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ford bronco Full OverviewOnce upon a time there was something called the Ford Bronco. People loved the off-roader, and to this day, they recount memories of adventuring in the family Bronco. The 2021 Ford Bronco has brought the nameplate back to the fore, but the original Bronco hit the scene in 1966 and galloped speedily until its ultimate demise in 1996. Unfortunately, after 30 years and various generational changes, the Ford Bronco was no more. Gone but not forgotten-especially that first-generation 1966-77 iteration—it's still sought after by restorers, off-road racers, and classic iron aficionados. It was one of Ford's most iconic nameplates.Fast-forward to 2021. Twenty-five years after Ford kicked its popular SUV out of its stalls, the forlorn Bronco returned. While many 2021 Ford Bronco owners still await their vehicle's arrival, we've had the chance to get behind the wheel of a few. Most recently we tested a two-door 2021 Ford Bronco Black Diamond powered by the 2.3-liter EcoBoost I-4 and backed by the seven-speed manual transmission. The exterior may look black from certain angles, but it's actually Antimatter Blue Metallic, a color Ford will not offer for model year 2022.Black Diamond vs. BadlandsBut wait, haven't we tested this two-door, 275-hp, 315-lb-ft 2.3-liter turbo four-cylinder, manual-transmission 2021 Ford Bronco before? Yes, but that was the more-outfitted Badlands trim with different suspension goodies. For what it's worth, we also tested a four-door Bronco Outer Banks.How did the 2021 Ford Bronco Black Diamond stack up against the Bronco Badlands? After putting both on the scale, a weight discrepancy arose in the former's favor: the Bronco Black Diamond registered 4,491 pounds, the Badlands 4,732 pounds. That means the Black Diamond is 241 pounds lighter, a not-insignificant difference, and we wondered how much it would play a part in our track testing.The previously tested two-door Bronco Badlands galloped to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds and ran the quarter mile in 15.8 seconds at 86.4 mph. The Black Diamond managed 0-60 in 7.9 seconds and trotted the quarter mile in 15.8 seconds at 85.8 mph. Those figures represent a 0.2-second difference in acceleration and a 0.6-mph difference in the quarter mile, both favoring the heftier Badlands. Why was the heavier car slightly quicker to 60? Likely because it rode on all-season tires with a bit more grip than the all-terrain rubber the Black Diamond wore.The differences equate to nothing in the real world and especially on the trail, as these are not high-performance track cars vying to shave every hundredth of a second. Rather, these Broncos are bricklike SUVs with removable tops and doors, meaty all-terrain tires, good ground clearance, heavy off-road components, and G.O.A.T. modes to help conquer impassable trails. They're just not quintessential traits when it comes to the track.We first tried to launch the Bronco Black Diamond at 4,000 rpm, and the engine bogged. Stepping up to 4,500 rpm also did not produce a good run. We were concerned an even more aggressive approach might break the drive train, but 5,000 rpm did the trick: The Bronco launched with some wheelspin, and the rear even kicked out a little bit. The manual transmission did not like quick, rushed shifting; it's happier with a gentler approach to the clutch. The engine felt lively enough to make the SUV feel light.HandlingWhen it came to our figure-eight course—which evaluates acceleration, handling, and braking, as well as the transitions in between—the 2021 Ford Bronco Black Diamond recorded a 28.8-second lap. We noted the Bronco was quite playful with the traction and stability control systems turned off, and we were shocked at the ease of heel-toe downshifting the SUV. The Badlands recorded a 29.6-second lap, 0.8 second slower than the Black Diamond.As expected, there was some nose dive and body roll when it came to hard braking and cornering. We likened the dive under hard braking to the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland, a comparison that evoked a chuckle every time we experienced the phenomenon.On the RoadThe Ford Bronco Black Diamond we tested tracked nicely on the highway, wandering less than a Jeep Wrangler thanks to its independent front suspension rather than a live axle setup. Some off-road vehicles are really a handful to keep in one lane on the highway—a real white-knuckle experience—but that wasn't the case with the Bronco. Wind noise was our biggest complaint, as it was loud enough that we could barely hear the person riding in the passenger seat.The 2021 Ford Bronco Black Diamond doesn't come with the upgraded suspension of some other Broncos or modded off-roaders, so it wasn't able to soak up heavier hits on the road. Rather, we bounced and jolted our way through rough patches. We slowed down for dips and respected it for what it was: an entry-level true 4x4 off-roader that'll get the basic job done while being a perfectly capable on-road transporter. Those who want more may need to wait for the Bronco Raptor, which also isn't a trophy truck.We had the rare treat of driving the Bronco Black Diamond in some significant SoCal rain, and it was fun. We slipped the transfer case into 4-Auto and selected Slippery mode just to ensure we didn't get sideways on freeway entrances. Traction was ample, and although we didn't need to, we liked knowing we could have forded a couple feet of water should the need arise.As for the stick shift, the clutch was user-friendly and easily mastered by any seasoned manual driver within about four stoplights. It's technically a seven-speed, but one of those gears is a 6.588:1 crawler gear. The manual option, however, isn't compatible with some Bronco tech options such as trail control, trail turn assist, and trail one-pedal drive. Those features require the 10-speed automatic. The manual versus an automatic debate for off-roading is something we won't tackle in this piece, and besides, both sides are 100 percent sure they are correct.What Makes the Bronco Black Diamond Cool?There are half a dozen Ford Bronco trims, and the specifics of each can be mind-boggling. Ford describes our Black Diamond tester as "next-level outdoor adventure," and it falls third from the bottom of the lineup after the base and Big Bend models. For being relatively low on the pecking order, it had a rad feature palette for less than $40,000. However, opting for the 2.7-liter turbo V-6 EcoBoost engine ($1,895), 10-speed automatic ($1,595), and the four-door ($2,345) quickly elevates the price.Solid DetailsFirst, check out those wheels. Those are 17-inch glossy black steelies, and they're standard on the 2021 Ford Bronco Black Diamond. Sure, the base Bronco—which may have already disappeared—has 16-inch silver steelies, but the black is oh-so-spot-on. The Black Diamond also offers an optional aluminum wheel for people who aren't down with the steelies. The tires, 265/70R-17 General Grabber A/TX's, aren't too shabby for a modest trim. Many would consider Grabbers an upgrade.Next, the interior. The Ford Bronco Black Diamond barely misses the cut for the larger 12.0-inch screen, but we can live with the 8.0-incher. But our attention was drawn to the interior material, a Dark Space Gray with Black Onyx marine-grade vinyl paired with rubberized flooring—complete with drain plugs that make the whole interior less vulnerable to water. The vinyl felt super soft, plush, and inviting, not at all like the plasticky vinyl you may be thinking of. It looked classy, too.Finally, a few random traits distinguish the Bronco Black Diamond: It is the lowest trim to have seven G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) modes, it comes with standard rock rails and underbody protection, and it features the heavy-duty powder-coated modular steel front bumper and powder-coated steel rear bumper. You'll also appreciate auxiliary switches in the overhead console.Two-Door Family LifeFull disclaimer: We sold our four-door Jeep Wrangler upon news of kiddo number two. Our first born has still not forgiven us for selling "her" Jeep; we stand firm that its replacement, a Ford Raptor, is a roomier fit for family life.Hence, we found no surprises when squeezing a family of four into the two-door 2021 Ford Bronco tester. It was tight, and the car seat process was cumbersome (but it always is). But it worked, despite our larger Chicco car seats filled by preschool/early elementary children. But it wasn't necessarily pleasant. Getting out of the Bronco after securing the seats took some ninja skills, as does hoisting children into those seats and tightening their belts. The driver and passenger seats were perpetually in the way.As for luggage? Pack light. With just a backpack per person, your cargo room disappears quickly. The kids were afforded a nice view, as they were seated relatively high; merely an arm's length away, they might as well have been driving. The smaller child was confused as to why he had no door, despite our assurance there was none and that it was OK."Bronco" may be much easier for toddlers to say than "Wrangler," but the truth is, both SUVs—and even the larger four-door versions—are marginal tools when it comes to family life.All the FeelsDriving the 2021 Ford Bronco Black Diamond felt fun, sporty, and adventurous, almost nostalgic but modern. It felt youthful, vibrant, and it has an impact across a wide swath of the population: A mom during school drop-off noticed it. We couldn't quite tell how Jeep Wrangler drivers or old-school Bronco purists perceived us, but we imagined the best. Competition raises the bar, and the Wrangler needs a strong rival. And we all needed the Bronco's return, even if just for the grins.Looks good! More details?SPECIFICATIONS 2021 Ford Bronco 2-Door Black Diamond (Advanced) BASE PRICE $38,340 PRICE AS TESTED $38,935 VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, AWD, 4-pass, 2-door SUV ENGINE 2.3L Turbo direct-injected DOHC 16-valve I-4 POWER (SAE NET) 275 hp @ 5,700 rpm TORQUE (SAE NET) 315 lb-ft @ 3,400 rpm TRANSMISSION 6-speed manual CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 4,491 lb (55/45%) WHEELBASE 100.4 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 173.7 x 75.9 x 72.9 in 0-60 MPH 7.9 sec QUARTER MILE 15.8 sec @ 85.8 mph BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 135 ft LATERAL ACCELERATION 0.71 g (avg) MT FIGURE EIGHT 28.8 sec @ 0.57 g (avg) EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON 17/19/18 mpg ON SALE Now Show All

Drum roll, please: The Blue Oval has put two of our favorite words together—Bronco and Raptor—and finally coughed up details we have pined for regarding the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor.No one on the planet should be surprised that a Bronco Raptor has been in the works, but we now know when it is coming, its price, details about its doors and roof, and most important what will be under the hood. And yes, the official name is Bronco Raptor—"Warthog" was the winning code name for the project from an internal competition and was never meant for use outside Ford's halls.Essential HardwareHere's the big news: The 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor comes one way, with four doors, a removable hard top, 37-inch tires, and a version of the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 found in the Explorer ST. Ford promises it will deliver more than 400 horsepower, but the exact number, as well as torque specs, have not been finalized. (Why no V-8? Read more here.)Ford Performance got its hands on the 3.0-liter EcoBoost engine and started customizing it to meet the requirements of the 2022 Bronco Raptor. The SUV needed to excel at high speeds on- and off-road, as well as at extremely low rock-crawling speeds. Engineers worked to increase the amount of air moving in and out of the engine, reducing induction losses, and incorporating low-pressure ducts, a new exhaust, and even a simplified muffler. The goal was to increase horsepower at a higher rpm so you can keep your foot to the floor all the way to the redline and not fall off a cliff when you reach it. The Ford Bronco Raptor also uses the company's 10-speed automatic transmission.This much-hyped SUV is essentially a Ford Ranger Raptor under a well-equipped Bronco. The Raptor treatment made it 9.8 inches wider and 3.0 inches taller, with 13.1 inches of ground clearance riding on standard BF Goodrich 37-inch K02 all-terrain tires. Its minimum running ground clearance is 13.1 inches, or 1.6 inches higher than the Bronco Badlands Sasquatch. Inspired by the Ultra4 race series, this Bronco has a Raptor HOSS 4.0 race-ready suspension system and fully boxed frame with new shock towers. Maximum wheel travel is 13.0 inches in front and 14.0 inches at the rear.How Much Does the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor Cost?The 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor's starting price is $69,995, and Ford will begin accepting orders in March ahead of deliveries this summer.This tasty treat rounds out a growing Bronco family that first broke cover with the Bronco R teaser that raced in the SCORE Baja 1000 in 2020, followed by the mainstream production 2021 Bronco that went on sale last year. Next we saw the $250,000 2023 Bronco DR (for Desert Ready), a turnkey off-road-only racer coming later this year with plans to make only 50 examples with a Coyote 5.0-liter V-8. Now we have the much-anticipated street-legal Bronco Raptor.But don't hold your breath for a street-legal fire-breathing Bronco with a V-8: Ford thinks the twin-turbo V-6 is just right, and the powerplant has the added advantage of actually fitting inside the Bronco Raptor's engine bay.The latest Bronco also rounds out the Raptor family that began with the Ford F-150 Raptor and includes a Ford Ranger Raptor in other parts of the world. The Bronco family shares the Ranger platform.Raptor Was a Late Addition The Raptor model was not a given from the start of the Bronco program. Bronco design manager Ryan Olsson was called in about three months after the main Bronco program wrapped up—about 2.5 years ago—to start formally sketching a Raptor version. Talk of a Bronco Raptor had been around for a while, but the project first needed a feasibility study. For Olsson, getting the go-ahead to put pencil to paper meant revisiting old ideas and wish lists. "We were able to do things we wanted to do with the base Bronco and couldn't," he said.Marching orders: nothing superfluous. Everything had to make the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor faster and more capable. The design task was to beautify the engineering for a Bronco ready to conquer the SCORE Baja 1000 and the Ultra4 King of the Hammers off-road races. The credo: "boundless and badass.""We poured all of our passion and all of our Bronco and Raptor know-how into creating this absolute desert-racing beast," Ford president and CEO Jim Farley said in a release. "It's the real deal. It's not for show and it's not for everybody. But for people who love to get out in the wild, it's the ultimate."Two-Door Bronco Raptor Never in the CardsFrom the start, the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor was to be four-door only—a two-door with a shorter wheelbase was never in the plans and still isn't.The roof inspired a bit more debate. For structural integrity when flying over desert whoopties, there was talk of a fixed roof. But it went against the "wild and kicking" outdoor Bronco spirit. Say hello to a removable hard top rather than a soft top; the latter was considered, but a removable hard top does a better job of keeping out dust and dirt, and it provides a quieter on-road experience with NVH liners mounted inside.To reinforce the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor when desert racing, there are two additional crossbars that span the width of the vehicle, contributing to a Raptor with a torsional-rigidity increase of more than 50 percent compared to a standard Bronco four-door model. The aluminum B-bow is carefully placed to ensure helmet clearance and to not impinge on the open-air experience. The C-pillar reinforcement uses a carbon-fiber center section to reduce weight. Also required was additional Fox damping compared to the F-150 Raptor, due to the Bronco's shorter wheelbase. The result offers similar suspension travel, the same brakes, and much of the same tech, said Ford Performance chief engineer Carl Widmann.Spotting the 2022 Ford Bronco RaptorThe 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor is recognizable thanks to its amber LED lighting and a domed hood specific to the Raptor. The unique grille doubles the air flow into the engine compartment, and extra louvers in the hood and fenders help extract this extra air. Wider fender flares cover the jumbo tires, special fender liners are designed to shed mud and ice, and stone-peck guards help protect the rear fenders from rocks kicked up by the front wheels. Wheel choices include 17-inch cast aluminum, a standard bead-lock-capable design, and an optional bead-lock wheel of forged aluminum.Skidplates and bash plates have been upgraded, and engineers designed running boards that bolt directly to the rock rails. Fasteners for the latter are conveniently located above the mud line, eliminating the need to crawl under the truck. The idea came from watching would-be owners who had passengers who struggled to get into vehicles without running boards, as well as "sophisticate" buyers who want to avoid getting their clothes dirty.Engineers also devised a unique rear quarter panel that accommodates the gas tank fuel door in the narrow remaining space. They also needed new taillights that extend further out so they can be seen on either side of the 37-inch spare tire on the back, as well as a new CHMSL (center high-mounted stop light).Ripping Around the Desert in StyleFord wanted higher-quality materials executed with better fit and finish for the Bronco Raptor. It is fitted with the High package as a starting point. (More on that shortly.) For a more upscale look, sewn vinyl wraps the top of the instrument panel, with leather seat bolsters and carbon-fiber trim, as well. Paddle shifters are made of magnesium.The Bronco Raptor has specific seats made of a durable and washable microsuede to keep occupants from slipping, even with the additional bolstering. There are Code Orange seat belts and accents around the cabin that coordinate with the two interior color choices: Black Onyx and Rhapsody Blue. There are 10 standard exterior colors in the first model year.In front of the driver is a 12.0-inch digital cluster; the base Bronco has an 8.0-inch cluster and analog gauges. The High package means the Raptor comes well-appointed with Sync 4, voice recognition, and heated seats. Moving up to the Lux package brings wireless charging, a heated steering wheel, a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, and adaptive cruise control.The SUV's true purpose is reinforced with grab handles on the dash and center console. And owners should scout around for Easter eggs.Off-Road PrimerToggle the steering wheel to engage My Mode for your preferred exhaust sound (possible with the active exhaust system), as well as steering and suspension settings. Meanwhile, the Performance View on the digital gauge cluster has a huge tach in the middle. All screens and graphics try to simplify the wealth of information available to help the off-road user and desert racer, with gear readings and graphics to show if a diff is locked, damper status, pitch and roll, and more. Ford research indicates 80 percent of buyers will take their 2022 Bronco Raptor off-road.In fact, the Bronco Raptor starts with the six G.O.A.T. modes found on all Broncos—each accompanied by fun graphics—with a unique calibration for the Baja mode and the addition of a seventh mode: tow/haul, which allows the SUV to increase its towing capacity to 4,500 pounds, or 1,000 pounds more than the base Bronco's. A unique hitch and extra bracing contributed to the greater towing capacity so owners can bring their side-by-side ATVs to the off-road park.Ultimately, the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor is the halo for the Bronco lineup. Those are huge shoes to fill, and there will be many who will decry the lack of a V-8 engine option. But Ford engineers are unwavering in their belief their latest SUV lives up to both of its storied names. 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor Specifications BASE PRICE $69,995 LAYOUT Front-engine, 4WD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV ENGINE 3.0L/430-hp (est)/420-lb-ft (est) twin-turbo direct-injected DOHC 24-valve V-6 TRANSMISSION 10-speed auto CURB WEIGHT 5,750 lb (mfr) WHEELBASE 116.5 in L x W x H 191.0 x 85.7 x 77.8 in 0-60 MPH 5.5 sec (MT est) EPA FUEL ECON (CITY/HWY/COMB) Not yet rated EPA RANGE (COMB) 333 miles (est) ON SALE Summer 2022 Show All

Miss the Big Game this year? Maybe you don't get into the whole "sports thing." Either way, the commercials are always a huge part of the Super Bowl broadcast. Seeing as how you're reading about those game-day ads here, on MotorTrend, guess what? We're going to talk about the car commercials from Super Bowl LVI, of course! Here's a quick recap of the car spots we spotted during the game:Chevrolet | "New Generation"Fans of "The Sopranos" probably spat out their drinks and sat up when the HBO series' theme song "Woke Up This Morning" started oozing from their speakers while the show's opening sequence driving from New York City to New Jersey rolled on. But something in the iconic opening is different...James Gandolfini's Tony Soprano isn't peeking at us through the rearview mirror...it's his on-screen daughter, Meadow (Jamie-Lynn Sigler). And there's something different about Tony's '90s Chevy Suburban...the dashboard looks way too modern. Without giving away the ending, "New Generation" reimagines the Sopranos' original family ride as the new Silverado EV pickup. Cool.Hyundai | "History Of Evolution"Starring actor Jason Bateman in his more usual comedic guise—as opposed to his darker turn in the drama "Ozarks" on Netflix—this Hyundai ad runs viewers through major technological developments throughout history while reminding them that those developments always had a rough start. This pivots, eventually, to the concept of an electric vehicle, which Bateman says is now reaching maturity—thanks to, of course, the new Ioniq 5 electric crossover. We're not sure about the Ioniq 5 being the be-all, end-all of EVs, but it is a darn good battery-electric SUV. And affordable, too.Kia | "Robo Dog"This Kia spot is cute and includes a dog, ripping a page out of Subaru's advertising playbook. But while general audiences might find the robot-puppy-finding-a-new-home-with-a-human plotline endearing, it takes a closer read to realize Kia is plugging (pun intended) the new EV6 electric crossover's ability to power other things using its battery. To wit, at the end of the commercial, the robo-dog is "saved" by an EV6 driver using its "vehicle-to-load" charging function, which can deliver electricity from the battery to external sources, be it a large appliance during a power outage or a stricken robotic puppy.Nissan | "Thrill Driver"Viewers should by now be familiar with actress Brie Larson making appearances in Nissan ads. For the Super Bowl, Nissan throws in a few more stars, including Eugene Levy, Dave Bautista, and Danai Gurira, to shill an unlikely car: The 2023 Z sports car. Hey, we're all for sports cars, but it's definitely unusual for an automaker to use such high-dollar ad space for a low-volume, two-seat sports car.BMW | "Zeus & Hera"BMW's ad leverages the high-wattage star power of Arnold Schwartzenegger and Salma Hayek but fails to generate much of a spark for the new iX electric SUV. Basically, Arnold plays Zeus and Hayek plays Hera; the god is retired yet is always being asked to charge up dead electronic devices using his lightning power (thunder?). Clearly tiring of his role as a god-smartphone-charger, Zeus is relieved to be given an iX by Hera, presumably because it zaps up Zeus rather than the other way around.GM | "Dr. EV-il"Reprising his role as Dr. Evil from the iconic Austin Powers comedies, Mike Myers holds court in one of his classic boardroom scenes with other original castmembers, including his son Scott (Seth Green); number two, Number Two (Rob Lowe); and Frau Farbissina (Mindy Sterling), while discussing his latest plans for world domination. Only one hitch: Climate change, which is billed as a pressing issue to first surmount. Dr. Evil must save the world in order to take it over, in essence, and needs to lower his carbon footprint to help. This is where GM's growing lineup of EVs comes in to play, and explains why Dr. Evil has anything to do with GM's EV lineup—Dr. EV-il, get it? The gang drives off in a new Hummer EV, a Silverado EV, and what appears to be a Cadillac Lyriq.Porsche | "Topgun: Maverick x Porsche"Porsche is one automaker that likely doesn't need to advertise, but here they are! This is less a commercial for a specific Porsche model than a crossover ad for its sports cars and the upcoming sequel to "Top Gun." If you remember the original fighter-jet bromance cinematic masterpiece, then you remember the love interest of Tom Cruise's character drove a classic Porsche; we assume, based on this ad, that a Porsche will feature in the new film, "Top Gun: Maverick." Really, it doesn't matter, because Porsche has wisely leveraged one of the best theme songs ever for a car ad.Polestar | "No Compromises"The brief, simple commercial from Polestar, Volvo's all-electric offshoot, seems effective. Listing several "no" phrases while flashing over the body of a Polestar 2 EV, "No Compromises" is a quiet introduction for Polestar on a stage as big as the Super Bowl, but it'll surely get people talking, and that's exactly what an upstart automaker wants.