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2022 Ford Bronco Review: Ford continues to expand the popular Bronco lineup. We look at powertrain, interior options, trim levels, and technology.
What’s new for the 2022 Ford Bronco?
After a 25-year hiatus, the Bronco nameplate returned last year, as you can read about here. This year, the 2022 Ford Bronco is now available in Everglades and Raptor trim. The off-road focused Sasquatch package is newly available on manual transmission-equipped Broncos. It is all part of Ford’s plan to expand their newly created “Built Wild” sub-brand, currently occupied by the full-size Bronco and the smaller Bronco Sport. We compare the two here and you can read more about the Bronco Sport here.
2022 Ford Bronco – ford.com | Shop 2022 Ford Bronco on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
A Bronco for every budget
Standard wireless phone integration
Cool factor is off the charts
Overwhelming level of content
Wish the Raptor had a V8
Weak fuel economy
A hardcore factory off-roader
2022 Bronco Specs
- 275 horsepower from base engine
- 315 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 8 available trims
- 22.4 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 52.3 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- 3,500-pound towing capacity
- Advanced 4×4 system controls individual wheels
- Electronically disconnecting stabilizer bar
- Three years of roadside assistance
Ford Bronco Powertrain
Base 2022 Broncos are equipped with a 275-horse, 2.3L EcoBoost inline-four that makes 300 lb-ft of torque and pairs with a 7-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission. All Broncos are RWD SUVs with selectable 4×4 via dual-range transfer case. A 2.7 EcoBoost V6 making 315 hp and 330 torques can be had higher up the trim ladder that pairs exclusively with the 10-speed automatic. Only the Raptor boasts a 3.0L EcoBoost putting down an estimated 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft or torque – though official figures have not yet been released.
The 2022 Ford Bronco suspension consists of an independent front and solid axle rear with a range of High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension (HOSS) setups from 1.0 on up to 4.0. Each has progressively more aggressive off-road characteristics, but every Bronco is a serious 4×4 right out of the box and ready to tackle this list of best off-roading trails. Given that 30-inch tires are the smallest available, there is no doubt the Ford Bronco is an off-roader first, so keep that in mind for daily commuting.
Towing & Payload
The base 2022 Ford Bronco can tow 3,500 pounds, which matches a Jeep Wrangler, its most obvious competition. Stepping up the more powerful Bronco Raptor improves towing capacity to 4,500 pounds, but all new Broncos are fitted with trailer sway control and a tow/haul transmission mode. The $595 Towing package adds a 4/7-pin wiring harness and 2-inch receiver to the mix.
2022 Ford Bronco Fuel Economy & MPG
Fitted with the 2.3L motor, a 2022 Bronco is rated for 20 mpg in the city and 21 on the highway, with either transmission. Opting for the larger, 2.7L twin-turbo V6 drops both figures by one, and adding on the Sasquatch package reduces fuel economy to about 17 mpg. Raptor variants are not yet rated by the EPA but you can be sure it will be dismal.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
You can buy the 2022 Bronco in 2-door or 4-door form, the latter of which has a 50% larger cargo area – 38 vs. 22 cubic feet with the seat upright. Two-door models can seat four, while the four-door can technically seat five. In both cases there is about 36-inches of rear legroom and the doors can be removed. The hardtop can also be removed for true open-air driving and a configurable soft-top is available.
Most models feature cloth or marine-grade vinyl upholstery, though leather is an option. Combined with rubberized flooring that includes drain plugs, on some models, makes the 2022 Bronco free to get filthy, as Ford intended. Folding the rear seat down opens up 52 cubic feet of space on 2-door models and 83 on the 4-door, while a newly available slide-out tailgate makes the ability to stretch out for a nap even easier.
Entertainment & Technology
Every 2022 Bronco comes with Wi-Fi capability and wireless integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto software via an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen. There is also a 12-inch display available – bigger than Wrangler’s available 8.4-inch version – along with navigation and a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Lux package adds two USB ports for a total of four and a wireless charging pad, while the High package offers a 360-degree exterior camera monitor. The best Bronco tech is really centered around its off-road systems like Trail-Turn Assist that applies the brake on the inside rear wheel to enable tight pivoting.
Safety Features
Ford offers their Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-aids on Big Bend trim and above. It includes forward collision warning with automated emergency braking, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping system and automatic high beams. Tacking on the Luxury packages brings adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist with parking sonar also available. Making off-road work safer, Hill Descent Control and Trail 1-Pedal Drive keep the Bronco moving slowly so can you navigate safely.
2022 Ford Bronco Trims & Pricing
Base – $32,395
The base Bronco comes in 2-door form with the 2.3L motor, as do most 2022 Broncos, with the option for more doors and a bigger engine. LED headlights and five modes for the Goes Over Any Type of Terrain (GOAT) system are included as are 16-inch steel wheels on 30-inch rubber and heated side mirrors. Manual air-conditioning controls and cloth seats grace the cabin along with an 8-inch touchscreen running Ford’s SYNC 4 infotainment software.
Big Bend – $36,880
Big Bend trim has six GOAT modes, 32-inch all-terrain tires and wireless integration for Apple and Android phones – like every 2022 Ford Bronco. It has a leather-wrapped steering wheel and the optional mid package to add dual-zone automatic climate control.
Black Diamond – $39,545
Just shy of $40,000, the Black Diamond gets powder-coated steel bumpers with integrated fog lamps up front. It also features drain plugs in the rubberized cabin floor and easily cleaned marine-grade vinyl seat trim.
Outer Banks – $42,450
A bit fancier, Outer Banks trim nets Signature LED exterior lighting, heated front seats and the option for leather upholstery. 110-volt power is included as is reverse sonar and the Co-Pilot360 group of driver aids.
Badlands – $46,090
For more serious off-roading, Badlands models have seven GOAT modes including Rock Crawl, 33-inch tires and the HOSS 2.0 system with Bilstein Position Sensitive dampers. It also has an electronically-controlled front stabilizer bar disconnect feature.
Wildtrak – $51,375
Designed for high-speed trail running, the Wildtrak comes with all the Sasquatch gear like 35” rubber, locking front and rear axles, fender flares and beadlock-capable wheels.
Everglades – $54,595
Sporting an air-intake snorkel and 10,000-pound WARN winch installed at the factory, the new Bronco Everglades is your water friendly beast, capable of fording 36” of the wet stuff and featuring an exclusive Desert Sand paint option.
Raptor – $70,095
Fully wild, the Bronco Raptor has mammoth 37-inch tires, the hottest 3.0L twin-turbo V6, fancy FOX semi-active dampers and a modular front bumper with fog lamps from Rigid. It also boasts a full set of steel underbody armor and, mercifully, added sound deadening insulation.
Warranties
Ford’s warranty is of the industry-average variety with no complimentary maintenance or exceptionally long coverage terms. The bumper-to-bumper warranty lasts 3 years or 36,000 miles as does roadside assistance. Powertrain coverage is good for 5 years or 60,000 miles and the corrosion warranty runs 5 years with no mileage limit.
What we think
2022 Ford Bronco – ford.com | Shop 2022 Ford Bronco on Carsforsale.com
It’s hard not to like the 2022 Ford Bronco, even if you’re not planning to go off-road and explore its myriad capabilities. Ford has not held back here; the Bronco is built for four wheeling and has a trim available to meet virtually every desire. There is a dizzying array of options, but the Big Bend offers a nice mix of amenities as standard, and when configured as a 4-door with the Sasquatch package and 7-speed manual offers a bit of everything for everyone.
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