Cars

Is the 2025 Ford Bronco Worth Buying? Full Review & Test

JH
John H
Senior Cars Expert
8 min read

Is the 2025 Ford Bronco Worth Buying? Full Review & Test

The 2025 Ford Bronco has reignited the off-road spirit with bold styling, modern technology, and an unrelenting commitment to adventure. Since its revival in 2021, the Bronco has earned a passionate following among outdoor enthusiasts, weekend warriors, and SUV shoppers seeking both rugged capability and daily drivability. But with new model years bringing updates and fresh competition, many are asking: Is the 2025 Ford Bronco worth buying? In this comprehensive review and real-world test, we break down everything you need to know—from performance and interior features to off-road prowess and value for money.

Design & Exterior: Retro Meets Rugged Modern

The 2025 Ford Bronco continues to honor its iconic heritage with boxy proportions, a two-box silhouette, and a removable roof and doors—features that instantly set it apart in a sea of sleek crossovers. Its upright stance, wide fenders, and aggressive front grille are more than just styling cues; they signal serious off-road intent.

This year, Ford has refined the exterior with subtle but meaningful changes. New LED lighting signatures give the front and rear a more modern flair, while updated wheel designs and fresh paint options—including a striking Mojave Metallic and Sea Salt Blue—enhance curb appeal. The optional Modular Hard Top now comes with a power-retractable rear glass, improving accessibility and convenience.

One standout feature remains the Bronco’s modular design. You can remove the roof panels (both front and rear), fold down the windshield (on certain trims), and even store the doors in the cargo area—something few SUVs on the market allow. This open-air experience is a major selling point for those who love trail adventures and warm-weather driving.

Interior & Comfort: Adventure-Ready with Daily Livability

Step inside the 2025 Bronco, and you’ll find a cabin built for adventure without sacrificing comfort. The interior is rugged yet refined, with water-resistant vinyl flooring, easy-to-clean surfaces, and a dashboard layout designed for intuitive control. Rubberized floor mats and a sealed center console help protect against mud and moisture—a thoughtful touch for off-roaders.

Available seating upgrades now include ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel, boosting comfort in extreme temperatures. The 12-inch digital instrument cluster and 12-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen are standard on higher trims, offering crisp graphics, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and over-the-air updates. Voice recognition and cloud-based navigation make staying connected easier than ever.

Rear seat space has been slightly improved this year, with more legroom and reclining options on four-door models. Cargo capacity remains competitive: 35.7 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 77.4 cubic feet with the seats folded—plenty for camping gear, bikes, or weekend luggage.

While materials aren’t quite luxury-level, they’re durable and well-suited to the Bronco’s purpose. Soft-touch plastics are used in key areas, and the overall fit and finish have improved since the 2021 launch, showing Ford’s attention to detail.

Performance & Engine Options: Power for Every Terrain

The 2025 Ford Bronco offers three engine choices, catering to a wide range of driving needs and budgets.

During our road test, the 2.3L EcoBoost stood out for its responsiveness and fuel efficiency (EPA-estimated 22 mpg city/25 highway). The V6, while thirstier (19 city/22 highway), offered exhilarating acceleration and confident performance on steep trails. The new hybrid model proved surprisingly capable off-road, with instant torque from the electric motor aiding low-speed crawling.

Transmission & Drivetrain: Built for Control

Both manual and automatic transmission options emphasize driver engagement. The 7-speed manual (including a dedicated crawl gear) is a rarity in today’s SUV market and beloved by enthusiasts. It gives maximum control during rock crawling and technical trail sections.

The 10-speed automatic transmission is smooth and intelligent, with responsive gear shifts and paddle shifters for added control. It’s standard on most trims and required with the V6 and hybrid powertrains.

All Broncos come standard with four-wheel drive, featuring the robust 4×4 Twin-Clutch system on higher trims. The advanced electronic locking differentials and 7G-Tronic transfer case ensure maximum traction across mud, sand, snow, and rock.

Off-Road Capability: Where the Bronco Shines

There’s no doubt—the 2025 Ford Bronco is engineered for off-road dominance. Our test drive included desert dunes, rocky trails, river crossings, and steep inclines, all of which the Bronco handled with confidence.

Key off-road features include:

The Gooseneck Hitch and Trail Turn Assist help maneuver tight spaces, while the 360-degree Trail View Camera provides real-time visuals of your surroundings—critical when navigating narrow trails or steep drop-offs.

On our Mojave Desert test loop, the Bronco’s Baja mode (part of the FX4 Off-Road Package) allowed for high-speed desert running with excellent suspension damping. The Fox shocks absorbed jumps and dunes with ease, and the vehicle remained stable even at 70+ mph over uneven terrain.

For rock crawlers, the Crawl Control system and Low Range gearing made technical climbs effortless. We ascended a 40-degree incline with loose gravel using only throttle modulation—no jerky movements or wheel spin.

Safety & Driver Assistance: Advanced Protection

Safety has been a focus in the 2025 update. The Bronco now features Ford’s Co-Pilot360 2.5+ suite as standard, including:

While the Bronco hasn’t been fully evaluated by the IIHS or NHTSA for 2025, the 2024 model earned a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS, suggesting strong structural integrity and crash performance.

The rugged nature of the Bronco means visibility can be challenging at times—especially with the spare tire mounted on the rear door. However, the updated camera system and available digital rearview mirror help mitigate blind spots significantly.

Technology & Connectivity: Smarter Than Ever

The 2025 Bronco integrates technology seamlessly into the off-road experience. The SYNC 4 infotainment system now supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and over-the-air updates ensure your software stays current.

One of the most innovative features is the Trail Control 2.0, which allows you to pre-program off-road routes, save favorite trails, and share them with other Bronco owners via the FordPass app. This social aspect fosters a true community of outdoor enthusiasts.

Available features include:

The Bronco also supports Ford’s Integrated Accessory Port (IAP), allowing you to power off-road lights, winches, or portable fridges directly from the dash—no custom wiring required.

Fuel Efficiency: Real-World Numbers

Fuel economy remains a consideration, especially for those using the Bronco as a daily driver. Here’s how the 2025 models stack up:

Engine Transmission City (mpg) Highway (mpg) Combined
2.3L EcoBoost I4 10-speed Auto 22 25 23
2.3L EcoBoost I4 7-speed Manual 20 23 21
2.7L EcoBoost V6 10-speed Auto 19 22 20
1.5L Hybrid Automatic 38 (gas only) 42 (gas only) 90 MPGe (combined)

The hybrid model is clearly the most efficient, especially for city driving. However, it comes with a higher price tag and slightly reduced off-road suspension travel. For most off-road purists, the 2.3L or 2.7L engines remain the preferred choice.

Trim Levels & Pricing: What’s Right for You?

The 2025 Bronco comes in seven trims: Base, Big Bend, Black Diamond, Outer Banks, Badlands, Wildtrak, and Heritage Edition. Pricing starts at $38,595 (including destination) and goes up to $65,000+ for fully loaded Wildtrak models.

For most buyers, the Badlands trim offers the best balance of off-road capability, tech, and value. It’s priced around $52,000 but can exceed $60,000 with options. The <