Bronco Everglades Zero Mile Review | Best Squatch'd Bronco Yet???
Ford has an absolute hit on their hands with the new Bronco, and it’s pretty obvious that they know it. Very few vehicles in their line-up, beyond the flagship F-150, are available in as many models and configurations as the latest Bronco; and the Everglades version we recently got to test. This tester was something of a special treat because I got to pick it up brand-new from Ford in Detroit and bring it back to South Carolina to become part of the local media fleet. She was unspoiled by the grubby mitts of uninitiated bloggers.
This swamp specialist of the Bronco line-up came equipped with the 2.3L EcoBoost I-4, 10R60 Auto, unique wheels, Everglades graphics, and an exclusive snorkel for deep fording adventures. As a package, I feel the Everglades model offers just enough to set it apart from the rest of its Bronco brethren. Think of it as being the equivalent of a Bullitt Mustang Vs a GT Premium. The ‘Glade packs in all the content/capability from the Sasquatch package and tops it off with some South Florida flare. We cover it in-depth (pun intended) in this video:
Out on the road the driving experience is similar to any other ‘Squatch equipped Bronco. The suspension and steering is confidence inspiring without being harsh. The Goodyear Mud Terrain tires create a little excess noise, but feel sure-footed. The 2.3L EcoBoost delivers adequate power, decent fuel economy, and a touch of character (in the form of injector and turbo noises) that I really appreciate. From a simplicity/durability standpoint I actually prefer the 2.3L over the 2.7L, but that’s a conversation for another time.
The grey/black 2-tone interior of the Everglades Bronco is understated, but really well executed. I thing it's one of the best in the entire Bronco line-up.
These wheels are super chunky. While they are not bead-lock capable, they do look great on this package.
Off-road we were severely limited in our options due to it being a really inconvenient time to pick up some new felonies. South Carolina DNR frown upon smashing though Venus Flytraps in the swamp land around us. Still, we were able to find a few sandy spots to engage the lockers and test the Goodyear’s traction. The results were unsurprising. Any Sasquatch equipped Bronco is a certified monster straight off the assembly line. It ate up everything we threw at it. Seriously, if you like spending time in the dirt you need to try a Squatchy Bronco. They are supremely impressive.
The snorkel is the center-piece of the Everglades package.
These plates can be swapped around to alter the direction from which intake air pulled.
This block-off plate can be moved to the front of the snorkel in dusty conditions to limit the amount of dirt particles the filter has to contend with.
This unique air-box foregoes the front air scoop in place of drawing fresh air from the snorkel.
The most unique feature of the Everglades model has to be the snorkel. It looks great and is functional. You can swap around the plates/grills on it to either block off dust or allow for wide open breathing and potentially a little ram-air action at speed. That high mounted breather is paired with extended breather hoses on the axles and other driveline components, allowing the Everglades to handle up to 3 feet of water. Also standing out is the massive Warn winch hanging off the front bumper. It seems oversized for a Bronco, until you remember that these things weigh upwards of 2.5 tons. You’ll need all that yank it you end up burying this thing in a bounty hole.
This Warn winch is a great looking addition.
It's a massive winch for a vehicle this size, and the build quality looks great.
The Everglades has the Bilstein suspension from the standard Sasquatch package.
Overall, I feel the Everglades package is a worthy addition to the Bronco line-up. It has adds enough styling and capabilities to create its own slot in the model range, but without becoming something overly expensive or niche. My favorite model of the standard Bronco line (the BRaptor doesn’t count) is still the Badlands, but the Everglades is a close second. If only Ford would offer it in a 2-Door with a manual transmission. That would probably be enough to get me back into a dealership. What do yoyu guys think?
-SID297
