Gladiator body style.
But yeah, Wrangler buyers have been asking for a V8 for years. The 392 is an over kill with a price tag to match. If Jeep offered the 5.7 Hemi at a small price premium to the V6 they will fly out the door, and probably prompt Ford to offer the 3.5 eco boost in the Bronco.

[smoo]

Originally Posted by naddis01

Don't worry about the Bronco, Great Wall has your back...

image

image

image

What is this, are they blatantly taking the **** and trolling for a reaction from the west, or are they so void of creativity and innovation they have to steal design cues from existing models.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by smoo

What is this, are they blatantly taking the **** and trolling for a reaction from the west, or are they so void of creativity and innovation they have to steal design cues from existing models.

It’s what Chinese companies do, they have even less respect for IP than the Koreans.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Bloody ugly - looks like a hat full of assholes! It's the AU Falcon of 4x4s

Looks are always subjective.
Awesome looking thing. Would own.

Love how folks bring up the AU's looks always

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by naddis01

Don't worry about the Bronco, Great Wall has your back...

image

image

image

The irony is that Great Wall would be more likely to offer it to our market than Ford would.

Can't have the real deal but you can have the Chinese knock-off

Originally Posted by DJM83

Looks are always subjective.
Awesome looking thing. Would own.

Love how folks bring up the AU's looks always

Looks are indeed subjective, but there's also 'standards of beauty' that get compared to and my opinion is the Bronco misses the mark, but it obviously capitalises on nostalgia for the 1960s Bronco and is targeted solely for the North American market, I also think that the 1960s Bronco is ugly - but I actually quite like the 1980s Bronco and also the new Suzuki Jimny as well which has similar styling cues.

Jaguar E type is another car that people put up as meeting those 'standards of beauty' I referred to in the previous sentence, or the Ferrari Dino 246 GT - I think they both look like a hat full of assholes as well.

The AU keeps getting brought up because that ridiculous design language was forced on Ford Australia with its ovals everywhere theme, its a very polarising car, you either love it or hate it.

The Bronco and the AU Falcon are both a greater symptom of Ford claiming its interested in global markets, but it considers 'global' to be North America and assumes we all have the same tastes.