So the Bronco is finally here...
It sure is. The Ford Bronco is a nameplate that, contrary to most cars, actually needs an introduction in the Philippines. Yes, we have been exposed to the Bronco here, thanks to its appearance on western media (and an infamous freeway chase), but we actually never got this Ford SUV here on our shores—until this, the 2024 model.
When the Bronco made its debut, we honestly didn’t know what to expect. The launch videos and early reviews showed that Ford was touting this as a massively capable off-roader, but the question remained: Just how good could this be? Is it better than Ford’s own Ranger Raptor? These are questions best answered on a dedicated off-road track. Thankfully, we were allowed into the lahar fields of Clark to test the all-new, P4.998-million Bronco in what should be its natural habitat.
First impressions?
When you first step into the Bronco, you are struck with how purposeful everything is. As with the Toyota FJ of old and the current Jeep Wrangler, everything looks like it was designed to do one thing: off-roading.
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All the touch points are chunky and large, just the way we like it when it comes to off-roaders. Yes, there are some compromises when it comes to the exposed bolts and hinges, but this is all in the service of the removable roof and doors—something we couldn’t test, unfortunately, with the weather in Clark not holding up.
And just how good is it off the beaten path?
With the weather as it is, we set off on the test track and we were told to stay in 4H (four-wheel drive high) as the 35-inch mud terrains didn’t even need low range for our test course. The ‘Goes Over Any Terrain’ (or G.O.A.T.) mode we were told to select was Sand, and it did an admirable job with the lahar, which was definitely sand-adjacent.
The track was a mix of lahar, rocks, and river crossings. Climbing the first incline and doing the first river crossing, we were struck by how effortlessly the Bronco attacked the trail. There was no drama, just pure grip and power from the 2.7-liter turbocharged V6, which puts out 330hp and 555Nm of torque via a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Clambering up loose surfaces and accelerating hard on the soft riverbed posed no issues, either, as the grip levels from the massive tires were so high. The high-performance off-road stability suspension (what Ford calls ‘HOSS’) performed admirably, taking whatever rock or bump the course laid on its path with aplomb.
What are the standout features?
The route also allowed us to test some of the Bronco’s pretty cool off-road toys. The first one we tried was the Bronco’s off-road cruise control that applies even to hill descents. Basically, you set a speed then take your foot off the pedal, and the car will match that speed no matter the angle or terrain you find yourself on. Sure, it takes a lot of the fun out of off-roading, but for newbies or those stuck in a bind, it can be a lifesaver.
We also tried the Bronco’s front off-road cameras. Via the beautiful 12-inch display, it lets you see through the hood of the vehicle (which was admittedly huge) and indicates the path and direction of your front wheels, allowing you to avoid obstacles and place your wheels right in that rut for great traction. This feature isn’t necessarily unique to the Bronco, but it would be amiss if a modern off-roader didn’t come with this equipped as standard.
The last feature we tried was truly special: Trail Turn Assist. This locks the inside rear wheel of the Bronco, allowing it to pivot using the outer wheels to rotate the SUV with the inside wheels being the axis of the turn. It was a bit mind-bending just how tight the Bronco’s turning radius was, and while you can’t use this on sealed surfaces, for very tight tracks, it can get you out of a bad situation. We even tried this on an off-camber uphill turn into a steep incline. It was wild, and has to be tested to be believed.
Does it live up to the hype, then?
The Bronco was so capable that we never even got the chance to try the low-range setting of the gearbox nor engage the front lockers. We engaged the rear lockers, but we were told this was actually optional—the vehicle could tackle any of the obstacles that day without needing to engage this.
Overall, the Bronco was massively capable off-road. It definitely lives up to the launch press release. The only questions on our minds are: Will this be any good on the highway? And how does this stack up against its perennial rival, the Jeep Wrangler? It is no secret that dedicated off-roaders sacrifice some on-road performance, but just how much are we talking about?
We are definitely excited to get more seat time to see how it drives on sealed surfaces and performs against its competition. Big Test, anyone?
More photos of the Ford Bronco 2024:
