A lot has been written about the all-new sixth generation Ford Bronco and its triumphant return after 25 years, including us when we had the opportunity to take it on an off-road adventure where it felt right at home. Typically, capable off-roaders make for compromised daily commuters, so we borrowed a 2022 Ford Bronco Wildtrak for a week to test its capabilities as an everyday driver, and to understand its appeal with life on the asphalt.
The Bronco dons many classic styling cues including rounded headlights and rectangular front grille over the timeless boxy silhouette. The design gets modernized with LED lighting units, 17-inch black aluminum wheels, and wide fender flares. The overall packaging is well thought out with many features designed around its real-world users, including the exclusive cowl-mounted mirrors to allow for road use with its doors off, front fender trail sights with a 150-pound load capacity for securing longer gears, and simple removable fender flares for narrower navigation and customization.
Our two-door Bronco comes with a three-piece removable top while the four-door model gets an additional removable mid-section, all of which are designed to be operated by one-person though the latches inside and many panels (though not all) are storable inside. As cool as the Bronco looks out of the box, it is only the beginning for most of its owners as Ford has offered over 200 accessories for max customizability and we expect extensive aftermarket support for it in the coming years.
Two engines are available for the 2022 Ford Bronco – a 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 270-horsepower and 325 lb-ft., and a powerful 2.7-litre EcoBoost six-cylinder like the one in our tester. Power output here is rated at 330-horsepower and there is a healthy 415 lb-ft. of torque. Unlike the base engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission is the only choice for the upgraded powertrain, and is quick to deliver power in all urban settings. The turbocharger spools up quickly to get the Bronco off the line seamlessly and we have no problem maintaining highway speeds despite those beefy off-road tires.
Off-road capable setups usually mean a compromise with its on-road manners, but the Ford Bronco manages to strike a fine balance in delivering an acceptable urban driving experience while maintaining top-notch off-road capabilities. Seven driving modes – Normal, Eco, Sport, Sand, Baja, Mud, and Rock Crawl – cover most of the scenarios with the Bronco and is adjusted using the rotary dial below the shifter, with Baja being the unique configuration in the Wildtrak model.
The steering is light and easy to drive, though the ratio is a bit too slow for standard 90-degree turns in the city, and you quickly realize how big the Bronco really is once you are side-by-side with other crossovers or when you have to make a U-turn. Fortunately, there are plenty of cameras and sensors to help, along with a standard Trail Turn Assist feature that uses torque vectoring to tighten its turning radius in off-road situations. There is also a clever Trail One-Pedal Drive function so drivers can focus on the surroundings without worrying about one’s footwork.
Fuel economy of the 2022 Ford Bronco 2.7T is rated at 13.9L/100km on the highway and 14L/100km in the city, closely matching our observed figure for the week of mixed commute. It is definitely not the choice if fuel efficiency is a priority – just look at those near-vertical windshield and beefy tires if you cannot figure out why – but the consumption figure is within our expectation of a capable off-roader and similar to that of the Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro despite being a little thirstier than the Jeep Wrangler.
Much like its exterior, you can tell a lot of thought has gone into the Bronco’s cabin design and it is created with the user in mind. The window and mirror switches are below the armrest so they can still be adjusted when the doors are off, the interior materials are easy to clean and there are even a drain plugs and mildew resistant seating surfaces to boot . The manually adjustable seats are comfortable and there is decent space in the second row despite the stubby two-door configuration.
We love the optional twelve-inch touchscreen that’s neatly embedded into the centre console; the high-resolution graphic looks lively and the Ford SYNC 4 infotainment system is a joy to use. Gadget freaks will enjoy the easy integration with FordPass Performance, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto apps, the built-in camera mount on top of the instrument panel with power connection nearby, the available Ford Co-Pilot360 driver-assist technologies and even an optional Bang and Olufsen surround sound system. All of these bells and whistles serve as stark contrast to the tried-and-true equipment list we see in the Jeep Wrangler and Toyota 4Runners and make the Bronco the go-to choice for the trendy owners.
In keeping with the bespoke theme of the 2022 Ford Bronco, there are a whopping seven different trim levels to choose from, each available in a 2- or 4-door configuration and there are many options available to create your own. The base two-door Bronco starts at $41,099 and slowly works itself up the grid to the range-topping $57,699 Bronco Wildtrak we have here. Possibilities are endless with the Ford Bronco building process with our tester eventually arriving at a $67,629 sticker price.
The 2022 Ford Bronco Wildtrak is an attractive off-road ready SUV that perfectly blends retro styling, rugged capabilities, and modern technologies together. We expect the Ford Bronco to appeal to a younger and broader group of consumers when compared to the Toyota 4Runner and the Jeep Wrangler, and will be a popular choice amongst those who long for the latest and greatest gadgets in their arsenal.
