Great review, thanks. Which dealership was it at and do you have any interior photos?I have been looking at local dealer inventory for a couple weeks hoping to find a Bronco for the wife and I to see and drive before placing an order. Sure enough- a dealer about 40 miles away advertised one with bold letters ”not for sale”. Called dealer and the confirmed it was available to drive. So Saturday morning, the wife and I along with our 13 year old daughter loaded into our Mopar lifted JLU and headed out for a first impression.
We pulled into the nearly empty lot and there was another couple there about to head out on a test drive. So we just hung out until they returned. Their first words were “I love it and it drives better than any Jeep I’ve ever owned”. Mind you- the wife has on her WV Jeep event shirt and is already on the fence.
So we jump in and I drive first. Head onto the interstate and crank it up to 70. Immediate impressions- steering is amazing! I literally had to just sit there and let it go straight. That’s it. Almost boring compared to the Wrangler I just got out of. Acceleration was good from the 2.7. Typical ecoboost- no drama just smooth powerful acceleration. i pulled off the interstate so the wife cold drive us back. I think she was overwhelmed in such a short drive. Getting the seat adjusted, getting Into heavy traffic, etc.
She auickly commented on the steering being better. Also- the huge touchscreen was a bit of a dramatic change to her Wrangler radio.
We pulled in and the couple was still talking to the salesman.
At this point it got awkward.
As the wife and daughter were going over the Bronco, the other wife was asking lots of questions. Options, features, etc. and the two salesman were clueless. Literally had no knowledge of the biggest vehicle Ford has launched in years.
I couldn’t let it go and politely added myself into the conversation. Basically, the sales staff stood there as I educated this couple on the Bronco. The sales staff was asking ME questions! The wife of the couple thanked me and looked at the sales team and told them I need a commission. I apologized to the sales team again after the couple left. They THANKED me for helping.
I must say I was disappointed they didn’t know anything about the Bronco. I parked it next to our Jeep and went over some differences with the salesman to help him in the future.
Anyway- impressions.
The Bronco was a black OBX non squatch (this hurt my chances with the wife for first impression) with the high package, 2.7, soft top. I swear it was a perfect twin in options (generally) to our Sahara when we bought it stock. Similar wheels, height, literally the same factory tires, cloth, etc.
Our time was brief but standouts to me vs Jeep were seat comfort, tech, steering. Lots going on with each of those categories but I’ve already written a novel. It is a beautiful vehicle and is more comfortable than the Wrangler. It also feels better built. The backseat is more comfortable according to my daughter.
The stereo was adequate. Not having overhead speakers is noticeable. Was it bad? Nope. Good sound overall. Just different experience in acoustics. BTW- the Jeep speakers rattle. Drives me crazy.
As far as the engine- I’m torn. we have had several ecoboosts. All 3.5. They drive very different than a N/A motor. Initial tip in and “pep” wasn’t there for me with this drive. Now once you got moving, it was noticeably more powerful than our Jeep. Much “meatier” mid range. So on the highway, it didn’t downshift to gain speed. the Jeep jumps down a few gears and revs up. From a low speed “pep” standpoint, the Jeep 3.6 is more responsive. The deep gearing in their 8 speed is a super low ratio and with no turbos to spin up, it just goes. The Bronco is more refined. was the Bronco a slug? Not at all. Just different response.
The wife needs to see a Sasquatch version next to her Jeep. She is very much in love with the “looks” of her slightly lifted Wrangler. Coupled with the fact we are well paid down and by the time we could get a Bronco would get back to a big payment is giving her semi cold feet. She liked the drivability. It almost had an opposite effect in that the Bronco drove like a regular SUV. Refined. She’s so used to the Jeep’s shortcomings it’s almost part of the character of the vehicle.
The Bronco was what I expected. A better Jeep. Having researched so much between this forum and YouTube, I knew what to expect. And it lives up to the hype.
I’m sharing all of this honestly and based on a very brief experience. There will be a Bronco in our driveway at some point. My wife has had time to reflect and is starting to comment on how much better it drove. Added safety and tech. Etc.
I’m dangling the fact she is still a Jeeper as her 98 TJ will be going nowhere.
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