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What do our experts think of the 2023 Ford Bronco? We look at powertrain, interior options, trim levels, and more. Find out our thoughts here.
2023 Ford Bronco – ford.com | Shop 2023 Ford Bronco on Carsforsale.com
What’s new for the 2023 Ford Bronco?
The 2023 Ford Bronco adds one big change and that’s the introduction of the Heritage trims. There are two versions and each one sports old-school design cues like a white roof, a white grille, and classic badging.
The Breakdown
Great off-road capability
Above average handling
Highly configurable
Lacking on safety
Uncompetitive warranty
Noisy cabin
A faith modern classic
2023 Bronco Specs
- 300 horsepower from base engine
- 325 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 10 available trims
- 22.4 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 52.3 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- 4,500-lb towing capacity (Raptor Only)
- Standard 8-inch touchscreen
- Standard lane-keep assist
- No-frills warranty coverage
2023 Ford Bronco Powertrain
Driving the Ford Bronco is a lesson in how far SUVs have come. No, it’s never going to carve canyons with Porsche Cayennes but for an SUV of this price, it’s incredibly capable. On-road it’s far more stable and communicative than its biggest rival the Jeep Wrangler. It handles corners better than the Jeep too and when the pavement runs out it’s even more impressive. Thanks to clever tuning the seven different G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Terrain) modes feel sincerely different and each works in its own way to help the Bronco conquer even the toughest off-roading trails.
Ford offers three different engine variants including a 2.3-liter four-cylinder with 300 hp, a V6 with 330 hp, and another version of that same V6 with 400 hp. The first two are available in just about every trim while the most powerful V6 is only available in the Bronco Raptor. No, there’s no V8 available but mark our words, we think Ford is working on a Bronco Raptor R that’ll pack eight cylinders in the future. Til then we have to settle for the three engine choices it currently offers and that’s ok because they’re all good.
The four-cylinder is surprisingly punchy and fun to drive. That’s even more true when it’s equipped with an available seven-speed manual transmission. The V6 is only available with a 10-speed automatic and while we’d love an optional stick, the auto box is still pretty good. It’s smooth and never seems to be searching for the right gear.
Towing & Payload
Most Bronco models can tow up to 3,500 pounds when properly equipped. That’s right in line with what one would get from the Jeep Wrangler. The Bronco Raptor actually ends up with the biggest towing capacity capped at 4,500 pounds.
2023 Ford Bronco Fuel Economy & MPG
Considering that the Bronco isn’t shaped too dissimilarly to an actual brick, it’s not unsurprising that it doesn’t get incredible fuel economy. The EPA estimates that it’ll get up to 20 mpg in the city and 21 on the highway when equipped with the 2.3-liter four-cylinder and up to 19 mpg in the city and 20 on the highway with the V6. The big bad Bronco Raptor sees scores of 15 and 16 respectively.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
The Bronco aims to find a balance between off-road ruggedness and everyday comfort. For the most part, we think it does a great job of that. The seats are supportive, the cabin is spacious, and the controls are nicely laid out. There are thoughtful little touches that we love too like GoPro mounts on the dash, wing mirrors that stay on the SUV even when the doors are removed, and a storage area for those doors on the four-door model.
At the same time, the Bronco can be a bit rough around the edges for everyday commuting. Wind noise is especially apparent at high speeds. Top-level trims with leather seating surfaces still feature cheaper feeling (but very durable) plastics on the dashboard and door cards. The Bronco certainly prioritizes practicality over plushness.
To that end, the rear seats are comfortable for most adults regardless of whether one buys the two-door version or the four-door. Cargo space is admirable too and is downright large in the four-door variant.
Entertainment & Technology
We imagine that most Bronco owners will focus on the excellent Sync4 infotainment system in this SUV. In standard guise, it features an 8-inch screen and a great layout. We’d recommend going for the 12-inch version when possible though as it features deeper menus and will age better over time we think.
What really makes the Bronco stand out isn’t the infotainment system though. As an off-road focused SUV, it’s the little tech touches that enable more pleasurable off-roading adventures that we love. For example, buyers can get up to seven different terrain management drive modes to optimize the way this pony overcomes obstacles in its path. Electronically locking differentials and a remote sway-bar disconnect feature add to its capability too.
Safety Features
Ford hasn’t won any safety awards with the Bronco nor does it offer much in the way of standard advanced safety features. The base trim comes with forward collision mitigation and not much else. Even the Big Bend requires buyers to add a $3,000 package for safety equipment like blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams. That’s a far cry from what the best in the business offer and seems like a pathetic attempt at cutting costs.
2023 Ford Bronco Trims & Pricing
All trims except for the Raptor are available with two or four doors. Unless otherwise noted, trim features are identical regardless of door count. Four-wheel drive is standard across the lineup.
Base – $35,890
Ford kicks off the Bronco lineup with the 2.3-liter engine, a seven-speed manual transmission, 16-inch steel wheels, LED headlights, tow hooks, a push-button start, a digital instrument panel, an 8-inch infotainment system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, seven speakers, cloth upholstery, manually-adjustable front seats, air conditioning, carpeted flooring, and a terrain-management system with five drive modes. Safety equipment includes hill start assist, hill descent control, and trail turn assist, but lacks any advanced driver safety aids other than automatic emergency braking.
Big Bend – $39,880
The Big Bend adds LED fog lights, a unique grille, 17-inch alloy wheels, 32-inch all-terrain tires, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, tinted rear windows, a console-mounted passenger-side grab handle, and terrain management with six modes.
Black Diamond – $42,545
This trim gets seriously off-road ready with seven terrain modes, vinyl upholstery, rubber flooring, skid plates, heavy-duty bumpers, rock rails, 17-inch black-painted steel wheels, and prewired auxiliary switches.
Outer Banks – $45,450
The Outer Banks is like a more luxurious Black Diamond trim. To that end, it gets 18-inch alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, side step rails, upgraded LED headlights, body-colored fender flares, mirrors, and door handles. It also includes ambient interior lighting, voice recognition, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, remote start, and parking sensors. Lane-keep assist and blind-spot monitoring are also standard.
Heritage Edition – $46,100
Not available last year, the Heritage Edition gets classic features like a white grille, a white roof, and special graphics. It also features plaid upholstery, side step rails, and skid plates.
Badlands – $48,690
The Badlands combines features from the Black Diamond and Big Bend but then adds 33-inch all-terrain tires, a unique Badlands-only suspension setup, and a front stabilizer bar disconnect.
Everglades – $55,690
The Everglades is only available with the four-cylinder and a 10-speed automatic but includes a heavy-duty front bumper, an air snorkel, vinyl upholstery, a 12-inch infotainment system, a Warn winch, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, 17-inch beadlock capable wheels, 35-inch mud-terrain tires, a lifted suspension, and modified fender flares to fit all that rubber.
Wildtrak – $56,375
Consider the Wildtrak as the extreme version of the Outer Banks as it adds the V6, Fox shocks with internal bypass dampers, seven terrain modes, prewired auxiliary switches, and most of the off-road equipment from the Everglades trim including 35-inch mud-terrain tires, a winch, a lifted suspension, and 17-inch wheels.
Heritage Limited Edition – $68,690
This trim is built off of the Badlands but adds the V6 along with metal badging, unique exterior graphics, and a combination of both vinyl and leather upholstery. It also gets integrated navigation, a 20-speaker B&O sound system, a heated steering wheel, a wireless charging pad, adaptive cruise control, and evasive steering assist.
Raptor – $78,375
At the top of the mountain is the Bronco Raptor. It’s only available as a four-door and doesn’t have any sub-trim levels like its F-150 sibling. What it does get is a 418 hp V6, 17-inch wheels, 37-inch all-terrain tires, Fox shock absorbers, an active exhaust, paddle shifters, and unique exterior trim bits.
Warranties
Ford offers the same three-year or 36,000-mile limited warranty on every Bronco. It also includes a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty but doesn’t tack on any complimentary maintenance. Near the bottom of the trim ladder that’s no big deal but once we’re talking about $50k or more it feels like a miss compared to rivals like from Jeep that offer more.
What we think
2023 Ford Bronco – ford.com | Shop 2023 Ford Bronco on Carsforsale.com
After some issues with 2022 Bronco production, it seems that Ford is almost entirely back on track for the 2023 model year and that’s great news. Very few vehicles come anywhere close to offering the off-road capability and on-road manners available in the Bronco. In the long history of this SUV model, this 2023 model is officially the best ever.
