2022 Ford Bronco

What kind of vehicle is the 2022 Ford Bronco? What does it compare to?

The 2022 Ford Bronco is an off-road SUV with standard 4×4 capability on a pickup truck frame. Available in two-door or four-door, soft-top or hard-top configurations, the Bronco tries to buck the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon from its off-road throne. 

Is the 2022 Ford Bronco a good SUV?

Review continues below

It’s a great off-road SUV with questionable road manners. Initial production problems last year plagued the Bronco’s return, but Ford appears to have smoothed out the issues. The Bronco’s cutting-edge technology, off-road functionality, and convertible fun quotient earn it a TCC Rating of 6.6 out of 10. (Read more about how we rate cars.)

What’s new for the 2022 Ford Bronco?

A Bronco Raptor roars into the picture this summer but it’ll likely be a 2023 model. Ford teased an Everglades model with a winch and a snorkel, but timing remains unspecified. Color and off-road options expand for 2022, and the Sasquatch package can now be paired with the 7-speed manual transmission. 

The Sasquatch could be called Full Bronco, with its 35-inch Goodyear mud-terrain tires on 17-inch beadlock capable wheels, Dana locking axles, a raised suspension, and long-travel Bilstein shocks. It’s available on two- or four-door base, Big Bend, Black Diamond, and Badland models. Factoring in Outer Banks and Wildtrak models, the 2022 Bronco comes in six trims, five packages, two engine choices, two body styles, two roof styles, and as many configurations as there are ways to get lost in the woods.

The Bronco’s squat frame and muscular proportions make it look like a bulldog rolling on anywhere from 16-inch steel wheels to studded 35-inch mud-terrain tires. Inside, a broad flat dashboard calls back the past, while rubberized gear levers, switches, knobs and floor mats help you get a grip in any conditions. 

The Bronco bucks with a 275-hp 2.3-liter turbo-4 paired with a 7-speed manual and a crawler gear to off-road without fussing with the clutch pedal. Most shoppers will opt for the 10-speed automatic standard on the four-door and paired to a torque-rich 2.7-liter twin-turbo V-6. Fuel economy strains to 20 mpg combined with either. Ford offers a choice in 2-speed transfer cases and available front and rear locking differentials. On the road, the independent front suspension and electric-assist steering system tame road manners until highway speeds, where the Bronco bounds and whistles too much. 

One person can remove the doors and hardtop, and the soft top folds easily into the cargo area, where the doors or roof panels can be stowed. The two-door fits four passengers under its standard hard top, while Ford wedges in a fifth seat under the cloth top standard on the four-door. 

Standard safety features include automatic emergency braking, hill descent control, and automatic high beams, but the IIHS faulted the Bronco’s headlights and whiplash protection; it wins no Top Safety Pick award for ‘22.  

How much does the 2022 Ford Bronco cost?

The Base two-door costs $30,795 (all prices include $1,495 destination), and includes an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 16-inch steel wheels, cloth upholstery, and keyless start. Each model can be optioned with four option packages, Mid, High, Lux, and Sasquatch.

Making it a four-door adds anywhere from $2,395 on mid-grade models to $4,150 on the base model. But that upgrade includes the 10-speed automatic, which costs $1,595 by itself. Options such as the 12.0-inch touchscreen and surround-view camera system are worth the charge for the additional off-road views. The Wildtrak climbs to $50,000, but depending on packages and powertrain upgrades, it can get to $60,000 before considering the more than 200 accessories, ranging from Warn winches to Carhartt seat covers.

All Bronco purchases include a Bronco Off-Roadeo 1.5-day off-roading experience at one of four Ford locations in the U.S.

Where is the 2022 Ford Bronco made?

In Wayne, Mich., same place as the original Bronco.