2023 Ford Bronco

The 2.3L EcoBoost turbo I-4 is the volume engine across Base, Big Bend, Black Diamond, Outer Banks, and the new-for-2023 Heritage Edition trims; unchanged from 2021-2022, rated 300 hp on premium fuel (275 hp on regular).

Base 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 peak torque on premium fuel, unchanged since the 2021 launch; the optional 2.7L V6 and Raptor's 3.0L V6 offer substantially more.

Instrumented tests of the unchanged 2021-2023 generation place the volume 2.3L automatic 4x4 in the 7.1–8.4 s range depending on body style and equipment; used midpoint of that range as the representative figure.

The 2.3L EcoBoost is torquey and adequate but shows mild turbo lag and coarseness under load; the 2.7L V6 is noticeably smoother, and reviewers rate the Raptor's 3.0L V6 as the most refined of the lineup.

The standard 10-speed automatic (10R60, shared with F-150/Mustang) shifts crisply and rarely hunts; a 7-speed manual with a crawler gear remains available on 2.3L/2.7L 2-door and 4-door models for enthusiasts (not offered on Raptor).

Nearly all Bronco trims are rated to tow 3,500 lbs regardless of door count or drivetrain when properly equipped; the Raptor's 3.0L V6 raises that to 4,500 lbs, the model-range max.

4x4 with a 2-speed transfer case is standard across the entire Bronco lineup (no 4x2 offered), with Ford's G.O.A.T. Modes terrain management and up to 7 selectable drive modes depending on trim — among the most sophisticated and broadly available 4x4 systems in the segment.

Standard 4x4 delivers 11.6 in of ground clearance; the widely-optioned Sasquatch Package adds 35-inch tires, beadlock-capable wheels, electronic-locking front/rear differentials, and a high-clearance suspension (43.2°/37.2° approach/departure), while the Raptor trim delivers Baja-truck-level off-road hardware (long-travel suspension, Fox live-valve shocks, 37-inch tires, 13.1 in ground clearance).

Three distinct gas engines (2.3L I-4, 2.7L V6, 3.0L high-output V6 on Raptor) cover mainstream and performance needs, but there is no hybrid, PHEV, or EV option anywhere in the 2023 lineup.

Body-on-frame off-roader with a boxy shape, removable doors/roof, and low-rolling-resistance-unfriendly off-road tires keeps combined MPG near the bottom of the SUV band even on the base 2.3L four-cylinder.

Full-time 4WD hardware, tall stance, and knobby all-terrain 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 on regular unleaded, EPA methodology yields roughly $2,750/yr in fuel cost — near the high end 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 performance-oriented 3.0L Raptor engine benefits from premium but doesn't require it.

The 4-door Bronco's body-on-frame chassis and high center of gravity have carried a 4-star NHTSA overall rating with a 3-star rollover-risk sub-score since this generation launched for MY2021, with no retest specific to 2023.

The 2023 Bronco did not earn IIHS Top Safety Pick: Good ratings in the original moderate-overlap front, side, roof-strength, and head-restraint tests, but Marginal results in pedestrian front crash prevention and Marginal-rated headlights (on both available lighting setups) kept it out of award contention.

Standard equipment on the 2023 Bronco is limited to Pre-Collision Assist with automatic emergency braking and auto high beams; blind-spot monitoring (BLIS) is unavailable on the Base trim entirely and only offered from the Mid package up, while adaptive cruise control is gated to the Lux package on Outer Banks/Badlands/Wildtrak trims only.

IIHS front crash prevention testing for this generation rated pedestrian AEB performance Marginal, offsetting the fact that basic vehicle-to-vehicle AEB is standard equipment.

BLIS blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is available on most trims once the Mid package is added, but it is absent on Base and is alert-only with no automatic braking intervention in this model year.

The optional Lane-Keeping System provides basic steering nudges toward the lane center rather than true lane centering, and is not standard on any trim; no instrumented review of 2023 lane-keeping smoothness was found.

Adaptive cruise control is bundled only in the Lux package, itself restricted to the Outer Banks, Badlands, and Wildtrak trims, and there is no combined highway-assist/lane-centering feature paired with it this model year.

BlueCruise hands-free highway driving was not offered on the Bronco in 2023; forum and Ford technology reporting place its eventual Bronco rollout in later model years.

IIHS testing found the standard LED low beams gave fair visibility only on straightaways and inadequate visibility in all four curve tests, earning a Marginal rating; the available alternate headlight setup also fell short of a Good rating.

The Bronco's upright, boxy greenhouse and large glass area give strong natural sightlines typical of this generation, a consistent strength noted by reviewers since launch.

LATCH lower anchors are present but recessed into the seat bight and take extra effort to connect, and fixed rear head restraints can push convertible/booster seats off the seatback — workable but not effortless, consistent with this generation's rear-seat packaging.

The 4-door is the volume configuration and seats five across two rows; the 2-door seats four. No third row is offered on either body style.

Boxy roofline gives above-average front headroom for the SUV band on the volume hardtop; soft-top models gain another 2.5 in.

Front legroom is well above the SUV band midpoint, reflecting the Bronco's roomy front footwell; consistent across roof options.

Boxy roofline yields class-leading second-row headroom, at the top of the SUV band on the volume hardtop.

Second-row legroom is mid-pack for the SUV band on the 4-door.

No third row is offered on any 2023 Bronco configuration — Ford prioritized off-road geometry 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.

Rubberized, hose-out flooring with front and rear drain plugs, a locking center console, and removable rear carpet are practical off-road-oriented touches, but there's no standout innovation like a giga console or in-bed trunk.

Front seats are nicely cushioned and supportive with two-way lumbar adjustment; cloth seats on base trims are basic but comfortable, with leather-trimmed heated seats on Outer Banks/Wildtrak improving comfort further. Not widely criticized, but not a segment standout.

Truck-based body-on-frame construction gives a firmer, bouncier unladen ride than unibody SUVs, but independent front suspension keeps it composed; Consumer Reports rated it a better daily driver than the solid-axle Wrangler.

A major, recurring criticism: significant tire, wind, and engine noise at highway speed, with wind noise becoming pronounced above 50 mph; the removable hardtop lets in wind noise at nearly all speeds.

Heated front seats come standard on Outer Banks and are optional on Big Bend/Badlands/Wildtrak; a heated steering wheel is available on Outer Banks, Wildtrak, and Badlands via package. No ventilated seats or remote pre-conditioning are offered in 2023, keeping the lineup behind segment leaders.

Entry 2-door Base trim starts at $34,895 MSRP plus Ford's $1,795 destination charge for the 2023 model year.

Big Bend is the best-selling 2023 trim per Edmunds, starting at $38,880 plus destination for the 4-door; typical buyers add packages (Mid Package, upgraded tires) pushing the transaction price toward the low $42k range.

Edmunds' True Cost to Own model places the 2023 Bronco near the top of the SUV cost band, consistent with the model's well-documented early-generation reliability issues and recalls.

The Bronco depreciates well relative to the broader SUV category (iSeeCars pegs category-wide midsize SUV loss at 46.3%, close to the Bronco's 42.6%), aided by strong demand, waitlists, and repeated KBB Best Resale Value Award recognition.

Standard Ford bumper-to-bumper coverage: 3 years or 36,000 miles, matching most mainstream competitors but trailing Hyundai/Kia's 5-year basic coverage.

Standard Ford powertrain coverage: 5 years or 60,000 miles, well behind Hyundai/Kia/Mitsubishi's 10-year/100,000-mile programs.

No complimentary scheduled maintenance is included from the factory; buyers get 5-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance and a FordPass Connect trial, but nothing approaching Toyota's ToyotaCare or luxury-brand maintenance programs.

$42,500 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (57.4% retained, or about $24,395) leaves about $18,105 in depreciation. Add the projected $8,469 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $26,574 in total.

Consumer Reports' owner-survey data for the Bronco generation (drawing on 2021-2023 model years) consistently frames the Bronco as less reliable than the average new vehicle, with in-car electronics, cameras/sensors, and body hardware as recurring trouble spots. Third-party aggregation of NHTSA/complaint data puts the 2023 model specifically at 50/100 (mixed reliability), an improvement over the rocky 2021-2022 launch years but still below segment norms.

Ford ranked 22nd of 30 brands in Consumer Reports' 2023 annual reliability survey with a brand score of 40/100, continuing a multi-year below-average run (18th of 28 in 2021, 18th of 24 in 2022). This was before Ford's 2024-2026 quality turnaround, so the brand's standing at the time of the 2023 Bronco was clearly bottom-third rather than mid-pack.

The 2023 model year carries a heavy recall load for a vehicle only in its third year of production, including a serious steering-gear defect on Wildtrak models built Aug 2022-Mar 2023 that could cause increased steering effort or lockup, a loose front-seat height-adjust pivot bolt (163K+ units, 2021-2023), a child-safety-lock defect allowing rear doors to open with the lock engaged (2023-2025), and the long-running APIM overheating issue that kills the rearview camera (2021-2026). Aggregated recall trackers list 27 total recalls for the 2023 model year alone, a systemic pattern rather than isolated issues.

Both available EcoBoost engines carried documented low-mileage failure patterns into 2023: the 2.7L V6's oil-pan/oil-pickup design allowed valve and bearing damage under spirited driving (concentrated in 2021-2022 builds, with reporting noting 'the verdict is still out' on whether 2023 production fixes resolved it), and the 2.3L four-cylinder was prone to coolant intrusion and oil-galley-plug leaks leading to seizing at low mileage across the generation. No clean-sheet redesign occurred for 2023, so the underlying risk carried over even as running changes were applied.

Reviewers of the 2023 Bronco frequently described cabin materials as feeling cheap for the price, especially in upper trims, with excessive wind/road noise contributing to a perceived below-average overall quality feel. The washable, off-road-oriented surfaces trade some perceived richness for ruggedness, which reviewers acknowledged as an intentional design choice rather than a defect.

Contemporary reviews flagged multiple exterior fit-and-finish flaws alongside cabin noise complaints, consistent with Ford's initial-quality standing at the time — J.D. Power's 2023 Initial Quality Study ranked Ford 15th among mainstream brands, well before its 2024-2026 turnaround. This points to inconsistent assembly quality rather than a tight, well-sorted build for this model year.

Ford's dealer network was already one of the largest in the US in 2023 (~3,000 dealers), giving broad geographic access to service, but service satisfaction was middling given the brand's below-average reliability standing and high recall volume of the era straining service departments.

By 2023 the Bronco had already spawned a large off-road aftermarket (bumpers, armor, lift kits, body panels) keeping modification and wear-item parts broadly available, though Ford's brand-wide repair costs run above industry average and the newer platform meant some OEM parts (e.g. recall-related components) saw supply constraints.

Unchanged from the 2021 launch generation: 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-2023 Heritage Edition/Heritage Limited Edition, 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 for the 2023 model 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 2023.

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 Raptor, available on Badlands/Wildtrak/Outer Banks) is a genuine step up but not offered fleet-wide, and 2023 carries the same lineup as 2022.

Bronco intentionally keeps analog-style gauges with a small central TFT display rather than a full configurable digital cluster through 2023, 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 2023.

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 2023.

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 Raptor.

Ford does not offer a head-up display on any 2023 Bronco trim.

4-door 2023 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 worse still.

IIHS rated the Bronco's structure Good across moderate-overlap, small-overlap, and side-impact tests (based on the 2021 test applicable through 2025), and Ford Co-Pilot360 (AEB, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, cross-traffic alert) is standard on all 2023 trims, but adaptive cruise control (Co-Pilot360 Assist+) is a paid option on most trims and NHTSA has not published a full overall crash-test rating for this generation, keeping it short of segment-leading family safety credentials.

4-door rear seat has usable legroom for adults on shorter trips, 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 standard 2.3L turbo-4 with 10-speed automatic (7-speed manual optional on mid trims) makes stop-and-go traffic manageable, but body-on-frame steering feel, wide off-road tires, and a high seating/step-in position add fatigue relative to crossover rivals in daily commuting.

EPA rates the base 2.3L 4-door at 20/22/21 MPG city/hwy/combined, dropping to roughly 17-18 MPG combined on Sasquatch (35-inch tire) and 2.7L V6 configurations, and further to ~15 MPG combined on the Raptor — trailing most compact/mid-size SUV rivals by several MPG and making per-mile running costs above average 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 parking sensors help offset the bulk.

Non-Raptor 2023 Bronco tows up to 3,500 lbs with the optional Ford tow package (4,500 lbs on the Raptor), with payload in the roughly 1,000-1,200 lb range depending on trim — solid for light-duty work and trailering but well short of a truck or full-size SUV's capacity, and there is no bed for pure hauling.

Body-on-frame construction and available locking differentials support a solid durability case, but the redesigned platform is only in its third model year with some owner-reported early build-quality issues (electrical gremlins, hardtop panel fit) still working through service bulletins, so it remains unproven versus decades-long fleet workhorses.

Factory auxiliary switch bank, modular front/rear bumpers, and roof rack/rock-rail options support light upfitting, and the Ford Performance/aftermarket accessory ecosystem was already well established by 2023, though the lack of a bed limits pure jobsite hauling versus a pickup.

Standard Co-Pilot360 driver aids help on the highway, but ~20-21 MPG combined shortens range between fill-ups and the soft-top/removable-door design adds noticeable wind noise at speed, offsetting otherwise comfortable seats.

The Bronco's core mission: removable doors and roof, 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 2023.

Roughly 77 cu ft of cargo volume with the rear seats folded (4-door), removable doors/roof for open-air gear loading, and standard roof rails/rack-ready design give it excellent gear-hauling flexibility, backed by a broad factory and aftermarket accessory ecosystem.

Body-on-frame off-roader with an independent front suspension and solid rear axle; Edmunds found off-road-first SUVs aren't usually known for driving dynamics, but the Bronco is 'a bit better than average' with controlled body roll and a planted feel through corners, ahead of the live-axle Wrangler.

The independent front suspension gives the Bronco weighted, stable steering at freeway speeds that reviewers single out as a genuine strength versus the vaguer, truck-like feel typical of solid-axle rivals like the Wrangler.

Instrumented 60-0 mph panic stop of 146 ft on a Sasquatch-package test unit is long — heavy-duty-pickup territory — and less aggressive-tire Broncos stopped only about 10 ft shorter, still longer than Edmunds would like; pedal feel itself was not faulted.

Volume-trim 2.3L EcoBoost I4 paired with the 10-speed automatic (or 7-speed manual) delivers adequate, unobjectionable response for daily driving but lacks the low-end torque retune later applied to the model; the optional 2.7L V6 is notably smoother and stronger through the rev range.

Base 2.3L four-cylinder is generally quiet and smooth without feeling strained at higher revs, though some owners report noticeable vibration under certain conditions; the optional V6 is quieter at cruise and smoother at idle, implying the standard four is acceptable but not class-leading.

First-generation (2021-on) Bronco chassis and steering architecture carried over unchanged into 2023; volume-trim turning diameter with standard 32-inch tires is tight for the segment, widening with larger off-road tire packages.

Upright seating with strong outward visibility and a large, clear rearview camera display; seats offer better support and adjustability than the Wrangler, though at least one reviewer noted the dashboard can interfere with the driver's right knee.

Removable roof and doors turn the Bronco into a 'street-legal trail toy,' and reviewers describe it as more settled and precise than the Wrangler at normal speeds; the available 7-speed manual on 2.3L trims (including the new-for-2023 Heritage Edition) adds enthusiast engagement.

Base 2023 Bronco ($34,890) pairs a 300-hp 2.3L EcoBoost I4 with standard forward-collision warning, AEB with pedestrian detection, hill-start assist, hill-descent control, and an 8-inch touchscreen — noticeably more content at the entry price than the Wrangler Sport, which omits keyless entry and A/C convenience items at its base price point.

Solid content-per-dollar across the range — capable off-road hardware (G.O.A.T. modes, available Sasquatch package) and strong daily-drivability at competitive prices, though the range stretches to $69,195 (Heritage Limited) and $86,080 (Raptor), diluting the bargain feel at the top.

Ten distinct trims for 2023 (Base, Big Bend, Black Diamond, Outer Banks, Heritage, Badlands, Everglades, Wildtrak, Heritage Limited, Raptor) spanning $34,890–$86,080, with 2-door/4-door body styles and a choice of 7-speed manual or 10-speed automatic — one of the widest, best-spaced lineups in the segment.

Ford sold 105,665 Broncos in calendar 2023, a strong volume for a niche off-roader and a solid #2 behind the Wrangler's 156,581, with Q1 2023 up 37.6% year-over-year; momentum cooled sharply by Q4 (down 54% to 14,197 units) as backlog demand was worked through.

The revived Bronco nameplate carries a strong enthusiast halo and cult-like following (Bronco6G forums, dedicated owner clubs), reinforced by its 2021 MotorTrend SUV of the Year and NACTOY Utility Vehicle of the Year wins that still color 2023 model perception.

For most of the 2023 model year, Bronco demand still outstripped supply — dealer markups of $10,000–$20,000 over MSRP were common in the preceding years and persisted into early 2023 — with only modest factory incentives (2.9% APR, ~$1,500 customer cash) appearing late in the model year; real buyer-friendly discounting didn't arrive until the 2024 selling season.

The sixth-generation Bronco launched for MY2021, making 2023 its third model year on a current platform — still fresh, with the highest-profile addition (Raptor, added MY2022, and Everglades, added MY2022) keeping the lineup current with no redesign imminent.

Consistently well-reviewed by major outlets — Car and Driver praised its off-road capability and comfortable interior, and Consumer Reports rated the Bronco a better on-road daily driver than the Wrangler with superior handling and ride, backed by the model's 2021 MotorTrend SUV of the Year and NACTOY awards.