As I traversed a rocky outcropping along a steep, winding trail at Grey Wolf Ranch in the Texas hill country, I engaged the Bronco’s rear locking differential and let the truck’s Trail Turn Assist take over as the truck guided itself along a 90 degree turn in the path. Featuring torque vectoring in the rear axle, the Ford Bronco has the ability to pivot a rear wheel and produce a new zero radius turn. It was at this point I realized just how capable Ford’s Bronco truly is.
The 2022 Ford Bronco is offered in six trim levels including the base model, Big Bend, Black Diamond, Outer Banks, Badlands, and Wildtrak. My two-door test Bronco Badlands with 100” wheelbase versus the 116” wheelbase in the four-door version, featured the smaller of three EcoBoost powertrains available for Bronco. In this case, a 2.3L turbo-charged inline four-cylinder mated to a 7-speed manual transmission producing 270hps and 309 lb-ft torque. A larger 2.7L turbo-charged V6 EcoBoost engine produces an impressive 325hps and 415 lb-ft torque, and the largest option, a 3.0L turbo-charged V6 is available only on the Raptor variant with specs not yet available at the time of this review. I found the variant in my test vehicle to be perfectly adequate with silky smooth shifts from the tranny though the clutch is admittedly a bit sensitive but easy to get used to in short time.
33” BFG KO2 all-terrain tires guided my test Bronco Badlands and over the years, I’ve been hugely impressed by this tire, having previously written a long term review of the tire on the OutdoorX4 website. With a maximum tow capacity of 3,500lbs., the new Bronco Badlands can sufficiently pull a variety of adventure-based trailers and in my case, easily handled my bike rack while continuing my four and two-wheeled jaunt through Texas’ Sam Houston National Forest. There have been complaints that a true 4x4 vehicle needs solid front and rear axles to competently navigate obstacles in the remote backcountry. I would argue this isn’t the case as the Bronco Badlands’ independent front suspension and solid rear axle have proven exceptionally capable, whether navigating slick granite, vehicle-sized boulders, or tight forest roads. Front and rear locking differentials come standard on the Badlands model, as does steel front and rear bumpers along with rock rails to protect the body.
Additionally, a variety of additional features including hill start assist, G.O.A.T. driving modes depending on terrain, individual tire pressure monitoring system, sound deadening headliner, and MOLLE strap system integrated into the backs of the front seats, enhance the truck’s aesthetics and functionality while complimenting the 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row (52.3 cubic feet with the second row folded down). Seating is comfortable and overall ride quality and handling is better than a comparably equipped Jeep Wrangler mostly due to the aforementioned independent front suspension.
In short, Ford’s Bronco Badlands is a revival of a truck with a pedigree that’s not only better than its predecessors but challenges the notion there’s only one true American-made 4x4 capable of going from showroom floor to the trail.
