It was a big deal when Ford brought back the Bronco.
Now it’s just showing off with the 2021 Bronco two-door advanced 4×4 Badlands Series with Sasquatch package.
I was lucky enough to test drive this beast during our snowstorm and its aftermath at the end of the year. Snow and ice are no match for the Bronco.
Cutting new trails in the snow? Not a problem. Cruising through compact snow and ice? Cake. Slush? Don’t make me laugh.
Powered by a 2.7-liter, V6, race-bred Ecoboost engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Bronco delivers an optimal combination of power, torque and rear ranges to perform in a wide variety of terrains and uses. The combination generates 315 horsepower and 410 lb.-ft. torque, the most horsepower and torque in its class.
Two 4×4 systems are offered – a base two-speed electronic shift-on-the-fly transfer case, and an optional advanced system that features a two-speed electromechanical transfer case with an auto mode for on-demand engagement to select between 2H and 4H.My tester included the latter.
You can squeeze five adults into the Bronco, but four is optimal. Passengers had best be prepared for a stretch climbing aboard. I was only able to average in the mid-teen’s when measuring gas mileage, and the Bronco’s range is under 300 miles. But ask me if I cared.
Standard Badlands Series trim includes a terrain management system with seven G.O.A.T (Go On Any Terrain) modes including rock crawl, 17-inch machined-face aluminum wheels, upgraded suspension with front stabilizer bar disconnect, heavy-duty modular front bumper, rubberized flooring with drain plugs and Marine-grade vinyl seats.
The seven driver-selectable modes include Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery and Sand, with Baja, Mud/Ruts and Rock Crawl for off-road driving.
Checking the Sasquatch box adds class-first 35-inch Goodyear mud-terrain tires mounted to 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, Dana front and rear electronic locking axles with 4.7:1 final drive ratio, and high-clearance suspension with a nearly two-inch wider track, and wider fender flares. The package also adds HOSS-tuned, long-travel Bilstein position-sensitive dampers with end-stop control valves with increased ride height to help improve ground clearance.
I was stopped more times during this week than any time I can remember this year, with the exception of the McLaren GT. The Bronco Badlands Sasquatch commands attention – so be prepared.
Every Bronco comes with class-exclusive frameless doors that make them easier to remove than what competitors offer. Mine also included a pop off roof. On four-door Bronco models, all four doors can be stored onboard with available protective door bags. Class-exclusive cowl-mounted mirrors maintain sideview visibility when the doors are removed. Trail sights on the front fenders also serve as tie-downs, reminiscent of the first-generation Bronco, and have a 150-pound capacity for securing longer items like canoes.
And the Bronco can be civilized. Creature comforts included push-button start, rearview camera, heated front seats and steering wheels, dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, Bang & Olufson audio system, built-in navigation, and more.
Safety features almost seem redundant to what has already been written. But… this SUV comes equipped with a perimeter alarm, trailer sway control, and AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control on all trim levels.
Do yourself a favor. Test drive this beast and start saving your money. The Bronco Badlands Sasquatch is worth every penny.
Base Price: $43,590
Price As Driven: $56,150
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