Test Drive Gallery: 2022 Ford Bronco Wildtrak

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Written by Tom Appel in , , , , ,

2022 Ford Bronco Wildtrak in Iconic Silver

2022 Ford Bronco 2-Door Advanced 4X4 Wildtrak

Class:

Miles driven: 203

Fuel used: 11.1 gallons

CG Report Card
Room and Comfort	B
Power and Performance	C+
Fit and Finish	B-
Fuel Economy	B-
Value	B+
Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide’s impressions of the entire model lineup.
Big & Tall Comfort
Big Guy	A-
Tall Guy	B
Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. “Big” rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, “Tall” rating based on 6’6″-tall male tester.
Drivetrain
Engine Specs	300-horsepower 2.3L
Engine Type	Turbocharged 4-cylinder
Transmission	10-speed automatic
Drive Wheels	AWD

Real-world fuel economy: 18.3 mpg

Driving mix: 75% city, 25% highway

EPA-estimated fuel economy: 20/20/21 (mpg city/highway/combined)

Fuel type:

Base price: $46,980 (not including $1495 destination charge)

Options on test vehicle: Wildtrak Equipment Group ($3590), cargo-area protector ($120), tube running board ($395), tow package ($595), ($110), roof rails with cross bars ($365)

Price as tested: $56,550

Quick Hits

The great: Off-road ability; versatile body allows both open-air and weather-tight driving configurations

The good: Roomier and better handling than similar Jeep Wrangler

The not so good: Mediocre fuel economy, pricey options

CG Says:

The Ford Bronco gains a high-performance Raptor model for 2022. Raptor is powered by a 418-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 and has a special off-road suspension with increased track and wheel travel. There is also a new Everglades special edition with Sasquatch off-road package, winch, and a snorkel engine-air intake system that helps keep water and dust out of the engine intake. The Sasquatch package is now available with the manual transmission. Ford’s long-awaited revival of its iconic Bronco off-road SUV finally arrived last year. The current Bronco’s styling recalls the look of the original Ford Bronco, which debuted for 1966 and continued through the 1977 model year.

The original Bronco came only as a 2-door, but this Bronco is available in both 2-door and 4-door versions; in terms of size, off-road ability, and overall attitude, it is aimed squarely at the Jeep Wrangler. (Ford has also introduced a smaller Bronco Sport SUV that is based on the basic platform of the Ford Escape crossover SUV and comes only as a 4-door; see separate report.) The Bronco is built on a fully boxed steel chassis with independent front suspension and a solid rear axle. The doors and roof panels are removable for open-air driving.

Three EcoBoost engines are offered: a 270-horsepower turbocharged 2.3-liter 4-cylinder with 310 lb-ft of torque, a 310-hp turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 with 400 lb-ft of torque, and for the Raptor, the previously mentioned 418-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 with 440 lb-ft of torque. The 4-cylinder offers a choice of 7-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmissions, while the V6s come only with the 10-speed. A part-time 4-wheel-drive system is standard and full-time 4WD is available—both with a 2-speed transfer case. Available off-road equipment includes locking front and rear differentials, skid plates, side rock rails, a stabilizer-bar disconnect feature (for better articulation over uneven terrain), 35-inch off-road tires, Trail Control (essentially cruise control for low-speed trail driving), and navigation with off-road mapping. For customers looking to personalize their Bronco, more than 200 factory-backed aftermarket accessories are available. The available Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features includes pre-collision warning with automatic braking, blind-spot alert, lane-keep assist, evasive steering assist, adaptive cruise control, reverse brake assist, hill-descent control, and automatic high-beam headlights.

The 2022 Ford Bronco has serious off-road capability, and its broad model lineup and long list of available features allow buyers to tailor a Bronco from bare-bones to luxurious. Like its Jeep Wrangler rival, the Bronco isn’t bargain priced, but it should appeal to both hardcore off-roaders and those who just want an adventurous-looking open-air runabout.