I test drove the 2.3L 4 cylinder Bronco on Sunday

[XJFanatic]

What's weird is that they named it the same thing. You don't completely change the body and call it the same name. That little sport should not even be in the Bronco category. Also for me the dealer breaker on even the larger one is that 2.3L, I don't like turbo's at all.

Unfortunately I see this being the way of Jeeps future to keep us in a solid axle Wrangler or Gladiator. It draws the masses in to have a small similar looking road cruiser with gravel road capabilities.

Also embrace forced induction.

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[Challenger85]

What's weird is that they named it the same thing. You don't completely change the body and call it the same name. That little sport should not even be in the Bronco category. Also for me the dealer breaker on even the larger one is that 2.3L, I don't like turbo's at all.

Lol go to the Bronco forum and ask them how they feel about that naming They all agree with you that it’s stupid and confusing. It’s like naming a renegade “wrangler sport.” All their engine options are turbos. 2.3/2.7 and 3.0

 

[dcmdon]

Great thanks! I was looking for an affordable option after dropping 4K on the RSI.

I forgot to mention. My 55 lb GSP/Lab mix fits just right into my intermediate. I'm guessing you would want the large if he's going to spend any time in it.

Schools still has the deals. About $100 less than buying from Ruffland. Though the Scheels kennels are version 1, not the latest version with the handles integrated into the top. You can buy the handles for an extra $30. So its still a deal.

I also bought the tie down kit. At the time I got them I had just received an email from Orvis with 20% off everything and free shipping. So I bought the tie downs from orris.

Go here and select the size large.

https://www.scheels.com/p/ruffland-intermediate-kennel-g1/15645-INT2009.html

Here is the same one at rufflandkennels.com

https://rufflandkennels.com/product/intermediate-kennel-2/

Finally, here is the tie down kit.

https://rufflandkennels.com/product/tie-down-kit-d-ring/

Thisis the tie down kit you want. They fold up when not in use. The other tie downs stick out and look like an accident waiting to happen.

 

[dcmdon]

Yeah the bronco sport is lame AF lol. The Bronco Sasquatch badlands is where it’s at.

Its not lame at all. Its just a different product. You can get a loaded one for $35k. So roughly $25k less than a REAL bronco.

For someone on a budget who wants to do a little off-roading and wants 4 doors wit decent road manners, its nice. Not too big. Good fuel economy. 250 hp turbo with more torque than our engine.

Re Badlands Sasquatch - that's what I had an order for. But I cancelled it when I actually drove one and saw how small the cargo area was. I should have kept the order and flipped it.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

My wife has the 2.7 badlands with Sasquatch package. It feels and sounds awesome.

The other day, my wife and I were both driving home for errands and ended up side by side at a light. So of course I revved my engine to let her know the race was on. When the light turned green, I beat her off the line with a good tire squealing. But alas, she zoomed past me pretty quickly. I pulled into our garage with my head hung low in shame. She had an evil grin on her face. I still like my Gladiator more.

I'd chalk beating her off the line up to you being a better driver. I feel like the JT ain't beating the Bronco 2.7 off the line it most situations. Definitely going to walk it down. But I agree, the JT is still my favorite

 

[Challenger85]

Its not lame at all. Its just a different product. You can get a loaded one for $35k. So roughly $25k less than a REAL bronco.

For someone on a budget who wants to do a little off-roading and wants 4 doors wit decent road manners, its nice. Not too big. Good fuel economy. 250 hp turbo with more torque than our engine.

Re Badlands Sasquatch - that's what I had an order for. But I cancelled it when I actually drove one and saw how small the cargo area was. I should have kept the order and flipped it.

It’s not lame, just lame for the name and compared to the real Bronco. Ford shouldn’t have tried to piggyback success of the Bronco name onto the sport, It’s really confusing for consumers. I don’t think they’re terrible though, they’re good for their price point.

Yeah I wouldn’t have cancelled lol. They cut off orders in early March, can’t order anymore.

 

[dcmdon]

It’s not lame, just lame for the name and compared to the real Bronco. Ford shouldn’t have tried to piggyback success of the Bronco name onto the sport, It’s really confusing for consumers. I don’t think they’re terrible though, they’re good for their price point.

Yeah I wouldn’t have cancelled lol. They cut off orders in early March, can’t order anymore.

I agree 1000%.

For every sale they get for the sport because some secretary thinks its a real bronco they probably lose a sale to the off roader who saw a sport and thought to himself "Boy that Bronco is small and wimpier than I thought it was going to be".

Market confusion is never good.

 

[PDiddy]

I'd chalk beating her off the line up to you being a better driver. I feel like the JT ain't beating the Bronco 2.7 off the line it most situations. Definitely going to walk it down. But I agree, the JT is still my favorite

Oh yeah, it was totally my driving that beat her off the line. But it just made my humiliation worse. She unintentionally gave me a head start. I am more comfortable driving the JT. Although, long freeway trips, the Bronco does cruz along nicely.

 

[FrankFrqnkFrank]

I was thinking about getting a Bronco but the timing got me into my JTW. I couldn’t be happier

I sat in a sport at the philly auto show and was pretty impressed! I can see the appeal of them after actually getting in and around it.

if I was in the market again for an suv that size it would be the Bronco Sport - but it would HAVE to have the 2.0

 

[NachoRuby]

I still absolutely love my Jeep. But if it ever pisses me off, I'm getting a 7 speed MT Bronco Sasquatch with the 2.3. So far. My dealership and service experiences have been top notch on the Gladiator, though.

 

[Challenger85]

I agree 1000%.

For every sale they get for the sport because some secretary thinks its a real bronco they probably lose a sale to the off roader who saw a sport and thought to himself "Boy that Bronco is small and wimpier than I thought it was going to be".

Market confusion is never good.

Nope! Lol. The first time I tried to look up the bronco after my wife told me I found myself on the sport website confused as hell over the engine choices not matching what Google told me. It was a bad rollout by Ford.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

I’d like to see a 5.0 Coyote Bronco, but that’s not likely.

 

[Hammerdown75]

I can’t speak for the 2.3L but I put about 3k miles on a Basesquatch 2.7 before I flipped it for a nice profit and the Pentastar can’t hold a candle to that engine. Gobs of power and torque down low where you need it. I still prefer my Gladiator over the Bronco and have no remorse over letting it go but damn that 2.7 delivers the goods. I can’t imagine the 2.3 feels sluggish vs a Pentastar either. Torque matters and 2.3 still has more of it and in a better RPM range. Are you sure you didn’t have it in Eco mode?

 

[TennesseePA]

I currently own both a Launch Edition Gladiator with 2 in Mopar lift and 37s and. 2022 Bronco Badlands with the Sasquatch package. Up on the highway the Gladiator has a nicer ride. Most like due to the longer wheelbase and lower tire pressure that I can run in the 37s. My Gladiator has always driven very nice so No will need or loser there.
Up on the highway I can set the cruise at 78 on my 2.7 Bronco and my GPS checked speed never fluctuates more than 0.5 mph and it never downshifts out of 10th gear. I have the gauges up so I can watch the boost climb and the instant mpg drop but the Bronco has a much better engine and transmission combo than the Gladiator.
All that being said I love them both and neither will ever be sold!

 

[jbmdux]

I’ve been wanting to drive a Bronco since they were released but dealerships around here kept their mannequin on the showroom floor to keep miles down. Ford dealership near my work baited me and told me I could drive their 2.7L Wildtrak only to tell me they only demo the 2.3L Bronco they have. Well I went ahead and did so and all I can say is I couldn’t wait to get back into my Gladiator. The 2.3L 4 cylinder is a freaking “TURD” and that says a lot coming from the brick of a Gladiator I drive currently. And this was with stock tires. I can’t imagine how bad it is with the Sasquatch package. I can’t believe the Ford fanboys say the 2.3
L is powerful enough.
Now this was with a Big Bend package. Is the bearing different on a Badlands or Wildtrak w/ Sasquatch? I know this is just my perception and others may disagree. I still want to drive a 2.7L Bronco.

Others have referenced the 2.3 Turbo in the explorer. I am not sure if it is the same as in teh Bronco, but I have to agree, it is dog and not even close to the gladiator in acceleration. Much like the eco-"boost" in the F-150, you have to really jump on it to go anywhere and then the "eco" leaves teh equation as you get 12 mpg.

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