2026 Bronco Badlands - First Impressions (and Changes vs. 2023 Badlands)

[Pieman]

Hi everyone!

Picked up our 2026 Avalanche Grey 4dr Badlands non-Squatch Lux on Friday and I thought I would share some interesting findings after spending a couple days with it. Not sure what all has been covered or is common knowledge but just wanted to share some year model changes for anyone that may find it useful.

I am coming from a 2023 Badlands 2dr with similar spec so that's kind of my reference point.

• Wheels / Tires

First off I am really happy with the new wheels. When I ordered, the B&P showed the old wheel design in carbonized grey. So I was curious to see what it would actually arrive with when the tracker updated to the new style around Christmas. The spoke is similar to the Mustang GTD wheels. Offset is now +40mm, down from +55mm so the stance is for sure a little beefed up compared to '25. They may be labeled as Carbonized Grey but they are just black. I was a little surprised to see the Territory RTs. I didn't notice, but RT is what's listed on the order sheet.
Wheel / Tire combo weight is 76.8lbs

• Flares

From what I can infer, due to reduced wheel offset and wider stance it appears as though all '26 Badlands will get the wider SAS fender flares. Curious to see how other trims and specs turn out.

• A-pillar handles

Nice addition. They feel super solid although ergonomically kind of blocky.

• Mirror turn indicator/ zone lights deleted and associated manual switch

Looks like they removed the integrated turn signals/ zone lights from all mirrors except from Raptor (based on a half-assed B&P review, if you trust the photos) I thought it was a nice feature and losing them is not great if you like to plan ahead and order color matched mirror caps

Thus there is no physical button for the lateral mirror zone lights
Personally, I thought the mirror lights on the dash switch was a nice touch and surprisingly useful. Having to go through the touchscreen for all zone lighting is not my favorite thing.

• Homelink Universal Garage Opener missing

It's listed as part of the Lux Package so sure seems as though I should have the visor mounted Homelink universal garage door opener. I will have to reach out for Ford on this one. Don't know if it got dropped or what. Im interested to see if other models still have it.

• Touch points

This is a bit subjective but the touch points don't seem as nice as our '23. The shift nob is a pretty cheap feeling plastic compared to the leather we had. Door inserts don't seem quite as nice, center grab handle has a more textured surface. It feels more utilitarian. Not bad, just not as nice fwiw.

• Double honk key alert

Double honk after closing door while the vehicle is running without a key is a selectable feature in the settings menu. This might be my favorite thing. I hated that so much and nice to be able to switch off without Forscan.

Nothing too riveting but some noticeable changes. Overall we are enjoying the new addition and looking forward to some adventures this summer.

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[skhubbard93]

So there are at least 2 lux features you're missing from the list. What about the others? Do you have 360 camera and ACC? Those should be easy to check.

 

[braddavis2017]

To my untrained eye I would’ve thought this was cactus grey!

Can’t wait to see people with older models trying to retrofit the A Pillar Handle, and people with MY26+ trying to delete them.

In all seriousness, what made you sell the 23 2Door? And why buy “new new” when you could’ve gone certified pre owned or used?

 

[HalfmuleFarmer]

Tires look a bit undersized for those SAS flares, but nothing some new rubber won’t fix!

 

[KreeHBronco]

Thank you for the write up! My 2026 Badlands 4dr 2.3L manual non-SAS in Carbonized Grey (body/roof) max lux and leather seats arrived at the dealer. I am planning on driving there tomorrow. I am glad Ford added the A-pillar grab handles. They should help getting in/out for short people. Since this will be my first Bronco, I won't be able to draw any meaningful comparison. So far, not sure if I like the big "SAS" fender flares ... makes the tire/wheels seem smaller than they are. Hopefully, they didn't cheap out on the 2026 vs earlier models.

Ok, here is a shot of my new Bronco!! I like the wheels/tires and the SAS fenders don't look bad in person. I was a bit bummed that they used chrome lugs on a black wheel ... something I will fix!

 

[Pieman]

So there are at least 2 lux features you're missing from the list. What about the others? Do you have 360 camera and ACC? Those should be easy to check.

It does have 360 cameras, ACC, B&O.

 

[rmc523]

I do like the new wheel too. So you're saying that's the new standard/non-Sasquatch wheel/tire combo? It looks good!


Sadly, Ford has seemingly been dropping Homelink on new products (Mustang recently lost it, and Bronco Sport recently lost it too). I for the life of me can't understand why........it's likely a victim of "connected" vehicles, where they analyze that only a small percentage of buyers are actually using it, therefore they can save 3 cents per car by removing it. I'm on the flip side - continually removing features like that just pisses off the customers that do use them.

I looked at the order guide (the rule, rather than the often-wrong B&P), and it looks like there's no mention of homelink at all. Same for the spot lights in lux package. I'm actually not seeing the spot lights on Raptor listed either, but it likely has them, since that's where they put the required clearance lights.

One thing I haven't liked about the spot lights is that the vehicle has to be in accessory mode to use them, therefore killing the battery even more than just the spot lights.

 

[Felix808]

Wait, you went from a 2-door to a 4-door??? That is like a cardinal sin around here

Not sure I would like to have to see the grab handles in my view, though much more functional than on the console.

 

[11811]

Don't forget to update your profile picture....bye bye 2 door. Was it leased?

 

[BC Chief]

My ‘24 Wildtrak didn’t have the homelink so I bought one for a ridiculous price of $415 from the dealership. I probably could’ve found one cheaper by waiting, but the point is that you can get one.

 

[foreWard]

New badlands wheels look good!

 

[Pieman]

Wait, you went from a 2-door to a 4-door??? That is like a cardinal sin around here

I know, I held on as long as I could. Just need a little more space these days and Im ok with that

 

[Sparky1337]

I do like the new wheel too. So you're saying that's the new standard/non-Sasquatch wheel/tire combo? It looks good!


Sadly, Ford has seemingly been dropping Homelink on new products (Mustang recently lost it, and Bronco Sport recently lost it too). I for the life of me can't understand why........it's likely a victim of "connected" vehicles, where they analyze that only a small percentage of buyers are actually using it, therefore they can save 3 cents per car by removing it. I'm on the flip side - continually removing features like that just pisses off the customers that do use them.

I looked at the order guide (the rule, rather than the often-wrong B&P), and it looks like there's no mention of homelink at all. Same for the spot lights in lux package. I'm actually not seeing the spot lights on Raptor listed either, but it likely has them, since that's where they put the required clearance lights.

One thing I haven't liked about the spot lights is that the vehicle has to be in accessory mode to use them, therefore killing the battery even more than just the spot lights.

It’s me, the singular user of homelink in both my cars. Dang, I was hoping to order a 2026 and get everything. At least it can be added later.

The turn signals I’m a bit confused on, I would have expected that to be a DOT thing since even base model Focus (Foci?) got them.

But if you look at the video of the 2026 red 2 door basesquatch and 2025 badlands, sure enough the 2026 doesn’t have the integrated turn signals.

Even the little bit you can see on TLO’s build they’re not there. Wild.

 

[Felix808]

I know, I held on as long as I could. Just need a little more space these days and Im ok with that

Great stuff! Don't worry, the 4-doors wheel just fine

 

[FoCoBronc]

My ‘24 Wildtrak didn’t have the homelink so I bought one for a ridiculous price of $415 from the dealership. I probably could’ve found one cheaper by waiting, but the point is that you can get one.

Have a 26 BL coming in a week and did not know homelink was gone. Shucks! What did you buy? A new visor or do they sell some other kind of device?

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