What year did they remake the Ford Bronco?
The revived Ford Bronco debuted for the 2021 model year, after Ford unveiled it in 2020.
The long-awaited return ended a 24-year production gap since 1996 and introduced two- and four-door body styles and a related Bronco Sport option to broaden the lineup.
Context and significance
After years of speculation, Ford confirmed the Bronco's return as part of a broader push into rugged SUVs and off-road capability, aiming to compete with established nameplates in the segment and recapture a loyal fan base.
Timeline of the revival
The following timeline highlights key moments from public reveal to on-sale reality.
- 2020: Ford publicly unveiled the all-new Bronco (and Bronco Sport) in June, signaling the return of the nameplate and a 2021 model-year launch.
- 2021: The Bronco went on sale in 2021 as the 2021 model year, with two-door and four-door variants and multiple trim levels for off-road enthusiasts.
These steps marked the start of the modern Bronco era and laid the groundwork for ongoing variants and updates.
Variants, platform, and powertrains
Body styles and capabilities
The modern Bronco lineup includes two-door and four-door versions and a separate Bronco Sport. The vehicles are built on a rugged body-on-frame platform and offer removable doors and roof panels, designed for off-road use with multiple four-wheel-drive modes.
Platform and engines
Ford designed the Bronco on a shared chassis with the Ranger pickups, enabling off-road capability and easy integration of EcoBoost engines, including a 2.3-liter four-cylinder and a larger 2.7-liter V6, typically paired with automatic transmissions, with manual options limited to certain trims in earlier years.
Current status and outlook
As of the latest model years, Ford has expanded the Bronco family with multiple trims, special editions, and ongoing updates to technology and powertrains, reinforcing its core appeal to off-road enthusiasts.
Summary
The Ford Bronco was remade and relaunched for the 2021 model year, after Ford unveiled it in 2020. The revival ended a long hiatus and introduced a modern off-road SUV lineup that has evolved with new variants and updates.
