2025 Ford Bronco

The 2.3L EcoBoost turbo I-4 is the standard, volume engine across the 2025 lineup (Base, Big Bend, Outer Banks, Badlands, Heritage Edition, Stroppe Edition), rated 300 hp on premium fuel (275 hp on regular); the 2025 model year is a trim/feature carryover with no powertrain changes from 2024.

Base 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 peak torque on premium fuel for the volume trims; the optional 2.7L V6 and Raptor's 3.0L V6 deliver substantially more.

MotorTrend's instrumented test of a 275 hp 2.3L EcoBoost automatic Bronco recorded 7.3 s to 60 mph, used as the representative figure for the volume powertrain; the V6 and Raptor are meaningfully quicker.

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 (shared with F-150/Mustang) shifts crisply and rarely hunts; a 7-speed manual remains available on 2.3L/2.7L 2-door models for enthusiasts.

Standard 2.3L-equipped Broncos are rated to tow 3,500 lbs regardless of door count; stepping up to the 2.7L V6 or 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 2025 Bronco lineup (no 4x2 offered), with Ford's G.O.A.T. Modes terrain management and multiple 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, front/rear locking differentials, and Bilstein-tuned suspension (43.2°/37° approach/departure), while the Raptor trim delivers Baja-truck-level off-road hardware (long-travel suspension, Fox live-valve shocks, 37-inch tires).

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 2025 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.

NHTSA's 2025 test of the 4-door Bronco 4WD returned a 4-star overall rating, held down by a 3-star rollover-risk sub-score typical of a tall, high-center-of-gravity body-on-frame SUV.

IIHS's 2025 evaluation disqualified the Bronco from Top Safety Pick: Marginal in the updated moderate-overlap front test (elevated rear-occupant chest injury risk), Marginal pedestrian front crash prevention, and Marginal headlights on Base/Heritage trims, despite otherwise Good crashworthiness scores.

Ford Co-Pilot360 (Pre-Collision Assist with pedestrian AEB, forward collision warning, BLIS blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and a lane-keeping system) is standard across every 2025 trim, but adaptive cruise control is reserved for Badlands, Outer Banks, and Raptor (or the Lux Package on lower trims) rather than standard fleet-wide.

IIHS front crash prevention testing rated the Bronco's pedestrian AEB Marginal, criticizing its late reaction to simulated pedestrians under both low and high beams — a recurring weak point despite the system being standard equipment.

BLIS blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is standard across the entire 2025 lineup as part of the base Co-Pilot360 suite, though it remains alert-based rather than adding automatic cross-traffic braking on every trim.

A standard lane-keeping system (departure warning plus corrective steering) is included in base Co-Pilot360, but true lane-centering is bundled with the trim-gated adaptive cruise package rather than standard fleet-wide, and no instrumented review of 2025 centering smoothness was found.

Adaptive cruise control is standard only on Badlands, Outer Banks, and Raptor (or added via the Lux Package on lower trims), leaving it unavailable on the base/Big Bend volume configuration without an option — a meaningfully more restricted rollout than fully-standard rivals.

BlueCruise hands-free highway driving is not offered on any 2025 Bronco trim, unlike Mustang Mach-E, F-150, Explorer, and Expedition in the same model year.

IIHS found the reflector-type LED low beams on Base and Heritage Edition trims Marginal (inadequate illumination on curves and to the left), but the volume Big Bend, Outer Banks, Badlands, Stroppe Edition, and Raptor trims carry different headlight hardware that IIHS rated Good — placing the representative configuration well above the disqualifying Base-trim units.

The Bronco's upright, boxy greenhouse gives good natural sightlines, and reviewers single out its large, crystal-clear rearview camera display as compensating well for the rear roll-bar-heavy structure, consistent across this generation.

LATCH lower anchors are accessible but recessed into the seat bight and take some effort to connect, and the 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 any 2025 Bronco.

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.

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

Second-row legroom is mid-pack for the SUV band on the 4-door; the 2-door has no usable rear legroom for adults.

No third row is offered on any 2025 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.

Cloth seats are firm but supportive on base trims; Outer Banks and Wildtrak add leather-trimmed, heated/ventilated seats with customizable lumbar that improve comfort. Not widely criticized, but not a segment standout either.

Independent front suspension (vs. the Wrangler's solid front axle) gives the Bronco noticeably more composed on-road manners while retaining strong off-road capability; the 4-door rides more composed than the 2-door.

Removable hardtop seams, big off-road tires, and a boxy shape produce significant wind and road noise at highway speed, with reported low-frequency rumble from hardtop panel gaps above 65 mph; Ford added extra sound insulation for 2025 but the cabin remains loud versus rivals.

Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and rear seat air vents are available; ventilated seats and remote start/pre-conditioning appear on upper trims (Outer Banks, Wildtrak), but are not standard across the lineup.

2025 Bronco Base 2-door starts at $38,995 including destination — mid-pack for an off-road-focused SUV, undercutting rivals like the Land Rover Defender and Lexus GX.

Outer Banks is the volume-selling 4-door trim for 2025; lineup spans Base $38,995 and Big Bend $40,420 through Badlands $49,585 and Heritage Edition $51,475 up to Raptor at $79,995.

CarEdge projects roughly $646/yr average maintenance cost, well below the SUV segment norm; other sources (Edmunds, KBB) run higher when repairs are bundled in, so this should be read as a maintenance-only floor estimate.

iSeeCars puts 5-year depreciation at 42.6% (57.4% retained), beating both the midsize SUV average (46.3% depreciation) and the all-SUV average (44.9%), aided by strong off-road/collector demand.

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

5-year/60,000-mile powertrain coverage is standard Ford issue and shorter than rivals offering 7–10 year powertrain warranties.

No factory-included scheduled maintenance plan, but FordPass Rewards points at purchase (roughly covering the first few services) plus 5-year/60,000-mile complimentary Ford Roadside Assistance provide a modest offset versus rivals with true multi-year included maintenance.

$47,940 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (57.4% retained, or about $27,518) leaves about $20,422 in depreciation. Add the projected $3,230 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $23,652 in total.

Consumer Reports predicts about-average reliability for the 2025 Bronco, based on 2022-2023 model-year owner survey data — a middling result rather than a red flag, though CR's later (2026) prediction trends down as more owner data accumulates.

Ford placed 11th of roughly 28 brands in Consumer Reports' 2025 reliability survey (score 48, up 4 points from the prior year) and jumped 10 spots to 13th in J.D. Power's 2025 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (based on 2022 model-year vehicles) — a clear improving trend but still solidly mid-pack rather than top-tier.

The 2025 Bronco has been hit by an unusually dense cluster of safety-critical recalls: a 229,609-unit instrument-panel-cluster blank-display recall (25V788/25SC3, 2025-2026 units built through Nov 2025), two electronic brake booster recalls risking loss of power brake assist (25V488/25S77 covering ~39,913 2025 units, plus 25V823/25SD4), a front upper control arm ball-joint fastener recall risking steering-column detachment (24S64/25S40, covering 2024-2025 production), an EGR valve recall risking sudden loss of drive power, a windshield-bonding recall, and a front-seat-frame pivot-bolt recall. The breadth across brakes, steering, engine, and structural systems in a single model year is systemic, not isolated.

The 2025 Bronco carries over the same 2.3L and 2.7L EcoBoost engine family that has a documented low-mileage failure history (intake valve cracking that triggered the 90,736-unit 24S55 recall on 2021-2022 units, plus a separate 2025-model engine-failure recall tied to drive-power loss). Ford has issued running production fixes rather than a redesign, so the durability reputation remains unproven/mixed rather than clean.

Reviewers consistently describe the cabin as heavy on hard, hard-wearing plastics that suit off-road/washable use (doors removable, interior can be hosed off) but feel less upscale than rivals, especially on higher trims where buyers expect more soft-touch material.

Ford landed just above the industry average at 193 problems per 100 vehicles in J.D. Power's 2025 Initial Quality Study and was the most-awarded brand overall (F-150, Super Duty, Mustang, Escape topped their segments), though the Bronco itself wasn't a named segment winner. Owner reviews on Edmunds are generally positive on assembly quality.

Ford operates one of the largest dealer/service networks in the US (~3,000 dealers) giving broad access to service and parts, though service-satisfaction surveys typically place the brand mid-pack rather than among leaders.

RepairPal pegs the Bronco's own annual maintenance cost at $502, below the $784 average for full-size SUVs, and the model has spawned one of the industry's largest off-road aftermarket ecosystems (bumpers, armor, lift kits, body panels), keeping both factory and modification parts broadly available and reasonably priced.

Ford made the 12-inch portrait SYNC 4 display standard fleet-wide starting with the 2024 model year, and the 2025 Bronco carries this over across the full trim walk from Base through Raptor.

SYNC 4 is consistently praised by reviewers as quick and logically laid out, and 2025 pairs it with a new standard 12-inch digital gauge cluster for a more cohesive dual-screen setup, while retaining physical climate controls.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard equipment on every 2025 Bronco trim, including the base model.

SYNC 4's onboard voice recognition handles basic commands adequately and cloud-connected navigation is included, but it isn't class-leading and most owners default to CarPlay/Android Auto maps.

The base sound system is adequate, and the 2025 model year brings an upgraded Bang & Olufsen system (now 12 speakers, up from 10, with a new subwoofer and higher-output amp) standard on Stroppe Edition and Raptor and available via the Lux Package on Outer Banks/Badlands.

New for 2025: a fully configurable 12-inch digital gauge cluster is standard across the lineup, replacing the prior analog speedometer/small-display setup — a genuine step up to a modern full-digital cluster.

SYNC 4 supports over-the-air software and map updates via Ford Power-Up, but this covers infotainment/connectivity rather than comprehensive whole-vehicle ECU updates.

FordPass covers remote start, lock/unlock, and vehicle locate on a free tier, but reviewers and owners frequently report connectivity/reliability hiccups versus more polished rival apps.

USB-A/USB-C ports front and rear, plus an available 400W household AC outlet (useful for camping/adventure use), with wireless charging on select trims — solid but not class-leading.

The signature exterior SecuriCode keypad is standard, with proximity keyless entry and remote start available on upper trims — solid coverage of the convenience basics.

A rear camera is standard, with a 360-degree camera (useful for trail-spotting as well as parking) bundled into the Lux Package rather than offered broadly across trims.

Ford does not offer a head-up display on any 2025 Bronco trim.

The 4-door's real rear doors and standard LATCH anchors make car-seat installs possible, but the high step-in height, body-on-frame ride, and recessed lower anchors add friction to daily loading versus a crossover; 2-door models are considerably worse for this use case.

NHTSA's 2025 test returned only a 4-star overall rating (3-star rollover), and IIHS's 2025 evaluation disqualified the Bronco from Top Safety Pick with Marginal moderate-overlap front (elevated rear-occupant injury risk), Marginal pedestrian AEB, and Marginal headlights on Base/Heritage — real safety-credential gaps for a family buyer despite standard Co-Pilot360.

The 4-door's rear seat has usable adult legroom, but the standard soft-top's wind/road noise and the firmer off-road-tuned suspension on Sasquatch-equipped trims make multi-hour family trips noisier and less plush than typical family SUVs.

The 10-speed automatic and 2.3L turbo-4 make stop-and-go traffic manageable, but numb on-center steering, wide off-road tires, and a high seating/step-in position add fatigue relative to crossover rivals in daily commuting.

EPA-rated 21 MPG combined for the volume 2.3L 4-door 4WD (19 combined for the 2.7L V6, 15 for Raptor) still trails most compact/mid-size SUV rivals by several MPG, keeping per-mile running costs on the high side for the segment despite running on regular fuel.

The 4-door's footprint and wide fender flares over 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.

Standard 2.3L models tow up to 3,500 lbs with payload ranging roughly 1,015-1,453 lbs by trim, and the 2.7L V6/Raptor raise max tow to 4,500 lbs — solid for light-duty work and trailering but well short of a truck or full-size SUV's capacity.

Body-on-frame construction, available locking differentials, and four model years of real-world overlanding/off-road use have built a solid durability reputation, though it remains unproven versus decades-long fleet workhorses.

An extensive Ford Performance and aftermarket accessory ecosystem (modular front/rear bumpers, roof racks, rock rails, auxiliary switches) supports upfitting, though the lack of a bed limits pure jobsite hauling versus a pickup.

A roughly 437-mile highway range on the 4-door's 20.8-gal tank and comfortable front seats help, but the soft-top/removable-door design adds highway wind noise and adaptive cruise is trim-gated rather than standard fleet-wide, capping the mile-eater case.

The Bronco's core mission: removable doors and roof, the widely-optioned Sasquatch package (35-inch tires, front/rear locking differentials, disconnecting front sway bar), 11.6 in of ground clearance, and Raptor-level hardware at the top of the range make it a genuine segment-leading off-road adventure vehicle.

The 4-door offers 35.6 cu ft behind the rear seats (77.6 cu ft folded) with the hardtop, or 38.3/83.0 cu ft with the soft top, plus removable doors/roof for open-air gear loading and a wide factory/aftermarket rack ecosystem — excellent gear-hauling flexibility for the segment.

Solid-axle-rear, body-on-frame off-roader with independent front suspension; Consumer Reports found handling agility 'isn't a strong suit' but noted the Bronco tracks better in a straight line than the wandering Wrangler and is predictable and forgiving (with low limits) when pushed on the track. Decent steering and easily modulated brakes let it hustle on twisty roads despite its height.

Independent front suspension and rack-and-pinion steering give the Bronco unusually confident, stable steering at freeway speeds for a body-on-frame off-roader, with impressive on-center feel versus the solid-axle Wrangler.

Two independent instrumented tests both show long stopping distances: Edmunds measured 146 ft from 60 mph, and Consumer Reports measured 149 ft dry / 168 ft wet — CR called it 'among the longest stopping distances we've seen from any vehicle in years,' longer than some full-size pickups. Pedal feel and modulation are fine, but the raw numbers are a genuine weakness.

Volume-trim 2.3L EcoBoost I4 (275 hp/300 lb-ft on regular, 300 hp/325 lb-ft on premium) pairs with a 10-speed automatic for adequate, workable power, but 2025 predates the 2026 model's turbo-mapping and fuel-injection recalibration that specifically targeted smoother low-end delivery — implying the 2025 tune is a step behind in low-speed responsiveness and throttle smoothness.

Base 2.3L four-cylinder is audible under load and at idle; comparative reviews of the shared engine lineup note the optional 2.7L V6 is quieter at cruise and smoother at idle, implying the standard four is acceptable but not class-leading on refinement. Consumer Reports also flagged elevated wind noise as a road-test demerit.

Volume-trim turning diameter with standard 32-inch tires is tight for the segment; off-road-focused trims with larger 35-inch tire packages widen it, and Trail Turn Assist further tightens low-speed maneuvers by braking the inside rear wheel. Generation-unchanged dimension carried from the same 2021-2025 body/chassis.

Upright but not bolt-upright seating (unlike the Wrangler), with ample headroom/legroom, manually adjustable seats with customizable lumbar support, and big rectangular windows giving strong outward visibility. Reviewers rate on-road comfort as better than the Wrangler, though comfort varies by trim/tire choice.

Removable roof and doors deliver a genuine open-air, convertible-like experience that owners and reviewers single out as the Bronco's signature fun factor; on-road dynamics are more about relaxed exploration than spirited driving, per Consumer Reports, but the overall character and adventure appeal keep enthusiast sentiment high (93% owner recommend rate on KBB).

Base and Big Bend trims are fairly basic (cloth seats, smaller touchscreen, part-time 4WD) with the Sasquatch off-road package and many driver-assist extras costing more; mid/upper trims (Outer Banks, Badlands) add real content but the entry Bronco itself isn't as loaded as rivals at the same price point.

Removable doors/roof, class-leading factory off-road hardware (locking diffs, disconnecting sway bar, 35-in tires) and a wide power range (270-418 hp) undercut the equivalent-capability Wrangler Rubicon/392 and give strong content-per-dollar for the segment, even as base trims are plain.

Seven distinct 2025 trims (Base, Big Bend, Heritage Edition, Outer Banks, Badlands, Stroppe Edition, Raptor) across 2-door and 4-door body styles, manual or automatic, and a roughly $41k price spread give Bronco one of the widest, best-spaced lineups in the segment.

Bronco posted record 2025 US sales (146,007 units, +33.7% YoY) and steadily closed the gap with segment-leader Jeep Wrangler (167,322 units) each quarter, a clear fast-riser trajectory even without outright leadership.

The revived Bronco nameplate carries a strong enthusiast halo and cult following on par with Wrangler, with active owner communities, limited editions (Stroppe, Heritage) and continued waitlists on desirable configurations.

Ford extended nationwide employee pricing and modest lease specials on 2025 Bronco (excluding Raptor and Stroppe), but strong demand keeps discounting fairly restrained compared to slower-selling rivals.

The current 6th-generation Bronco launched for MY2021, making 2025 a mid-cycle year; Ford has kept it current with added trims (Stroppe Edition new for 2025) and running changes rather than a ground-up redesign, so it's competent but not cutting-edge relative to newer-generation rivals.

Bronco won Car and Driver's 10Best Trucks and SUVs in 2022 and 2023 and remains well-reviewed for its off-road capability and open-air versatility, but it fell off the 10Best list for 2024-2026 and isn't a consistent outright winner over Wrangler/4Runner in comparison tests.