Test Drive Causing Me to Re-evaluate

[Bituman]

I sat in one at my dealer last week, and found the dash and interior outstanding. What makes it "poor quality", how do you judge that? Just because its not "soft touch" or look like a Toyota? I have two Toyotas and a Mazda and they have nothing on the Bronco when it comes to interior quality. Ever pull a dash in a Toyota, total crap like every other car I never been so mad in my life. I don't expect Bronco to be much different in this regard, but the fit & finish is certainly nice and thank goodness it doesn't have horrible soft touch polystyrene foam crap.

Probably depends on the trim level you are comparing. I drive two Toyotas also. The Tundra SR5 has an interior that is closer to the Bronco although it is holding up well with 100k miles on the odometer. The 4Runner Limited interior materials are noticeably better than the WT I test drove and the Tundra. Maybe “low quality” is not the right description. The textured dash material seemed like something you might see on some type of base model vehicle, not something that costs as much as some of the higher end 6G Broncos. Ford should have had higher end interior for the higher end Broncos. But again, it’s supposed to be an off road vehicle with an interior to match, not a Benz. As I pointed out up thread, the best interior (materials and design) I have seen was a new Dodge Ram. Was that ever nice!

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[markregel]

And only the badlands Bronco or Sasquatch can compete with a Jeep. Most buyers can’t afford the options that make it better than a jeep.

An interesting comparison for the mass media reviewers would be a stock Black Diamond vs a stock Jeep Willys vs a stock 4Runner venture. Probably never see it as all anyone can talk about is the Sasquatch package.

You don’t need to drop 50k to get a capable off roader that will meet 90% of the public’s off road use. I have off-roaded in a JL sport before and it was extremely capable. Would a base model Bronco be as capable? That’s a test I’d like to see.

Sounds to me like you already made up your mind

Probably depends on the trim level you are comparing. I drive two Toyotas also. The Tundra SR5 has an interior that is closer to the Bronco although it is holding up well with 100k miles on the odometer. The 4Runner Limited interior materials are noticeably better than the WT I test drove and the Tundra. Maybe “low quality” is not the right description. The textured dash material seemed like something you might see on some type of base model vehicle, not something that costs as much as some of the higher end 6G Broncos. Ford should have had higher end interior for the higher end Broncos. But again, it’s supposed to be an off road vehicle with an interior to match, not a Benz. As I pointed out up thread, the best interior (materials and design) I have seen was a new Dodge Ram. Was that ever nice!

I get it some prefer a more luxurious interior. One of my favorite vehicles of all time is the Jeep XJ (original Cherokee) , exposed screw heads, poor quality interior (some would say) and all. One thing that did impress me on the new Bronco is the stock cloth seats and the switch gear feels very good -- I will say Toyota quality here. I agree Ram makes a nice truck, I was going to get one before I heard about Bronco. Even the base model with a few upgrades is pretty nice and won't brake the bank.

 

[93_SVT_3503]

I test drove a WT at a local dealership had really the complete different impression. I thought the soft top seemed quiet, didn’t notice the road noise like the OP. I have a ‘17 Tacoma and can say that the bronco’s interior is far superior than that of the Toyota. Toyota is way in need of a refresh- it’s boring and lacks quality. I thought the 2.7 had a lot of power and get up and go.
A lot of these drive reviews are so subjective and really should be taken with a grain of salt. Best advice drive one for yourself and gather your own insights...

Is that Sioux City Ford? They told me they weren't doing test drives with that one?

 

[BroncoJay]

Is that Sioux City Ford? They told me they weren't doing test drives with that one?

Yes it is...
I think it depends on what salesmen u get. One told me no one day and the next day they threw me the keys..

this dealership is horrible. I’m glad I didn’t give them my business.

 

[Bulletbill]

Sounds to me like you already made up your mind

I’m not going to lie, I am close to dropping my reservation. What the Bronco has is nostalgia for me. I owned one when I was younger and I love the look of the 6g.

Nostalgia only goes so far though, and I feel like a lot of things promised never came to be. From the saddle interior on the demo, to the white tops and trim, the MOD top, the bring your own device rail, trail maps, a delivery date…I could go on for a while, but you catch my drift.

The reality is, there was a lot of hype and promises made by Ford. They delivered on some of those, but failed at a lot of others. I’m giving them till MY23 to fix their current issues, and simultaneously show me the Bronco that was in the initial release video advertising the comeback. Otherwise you’re right, I don’t see the point in buying one.

 

[jimmy234]

You forgot to mention all the overlanding stuff strapped to the top and sides of all those “offroad lifestyle segment” vehicles. I really like that phrase…ha.

Offroad lifestyle? ha, yea I thought that was a pretty standard term for the segment, but maybe I just created something brilliant? lol

Yea, I love seeing the jeeps with all the overlanding racks and stuff that are never filled with anything and the jeep looks like it's never seen a speck of dirt.

Lots of stuff in life is about appearance, so I don't suppose I should be shocked by any of it. Still entertaining, though.

 

[93_SVT_3503]

Yes it is...
I think it depends on what salesmen u get. One told me no one day and the next day they threw me the keys..

this dealership is horrible. I’m glad I didn’t give them my business.

I was there right after they got it off the truck. The sales manager told me she was buying it after the demo period was up and didn't want the miles on it. And yes, most of them are pretty clueless as to anything about the Bronco. I used to stop in there every month and talk to a buddy of mine about new details as they came out, and the other guys sitting around seemed like they could care less. I mentioned pricing a few times and they kept telling me there's no way to get one under MSRP. I showed them the Granger offer and was shrugged off. One of Fords biggest releases and they just sh*t the bed on it.

 

[Dave_1978]

I get it some prefer a more luxurious interior. One of my favorite vehicles of all time is the Jeep XJ (original Cherokee) , exposed screw heads, poor quality interior (some would say) and all. One thing that did impress me on the new Bronco is the stock cloth seats and the switch gear feels very good -- I will say Toyota quality here. I agree Ram makes a nice truck, I was going to get one before I heard about Bronco. Even the base model with a few upgrades is pretty nice and won't brake the bank.

I guess you could look it with the Bronco Sport and F150 for a good comparison on what people mean. But beyond that, it quality issues too like wiggly grab handle that most likely need gorilla glue to keep secure at this point. Panels that don't line up correctly causing gaps. Yes it's an off road vehicle and this is give an take but 50K is still costly and the Bronco doesn't live in a bubble.

One reason I'm still holding out for the Bronco however is it's still a convertible SUV that works better as a daily driver than a Wrangler because of the IFS.

 

[BroncoJay]

I was there right after they got it off the truck. The sales manager told me she was buying it after the demo period was up and didn't want the miles on it. And yes, most of them are pretty clueless as to anything about the Bronco. I used to stop in there every month and talk to a buddy of mine about new details as they came out, and the other guys sitting around seemed like they could care less. I mentioned pricing a few times and they kept telling me there's no way to get one under MSRP. I showed them the Granger offer and was shrugged off. One of Fords biggest releases and they just sh*t the bed on it.

I tried to give them my business but they couldn’t guarantee pricing, the salesmen I talked to said they were “auctioning” off the WT to the highest bidder! I laughed and walked away.

where are u located?

 

[93_SVT_3503]

I tried to give them my business but they couldn’t guarantee pricing, the salesmen I talked to said they were “auctioning” off the WT to the highest bidder! I laughed and walked away.

where are u located?

South Sioux

 

[93_SVT_3503]

I tried to give them my business but they couldn’t guarantee pricing, the salesmen I talked to said they were “auctioning” off the WT to the highest bidder! I laughed and walked away.

where are u located?

On their Facebook page, they said the Rapid Red one that was customer ordered and came in the week before was going to get swapped for a 5.0

 

[BroncoJay]

On their Facebook page, they said the Rapid Red one that was customer ordered and came in the week before was going to get swapped for a 5.0

Now that’s just damn laughable!

 

[dcmdon]

Those who asked about how the jeep interior is nicer, I'll give some input.

The massive expanse of plastic over the glove box is very cheap looking in person. The switchgear feels cheap. Look at the dial for goat modes for example. Grey plastic.

In the jeep most of that stuff looks and feels more substantial. It feels nicer to touch. It looks nicer.

Its easier to get leather in most of the jeeps and it comes in normal colors like Black and Tan.

As someone looking at higher end models and cross shopping these cars, its just easier to put together a Jeep interior that looks good and in all cases the things you touch just feel better.

None of this is of course a deal breaker. For the money one of the things cost you could get an Audi with a gorgeous interior. But that's not the point.

But all of us are for the most part buying a vehicle that is more capable off road than we need. There are plusses and minuses to the Jeep and Bronco. Interior quality happens to be something the Jeep does better.

Conversely, I found the Bronco to ride and drive much better. The interior was also bigger in the Bronco.

 

[Riggo44]

I was a bit worried about this, too. I was actually kinda prepared to have it not meet my expectations. I mean, I've spent a year+ building this thing up in my head, so It was a lofty set of expectations. Again, it's all subjective.... but, I FREAKING LOVE MINE. Nothing about it has been a disappointment so far (even really, really like the clean lines/simplicity of the front dash that a few have said looks "cheap"... I don't see it, but also not comparing it to a lexus/audi interior). So, at least for us, very pleased. Actually kinda/sorta considering putting in an order for another one now... just in case I'm ready for another one 2+ years from now ;-)

 

[Southern62]

I felt the same way about opening the doors when I went for a test drive. I opened and closed them multiple times and came away thinking how the window catching on the weather stripping would ruin it over time, not to mention it was weird how the windows spring out and Shake in the door as you open it.

Just a note on the indexing windows (pop up and down on door open or close) I have them on my 2013 Challenger and have not had any issues with the weather stripping being messed up.

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