Test Drive Causing Me to Re-evaluate

[gonefishing]

For all of us who don’t receive our Bronco as a MY21, when production/ordering changes to MY22, we’ll likely need to resubmit our order with the MY22 options… basically the ordering system won’t allow an open MY21 order when that production has stopped.

(Same way you can’t walk into a Ford dealer and order a brand new 2019 F150)

It’s not bad though, as your reservation timestamp will carry through. (And if you reserved before March you’ll have MSRP price protection)

My

My reservation was late enough to get 99ed to a MY22. Therefore, the dealer needs me to re-establish m order. Not sure I’m answering your question. Just going by what the dealer has asked me to do. I will be indicating the exact same order.

i have a day two reservation for a wild track. Thinking with the MIC issues I will not see a 21. My dealer said I don’t have to reorder. Wish Ford would let us know one way or another

Sponsored

 

[Bituman]

Dang, son. How long has it been since you've driven an EB with a safari top? With either a soft top or bikini top, mine is so loud you can't hear the radio and you have to talk loud to be heard by the passenger. I can't imagine the new Bronco is that loud.

Good question. It’s been 4 years since I drove/sold the resto mod ‘74 EB. Somebody made me an offer I couldn’t turn down. Let’s just say I made enough to purchase a 2021 FE. I turned almost every screw on that build. One of the things I did was install a lot of sound deading. It was basically dynamat under all the carpet and on the firewall and inside the door panels. Check it out:

https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/Racket_Jacket_Floor_System/Bronco_Carpet

I made a point to make the EB quiet as possible. Probably I was using a bit of hyperbole, but the test drive was louder than I expected.

 

[Bituman]

I appreciate your perspective. I have owned several Broncos and had them in my life on and off since Inwas a kid. I also owned an LJ that I loved, but could not live with on a daily basis. For me, my Bronco is awesome and I have loved everything about it, other than it’s off the line acceleration and poorly executed hard top (I have no doubt mine will end up replaced once there is an option). I got tired of my F150s size and wanted something that fit on the relatively tight trails found in and around my Midwest location. To each their own and I am glad you got to test drive prior to your order. We all have the option not to buy when it comes in, but knowing what you want saves some time and aggravation for sure! BTW, I considered restoring a 77-79, it was my favorite Bronco generation, but then you get all of the stuff I truly hated about my Jeep. Wandering drive of SFA, rattles like crazy, no matter how hard you try to eliminate them and 10-12 MPG. You do get the V8 soundtrack (I forgot, the 2.7 exhaust note is another “disappointment “, but I have had two others and I am used to it). Enjoy your 4 Runner!

Actually I’m considering my next project a 2G Bronco (78-79). I think they are way under appreciated. There are tons of aftermarket available and a bit easier to work on than the EB. Without a body lift, the EB can be a PITA underneath. Only problem is in Arizona, anything after 1974 has to have all the pollution control as original and that can be a problem if you try to drop in a modern engine like a Coyote.

 

[KDR_83]

Wildtrak is by definition a SAS. Therefore, it has the 4.27 rear end with locker.

Wildtrak has a 4.7 rear end like all sasquatches

 

[MDPensfan]

Some interesting perspectives on here. I finally had a chance to test drive a 2.3 BL with a soft top at my local dealer. They also had a WT, which is what I really wanted to drive, but it was out on a test drive and I didn’t feel like waiting around for it.

I hadn’t driven a stick in about 12 years, but the Bronco’s manual transmission was really smooth and easy to work. I didn’t find the interior to be as god awful as others have suggested. The leather seats seemed nicer than the wife’s Grand Cherokee. I didn’t bother with the stereo much but loved the 12” display. And the noise did not seem bad with the top all the way back. We were able to converse at a reasonable level.

While the manual tranny made it a little more fun, the 2.3 did seem like a bit of a dog. I need to drive a 2.7, but I do know the smaller engine is a no-go for me. And while the soft top made for easy open air driving, those wavy windows would trigger my OCD every time I looked at it. Looking forward to seeing an OBX with the 2.7 on a lot somewhere.

 

[AZshot]

I just found this, got to page 4, and like the reasoned comments. But can't keep reading the next 10 pages.

I think several things are at play in a dissatisfied (or satisfied) review:
1. Everything is subjective. Some will think it's good power, visibility, seat comfort. Some will think the same are lacking.
2. People that have vehicles from the last 3-4 years are more critical. Several of the posters that say they are underwhelmed at the Bronco mention their 2-3 other vehicles they've had, in the PAST 3 years! Many people swap out vehicles every couple years, and keep up with every nuance of every feature. It's almost like they are car journalists, comparing plastic materials and DB noise rations that are quite similar.
3. The people, like me, that get something then drive it 10 years don't notice, or care about how it stacks up against 2 other segment competitors. Because we won't be flipping for the Next Big Thing in 18 months.

So you get what we have with everything in America, a polarized view. I just notice some trends in those that are "dissatisfied " or give the cliched "meh" reviews. They change vehicles often. The people that are easier to please, don't.

 

[Bituman]

Sounds like you don't get what the Bronco is. 4 Runner is no where in the same league as the Bronco. I don't get why people buy vehicles like this when they don't need the capability. They can only do so much with $50k. Do you want thicker plastic and a dashpad, or the most well rounded, capable production wheeler ever made?

Not sure if this was directed at me but I do agree with your statement about why people buy a vehicle like this when they don’t need the capability. As a matter of fact, that was sort of the point of my post. The test drive got me to ask myself whether the new Bronco is what I really need at this point in my life. I’m as big a Bronco fan boy as anybody, but isn’t it a bit early to crown the Bronco the most well rounded, capable production wheeler ever made? It certainly appears promising. As a person that has wheeled Broncos and a ‘74 Scout since the mid 1980’s, I can assure you that a 4Runner, properly spec’d, is a very proficient 4 wheel drive vehicle.

 

[Bituman]

Wildtrak has a 4.7 rear end like all sasquatches

Yes, oops 4.7. Not sure what I was thinking about.

 

[Bituman]

I’m curious what the lowest point of your garage opening is. I have a Wildtrak on order and am concerned about it fitting as well.

82 inches

 

[cdawg65]

the sport is a direct competitor to the Fiat 500X, Jeep Renegade, TRD Rav4, Subaru Outback Wilderness, etc. AKA a softroader.

The Bronco Sport is more like the Cherokee Trail Hawk than anything.I had a TH and now have the Sport.Maybe the one who posted this should check out the Sport.

 

[Bituman]

After seeing you mentioned Camelback Ford, I headed over there after church this morning. I have a 2 door badlands on order with Sasquatch and if I ended up with this Wildtrack I would not be disappointed at all. Drove awesome and I thought power was great. My wife sat in the back and thought noise level was fine on street or highway and AC worked great. We are in Phoenix Arizona so a pretty good test for the AC and how well it works with even the soft top. I’m a first night reservations and still waiting to get confirmation and vin for my build and after the test drive it confirmed my waiting will be worth it. I can not wait to get my 2 dr Badlands lux Sasquatch. Headed to Nevada off-roadeo here in a couple weeks.

We drove the same vehicle. Your picture makes it look like they washed it since I drove it. It was pretty dirty, inside and out, when I drove it. Glad you and your wife liked it. Just goes to show that things like noise are very subjective. I thought it was noisy compared to what I am used to. Despite the (in my opinion) excessive road noise, I thought the audio sound quality was pretty good considering it was the lower end audio system. I didn’t comment on the AC but it did work great, although I drove it around 8:30 in the morning, so the oven was not quite on high yet. I’m anxious to hear about your Off-Rodeo experience since I plan on doing that too.

 

[Sarconus]

This morning I test drove a WT at the dealer that I have a reservation at. Had an order but 99ed it to get a MY22. After this ~12 mile test drive, mostly freeway and city streets, I’m questioning whether I want to continue with a Bronco purchase. This coming from someone that owned Broncos from 1989 through 2017. There is nothing particularly wrong with the new Bronco. But driving it caused me to understand more clearly that Ford’s target was a better execution of a Jeep Wrangler. With the Bronco, they succeeded brilliantly at that. Maybe I’ll end up with a Bronco in 22 or 23, I’m just not as enthusiastic as I had been. Here are some test drive observations.

One thing I wanted to do was make sure a WT would fit in my garage. I had done all kinds of measurements using data from this site and for sure, the WT fit. That was not a surprise, but great to validate my research. My wife‘s car is missing, but it would easily fit too. No clearance problems either. Easily another 5.5-6 inches of overhead clearance.

When I first sat in the driver’s seat I was amazed at how much looking out the windshield reminded me of an EB. The raised edges of the hood are very reminiscent of an EB. Very thoughtful design feature from Ford.

One bad thing is the window fit. As everyone knows, without a frame the window must come down just a little to open and close the door. So long as you open the door slowly, all is well. But if you open the door quickly, the window hangs up a little on the molding and sort of vibrates back and forth. I seem to recall others here mention that. I’m not sure this hurts anything, it’s just not something I had thought much about.

Of course, this was a soft top. I was surprised at how noisy the Bronco is. I have seen posts claiming that the soft top was fairly quiet. I suppose this is subjective, but I thought the noise was excessive. Maybe the more aggressive tires were at fault. I have had two soft tops (see my avatar for one and an old P911-C4 for another) so I am used to a soft top. I honestly think my 74 EB with a BC Broncos safari top was slightly quieter. I mentioned this to the dealer sales manager and he said he was surprised because his soft top OB was really quiet. He claimed that the OB had sound deadening within the body. I had never heard that. Obviously I think a MIC top, particularly with the headliner, would quiet things down a little. I had planned on a color matching modular top which would also probably be quieter. By the way, the sales manager confirmed to me that the color matching top would be MY23, even though as recently as March it was listed at a MY22 option. Crap…

As has been opined by others on this site, the dash was a somewhat underwhelming. The plastic just seemed cheap. By the way, this was a Mid trim level, yet I don’t think Lux (which is what I ordered) would be any different. My personal car is a 2017 4Runner Limited and my work vehicle that gets most miles is a 2015 Tundra SR5. I would say the Tundra’s interior is pretty pedestrian, but the quality of the plastic and overall quality is noticeably better than the Bronco. The 4Runner interior is way superior. This is when I reminded myself that Ford wasn‘t trying to create something fancy, but just something overall better than a Wrangler. Again, I think they have done that in spades.

The engine was adequate. I have to admit that I drive with a bit of a heavy foot, but the Bronco seemed a bit slow off the line. From about 20 mph up, it performed very good. The transmission was smooth. I couldn’t feel the shifts. I was hoping the engine performance would be noticeably better than the 4Runner. I think it was better, but not by as much as I had hoped. Actually, I have to admit that I forgot to try the sport mode. That may have improved the engine performance a bit and I’m kicking myself for forgetting that.

I really did like the handling of the Bronco. It’s turning radius is superb. The SAS on the WT really smooths out rough pavements. I drove over a pavement that had been trenched and patched for a water line and it was smooth sailing over that bumpy pavement. I think this was the most favorable thing about the Bronco. The brakes were great, although there was an audible squeak at times.

In summary, I think the Bronco is a great execution of an off road vehicle for the masses. For sure it will take a big bite out of Wrangler sales. But for me I would give up a bit of the fancy off road stuff for a quieter, better fit and finish interior vehicle more like the 4Runner or some of the high end trucks on the market. My off roading needs are mostly rough forest service roads and snowy roads in AZ higher elevations. I guess I’m re-evaluating what I really need. This vehicle is my present to myself as I head into retirement. I still may end up with a Bronco. But I’m beginning to think I might need to give a nice F-150 or F-250 a look and build myself another EB to satisfy my almost life long Bronco addiction.

Bronco truly shined for me this weekend at the off rodeo. I have never done any off roading until this weekend. It handled great! Now if you want it to pick up the kids and groceries you might want to look for a luxury suv.

 

[4X4 Lady]

Sorry about that @Yamahamer. WT=Wildtrak one of the seven current Bronco trim levels. OB=Outer Banks, another Bronco trim level. This web site shows the trim levels that are often abbreviated on bronco6G and you can probably figure out the abbreviations for those other trim levels, e.g., BB = Big Bend, BD = Black Diamond, etc.

https://shop.ford.com/configure/bronco/model/customize/blackdiamond

EB = early Bronco, the original Bronco built during model years 1966-1977, on this site would probably more appropriately called 1G, meaning First Generation. But us old Bronco nerds more often use the abbreviation “EB” and believe it’s charm will never be duplicated. There have been 6 generations of Ford Broncos (1G, 2G,…,6G). This web site is called 6G because it’s largely devoted to the sixth and latest generation of the Ford Bronco, which is currently being rolled out. Oops forgot, MY = model year, for example MY21 means model year 2021, which is the first year of the sixth generation (6G) of the Ford Bronco. Hope this clarifies things. And yeah, when I first started monitoring bronco6G and saw all the abbreviations, I thought WTF, which stands for…

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

 

[Southern Girl]

Good question. It’s been 4 years since I drove/sold the resto mod ‘74 EB. Somebody made me an offer I couldn’t turn down. Let’s just say I made enough to purchase a 2021 FE. I turned almost every screw on that build. One of the things I did was install a lot of sound deading. It was basically dynamat under all the carpet and on the firewall and inside the door panels. Check it out:

https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/Racket_Jacket_Floor_System/Bronco_Carpet

I made a point to make the EB quiet as possible. Probably I was using a bit of hyperbole, but the test drive was louder than I expected.

I have that on mine, but soft top, no doors, mats and not carpet. Also, mine is not worth 60k.

Sponsored