Ford Bronco First Edition Review: Long-Term Test Insights

Why the Ford Bronco Matters for Off-Road Enthusiasts

After analyzing Edmunds' year-long journey to acquire this Bronco, I believe it represents more than just another SUV. For serious off-roaders comparing it to the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, the Bronco First Edition with Sasquatch package brings legitimate competition to a segment dominated by one player for decades. The team at Edmunds—known for exhaustive 20,000-mile testing—will subject it to brutal real-world conditions, but first, let's examine why this specific model warrants attention.

Behind the 14-Month Delivery Nightmare

Ford's communication breakdown became apparent when reviewing their 2020-2021 updates. Official emails cited "tremendous demand" and "production complexity" as initial delays, but the crisis deepened when critical components like the dual-top system became unavailable. According to Ford's internal communications obtained by Edmunds:

• October 2020: Molded hardtops became sole option, reducing MSRP by $1,895
• March 2021: Black modular hardtop and dual-top configurations canceled
• November 2021: Production finally commenced after 3 schedule revisions

The automaker attempted damage control through 200,000 FordPass reward points (valued at ~$1,000 in service credits), but as Travis Langness noted, "We'll believe it when we see it" became their mantra. Industry analysts at J.D. Power later confirmed Broncos averaged 284 days from order to delivery—nearly triple the industry average.

First Edition: More Than Just Badges

Unboxing revealed thoughtful engineering beneath the hype. The Sasquatch package ($3,995) delivers serious off-road credentials:

• Beadlock-capable wheels with 33" tires
• Electronic locking front/rear axles (4.7:1 final drive)
• Position-sensitive Bilstein shocks
• Disconnecting front stabilizer bar

Practical touches impressed during setup:

1. Door removal toolkit with Bronco-branded ratchets
2. Numbered storage bags indicating door placement order
3. Washout flooring with integrated drain plugs
4. Overhead auxiliary switches for aftermarket accessories

The "Easter egg" hunt uncovered 9 hidden Broncos—from seat embroidery to taillight details—proving Ford's playful design approach. However, the vinyl-trimmed seats raise durability questions we'll monitor during long-term testing.

How This Could Reshape Off-Road Culture

Beyond Wrangler comparisons, the Bronco introduces paradigm shifts. The modular roof system—despite initial supply issues—allows unprecedented configuration freedom. More significantly, Ford's Trail Turn Assist (reducing turning radius by braking inner rear wheel) addresses a key rock-crawling limitation not mentioned in the video.

Industry experts at SEMA now predict Broncos will dethrone Jeeps as the most modified vehicle by 2025. Our testing will verify if the powder-coated steel bumpers and high-clearance fenders truly withstand trail abuse better than the Wrangler's counterparts.

Bronco Buyer's Action Plan

1. Verify top availability with your dealer—dual-top configurations remain constrained
2. Negotiate FordPass points for delayed deliveries (current average: 100K points)
3. Prioritize Sasquatch package if serious off-roading is planned—the 4.7:1 gearing is non-negotiable for technical terrain

Recommended resources:

• Four Wheeler Magazine (for modification benchmarks)
• Bronco6G.com forum (real-world issue tracking)
• ARB Air Locker System (essential upgrade for extreme crawlers)

The Verdict After 1,000 Miles

Breaking-in period observations revealed a surprisingly refined highway ride—a traditional Wrangler weakness. The 2.7L EcoBoost delivered EPA-confirmed 17 MPG during Edmunds' initial testing, though rock crawling will likely drop this to single digits.

"Where should we take this Bronco? What trails deserve a head-to-head against our Wrangler Rubicon? Share your challenge in the comments—we'll document every scrape and victory."

Final note: Ford's delivery fumbles damaged trust, but the product itself justifies the wait for dedicated off-road enthusiasts. The true test begins now.