Try to think back to a time where a Bronco was the hot new vehicle at the dealership. Having trouble? That may be because it’s been over two decades since its heyday. Have no fear, enthusiasts, the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport is here, and it’s making a bold statement. What was once a must-have companion in the 1960s, Ford has returned to shatter expectations and remove pain-points for drivers.
Overview
With its combination of off-road capability and functionality, Ford is returning to its roots to showcase the attributes that allowed the Bronco to rise to fame originally. With higher ground clearance, bigger break-over angles, and departure angles, the Bronco is able to rock and roll over deeper crags and geography than its competitors.
Do you want a Back to the Future meets ultra-modern vibe in your car? Aesthetically, the 2021 Bronco has a retro quality to it. At the same time, however, the design is certainly modernized as well. It’s difficult to pin down why this is, but here is an attempt; the vehicle is clearly designed with keeping the vehicle’s predecessors in mind. However, it also has clearly been updated and modernized by Ford’s design team to catch the attention of new drivers.
History of the Ford Bronco
Ready for a history lesson? If you are interested in cars at all, prepare yourself for the story of how SUVs were born and raised. Way back in 1964, the Ford Mustang was born. The car, by itself, spurred a muscle car movement. The concept creator, Donald Frey, also had a vision of a multi-purpose vehicle. The term SUV had not been created yet, and Donald wanted to craft a car that could handle sports and utilities. Ford had this concept at the forefront of the design process during the creation of the Bronco. It was a car with a purpose, rather than a car with a purpose assigned to it afterward.
At the time of its creation, the Ford Bronco was more popular than its Jeep counterpart. Partially due to the fact that it had a hard top to protect drivers like you and me from the elements. Its popularity was widespread, partially due to its offroad capabilities at a time where offroad racing was becoming popular, but also because it was able to utilize the same powerful engine that the mustang was using at the time.
The original 1966 model soldiered on into 1978 due to the oil crisis in the early 1970s. This was a massive overhaul, but since it was delayed over half a decade, it was already outdated by the time it came out. The iconic shape was solidified in the next generation, and throughout the rest of the 20th century, small adjustments to safety features and quality of life adjustments were made to the model. Buyers eventually moved towards family-oriented 4-door SUVs. The shift caused Ford to create the Expedition to compensate. The Bronco was put on the shelf until now, and we are so excited to have it back.
Standard Features
While 2-door and 4-door options are available for the 2021 Bronco, standard features vary based on the design. For the rear liftgate it is a manual and swing-open gate with glass. The soft top on the 4-door is standard, but the hardtop on the 2-door is standard. The top and doors are removable, and an interesting choice by Ford is that the doors are able to be stored inside of the Bronco (a clear win over the Wrangler, where you’ll have to leave your doors at home if you don’t want them on during the drive). A feature that Ford is proud of is the heated side mirrors, which are mounted to the vehicle rather than the doors. This allows you to remove the doors while still being able to utilize their side mirrors.
The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport is well-equipped for off-roading, even in its base package. Bash plates are included on the front and undercarriage to allow drivers to take their Bronco’s off the beaten path. If you were to find yourself in need of a tow, the 2021 Bronco Sport will have 2 tow hooks on the front and one on the back to rescue any Wranglers you see along the way. Was that a dig? We all know that it’s not the first or last that Wrangler will endure after hearing the news that the Bronco is back.
In regards to the interior, Ford has been kind enough to grace us with a spattering of quality of life features in the standard package. This includes remote, keyless access with push-button start, as well as pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking. The pre-collision assist alerts drivers when they are approaching a vehicle that is driving slower than the Bronco user. This will eventually initiate automatic braking to prevent accidents.
It is worth noting that the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport also includes its Terrain Management System (TMS) with seven G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Terrain) modes. Typically, this has only been available on Ford Raptors or other off-road vehicles, but Ford has begun to apply this system to its trucks and other vehicles. This system attempts to account for 8 conditions or driving styles that you’d expect to encounter or utilize on the road: normal, eco, sport, slippery, sand, Baja, mud/ruts, rock crawl.
Although it is less flashy than some of the other features, the 2021 Bronco Sport does not slack in terms of security. It includes a multitude of security features with the base model, including trailer sway control, headlamp LED’s and roll stability control, in case you find yourself on slick side roads or taking a turn a bit too fast. That being said, we are sure that our readers are all safe drivers.
Upscale Features
Ford allows for some interesting upscale features to enhance the Bronco experience. Notably, the 2.0L EcoBoost Engine is the upscale feature that most drivers will be looking for to get a stronger performance from the vehicle, but there are other features to consider as well. In the power and handling department, the Bronco is able to be upgraded with a high-clearance suspension to allow drivers a better off-roading experience.
It’s Time For Adventure
Ford’s decision to reintroduce the Bronco is exciting to enthusiasts across the globe. It is an iconic vehicle that was the catalyst to the off-roading movement and a vehicle that is immediately recognizable to drivers and onlookers alike.
From pop culture to racing history, the Bronco is responsible for many memories and changes to driver’s hopes and expectations of vehicles. It was the first of its kind, and new versions have been missing from the road for over 20 years. The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport means much more than just another car to gaze at; it is an icon that we should all be happy to welcome back to the industry.
