Ford Bronco Badlands review: Can the new edition of the off-road icon convince?

• View Ford Bronco Badlands on the Ford website

tl;dr (conclusion) on the Ford Bronco Badlands: Adventure on four wheels

The Ford Bronco Badlands impresses with its versatility and robustness. With its boxy chassis, cleverly integrated off-road aids and its inimitable silhouette, it is aimed at all those who seek adventure off the road and like to attract attention with their car. It combines retro charm, modern technology and comprouncompromising off-road capability in a unique package.

Despite minor weaknesses in terms of noise comfort and city fuel consumption, the Bronco is an excellent choice for anyone looking to combine adventure with style. It makes a real statement and promises a unique driving experience that's both exciting on and off-road. With fuel prices set to continue to rise in the future, you should be prepared for an expensive drive, given the fuel consumption of the Bronco Badlands.

Strengths and weaknesses of the Ford Bronco Badlands

✅ Advantages:

• High ground clearance, strong approach angles, high wading depth, detachable stabilizer and numerous driving modes specifically for off-road scenarios.

• 2,7-liter EcoBoost V6 with 335 hp delivers good acceleration despite high vehicle weight

• Plenty of storage space in the trunk (504–1.804 liters) and clever storage options, easy-to-clean, robust interior materials.

• Smooth, large 12-inch display with Ford SYNC 4, fast and proseamless integration of Android Auto/Apple CarPlay

• Classic Bronco look with modern accents attracts a lot of attention

• Great sound system from B&O

• Very good equipment for the price

⛔️ Disadvantages:

• Combined around 13,5 l/100 km; in city traffic often over 20 l/100 km

• Especially from about 100 km/h it gets quite loud in the interior

• Very high entry-level price (around €78.500)

Image: Ford Germany

Exterior of the Ford Bronco Badlands: Robust design

Visually, the Ford Bronco Badlands is a real statement. The angular silhouette, the unmistakable round LED headlights with high beam assistant and the wide radiator grille immediately evoke associations with the first generation from 1966. The all-round color "Velocity Blue" underlines the striking character of the vehicle, which always attracts attention both on the road and off the beaten track and catches envious glances. One of the special highlights are the removable doors and the hard top, which can be removed in just a few minutes to enable an open-top driving experience off-road - perfect for off-road driving where you need to watch the ground.

These features are complemented by practical details like the trail visors, which serve as off-road guidance and can also be used as tie-down points for cargo up to 68 kg. The functional design, including bolt-on fender flares and bumpers, allows for easy repairs. I also particularly like the Badlands badge near the driver's door, which identifies it as the ultimate off-roader. The 17-inch alloy wheels, painted in Carbonized Grey and mounted on 33-inch all-terrain tires, are also impressive.

Interior of the Ford Bronco Badlands: Retro meets Tech

The interior of the Bronco Badlands is dominated by clean lines inspired by the original model. Functionality and durability play a key role here, complemented by modern technology and excellent connectivity. The 8-inch TFT display behind the heated steering wheel features a retro speedometer design that clearly presents all essential information. The spacious 12-inch touchscreen is the heart of Ford's modern SYNC 4 system, which stays up-to-date thanks to over-the-air updates and worked very smoothly in our test. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay work seamlessly with the multimedia system, even wirelessly. An inductive charging station for compatible smartphones and various USB ports are also on board.

The B&O 640-watt premium sound system with 10 speakers, including a subwoofer, delivers a decent performance in my opinion. The attractive tactile buttons on the steering wheel also offer all the necessary functions for everyday driving. The 360-degree camera with split-view technology is also a real added value, especially when parking in the city. The ambient lighting in the footwell and a charming welcome animation, in which approaching stones transform into the iconic white Ford Bronco pony, round out the experience.

Functionality of the Ford Bronco Badlands: Versatility is paramount

With a trunk capacity of 504 liters, expandable to up to 1.804 liters, the Bronco offers ample space for excursions and all kinds of gear. The partial leather upholstery (leather seat centers, vinyl seat bolsters and backrests) in Black Onyx blends in beautifully with the rest of the vehicle. Additional passengers also have plenty of room in the back seat, even sitting slightly higher than the driver and front passenger. The rear seat also has a 60:40 split folding feature and an armrest with two cup holders.

The materials used in the interior are durable and water-resistant, making the Bronco ideal for outdoor adventures and subsequent cleaning. There are also various pre-wired switches in the overhead console for connecting accessories such as auxiliary lights. This may take some getting used to for people who don't normally drive off-road vehicles, and is due to the removable doors: the controls for the side mirrors and windows have been relocated to the center console.

Drive and assistance systems of the Ford Bronco Badlands

The 2,7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine is the heart of the Bronco Badlands. With its 246 kW (335 hp) and 563 Nm of torque at 3.100 rpm, it delivers impressive performance – both on and off-road. However, with this engine, it can't compete with competitors like the Land Rover Defender 110 with its 525 hp 5,0-liter V8 supercharged engine. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 7,2 seconds, which is impressive considering the vehicle's weight of 2.418 kg (EC unladen weight). Furthermore, the short wheelbase of 2.950 mm provides additional agility, which I clearly noticed during the test.

The 10-speed automatic transmission delivers smooth shifts and optimal comfort even at low speeds. The top speed is 161 km/h (XNUMX mph)—not fast, but the Bronco's off-road performance is clearly a priority, and its design and technology make it truly impressive. Another cool feature is the Ford Easy Fuel fuel cap, which also includes misfueling protection. The adaptive cruise control system with lane-following assist and lane-keeping assist is neither outstanding nor bad. It does what it's supposed to, reliably, and provides support on longer highway trips.

Driving behavior of the Ford Bronco Badlands

Off-road, the Bronco excels thanks to its highly specified HOSS 2.0 off-road chassis with Bilstein 3-zone dampers with an external auxiliary reservoir. They provide cooling during intense driving and offer stability even with maximum suspension travel. Features such as the detachable front anti-roll bar and the lockable front differential maximize traction. With a ground clearance of 261 mm, a front approach angle of 40,6° and 33,3° at the rear, and a fording depth of 800 mm, it proves itself to be a true off-road vehicle.

Thanks to the "Bronco Terrain Management System," seven driving modes are available, including "Baja," "Mud," and "Rocky." These influence steering behavior, throttle response, and gearshift strategy, so that no terrain is too difficult – true to the "GOAT" ("Goes Over Any Terrain") spirit. The various modes are adjusted using an easy-to-use dial on the center console. The Bronco also cuts a fine figure on the highway and in city traffic. Acceleration feels lively thanks to the all-wheel drive, and the car attracts plenty of attention. However, comfort is compromised due to the high interior noise level above around 100 km/h – despite the sound-dampening hardtop headliner.

Fuel consumption of the Ford Bronco Badlands

With a fuel tank capacity of 79 liters, the Bronco is said to be capable of a range of over 600 kilometers. In our test, a full tank was sufficient for 570 kilometers, driving on country roads, in the city, and on the highway. Average fuel consumption over the entire 777 test kilometers was 13,5 l/100 km (Figure 2 below). This combined fuel consumption is acceptable for an off-roader in its class, but it could be a bit more efficient in the city – here it is often significantly higher than the stated 17,2 l/100 km (Figure 1 below). It should be clear, however, that this vehicle is not intended for inner-city driving.

Officially stated fuel consumption (WLTP):

• Combined: 12,7 l/100 km

• Inner city: 17,2 l/100 km

• country road: 10,8 l/100 km

• highway: 13,3 l/100 km

Price of the Ford Bronco Badlands

The Badlands variant starts in Germany at EUR 69.950,00 (incl. 19% VAT.). The standard color, Oxford White, is included for €0. If you want a different exterior finish, it costs €1.200,00 or €1.300,00, depending on the color.

Further extras such as a removable tow bar (€1.200,00) or storage bags for the front or rear doors (€336,00 and €315,00 respectively) can of course also be configured for an additional charge.

Thanks to Ford Germany for providing the Bronco Badlands for this test report. This did not influence our opinion!