2022 Ford Bronco

Standard 2.3L EcoBoost I4 across the 2022 Bronco lineup is rated 300 hp on premium fuel (275 hp regular); the 2.7L V6 upgrade (Badlands, Wildtrak, Outer Banks, First Edition) adds 330 hp.

2.3L EcoBoost I4 peak torque is 325 lb-ft on premium fuel (315 lb-ft regular); the optional 2.7L V6 raises this to 415 lb-ft.

Independent instrumented tests of the base 2.3L four-cylinder Bronco cluster around 7.0-7.5 seconds to 60 mph; heavier Sasquatch-package trucks with 35-inch tires run slightly slower.

The 2.3L turbo four is torquey around town but exhibits mild turbo lag and coarseness under hard throttle; reviewers rate it adequate rather than refined, with the 2.7L V6 offering noticeably smoother, stronger delivery.

The available 10-speed automatic (shared with F-150/Ranger) shifts smoothly and decisively; the standard 7-speed manual (with a crawler first gear) is a novelty but has a notchy, low-effort feel reviewers found less satisfying than rivals' manuals.

Ford rates every 2022 Bronco configuration, regardless of engine choice, at 3,500 lbs maximum conventional towing when properly equipped.

4x4 is standard on every 2022 Bronco trim (no 2WD offered) with a sophisticated Terrain Management System offering up to 7 G.O.A.T. drive modes and electronic-locking front/rear differentials on Badlands, Wildtrak, and Sasquatch-equipped trucks.

The Bronco was engineered from the ground up as a genuine off-roader: available Sasquatch package brings 35-inch tires, front/rear locking Dana axles, a disconnecting front sway bar, and up to 11.6 in of ground clearance with 43.2°/37.2° approach/departure angles, rivaling the Wrangler Rubicon.

2022 Bronco offers only two gasoline engines (2.3L turbo I4, 2.7L twin-turbo V6) with no hybrid, PHEV, or EV variant available, a narrower lineup than several segment rivals already offering electrified options.

Body-on-frame off-roader with a boxy shape, removable doors/roof, and off-road tires keeps combined MPG near the bottom of the SUV band even on the base 2.3L four-cylinder; the Raptor's 2.7L twin-turbo V6 is markedly worse.

Full-time 4WD hardware, tall stance, and off-road tires make stop-and-go city driving the Bronco's weakest efficiency environment.

Brick-like aerodynamics and off-road tire tread keep highway cruising economy low relative to unibody crossover rivals in the SUV band.

The 4-door's larger 20.8-gallon fuel tank offsets its low MPG, delivering roughly mid-pack cruising range for the SUV segment; the 2-door's smaller 16.9-gallon tank trims range further.

At 21 MPG combined and 15,000 mi/yr under EPA's MY2022 regular-gas price assumption (elevated due to 2022's fuel price spike), estimated annual fuel cost lands near the top of the SUV band, reflecting the Bronco's off-road-focused, aerodynamically inefficient shape.

The volume 2.3L and optional 2.7L engines both run on regular 87-octane unleaded with no premium requirement, keeping per-fill cost low; the mid-year Raptor's 3.0L engine benefits from premium but doesn't require it.

NHTSA's test of the newly-launched Bronco generation (2-door AWD and 4-door configurations) returned an overall rating of 4 stars, with a 3-star rollover-risk sub-score reflecting the body-on-frame, high-ground-clearance platform.

The 2022 Bronco 4-door earned Good ratings in small overlap front, side, roof strength, and seatbelt reminders, but a Marginal rating in the updated moderate-overlap front test (elevated rear-occupant chest injury risk) and Marginal headlights kept it from any IIHS award; head restraints/seat ratings also fell short of top marks.

Standard Co-Pilot360 on every 2022 Bronco trim covers forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, forward AEB, LED headlights with auto high beams, and a rearview camera, but blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping, and adaptive cruise control are all optional and limited to Big Bend, Black Diamond, and Outer Banks trims — a materially narrower standard suite than later model years.

IIHS rated the Bronco's front crash prevention Superior/Advanced in the vehicle-to-vehicle test, but the pedestrian front crash prevention test came back Marginal — one of the factors, along with headlights, that denied it a Top Safety Pick award.

Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are not standard on the base or Big Bend trims at launch — they're bundled into an available package on Big Bend/Black Diamond and standard only on Outer Banks — leaving lower and mid trims to rely on Ford's small convex mirror inserts rather than an active system.

Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist is an optional add-on rather than standard equipment at this early point in the generation's lifecycle, and no instrumented review of the 2022 model's centering smoothness was found; owner forum threads describe it as a secondary, less-refined feature relative to Ford's car-based platforms.

Adaptive cruise control is available only as an add-on on the range-topping Outer Banks trim in 2022, not standard or broadly available, and the Bronco's off-road-oriented chassis and tire packages make highway refinement secondary to the vehicle's mission.

BlueCruise hands-free highway driving is not offered on the Bronco lineup in 2022 (it launched on Mustang Mach-E and later F-150/Expedition/Explorer), leaving no hands-free option at any trim level.

IIHS tested both of the Bronco's available headlight systems in 2022 and rated each Marginal, finding the low beams didn't illuminate the road far enough ahead on curves — a key factor that kept the vehicle from a Top Safety Pick award.

The Bronco's upright, boxy greenhouse and tall seating position give good forward and side sightlines typical of body-on-frame SUVs of this shape, though the standard rearview camera (not yet the large split-view unit of later model years) is the primary compensation for thicker rear structure and spare-tire obstruction on 4-door models.

The 4-door Bronco (the more family-relevant configuration) offers workable LATCH anchor access, but rear door openings and rear-seat space are tighter than typical mid-size SUVs given the Bronco's off-road-focused packaging, and the 2-door body style is notably harder to fit child seats into.

The 4-door is the volume configuration and seats five across two rows; the 2-door seats four. No third row is offered for 2022.

Boxy roofline gives above-average front headroom for the SUV band on the 4-door.

Front legroom is well above the SUV band midpoint, reflecting the Bronco's roomy front footwell.

Boxy roofline yields class-leading second-row headroom, near the top of the SUV band.

Second-row legroom is mid-pack for the SUV band on the 4-door; the 2-door has minimal usable rear legroom for adults.

No third row is offered on any 2022 Bronco configuration — Ford prioritized off-road geometry and simplicity over passenger capacity to compete with the Wrangler.

Behind-rear-seat cargo is modest against the SUV band — boxy proportions and a swing gate limit floor length versus larger unibody rivals.

Max cargo is mid-pack against the SUV band with rear seats folded.

Available rubberized, hose-out flooring with front and rear drain plugs (standard on Black Diamond/Badlands), a locking center console, and washable marine-grade vinyl seats on off-road trims are practical touches, but there's no standout innovation like a giga console or in-bed trunk.

Front seats offer good support and enough adjustment to reduce fatigue on long drives, but reviewers note the rear seats are less comfortable and cloth base seats are firm; not a segment standout.

Truck-based construction and independent front suspension give a firmer, occasionally bouncy highway ride versus car-based SUVs, though it's more composed than the solid-front-axle Wrangler; not enough to detract from the overall driving experience per reviewers.

Removable hardtop seams, aggressive off-road tires, and a boxy shape produce significant wind and road noise at highway speed, a consistent complaint across 2022 reviews; some rattles/vibration reported off-road.

Base trims get single-zone manual climate control; heated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate arrive via the Mid package on Big Bend and up, standard on Outer Banks, while a heated steering wheel requires the Lux package on upper trims — richer equipment exists but isn't broadly standard.

2022 Bronco Base 2-door started at $32,295 including destination — the debut model-year lineup priced well below where the nameplate would climb by later model years.

Outer Banks 4-door was among the best-selling 2022 configurations; the launch-year lineup spanned Base $32,295 and Big Bend $36,780 up through Outer Banks $42,350 and Wildtrak/Badlands above that, plus the range-topping Raptor.

CarEdge projects sixth-generation Bronco maintenance and repair spend well below the SUV norm, at roughly $646/yr average, unchanged across early model years.

Estimates diverge sharply for this launch-year unit — KBB's actual market data shows a steep 56% depreciation (44% retained) just 3 years in as of early 2025, likely reflecting the unwind of pandemic-era dealer markups on original transaction prices, while iSeeCars' generic model page shows a stronger 42.6% depreciation (57.4% retained); a 5-year figure is projected lower than the 3-year KBB reading.

Ford's standard 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty applied at launch and remains the low end of the mainstream segment, well behind Hyundai/Kia's 5-year coverage.

5-year/60,000-mile powertrain coverage was standard Ford issue at launch and remains the shortest in-segment relative to rivals offering 7–10 year powertrain warranties.

No factory-included scheduled maintenance plan, but FordPass Rewards (42,000 points at delivery for gas engines, roughly covering the first three services — some early 2022 reservation holders received a further 20,000-point delay-compensation bonus) plus 5-year/60,000-mile complimentary Ford Roadside Assistance provide a modest offset versus rivals with true multi-year included maintenance.

$42,350 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (45% retained, or about $19,058) leaves about $23,293 in depreciation. Add the projected $3,230 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $26,523 in total.

Consumer Reports gave the 2022 Ford Bronco a predicted reliability score of just 30/100, one of the worst ratings in the class during the model's troubled second production year, driven by widespread engine, in-car electronics, and body hardware complaints tied to the 2.3L/2.7L EcoBoost issues and hardtop defects.

Ford's two major reliability studies sent conflicting signals in this era: Consumer Reports ranked Ford 18th of 24 brands in its 2022 survey (below average, the lowest-ranked brand still considered 'average'), while J.D. Power's 2022 Vehicle Dependability Study placed Ford above the industry average at 188 problems per 100 vehicles (16th of all brands). The split evidence points to a mid-pack, inconsistent track record rather than a clear leader or laggard.

The first two Bronco model years generated an unusually severe recall record: a mass hardtop roof-panel recall/replacement program after widespread cracking, delamination, and water intrusion; a 2.7L V6 EcoBoost engine-failure recall covering roughly 25,538 SUVs built May-October 2021 (spanning into 2022 model-year production); fender flare detachment; rear shock absorber/suspension corrosion on Badlands/Sasquatch models; and an engine-compartment wiring harness fire risk. RepairPal lists 33 known recall campaigns tied to the 2022 model year alone — a systemic pattern, not isolated incidents.

Both engines available on the 2022 Bronco had documented low-mileage failure patterns during this period: the 2.7L EcoBoost V6 suffered valve-supplier and oil-pickup design defects causing total engine failures, prompting Ford's engine-testing/replacement recall, while the 2.3L EcoBoost showed coolant leaking into cylinders, overheating, and seizing/knocking at low mileage. Neither powertrain had an established durability track record yet, and both showed active red flags in this window.

Reviewers found the cabin dominated by hard, washable plastics with drain plugs in the floor — a deliberate off-road-durability choice — but widely criticized the material quality as feeling cheap given a well-equipped Bronco's price could exceed $58,000, with more visible hard plastic than in far less expensive vehicles.

The Bronco's first two model years were marked by well-documented assembly and quality-control problems still working through the line in 2022: hardtop panels with cracking, delamination, and paint lifting; water leaks and headliner separation; and soft-top ripping/durability complaints. Structural/build-quality defects accounted for roughly 25 of 204 total complaints filed for the immediately preceding model year, reflecting inconsistent initial quality during ramp-up.

Ford operates one of the largest dealer and service networks in the US (~3,000 dealers), giving Bronco owners broad service accessibility nationwide, though service satisfaction surveys of the era placed the brand in the middle of the pack rather than among leaders.

RepairPal estimates a Bronco's average annual maintenance cost at $502, roughly in line with segment norms, and the model quickly spawned one of the largest off-road aftermarket ecosystems in the industry (bumpers, armor, lift kits, replacement body panels). This is offset by heavy demand on dealer parts and service capacity from the era's high recall and warranty-repair volume.

Unchanged from the 2021 launch: the two entry trims (Base, Big Bend) run an 8-inch SYNC display while Black Diamond and every trim above it — including the new-for-2022 Everglades and Raptor — get the 12-inch portrait SYNC 4 unit.

SYNC 4 (on the 12-inch-equipped trims) is consistently praised by reviewers as fast and logically laid out, and even the base 8-inch system keeps physical climate/volume knobs — no change from the 2021 launch year.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have been standard across the entire Bronco lineup since the 2021 launch, including the base 8-inch screen, and continue unchanged for 2022.

SYNC/SYNC 4 voice recognition handles basic commands adequately but isn't conversational, and connected navigation (standard with the 12-inch screen, optional with the 8-inch) lags class leaders; most owners default to CarPlay/Android Auto maps.

Base audio is adequate; the 10-speaker B&O premium system (standard on the new-for-2022 Raptor, available on Badlands/Wildtrak/Outer Banks) is a genuine step up but not offered fleet-wide.

Bronco intentionally keeps analog-style gauges with a small central TFT display rather than a full configurable digital cluster in 2022, prioritizing an old-school off-roader feel over screen tech (the full digital cluster didn't arrive until MY2025).

SYNC 4 supports over-the-air software and map updates ('Power-Up'), but Bronco lacks the whole-vehicle OTA scope of GM/Tesla/Rivian platforms; unchanged for 2022.

FordPass covers remote start, lock/unlock, and vehicle locate with a free tier, but reviewers frequently note connectivity hiccups and a less polished experience than rival apps.

USB-A/USB-C ports front and rear plus an available 400W household AC outlet — useful for camping/adventure use — with no wireless charging pad offered on this generation.

Standard exterior SecuriCode keypad (a signature Ford touch) plus available proximity keyless entry and remote start cover the convenience basics well, unchanged for 2022.

Rear camera is standard, with a 360-degree camera system (useful for trail spotting as well as parking) available on Badlands, Wildtrak, Outer Banks, and the new-for-2022 Raptor.

Ford does not offer a head-up display on any 2022 Bronco trim.

4-door 2022 Bronco has real rear doors and LATCH anchors, but the high step-in height, body-on-frame ride, and boxy-but-narrow rear door openings make everyday car-seat loading more of a chore than in a crossover; 2-door models are considerably worse for this use case.

NHTSA did not complete a full frontal/side crash test of the 2022 Bronco (only rollover ratings: 3-star 2-door, 4-star 4-door), and IIHS withheld Top Safety Pick honors after Marginal-rated headlights and only Acceptable head-restraint/whiplash protection despite Good marks in five of six crashworthiness tests; standard Co-Pilot360 covers forward AEB with pedestrian detection and a rearview camera, but blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise, and rear cross-traffic alert are optional and unavailable on the base/Big Bend trim.

4-door rear seat offers usable adult legroom, but the standard soft top (wind/road noise), firmer off-road-tuned suspension on Sasquatch-equipped trims, and modest sound insulation make multi-hour family trips noisier and less plush than typical family SUVs.

The available 10-speed automatic and 2.3L turbo-4 make stop-and-go traffic manageable, but the standard 7-speed manual's low-effort/notchy feel, numb on-center steering, wide off-road tires, and high seating position add fatigue relative to crossover rivals in daily commuting.

EPA-rated combined fuel economy ranges from about 17 MPG (2.7L V6/Sasquatch) to 21 MPG (2.3L 4-door automatic), trailing most compact/mid-size SUV rivals by 5-10 MPG and making per-mile running costs high for the segment.

4-door Bronco's footprint and wide fender flares/off-road tires make it noticeably harder to place in tight parking than a compact crossover, though a standard backup camera and available front/rear parking sensors (Outer Banks and above) help offset the bulk.

Every 2022 trim tows up to 3,500 lbs with payload roughly 1,100-1,500 lbs depending on configuration — solid for light-duty work and trailering but well short of a truck or full-size SUV's capacity, and there's no bed for hauling loose cargo.

Body-on-frame construction and available locking differentials support the concept, but as only the second model year the Bronco carries no long-term fleet track record and faced real early-build-quality issues — an intake-valve failure risk on 2021-2023 2.7L engines, coolant/water-pump leaks, a low-pressure fuel pump recall, and a front lower control arm ball-joint recall tied to assembly-plant errors.

Ford Performance and dealer accessory catalogs already offered modular front/rear bumpers, roof racks, rock rails, and an auxiliary switch bank in the Bronco's first full model year, though the third-party upfit ecosystem was still less mature than it would become in later years, and the lack of a bed limits pure jobsite hauling versus a pickup.

Modest 17-21 MPG combined fuel economy shortens range between fill-ups and the standard soft-top/removable-door design adds highway wind noise, offsetting comfortable seats and available adaptive cruise on higher trims.

The Bronco's core mission from launch: removable doors and roof on every trim, available Sasquatch package (35-inch tires, front/rear locking differentials, disconnecting front sway bar), high ground clearance, and water-fording capability make it a genuine segment-leading off-road adventure vehicle in its first full model year.

Up to 77.6 cu ft (hardtop) or 83 cu ft (soft top) with rear seats folded, removable doors/roof for open-air gear loading, and roof-rack-ready design give the 4-door 2022 Bronco excellent gear-hauling flexibility.

Body-on-frame off-roader with independent front suspension and a coil-sprung solid rear axle (HOSS system); reviewers found the Wildtrak/Sasquatch-equipped Bronco 'totally manageable' through corners and 'not floaty' despite its off-road-biased chassis, ahead of the live-axle Wrangler but short of car-based crossovers.

Multiple 2022 reviews single out the steering as a strength for the class — tracks straight on the highway with none of the on-center vagueness typical of body-on-frame SUVs, a direct result of the independent front suspension versus the Wrangler's solid front axle.

Edmunds' instrumented 60-0 mph panic stop on a Sasquatch-package Bronco (35-inch all-terrain tires) measured 146 ft, heavy-duty-truck territory; Broncos with the smaller stock tires stopped only about 10 ft shorter. Pedal feel is firm and predictable, keeping it out of the bottom tier despite the long raw distance.

Both the standard 2.3L EcoBoost I4 and optional 2.7L EcoBoost V6 pair with a quick-shifting 10-speed automatic and deliver sufficient, smooth power for daily driving, but early-build 2.3L engines were widely reported to exhibit rough, diesel-like fuel-pump/injector clatter for the first few minutes after a cold start — a real refinement ding on the volume powertrain.

Volume-trim 2.3L four-cylinder is audible under load and notably noisy at cold start/idle, described by owners as sounding like an older diesel due to fuel-pump and injector chatter; the optional 2.7L V6 is noticeably quieter and smoother, but is not the representative volume engine.

First-generation-refresh (6th-gen) Bronco chassis is unchanged between 2022 and later model years; volume-trim turning diameter with standard 32-inch tires is tight for the segment, widening somewhat with the 35-inch Sasquatch package.

Front seats are supportive with generous seat/wheel adjustment range and large, chunky physical controls; front visibility is strong thanks to big rectangular windows, though rear visibility is only okay and ingress/egress is a chore given the Bronco's ride height and awkwardly angled grab strap.

Removable roof and doors, distinctive retro-inspired character, and a punchy optional V6 that 'makes on-ramps and short merges easier and more fun' add up to strong enthusiast appeal; reviewers explicitly praised its 'genuinely fun' on-road character alongside serious off-road chops.

Base 2022 Bronco started around $30,800 with standard part-time 4WD, Ford Co-Pilot360 driver-assist suite, and a purpose-built interior (rubberized flooring, marine-grade drain plugs) across the range; but the true base trim kept manual windows/locks and a smaller 8-inch SYNC 4 screen, with niceties like the Sasquatch package and Mid/High trim groups costing extra.

Genuine trail capability (available Sasquatch package, locking diffs, disconnecting sway bar) at a mainstream starting price delivered strong nominal content-per-dollar, but chronic 2022 supply shortages meant most buyers paid well above sticker via dealer markups, eroding real-world value versus the advertised MSRP.

Eight 2022 trims (Base, Big Bend, Black Diamond, Outer Banks, Badlands, Wildtrak, new-for-2022 Everglades, and new-for-2022 Raptor) spanning 2-door and 4-door bodies, 7-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmissions, and 2.3L turbo-four, 2.7L V6, or Raptor-exclusive 3.0L twin-turbo V6 powertrains from roughly $31K to $69K.

The Bronco posted 117,057 units for calendar-year 2022 — its best year to date at that point — while eating into Wrangler and 4Runner sales through Q1 (23,573 units vs. Wrangler's 45,551, down 8% YoY); a fast-rising newcomer but still behind Wrangler and constrained by its own production/supply bottlenecks rather than demand.

The newly revived Bronco nameplate generated intense enthusiast demand — reservation waitlists stretching up to two years and persistent dealer markups even as Ford prioritized existing orders over dealer stock — reflecting an aspirational halo effect uncommon for a mainstream Ford product.

Throughout 2022 Ford offered no discount or incentive programs on the Bronco, and demand so outstripped supply that dealer markups over MSRP — reported as high as roughly $10,000 during peak periods — were common; buyers had essentially no negotiating leverage.

2022 was only the second model year of the all-new sixth-generation Bronco (launched for MY2021), riding current platform tech with two additional trims (Everglades, Raptor) added rather than any sign of an aging design — no redesign risk on the horizon.

The Bronco won the 2022 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year award (over the Genesis GV70 and Hyundai Ioniq 5), was named to Car and Driver's 10Best Trucks and SUVs list, and the new Bronco Raptor was named The Drive's Best SUV of 2022; Consumer Reports also rated it a better all-around daily driver than the Jeep Wrangler despite dinging stopping distances and wind noise.