There is no denying that Ford has done a good job with the new Bronco. The design is a true throwback to the original version with the round headlights, grille, and general boxy shape of the vehicle. The roof panels and even the doors are removable (this makes it a great Jeep competitor), and all its mechanical components are designed and built with off-roading in mind. The rear solid axle provides articulation, while the front independent suspension keeps the Bronco settled on the road. Sway bar disconnects and differential lockers maximize off-road grip. So, just like the old one, the new Bronco pays close attention to off-road abilities and looks. But can it actually live up to the legacy of the old?
Why Did The Ford Bronco Exist In The First Place?
The original Ford Bronco was created as an all-purpose vehicle that could take you to work, take your whole family on vacation, or drive you through the most difficult off-road trails in the country. It was a direct competitor to the Jeep CJ (the predecessor to the Wrangler) and did a great job positioning itself in the market as a more comfortable alternative. From day one, the first-generation Bronco was one of the best-looking SUVs of the period and perhaps ever. The design and shape are timeless and remain classic and beautiful even to this date.
What Makes The Old Bronco So Desirable Now?
With the introduction of new vehicles that are unlike anything we have ever seen before (mostly self-driving EVs), there seems to be a huge increase in the desire people have to experience old-school machines. In many cases, the raw and involved driving characteristics are what seem more appealing. There is a certain feeling car guys get when driving an old machine, and that feeling is generally what makes these old cars so desirable. However, there is one important point, and it is one very few vehicles manage to achieve. There is a common belief that the Land Rover Defender is classless. When it pulls up in front of you, out of it may come the humblest worker or one of the richest people on earth. To some extent, the same is true for the old Bronco. It manages to look at home in the middle of a field or in the middle of New York. It can be driven by an off-road enthusiast or by a world-famous celebrity. It doesn’t really matter; its looks are both timeless and classless.
In Some Ways, The New Bronco Can Live Up To The Legacy
In some ways, the new Bronco can live up to the legacy of the old one, but in others, it can’t. Let’s start with the positives. As a concept, the new Bronco follows the same path as the old one. It is a lifestyle vehicle that can take you to work, on holiday, or through the toughest of trails. Also, it brought some much-needed competition to the Jeep Wrangler, which for many years was in a class of its own. For extreme off-road use, the new Bronco may not be as robust as the old one or as the Wrangler due to the independent front suspension, but it does provide better on-road manners. So, as far as mechanicals go, the new Bronco is doing great. It is also doing great in terms of sales as it has become a huge hit in the US. The current market is desperate for cool-looking SUVs that can be taken into nature to be enjoyed. These vehicles are a gateway to adventure, and after recent worldwide events, the urge to get out seems bigger than ever.
There Are Also A Couple Of Reasons Why It Can’t
Sadly, we believe that for a couple of reasons, the new Bronco won’t live up to the legacy of the old one. The first one is that it isn’t as modular as the original version. Yes, Ford has done a good job as far as mechanical components go, but there are some weaknesses. The design of the front suspension limits how much modification one can do while also making the truck weaker. The old Bronco was and still is widely used as a base to build the most capable off-roaders, and for this to happen with the new vehicle, the front suspension will need to be completely removed and replaced with a much more robust system.
Furthermore, a few factory and reliability issues make us think that the new Bronco isn’t a car that is meant to last like the old one. It is a disposable product that is meant to be kept for a few years before it is replaced with a newer model. Therefore, it will be difficult for the newer Broncos to reach the age of the older ones.
Finally, we have the design. As we mentioned in the begging, Ford has done a great job making the new Bronco look similar to the old one. However, due to the current market, we believe that the new Bronco will never become classless. This is because it is being bought mostly by younger individuals or people who love to go off-roading. When the old Bronco was released, people didn’t have many choices in terms of SUVs; therefore, even the rich could many times end up with a Bronco. This helped form the classless image of the Bronco. Nowadays, this has changed and there is a vehicle for every budget. The market it falls into combined with the less appealing (when compared to those of the old model) mechanical components are the biggest reasons why the new Ford Bronco won’t become the collectible vehicle the classic one has become.