Ford Announces New Bronco Trim Levels

Ford Automotive’s long-awaited new Bronco edition will stream into showrooms later this year offering six different trim levels and packages designed to set itself apart from Jeep’s Wrangler — Bronco’s primary competitor.

According to Ford, these new editions are termed Base, Big Bend, Black Diamond, Outer Banks, Wildtrak and Bandlands. The automaker does plan to have a seventh trim level as well, termed First Edition, but the company is only making 3,500 and all have been claimed. Additionally, all Bronco trim levels can upgrade into four available packages called Mid, High, Lux and Sasquatch—with some trim levels even coming that way from the factory.

That is in contrast to Wrangler, which has three specific trim levels in a ‘good, better, best’ strategy, along with a few special editions like Willys and Altitude, several product groups and individual part upgrades covering different aspects of each respective vehicle.

Ford says its Mid package includes two-door Intelligent Access with lock and unlock functionality, 110V/150W AC power outlet, ambient footwell lighting, auto-dimming rearview mirror, dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control, heated front seats, illuminated visor mirrors, remote start system (automatic transmission only), reverse sensing system, subscription navigation with three month trial, SYNC 4 with enhanced voice recognition, Ford Co-Pilot360 including Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, BLIS with CrossTraffic Alert, Lane-Keeping System, Auto High-Beam Headlamps and rear view camera with backup assist grid lines.

Bronco’s high package, Ford says, includes all of the Mid-package items, as well a 12-inch touchscreen display, 360-degree camera, additional sound deadening, Forward Sensing System and sideview mirror LED approach lamps.

In the Lux package, Bronco approaches Jeep’s Sahara edition options by including everything in the two previous packages, plus Adaptive Cruise Control, 10-speaker premium sound system, Evasive Steering Assist, heated steering wheel, universal garage door opener, two extra front row USB smart-charging ports, voice-activated Touchscreen Navigation System and wireless smartphone charging pad.

Finally, the top end Sasquatch package—as noted before in many other vehicle features—provides the ultimate in performance and off-road gains, Ford says.

Sasquatch includes many features in the lower packages, as well as upgraded 17-inch black-painted aluminum beadlock-capable wheels, 35-inch LT315/ 70R17 mud terrain tires, electronic-locking front and rear axles, 4.70:1 gearing, high-clearance suspension, position-sensitive Bilstein shocks and high-clearance fender flares.

While Jeep has long used Sport, Sahara and Rubicon to differentiate between trim levels, Bronco expands the idea and will have its seven different versions available right at launch.

However, like we said before, in reality, most buyers will have six trims as the real offerings because Ford only plans to make 3,500 First Edition Broncos between two- and four-door models, and every single one has already been claimed. Oh, and those First Editions went for $60,800 apiece for two door, and $64,995 each on the four door.

In case you were wondering, the First Edition Broncos include pretty much everything that is available for the vehicle—harkening back to what Jeep did with the Gladiator Launch Edition. For Bronco, that means First Edition owners get features from the Badlands editions, factory-included Lux and Sasquatch packages, unique hood and body graphics, safari bar, black modular hard top, carpeted interior, heated leather-trimmed seats and 35-inch Goodyear Territory mud terrain tires.

Here are the different Ford Bronco trim levels:

Base

The Base edition Bronco enters the market at $29,995 (two-door) and $34,695 (four-door), and Ford calls it “Designed for customers who want a no-frills 4×4 SUV, or for those looking to customize their very own vehicle for rugged off-road adventure.”

From the factory, this level offers 16-inch wheels, 255/70 all-season tires, removable doors and roof, and cloth seats. Inside, the cockpit houses an eight-inch touchscreen with that SYNC4 infotainment system, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The entry-level Bronco also adds five G.O.A.T. Terrain Management System choices, while Ford’s 2.3-liter turbo-four engine is standard, as is a seven-speed manual transmission. A spicier turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 is optional, but drivers do sacrifice the manual for a 10-speed automatic transmission with the upgrade. But, at 310 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, many will probably prefer this choice.

Base edition colors include Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, Velocity Blue, Shadow Black, Antimatter Blue, Iconic Silver, Carbonized Grey and Oxford White.

Big Bend

Bronco’s next step up is Big Bend trim, which includes all Base edition features, and available upgrades, and is basically equivalent to Wrangler’s Sport S. This trim level also tacks on another G.O.A.T. mode—for a total of six—as well as LED fog lamps, leather wrapped steering wheel, tinted glass, carbonized gray grille. and 17-inch wheels housing 32” tires. The Big Bend adds Race Red, Cactus Gray, and Area 51, which is basically a dark teal, to the base models seven colors. Pricing for this level starts at $34,880 for two-door and $37,375 for the four-door.

Black Diamond

For those looking at something with more off-road-type features, without a full-fledged off-road price tag, Ford provides the Black Diamond trim. Think of this as either a Wrangler Sport on steroids, or a weaker Rubicon.

This edition offers heavy-duty protective hardware including a stronger front bumper and powder-coated steel rear bumper, along with rock rails and underbody ‘bash plates’. It also features 17-inch wheels on slightly larger 265/70 tires and a hose-out marine grade vinyl interior.

Rounding out this trim level is an additional G.O.A.T. driving mode which gives the Black Diamond edition seven total choices, as well as overhead auxiliary switches for those adding accessories like extra lighting or a winch. Pricing for this level falls at $37,545 (two door) and $40,040 (four door), while one additional color choice of Cyber Orange Metallic is now available for a total of 11 color options.

Outer Banks

Ford’s Outer Banks Bronco trim appears to be a Wrangler Sahara level clone, and is essentially the Big Bend trim with more comforts since the Mid Package comes standard on this level. Ford says this is a vehicle for anyone who “prefer style and technology both on- and off-road.”

The Outer Banks only gets six G.O.A.T. modes, but it does feature LED lighting, heated front-row bucket seats, dual-zone climate control, remote start and Ford’s Co-Pilot360 active-safety features. The Outer Banks will also be easily recognizable thanks to body-color door handles, mirrors, fender flares, and powder-coated tube steps, while it sits on 18-inch wheels wrapped in 255/70 all-terrain tires.

Pricing for the Outer Banks sits at $40,450 for the two-door and $42,945 for the four-door.

Wildtrak

The Wildtrak Bronco seems to be what Jeep is looking to do with its Mojave edition Gladiator and Wrangler—a desert racing performance vehicle that can also handle itself well on most rock crawling terrain.

Wildtrak gets all the Outer Banks level features, plus Ford’s upgraded 2.7-liter turbocharged V6 as its standard powerplant, along with seven G.O.A.T. modes and the advanced four-wheel-drive system with on-demand 4-high engagement and 3.06:1 low ratio.

This does mean it loses the manual transmission, but Ford adds its Mid package right from the factory, and even includes the highly-anticipated Sasquatch package as well. So, the vehicle will sport 35-inch mud-terrain tires, locking front and rear axles, high-clearance suspension and fender flares and Bilstein dampers.

Additionally, Wildtrak will feature a special Shadow-black painted modular hardtop, special hood graphics, carpeted flooring and heated cloth seats. This trim level falls into place at $50,370 for the two-door and $52,865 on the four-door.

Badlands

While the Wildtrak is mostly about higher-speed, desert type riding, with additional off-road performance, the Badlands is Bronco’s straight-up off-road rock crawling trim level. Think of it as Wrangler Rubicon’s Ford twin.

This top-level Bronco bundles all the Big Bend stuff, but also adds a Badlands-specific suspension with front swaybar disconnects, and it sits on 17-inch gray-painted machine-face aluminum wheels mounted with solid 33-inch all-terrain tires. It also adds Rock Crawl to the Wildtrak’s existing G.O.A.T. modes, and includes auxiliary switches and vinyl seats with washable vinyl floors. Adding to its off-road prowess are a heavy-duty front bumper and steel rear bumper.

However, while the Bronco Badlands is supposed to be the most capable off-road Bronco in the showroom, Ford does not include its Sasquatch package as standard for some reason, so those interested in this level Bronco must add it separately if they want those 35” tires from the factory on beadlock wheels, as well as those electronically locking front and rear axles, Bilstein shocks, high-clearance flares and 4.7:1 drive ratio.

All in all though, Bronco does make for a tough and worthy competitor to Wrangler across all levels. And that’s a good thing because with competition comes innovation. Of course, everyone will have to see the Bronco in action before fully embracing the vehicle, but for Jeep, well, hopefully this new competition spurs even more creativity throughout the brand.