Bronco build quality

[cyberfalco]

It's just OK.

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[Gregus73]

I do prefer the interior quality of my past Rubicon over my Bronco.
That being said, I am much happier with the way that the Bronco drives, and the seats are much more comfortable.

For a commuter, I will take the Bronco hands down over a JL.
I do agree that the interior needs work and hope that Ford focuses on that on the next generation/revision.

For the price point super happy with my Heritage at 54k.
If I were going more luxury would opt for a Defender and if money is no object than a G Wagon. But both of those would be more than I would want to spend.

 

[Nc211]

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.

This! One of the best experiences with owning it, is the ability to actually enjoy it without worrying all the time about it. I come from the German side of the car world. Been a Mercedes guy and the VW/Audi guy for a long time. Can't put into words how nice it is to not worry about hitting that pothole anymore, or the irritation when that burl walnut dash squeaks when it shouldn't. It's just so nice to now just drive a car, enjoy the breeze, and run over any damn thing I please!

I've only had mine now for a few weeks, so still in the honeymoon period obviously of "everything is awesome". But I will say that none of my previous cars received so much attention as this one. This is my 18th car, been driving since 1987, had some nice ones along the way. But this thing is a whole different level, and the best part, it's not necessarily a higher level in many regards, which is why it's perfect in my eyes, and apparently in the eyes of several others. Almost makes you a little self conscious when you drive it sometimes.

OP - I am likely not qualified to comment in great depth other than "fanboy" the Bronco at this point. But I don't think anyone can really criticize someone for preferring the Jeep over the Bronco either. I think it's a "too each their own" scenario. I see Sahara's roaming about that absolutely catch my eye. I think they're beautiful in their own way too. Lots of heritage in them. There really is no replacing a Jeep Wrangler, ever. I think both are great picks for whatever scratches your itch!

 

[RallyGorgo]

When people say “build quality”, I think of things that are not assembled correctly such as loose bolts, pinched wires, grounds not connected, missing paint, bad alignment, or gaps in the glue around the windows. What I’m reading are almost 100% mistakes made in the design phase, whether it’s the wrong choice of materials, choosing electronic actuation over mechanical, or just poor aesthetics. Once poor choices are made, the best the downstream teams can do is put it together properly.

Anyway, they definitely, IMHO, chose the WRONG material for the interior panels, looks and feels like polypropylene. It’s cheap, easy to mold, and causes very little wear on the injection molding tools & equipment, BUT it scratches WAY too easily for it to be used where it will come into contact with anything hard.

I really dislike the electronic actuation of both the parking brake and the transfer case. Full disclosure, I used to rally and ride motorcycles off-road on dual-sport rides, only bought my first off-road vehicle 2 years ago (‘06 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, arguably the last “real” Jeep) and am still learning off-roading. But I was also a mechanic for years and have an appreciation for not abusing equipment. All of that said, I don’t understand why Ford put a clutch, a wear item, in a transfer case to emulate an AWD system! They should have put a lockable gear-type LSD in the transfer case, would have been bullet-proof! Also should have put a parking brake lever between the seats.

No, I don’t like the Jeep MORE than the Bronco, I definitely like the Bronco more, but the Jeep is a better off-roader. The Bronco is a more comfortable vehicle hands-down! And it’s easier for noobs like me to use to get off-road.

Yeah, poor choices were made during design, but I will never trade my Bronco for a newer Jeep!

 

[Compta38]

You didn't realize the Bronco felt cheap inside or had a lot of tech until after you bought it? As expensive as new cars are there is no way I would buy something I'm not 100% happy with.

 

[JBlanco]

I had a 2010 Wrangler, and it's interior would scratch just by looking at it wrong, the Bronco interior is better. Jeep redesigned the interior in 2011 and I traded my 2010 for a 2012 with the new interior and new 3.6L engine. The Bronco interior is worse than the 2012 Wrangler interior.

 

[Deleted member 61384]

Ok guys, here’s my opinion, and we all know what they say about opinions! I’ve owned 3 JK Wranglers, a JL Wrangler, and a JT Gladiator. Liked all of them. I really can’t tell any difference in plastic interior parts. It’s plastic! Now, the down side to the Jeeps, to me is, my leg always laid on the transfer case shifter. Maybe cause I’m a big guy, but regardless, it did. There are an inch or two less leg room etc in the front seat area. As I am getting older, when I’d get out of the JT, I’d hang my foot on the kick panel. Fortunately I never nose dived out the door! When driving, you do have to stay on top of the steering as they do tend to wander. You get used to it. In a way, I do miss having a Jeep. But I wound up trading the JT for a F150 cause I wanted more room.
I’m still in one of the Jeep forums, and Broncos get a hard time there. We were out riding around one day, and I decided I wanted to see a Bronco for myself and see why they were being poo pooed so badly. I found that it had enough more room in the drivers seat that it made a difference to me. It drove really well. Sat in the road nicely. And wind didn’t affect it like the Jeeps. It followed me home the next day! I like it. I do miss having a truck to haul garbage to the dump, but past that, I’m pretty tickled with it. The interior is just fine with me as Ive had no problems. I retired from a Chevy dealer, and I can tell you that about all vehicles have plastic trim. Some may look better than others, but bottom line, it’s still plastic. Not like back in the days of chromed metal interior parts.
I'm happy with mine and hope to continue to be. Now that’s just my opinion.

 

[broncobase1]

I rented a JEEP Gladiator Willys for a cross country trip and overall the Bronco has a nicer and more modern interior. The Jeep looked dated in my opinion like a mid seventies AMC. All Broncos have the same interior Base on up while Jeeps have some upgraded materials in higher trim levels. I for one dig the basic and unique interior of the Bronco, save stitching and soft touch garbage for Lexus and Porsche.

 

[broncobase1]

Broncos now days have lots of electronics--as all vehicles do-- but still this site has numerous comments about, "It should have had cooling seats, it should have had power mirrors...it should have had a hands free driving system...it should have...it should have..it should have.. Can't have it both ways.

I'm still pissed mine doesn't automatically roll down the windows when someone farts. Come on Ford, its 2024!!!

 

[MNBigfoot]

I'm still pissed mine doesn't automatically roll down the windows when someone farts. Come on Ford, its 2024!!!

I find it unfortunate that there's no window lock on the driver's door.

 

[DavidPutty]

I bought a base because I did not want $10-$20k of Ford pleather or gadgets. I wanted a cheap, fun toy and got it! My $41k base sasquatch 6 cyl was a screaming deal

 

[Wathoff24]

I was not saying I wanted any of those thing just that the build quality of what is there is cheap as shit plastic garbage i’ve driven Jeeps for 24 years so I’m used to the utilitarian simpleness, but it is of a superior quality compared to the bronco …. Especially at a $68,000 price tag. They need to step it up. I will Enjoy it for three years or four years if it doesn’t fall apart before then

I agree. I do miss my '83 jeep CJ7 for that very reason. Ford would do good to scale down some of the fluff options, and beef up the basic materials.

 

[pillar406]

Wait till you hear about the dude who got mismatching seats or the other person whose Bronco came with mismatching fender liners

What about this one?

 

[Reiningrl]

I do love the way my Bronco looks, but I just his 10k miles on Saturday and already concerned with the jugging as it changes gears and LED screen choosing when and how it wants to work. I feel like it could die at any time. I’ve had Mazdas for 40 years - kept all with 200k+ miles - and never worried about them leaving me stranded.

 

[Jeff P]

Problem solved:

https://www.jeep.com/vehicle-selector.bmo.html

If you’re going to end up with a Wagoneer, you never wanted what a Bronco gives you in the first place. If I were going in that direction, it’d be a Land Cruiser over the Wagoneer all day.

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