The Ford Bronco: A Rugged SUV with a Twist
The Ford Bronco is a legendary off-road vehicle that has been a staple in the automotive world for decades. With its latest iteration, the 2025 Ford Bronco Heritage, Ford has managed to strike a balance between ruggedness and style, making it a worthy competitor to the iconic Jeep Wrangler.
One of the standout features of the Bronco is its looks. The frameless doors and roof remove completely for a summer cottage-ready aesthetic, and the mirrors stay attached to the body, even when the doors are removed. While the doors are not quick to remove and reinstall, they store within the vehicle, making them convenient to use. The Bronco's design is a refreshing departure from the Wrangler, and it looks serious and capable, without being overly utilitarian.
Inside, the Bronco feels spacious and comfortable. The Heritage edition comes with retro-but-comfortable plaid cloth seats, all manually adjustable. The interior is well-equipped, with fewer buttons and switches than the Wrangler, and many controls accessed through the large central touchscreen. The radio and climate control are managed through simple buttons and switches, while drive modes are controlled through a dial in front of the transmission lever on the center console. The Bronco's interior is easy to use without being overwhelming.
One of the most significant differences between the Bronco and the Wrangler is the suspension system. The Bronco has a fully independent front suspension, which provides a much more comfortable and forgiving ride on the highway, with little wandering around within its lane. The Jeep's solid axle, on the other hand, is beloved by off-roaders looking to rock-crawl over the gnarliest trails, but it comes at the cost of a bouncy ride on the highway and steering that must be constantly corrected at speed. The Bronco's independent front axle is a game-changer, making it a more comfortable and capable vehicle on the road.
The Bronco's off-road capabilities are also impressive. The Heritage edition comes with the Sasquatch wheel-and-suspension package, which includes the hefty 315/70R17 all-terrain tires mounted on white wheel rims, beneath squared-off fenders. The Sasquatch package adds additional off-road ability with front and rear axles that can each be locked electronically, as well as an improved suspension system that uses Bilstein dampers. The chunky 35-inch tires create almost 30 centimeters of ground clearance, making it a formidable off-road vehicle.
However, the Bronco's fuel consumption is not its strongest suit. The average consumption is 13.3 liters per 100 kilometers, and my consumption during a week of mixed use was 14.4. This is on par with other serious off-roaders, but it's worth noting that premium fuel is required to achieve the full 330 horsepower.
In terms of technology, the Bronco is well-equipped. It's easy to hook up your phone wirelessly to the infotainment system through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, but there's no wireless phone charger, which is a minor omission for a vehicle of this caliber. There's also no adaptive cruise control, but there's still plenty of clever assistance offered to the driver. Different Bronco editions provide different technology options, so if there's something you really want that's missing on the Heritage edition, take a look at the other trim levels instead.
The Bronco's cargo space is also impressive. There's reasonable luggage space behind the rear seats, but the floor is high and access is hindered by having to open the swinging lower door before raising the glass upper door that's attached to the soft-top's roof. Officially, there's a little more than 1,000 liters of cargo space behind the second row, and almost 2,200 liters if you fold down the hard-top's rear seats. There's an extra 150 liters for the soft-top when the seats are folded. In short, the Bronco has more cargo space than the Wrangler, with more convenient access.
In conclusion, the Ford Bronco is a capable SUV and a worthy adversary for the Jeep Wrangler. If you don't need the Bronco's off-roading ability, you'll probably be happier with a quieter and smoother vehicle, but if you want a true four-wheel drive that's good for almost any terrain, the Bronco will get you there – and look good doing it.
The 2025 Ford Bronco Heritage is priced at $69,455, including freight and pre-delivery inspection, plus taxes. It's a well-equipped and capable vehicle that strikes a balance between ruggedness and style, making it a worthy addition to any automotive enthusiast's garage.
