Midsize off-road SUV

2026 Ford Bronco: buying summary

The most open-air off-road truck on the market, built for trails first

MSRP range
$38,920$78,535
Combined MPG
20
Body style
Midsize off-road SUV
Powertrain
Gasoline

Pros

  • Removable doors, roof, and fold-flat windshield on all trims — the most open-air experience of any production vehicle
  • 2.7L EcoBoost V6 produces 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque on Wildtrack and above; standard 2.3L makes 300 hp
  • GOAT modes and available Sasquatch package (35-inch tires, locking front and rear diffs) without a specialized trim
  • Assembled in Michigan, tariff-immune under the current import schedule

Cons

  • High wind noise and buffeting at highway speed with the soft top — the Bronco is a trail truck, not an interstate car
  • 3,500 lb max tow rating on both engines — the same as a Wrangler and far less than the mid-size Tacoma's 6,500 lb
  • On-road ride quality, especially on the Sasquatch package, is compromised by tall sidewalls and the solid rear axle
  • Raptor trim pushes above $78K, where you are cross-shopping sports cars and mid-size luxury SUVs

Best trim: Outer Banks 4-Door 2.7L

Outer Banks 4-door with the 2.7L EcoBoost upgrade is the balanced pick at around $51K. You get the 330-hp twin-turbo V6, leather seating, wireless CarPlay, and a trail-capable setup without the hardcore suspension tune of the Wildtrack or Badlands. Wildtrack adds HOSS 3.0 long-travel suspension and is the right call if you ride rough terrain regularly. Black Diamond is the off-road-hardware option for budget-focused buyers who will skip leather. Skip the base 2-door unless you specifically need lighter trail maneuvering weight.

What to cross-shop

  • Jeep Wrangler
  • Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro
  • Jeep Gladiator

Verdict

Buy the Bronco if removable panels, open-air driving, and genuine off-road hardware matter more than highway comfort or towing. The Jeep Wrangler is the only direct rival — the Bronco beats it on daily drivability while the Wrangler Rubicon beats it on maximum trail capability with its disconnecting sway bar and 4:1 crawl ratio.

Personalized research

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Same vehicle, sized to your budget and use case. Includes comparable models, current incentives, and what to push back on at the dealer.

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