Bronco build quality

[jbellousux]

I ordered my 2022 2 door BL Mansquatch with no other options other than locking lug nuts.

Interior likes:
-MGV seats
-Floors with drain plugs
-A/C blows cold (although the fan is a little loud)
-Ability to remove the roof and doors

Interior dislikes:
-Door and interior side panel plastics are embarrassingly cheap and rattle like crazy
-Instrument design, especially the tach is ridiculous
-Base radio is below average. Didn’t want to spend $5000 just to get B&O (so I spent $2000 and now it sounds fine). I know they added a sub to the base radio, but still haven’t heard many people who think it is decent.
-Frameless windows, when partially rolled down, flop around like a stuck pig, even after tightening the adjustment bolt on the bottom of the door.
-Electronic, instead of conventional, mechanical parking brake ( I know they won’t change this one)

I like my rig a lot. Paid sticker, ~$48K, and besides the stereo upgrade, I’ve added the severe duty steering.

I think Ford’s reintroduction of the Bronco, is on balance, done well. But it is not a big ask for them to improve the deficiencies I mentioned. Especially since Ford has significantly jacked the price up since 2021.

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[jabarger1]

My best friend has a 2022 Jeep Gladiator that is black like my 24 Wildtrak and it is a vey nice vehicle but I have to say I absolutely love my Bronco and would never own a Jeep. The ford powertrain is far superior I also love the interior of the bronco and I think my buddy wishes he had a bronco after riding in mine. I don’t get the banging on Ford. These broncos are awesome.

 

[ThatWilsonGuy]

The interior plastics are really inexcusable. It's not so much that I don't expect interior plastic to scratch or wear, it's that they most closely resemble dollar store storage tubs in thickness.

Ford generally did a good job on the high touch areas, especially on the Raptor. Outside of that it starts to get a little nit picky in terms of expectations for an off-road lifestyle vehicle.

A surprising but minor one is the shape of the dash face seems to cause some finish smoothness inconsistency, the more recessed, the more rough the finish.

At the end of the day, regardless of how much you spend on a Ford, you are buying a Ford. Look up the recently released interior photos of the $325k Mustang GTD.

 

[Jruta]

I love my 22 base 2door. First car I ever bought new, as it reminded me of when my uncle bought his 65 mustang new.

My only complaint (and most agree here) is the interior plastics are super cheap, they scratch if you look at them the wrong way. I got cloth seats because I knew I’d hate any kind of plastic/leather. Had all of those in previous vehicles and disliked them.

Overall, I’m happy with my Bronco and plan on keeping it always. I do regular maintenance and I’m a “lightweight” driver. I personally do not do off-roading. Hence my base-model build. We will see how she goes into my retirement….

 

[GroovyGeek]

Drove a JK for 10 years before the Bronco. The interior did feel indestructible but as far as chintzy... both are cheap crap that is not becoming how much you pay for them. The thing that has shocked me about the Bronco the most is the amount of manually applied electricians tape around wiring. We are talking sloppy shit. Never seen anything like it on the JK or any other vehicle I have owned for that matter.

 

[Natas13]

Then go buy a f'n Jeep!
That is the plan mistake made

 

[Nc211]

I love mine, think it’s wonderful and as someone who has been driving (and maintaining) Mercedes Benz for the last decade, I appreciate and enjoy the simplicity and design of the interior of my Bronco very very much. It “fits” for the type of vehicle it is, and I tip my hat to the designers for recognizing what the usage is for and designing it for that usage. That being said, mine scratches all the luxury itches I have. Plus the cool thing I have found is the aftermarket world to give it a little extra charm. Recently installed the metal knob covers on the radio, hvac, goat, headlight knobs and really love it.

You can put in teak and Napa leather in a Jeep Wrangler all day long. Diamond encrusted knobs, massaging seats, 50 speaker thumper system, and on and on. None that however addresses the fact that you’re cramped in there, shoulder to shoulder with the windshield right up in your face like a scuba mask. And none of it addresses the differences between a solid front axle and indi suspension in real life living with it. I thought I wanted the Jeep Sahara, I really wanted to love it. Was willing to spend whatever it took to get “the one” I wanted. There is no denying the legacy heritage of them. Every kid (me included, now 50 years old) wanted the 911 and a Jeep at some point in their lives. But when I actually spent time with one, drove on the highway, put my family in it, it was painfully obvious to us that it was just too small inside, and hated the front solid axle on highway drives. Yeah maybe the interior switch gear was a little better feeling, and the chrome accents were nicer, but the functionality in real life, does not compare to a Bronco.

 

[FloridaBurgBronco]

Ford is certainly not known for build quality, using those two words together for Ford doesn't make sense, the company used to be a lot better, now they are throwing stuff together and hoping we don't notice, it's sad really.

 

[WildHorseJoe]

For what this vehicle is, and what it was built to do, I feel like the build quality is just fine. I traded in a GX460 for the Bronco, and sure it doesn’t feel like a Lexus! But I have been comfortable, I feel planted, and the Bronco takes me up trails that the GX460 couldn’t in stock form.

 

[ADK23]

I have to say after driving jeeps for the past 24 years and recently purchasing a bronco Lux wildtrak the build quality feels like a Kmart special on the bronco compared to the higher end rubicons….. and there is way too much electronic shit happening ….still digging it though

I couldn’t disagree more !! I’m a little over 1 year into my 2023 Bronco 2 door Outerbanks Sasquatch and this truck is bulletproof! For background, I am coming from a luxury car background, owning BMW, Cadillacs, Mercedes and Tesla . I’ve never owned a Ford product in my life and I couldn’t more impressed with Bronco. I mean the fit & finish are off the charts and this is the only car I’ve ever bought and I’ve only purchased brand new cars that did not have any issue. Not even a chip in the paint or a swirl mark. It was perfect. So , I can say that the Bronco is at the highest level of quality, and off the charts in the “ fun to own” category !

 

[jrollo7]

Overall, though it feels like low quality lux or no lux even the steering wheel feels like junk

It’s more about what it does have feels super cheap. I don’t need more stuff or any bells and whistles I would like what it does have not to feel like cheap Chinese garbage that’s my biggest complaint it just feels poorly made

I like the steering wheel a lot.

 

[Zstngz]

In MY22 there was a lot of value to be had, with the Base base still in the low $30's or speced similar to the Wildtrak (without the mid-package) for $42k. Now not so much....

Yes. I think I got decent value on my Base '22 also.

 

[QCBroncodad]

I probably have an unpopular opinion, but I am kind of digging the cheapness. I don’t worry as much about spills, scrapes or anything in the interior. Also as a huge bonus because the inside trim is easily removable I am able to install and run wiring to lights/other accessories quick and easy and putting it back together without breaking any clips or plastic screws.

 

[Sitruc_btb]

My last Jeep interior in the Mojave was metal and leather – stitched dash. super nice as were the quality all of the Control knobs, shifter and steering wheel…. I’m digging the bronco I just wish it was better quality

Ill pay more attention when a Wrangler gets traded in at work, but I havent been impressed with any interiors that ive seen in vehicles. Leather, plastic. All the same. Now I havent sat in a Maserati or Ferrari to see what they use, or maybe I'm used to shitbox interiors.
I have the 7mt, and I think the shifter is great, as well as the steering wheel. I like the rubber edged knobs myself.

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