2021 Ford Bronco: The good, the bad and the ugly

Erica Mueller July 23, 2021

One of the most long-awaited vehicle reboots is finally here and boy is this Bronco turning heads. Publisher Tim Esterdahl recently got to drive the 2021 Ford Bronco Sasquatch edition and made a video to show some of the things he loves about the Bronco.

He also shares a few things he doesn’t love, so hold onto your reins and get ready for a wild ride.

Things to like about the Bronco

First off, it just looks cool. The body style is unique — a blend of utilitarianism and modern design paired with a brush guard for a go-anywhere style. The 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler tires (which don’t say Wrangler on them) add to the badass appearance. The Bronco is built to be accessorized, and we can’t wait to see what owners do with their vehicles.

The interior is jam-packed with cool design features — but not in an overdone cluttered way. From the cool bolt pattern seen in multiple places to the grab bar for hopping into the vehicle, many of the features are functional as well as beautiful.

Esterdahl says the 2021 Ford Bronco has better visibility than the Jeep Wrangler. This really makes a difference when you’re rock crawling or just driving down the highway. And speaking of highways, the Bronco offers a smooth solid ride that feels precise and grounded. The 2.7-liter engine mated with Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission is solid.

And who can complain about 17.3 MPG when you’re driving a beast like this?

What Tim doesn’t like about the 2021 Ford Bronco

While a few of these items may be design flaws Ford will work out over time, some of them come down to personal preference.

Messy under the hood? That’s a shame but it won’t be a deal-breaker for most buyers.

Wider, longer, bigger than the Wrangler? Again, those who like to access tight spaces may need to take this into consideration, but others will be glad for a roomier ride.

A few things that could be deterrents to potential buyers, however, are:

the back roof panel, which requires two people to remove and can’t be stored in the vehicle.
the rear door, which is heavy and stiff to operate.
the fact Bronco’s payload capacity is barely enough for 4-full grown men and a big cooler or a couple of golf bags. At a max of 930 pounds, one will really need to watch how much they load into this vehicle.

Come along for the ride

Join Esterdahl for an honest look at the Bronco’s pros and cons. You’ll see what he absolutely loved and learn about the little quirks that bugged him. Then let us know: Would any of these things keep you from buying a Ford Bronco?

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Erica Mueller

Erica Mueller is a Texan, which means she believes that trucks are family vehicles and giant SUVs make good second cars. As part-time auto journalist for almost a decade, Erica enjoys driving all kinds of vehicles and sharing her experiences with others. Erica is the secretary of the board for the Texas Auto Writers Association as well as a contributor at A Girls Guide to Cars.