The Right Spec: Ford Bronco

Matthew Guy
by Matthew Guy
the right spec ford bronco

This one’s sure to set the comments section ablaze. We’re going to tell you the right way to spec a new Bronco – and you’re probably not going to like it.


First, let’s start with the smallest engine available *ducks to avoid busted u-joints and fake beadlock wheels hurled in our general direction*


Why the smallest engine? Because that’s what is found in the new Everglades trim, which your author feels is the unexpected star of the entire Bronco lineup. A four-pot in a Bronco does seem sacrilege until one remembers this mill has an output of 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque when fed a steady diet of premium oats. These numbers far outstrip the V8s which found their way into Bronco SUVs of old, even if the octopots definitely sound a helluva lot better than this four-cylinder.


Making up for a lack of exhaust excitement is a tremendous ‘whoosh’ of induction noise, partly courtesy of that snorkel residing on the Everglades’ passenger-side A-pillar. Ford smartly chose to build a blade-style unit, permitting its blocking plate to invisibly and seamlessly integrate into the snorkel (remember, it isn’t a great idea to drive at highway speeds headlong into a rain- or snowstorm with one of these things hoovering moisture into the engine compartment). This stands in stark contrast to the Toyota Tacoma’s snorkel desert air intake whose head must be rotated 180 degrees in certain conditions and looks ridiculous doing so.

Other highlights on the $53,895 Everglades include a locking rear diff, standard Samsquantch package (meaty 35-inch tires, et al), marine-grade seats, and a hose-em-out floor. There’s a winch hanging out up front, too. Even if owners never take their Everglades into deep water as we did during testing in a rural Canadian bog this summer, all these features work a treat on the trails of Moan or the dunes of Glamis.


Ditch the expensive optional tube doors since they run counter to the point of running in deep water, and ditto the soft top for similar reasons. The $600 slide-out tailgate is a neat party trick and handy when rustling up vittles for the crew, as is the $310 tailgate table – though we’ve heard conflicting reports about both items being available on the same rig thanks to packaging problems. Given a choice, go for the slider. The rig is shown here in Area 51 but exceptions will be made for Eruption Green.

So, too, will exceptions be made for any of the B&B arguing in favor of a Heritage Edition. Starting a notable 10 grand less than the Everglades, it can be had with the four-banger and a stick, not to mention in an appropriately retro two-door configuration. It does give up several off-road toys compared to the ‘Glades but the dandy Samsquantch package remains part of the deal. Just make sure to get it in Race Red with white trim.


[Images: Ford]


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3 of 19 comments
  • Teddyc73 Teddyc73 on Nov 04, 2022

    Was this written by someone with a grasp of the English language? I could barely get through the first three paragraphs before I gave up.

    • ToolGuy ToolGuy on Nov 06, 2022

      @Teddyc73, for discussion purposes, let's say your comment is spot-on. Do we really want to restrict discussion of automotive topics to only the most fluent English language writers? You're going to eliminate a lot of people who know a lot of truth about a lot of cars, including Henry Ford back in his day. (General comment - you read the site, and you have a good mind, how about contributing something positive or worthwhile occasionally instead of just sniping. Try 4:1 ratio of contributions to criticisms to start. "All criticism all the time" sounds like my Dad growing up, and no one needs that.)



  • Nrd515 Nrd515 on Nov 11, 2022

    $53,895??? Wow, that price made me laugh, and question Ford management's sanity.

    Like the Jeep Gladiator, this thing is way overpriced.

  • Analoggrotto By the time any of Hyundai's Japanese competitors were this size and age, they produced iconic vehicles which are now highly desirable and going for good money used. But Hyundai/Kia have nothing to this point that anyone will care about in the future. Those 20k over MSRP Tellurides? Worn out junk sitting at the used car lot, worn beyond their actual age. Hyundai/Kia has not had anything comparable to the significance of CVCC, 240Z, Supra, Celica, AE86, RX-(7), 2000GT, Skyline, GT-R, WRX, Evo, Preludio, CRX, Si, Land Cruiser, NSX etc. All of this in those years where Detroiters and Teutonic prejudiced elitists were openly bashing the Japanese with racist derogatory language. Tiger Woods running off the road in a Genesis didn't open up a moment, and the Genesis Sedan featuring in Inception didn't matter any more than the Lincoln MKS showing up for a moment in Dark Knight. Hyundai/Kia are too busy attempting to re-invent others' history for themselves. But hey, they have to start somewhere and the N74 is very cool looking. Hyundai/Kia's biggest fans are auto Journalists who for almost 2 decades have been hyping them up to deafening volumes contributing further distrust in any media.
  • Bd2 Other way around.Giorgetto Giugiaro penned the Pony Coupe during the early 1970s and later used its wedge shape as the basis for the M1 and then the DMC-12.The 3G Supra was just one of many Japanese coupes to adopt the wedge shape (actually was one of the later ones).The Mitsubishi Starion, Nissan 300ZX, etc.
  • Tassos I also want one of the idiots who support the ban to explain to me how it will work.Suppose sometime (2035 or later) you cannot buy a new ICE vehicle in the UK.Q1: Will this lead to a ICE fleet resembling that of CUBA, with 100 year old '56 Chevys eventually? (in that case, just calculate the horrible extra pollution due to keeping 100 year old cars on the road)Q2: Will people be able to buy PARTS for their old cars FOREVER?Q3: Will people be allowed to jump across the Channel and buy a nice ICE in France, Germany (who makes the best cars anyway), or any place else that still sells them, and then use it in the UK?
  • Tassos Bans are ridiculous and undemocratic and smell of Middle Ages and the Inquisition. Even 2035 is hardly any better than 2030.The ALMIGHTY CONSUMER should decide, not... CARB, preferably WITHOUT the Government messing with the playing field.And if the usual clueless idiots read this and offer the tired "But Government subsidizes the oil industry too", will they EVER learn that those MINISCULE (compared to the TRILLIONS of $ size of this industry) subsidies were designed to help the SMALL Oil producers defend themselves against the "Big Oil" multinationals. Ask ANY major Oil co CEO and he will gladly tell you that you can take those tiny subsidies and shove them.
  • Dusterdude The suppliers can ask for concessions, but I wouldn’t hold my breath . With the UAW they are ultimately bound to negotiate with them. However, with suppliers , they could always find another supplier ( which in some cases would be difficult, but not impossible)
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