Ford Bronco 2024 Review: Off-Road Excellence with On-Road Appeal
2024 Ford Bronco
The price of the 2024 Ford Bronco starts at $41,525 and can go up to $71,580, varying based on the trim level and selected options.
Ford Bronco 2024 Overview
Mud is some of nature’s best medicine, and driving through it in the Ford Bronco is highly recommended. The Bronco is Ford’s response to the long-standing success of the Jeep Wrangler. Like the Jeep, the Bronco comes in two- and four-door versions, and it offers both an optional manual transmission and four-wheel drive. Even the most basic Bronco has plenty of power from a 300-hp turbocharged inline-four with a 10-speed automatic transmission or an available seven-speed manual.
The more powerful engine is a 330-hp twin-turbo V-6. The Bronco Raptor, reviewed separately, has 418 horsepower but is a different animal altogether. Inside, the Bronco has a tough interior that’s easy to clean. Easy to drive on the street between campsites, the Bronco is a mix of a fun lifestyle vehicle and a serious rock-crawling tool, which is why we’ve put it on our Editors’ Choice list again this year.
Ford Bronco 2024 Expert Rating
Performance: 7.5/10
How does the Ford Bronco 2024 drive?
Whether you go with the turbo four-cylinder or choose the turbo V6, the Bronco has enough and smooth power for daily driving with a quick-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission. The extra power from the V6 makes on-ramps and short merges easier and more enjoyable. The V6 Bronco reaches 60 mph from a stop in 7.3 seconds, which is average considering the big tires and four-door design.
Hitting the brakes hard causes a lot of nosedive — normal for off-road SUVs — though emergency stopping distances were longer than we’d like. From 60 mph, a panic stop took 146 feet — similar to what we see with heavy-duty pickup trucks. It’s worth noting that our test Bronco had the Sasquatch off-road package with its rugged tires, but other Broncos we’ve tested with less aggressive tires stopped only 10 feet shorter — still longer than we’d prefer.
The real standout is the steering. Thanks to an independent front suspension, the Bronco’s steering wheel provides confidence and stability to the driver at freeway speeds. While it may not be thrilling on curvy roads, you’ll appreciate that the steering on long-distance drives won’t leave you tired.
Ford Bronco 2024 Comfort: 7.5/10
How comfortable is the Ford Bronco 2024 ?
While it’s not a luxury vehicle, the Bronco is more comfortable on the road than its main competitor, the Jeep Wrangler. The Bronco’s seats offer better support and enough adjustments to reduce fatigue on long freeway drives. Its truck-based construction means the ride is a bit firmer and bouncier than other SUVs, but it’s not enough to make you want to drive it any less.
The dual-zone climate control allows you to adjust the intensity of the auto setting, and the available heated front seats work very quickly, which is great if you’ve got the doors off on a cold day. However, the removable hardtop lets in a lot of wind noise at almost any speed, which lowers the Bronco’s score in this category. There were also several rattles and vibrations during our off-road testing.
Ford Bronco 2024 Interior: 8.0/10
How’s the interior?
Like other off-road vehicles, getting in and out of the Ford Bronco 2024 can require a decent step up or down, but there are plenty of grab handles throughout the cabin to help. We’d prefer the front grab handles be placed on the windshield pillars instead of the dashboard, but they’ll do in a pinch. Inside, the generous adjustment ranges for the driver’s seat and steering wheel ensure that all controls and gauges are within easy view. We appreciate the large and chunky physical controls — their size and placement make them easy to see and use when you’re wearing gloves.
Lots of headroom makes the Bronco’s interior feel spacious. This feeling continues in the rear seat, even in two-door models, but accessing those seats in the two-door Bronco can feel tight because the front seats don’t slide forward far enough.
| Key Features | Definition |
|---|---|
| Grab handles | Handles placed strategically throughout the cabin to assist in entering and exiting the vehicle. |
| Seat and steering wheel adjustment ranges | Extensive range of adjustments available for the driver’s seat and steering wheel to optimize comfort and visibility. |
| Physical controls | Large, easily identifiable controls that are designed for convenient operation, especially with gloves on. |
| Interior headroom | Ample vertical space inside the vehicle, enhancing the feeling of openness and comfort for occupants. |
| Rear seat access | Ease or difficulty in reaching and utilizing the rear seats, often influenced by front seat movement capabilities. |
Ford Bronco 2024 Storage: 7.0/10
How’s the storage?
The Ford Bronco 2024’s larger size compared to the Wrangler means it has a bigger interior with more cargo space. The Bronco’s rear swing gate opens to the passenger side and stays in place thanks to a strut.
On hardtop models, the rear glass folds up easily, but the soft top doesn’t open as far and needs a prop rod to stay up. Interior storage options are decent, with enough cupholders and small compartments for personal items. Properly equipped, the Bronco can tow up to 3,500 pounds. That’s enough for a small trailer but still less than what the Wrangler and Toyota 4Runner can tow. All Broncos can be flat-towed (all four wheels on the ground).
| Key Features | Definition |
|---|---|
| Interior size | Larger cabin space compared to the Wrangler, providing more room for passengers and cargo. |
| Rear swing gate | Tailgate that swings open towards the passenger side and remains steady with the help of a strut mechanism. |
| Rear glass operation | Rear glass on hardtop models folds up easily; soft top requires a prop rod to stay open, with limited opening. |
| Interior storage | Adequate options such as cupholders and small compartments for storing personal items within the vehicle. |
| Towing capacity | Capability to tow up to 3,500 pounds, suitable for small trailers, though less than some competitors like Wrangler and Toyota 4Runner. |
| Flat-towing capability | Ability to tow the vehicle with all four wheels on the ground, facilitating transport without a trailer. |
Ford Bronco 2024 Fuel Economy: 6.5/10
How’s the fuel economy?
Depending on the configuration and engine, the Ford Bronco gets an EPA-estimated 17 to 20 mpg in combined city/highway driving. Generally, these figures are lower than those for comparable Jeep Wrangler models. Our test vehicle, a well-equipped four-door Bronco with the 2.7-liter V6, got a disappointing 17 mpg in our real-world testing.
| Key Feature | Definition |
|---|---|
| Fuel Efficiency | Range of miles per gallon (mpg) achieved by the Bronco depending on engine and setup, typically between 17-20 mpg combined city/highway. |
| Real-world testing | Actual observed fuel efficiency experienced during testing conditions, such as the 17 mpg noted for a specific setup like the 2.7-liter V6 four-door Bronco. |
Ford Bronco 2024 Value: 7.0/10
Is the Ford Bronco 2024 a good value?
Some people might be disappointed with a few cheap-looking interior materials in the Bronco, especially in higher-end models, but others may appreciate the benefit of long-term durability when the interior is exposed to the elements. The Bronco offers off-road hardware more broadly across its price range than the Jeep Wrangler, providing greater access for shoppers at different price points. Warranty and ownership perks are about average.
| Key Feature | Definition |
|---|---|
| Interior materials | Quality and appearance of materials used inside the Bronco, which some may find lacking in higher trim levels but appreciated for durability in rugged conditions. |
| Off-road hardware | Availability and inclusiveness of off-road equipment and features across various price tiers, offering a broader selection compared to the Jeep Wrangler. |
| Warranty and perks | Standard benefits and coverage provided by Ford for Bronco owners, which are average in the industry. |
Ford Bronco 2024 Wildcard: 10.0/10
The Bronco offers impressive capability and character in equal measure. Its rugged design looks cool without trying too hard. Like the Wrangler, removing the Bronco’s roof and doors makes for a very enjoyable driving experience, but the Bronco has more on-road appeal with its better ride and handling.
The off-road driver aids are helpful not just for beginners, and features like Trail Turn Assist add real fun even for experienced off-roaders. And if having a manual transmission wasn’t already a bragging right, the Bronco goes a step further by offering a super high-ratio crawler gear.
Ford Bronco 2024 Competitors:
We’re impressed with the Bronco’s robust off-road capability and see it as a strong competitor to the Jeep Wrangler and Toyota 4Runner. For those seeking a bit more luxury, consider the Land Rover Defender. Equally capable as the Bronco, the Defender provides a more refined experience, though it comes at a higher cost. Check out our test team’s Expert Rating for a deeper dive into the Bronco’s strengths and weaknesses.
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