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Auto review: 2024 Ford Bronco Big Bend deserves more accolades

Marc D. Grasso, Boston Herald on

Published in Automotive News

With Ford Motor Co. doing a great job in recent years reusing historic nameplates, the 4-door 2024 Ford Bronco Big Bend shows up to Grasso’s Garage, and what a beauty it is. Boasting a $40K base price tag, this SUV is a huge play to lure Jeep Wrangler buyers to Ford.

The company's primary focus for the Bronco was to steal consumers from the Jeep brand and expand its profile in off-road culture. Ford really hit it out of the park with the Bronco Big Bend, as recent price reductions across the Stellantis footprint would suggest. Jeep's Gladiator Mojave and Wrangler Rubicon are certainly big enough and do whatever Jeep lovers expect, and the brand's off-road presence, comfort and abilities top the chart. However, road noise is an ever-present problem Jeep has not tackled. With the Bronco Big Bend, road noise is virtually gone and yet it matches the utility of the Wrangler — a big win!

Powered by a 2.3L EcoBoost inline 4-cylinder engine, the 2024 Bronco Big Bend paired exceptionally nicely with the 10-speed automatic transmission. This combination was ultra quiet and a pleasure to ride/drive. Upgrades to our Bronco tester included Big Bend Series, Sasquatch package, a hard-gray molded top with sound deadening headliner and LED signature lighting.

The Big Bend's height stance, drive modes, boxy exterior, roof removal options, wheel upgrades and comfort are all similar to those of the competition, but the Bronco does it better. Achieving almost 19 mpg on a trek of more than 400 miles, the Big Bend's 2.3-liter engine was peppy and powerful, having no issues getting up to speed. Great work, Ford! Now don’t go overpricing this thing in the future.

2024 Ford Bronco Big Bend

 

MSRP: $40,370

MPG: 18 city / 17 highway / 18.9 as tested

As Tested: $54,920


©2024 the Boston Herald. Visit the Boston Herald at www.bostonherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

 

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