Test Drive Causing Me to Re-evaluate

[ILoveTacos]

I’ve been able to test drive a Badlands and Outer Banks. I will tell you that my wife and I are rethinking some aspects of what we expect from the Bronco.

We found the Badlands with 2.3 to have a rough on road ride, it felt heavy, took longer to stop than I’d prefer, and the step in height was not enjoyable. Based on this I’m writing the Black Diamond off the list as it’s basically just a scaled down version of the Badlands. I realize these are both more “off road” builds but didn’t realize until now just how much that impacts on road manners.

The OBX with 2.7 and leather seemed to coast along pretty smoothly, brakes seemed more responsive, acceleration was effortless. It was pretty fun to drive. Probably suits our needs more as something to drive on the beach a few times each year and a vehicle we can take on road trips where we want to ride around with the top down.

The OBX with 2.3 and cloth felt not as comfortable (seats maybe less cushy?) and the engine felt like I was driving a Wrangler with a 4 cylinder. It was okay but noticeable different vs our experience in the 2.7 engine.

Now I’m a little concerned with the 2.7 quality aspect until I see that the engine seizing issue is just a one time thing.

And the reports of the soft top already showing wear? Come on.

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[Aardvark53]

Thank you for your experience. Some days I'm also on the fence but I'm going to stick it out.

 

[Lilj4425]

If you’ve come here expecting a BMW X5 you’re in the wrong place.

 

[Lazerus]

Would have loved if they kept the door/roof options but the nature of the truck-ish Bronco. So they can still disrupt Jeep but have their own thing.

I stole this pic from another thread.

But I would have wet myself if it had looked like this out of the gate. It carries all of the design cues that made the original Bronco stand apart...

 

[tnaftzger]

Maybe, were you doing going from a stop?

Good point, I was not at a complete stop. I was at a stop sign turning left so it was more of a 5mph rolling start when I got on it.

 

[F OR D]

I'm with you, it amazes me at all the folks who don't really understand what a Bronco is.

Agree completely. I don't think Ford knows what a Bronco is. Is it a Jeep killer? A Bronco? Honestly it is a little of everything. Go Lux in OBX? BaseSquach? 3D or 5D?

Bottom line is they delivered a superior, open off-road vehicle for almost any budget. They just need to make more modular options and maybe make the 3D (2D) a little longer.

 

[Bifftws]

It did have the rear locker with the button on top of the dash. I put it in sport mode and it had plenty of power for daily driving, never going to be a speed demon but just as fast as my Ranger in sport mode. Motor would have no problems with 33s, I would have to drive a squatch before I could comment on 35s.

Do you know if it had the 4.27s with the rear locker or the open 3.73? Im wondering how the 2.3/auto/3.73s feel with the 32s.

 

[Gamecock]

I stole this pic from another thread.

But I would have wet myself if it had looked like this out of the gate. It carries all of the design cues that made the original Bronco stand apart...

The new one is a lot more “original Bronco” than those things you posted. I liked those ones okay, but they are nothing like the original that people wanted back so badly…and they got what they asked for. Thank God.

 

[Ricepuddin]

Good point, I was not at a complete stop. I was at a stop sign turning left so it was more of a 5mph rolling start when I got on it.

So it may have been in the gear that allows boost at 5mph.

By the way me saying boost maybe limited in certain gears is just a hypothesis. We won't know for sure until someone does some data logging.

 

[Mr_Scoutmaster]

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

*Before March 20th 2021.

"Price Protection Extension thru 2023 model year - We'll continue to offer price protection to all Bronco order and reservation holders (as of March 19, 2021) to ensure you will not see an increase in MSRP if you receive an equivalent 2023 model year Bronco."

 

[Mr_Scoutmaster]

The new one is a lot more “original Bronco” than those things you posted. I liked those ones okay, but they are nothing like the original that people wanted back so badly…and they got what they asked for. Thank God.

To each their own, but 100% agree with you here. My dad had an '86 Bronco. I climbed all over that thing and when I see pictures of the 1980's models I get the nostalgia. But...that thing was HUGE. It was basically just a big 4x4 pickup truck with a removable top (which no one ever removed in a practical sense because it weighed a zillion pounds) and a rear seat. The 6G keeps the cleaner lines of the original and only seems to get "huge" with more offroad options. To me anyway.

 

[edgeflyer]

I'm with you, it amazes me at all the folks who don't really understand what a Bronco is.

If I recall right the OG Bronco dash was pretty hard as well...

 

[Vigor]

I’ve been able to test drive a Badlands and Outer Banks. I will tell you that my wife and I are rethinking some aspects of what we expect from the Bronco.

We found the Badlands with 2.3 to have a rough on road ride, it felt heavy, took longer to stop than I’d prefer, and the step in height was not enjoyable. Based on this I’m writing the Black Diamond off the list as it’s basically just a scaled down version of the Badlands. I realize these are both more “off road” builds but didn’t realize until now just how much that impacts on road manners.

The OBX with 2.7 and leather seemed to coast along pretty smoothly, brakes seemed more responsive, acceleration was effortless. It was pretty fun to drive. Probably suits our needs more as something to drive on the beach a few times each year and a vehicle we can take on road trips where we want to ride around with the top down.

The OBX with 2.3 and cloth felt not as comfortable (seats maybe less cushy?) and the engine felt like I was driving a Wrangler with a 4 cylinder. It was okay but noticeable different vs our experience in the 2.7 engine.

Now I’m a little concerned with the 2.7 quality aspect until I see that the engine seizing issue is just a one time thing.

And the reports of the soft top already showing wear? Come on.

My wife and I landed at exactly the same conclusion you did. The obx with 2.7 is such a balanced and still exciting build

 

[Monster1926]

I am wondering if the "Sport" GOAT mode really plays a role in the acceleration. I have seen reviews where the bronco is 10 seconds 0-60 but when I test drove a BD SAS 2.7, there's no way it is that slow. When I put it in "Sport" mode it made a tremendous difference IMO. I am coming from my 5 speed 05 mustang GT so I am used to some speed/acceleration and the bronco was no slouch when I got on it.

The 10 second 0-60 is on a fat ass 5300Lbs 4 door first edition in the mountains where the airs thin. Middleton squatch did a 0-60 a few times and it came out to around 8 seconds. The problem is the tuning ford put in it. Off the line It’s 2-3 seconds before the turbos spool and it starts to really move. The problem with adjusting the tuning is the 10R60. Ford rated it for 420ish max tq, you can throw a tune intake and exhaust on it but how long will the trans last is my concern.

 

[Mama_Dropt_Me]

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.

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