2.7 not as responsive as a 2.3

[eblivr72]

We have a fairly new 2025 Badlands with the 2.7. We’re pretty happy with it, but was recently given a 2026 Big Bend with the 2.3 as a loaner. We’re pretty surprised at how much more responsive the throttle is on this thing compared to our Badlands. The ride is better as well. I kind of assumed the higher priced package, with a bigger engine, would be much better.

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[BroncocnorB]

Have your 2.7 checked. Or maybe you were loaned the Bronco with trolling motor

 

[teej_25bb]

I don't have any experience with the 2.7 or 2.3s prior to 2025, but the 2025 2.3 is a very good 4 cylinder, imo. The torque is EV-fun.

Maybe the dealer had it tuned?

 

[Ratfink33]

Have your 2.7 checked. Or maybe you were loaned the Bronco with trolling motor

Trolling motor? I didn't know the broncos could "ford" a river and also be a bass fishing boat.

 

[RagnarKon]

2.3L has a smaller turbo that spins up faster, so yeah... it's gonna feel a little more "zippy" and responsive.

You're also lugging around an extra ≈600 lbs or so on the 2.7L Badlands thanks to all of the steel armor, steel bumpers, heavier axles, heavier engine, etc. that's absent on the Big Bend.

 

[Ryneb]

I've had both 2.3 (2023), and 2.7 (2025), loved both. That being said, both benefit greatly from ProCal tune, once installed shifting from 1-2 is much smoother, and ever mode feels like it was bumped up one level. By that I mean with tune, eco feels like normal mode on a non tuned enough, normal (tuned) feels like sport etc.

 

[cheyenne10]

Is there a different tire size between them? If either different than stock that could make a difference.

 

[BillyB]

We have a fairly new 2025 Badlands with the 2.7. We’re pretty happy with it, but was recently given a 2026 Big Bend with the 2.3 as a loaner. We’re pretty surprised at how much more responsive the throttle is on this thing compared to our Badlands. The ride is better as well. I kind of assumed the higher priced package, with a bigger engine, would be much better.

Newer is Better...most of the time.
Good recent sales pitch here for differences, per the F PR folks...

https://www.beadleford.net/blogs/88...3UQ4m1jTw7Z1VPPcZb-EdfYfcxQxbdb54C0xgEIoDr6t2

 

[Sparkie]

We have a fairly new 2025 Badlands with the 2.7. We’re pretty happy with it, but was recently given a 2026 Big Bend with the 2.3 as a loaner. We’re pretty surprised at how much more responsive the throttle is on this thing compared to our Badlands. The ride is better as well. I kind of assumed the higher priced package, with a bigger engine, would be much better.

Sounds right to me.
During test drives, I noticed that too.
It became even more noticeable between the 2.3 auto and 2.3 manual.

 

[PowerBronco]

I have the 2.7 in my Badlands, and when driving the 2.3 at the offroadeo, the throttle response on the 2.3 is significantly faster. The 2.7 feels like the throttle response is intentionally held back. Using sport mode helps significantly, which is why I feel like it is just the throttle map being used.

 

[teej_25bb]

in case people don't know:

2021-2024 2.3L w/ ProCal

2025+ 2.3L w/ ProCal

2021+ 2.7L w/ ProCal

 

[ChrisB351]

I love my 2.3 Granted I have 4.46 gears in mine. I drove a V6 base with the 3.73 gears and I was very underwhelmed.

 

[EasternSierra]

I test drove a 2025 Badlands with the 2.7 and a 2025 Big Bend with the 2.3, both auto. It's been a while so I don't remember the immediate throttle response, but I do remember that the Badlands with the 2.7 had a lot more power over the range of RPMs despite the increased weight. The 2.3 was adequate but the 2.7 was zippy.

 

[Techun]

Vehicle weight
Tire size and weight

 

[Ukko Wildtrak]

I would bet one truck had 33s and the other had 32s. Depending on package they could also have different final drive ratios. Even assuming they both have 4.46 gears, having 32" tires effectively ups the ratio to ~4.6 vs the other truck and doesn't consider the weight. The 33s are ~78lbs and the 32s are ~58lbs using the stock Ford tire sizes and wheels. 20lbs less per corner AND a higher effective final drive ratio would account for your experience.

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