Reviewed | 2022 Bronco Wildtrack Heads into the Wilderness

SID297

OWNER/ADMIN
Administrator
Joined
Mar 27, 2003
Messages
55,703
Location
Myrtle Beach, SC
Reviewed | 2022 Bronco Wildtrack Heads into the Wilderness
2022_Bronco_Wildtrack_001.jpg


Want to turn some heads? Try showing up to “The Final” Mustang Week in Wildtrack Bronco. Ford fans around the nation love their horse cars (even Pintos???) and the Bronco is definitely welcome in the club. We’ve been holding back on sharing this story for a few months, but the time seems right now. The Wildtrack trim level brings the equipment to the Bronco that will satisfy 98% of buyers. Style and performance, this truck has it all.


On the road, the Bronco is more comfortable and sure footed than most would give it credit. You can tell the chassis dynamics engineers put in overtime to make this platform perform well above expectations. The dash is logically laid out, and the interior is ruggedly built. You get the sense that this SUV was designed by enthusiasts, by those who get “it”. This video may explain what I mean a little more clearly:



No matter the trim level, or number of doors, I have thoroughly enjoyed very single Bronco I have had the opportunity to drive. By design, they are capable of feats far beyond the off-roading skills of most drivers. To put it simply, they are built to make wheeling fool-proof. The shocks, lockers, gears, tires, and software all combine to produce a package that gives the driver the confidence to tackle nearly any terrain.


Back on the pavement, the Wildtrack Bronco is surprisingly tame. On a trip the mileage lands around 20MPG, and acceleration from the 2.7L EcoBoost is decent. I often get majorly annoyed by 10R80 transmission tuning, but it’s tolerable in the Bronco. The ‘Squatch ride is a bit more firm than that of the BRaptor, but nothing to complain about. Unless you’re going to go hog-wild with aftermarket suspension and drivetrain components, I would always option the Sasquatch package.


I’ve heard many complain about wind noise with the new Broncos, but I’ve never seen that as an issue with the factory hard-top. The soft-top may be a different story, but I haven’t driven a Bronco so equipped. I can say that adding light bars and roof-racks will increase audible wind noise, but that’s just a good excuse the crank up the stereo.

2022_Bronco_Wildtrack_005.jpg


I've long been a fan of Bilstein shocks, and the ones on the Bronco Wildtrack do not disappoint.


The 2.7L EcoBoost is no slouch. I’ve long been impressed by the power this little mill, and it continues to impress in the Bronco platform. It’s really a shame that Ford refuses to offer it with the 7-spd manual transmission. That would be a world class combination, unmatched by anything else on the market. It’s equally disappointing that the 2.7L is not an option for the Ranger, but that’s a complaint for a different story. To put it succinctly, if you don’t want to row your own gears you should absolutely upgrade from the base 2.3L I-4 to the optional 2.7L V6. The 2.3 is a great engine, but it simply can’t match the diesel-like torque production of the twin-turbo 2.7.


With the Bronco, Ford has an undeniable hit on their hands. It’s insanely popular, highly sought after, and for good reason. Demand for a new Kickin’ Horse has been building since the mid-90s. The current Bronco may not be exactly what everyone was hoping for, but I’m here to tell you it’s a damn good truck. There’re a lot of people that were basically hoping for a Blue-Oval version of a Jeep Wrangler, but the Bronco has never been that. From the outset it was more substantial vehicle than the Jeep. Having spent significant time with latest versions of the Bronco and Wrangler, I can safely say that that only true advantage the Jeep has is that it’s much cheaper to mod (suspension-wise) than the Bronco. The Ford simply out classes it everywhere else (with the noted exception of the silly/fun factor of the 392).


So if you think you may want to get in the somewhat frustratingly long line to get a Bronco, I can tell you it is worth the wait. This Wildtrack edition is essentially a ‘Loaded’ 4-Door model that is easily capable of pulling double duty a daily driver and a weekend warrior. It may not be the best choice if you’re looking to tow heavily, but for pretty much everything else it is a rock-solid choice. If you’re still riding the fence, I highly recommend you drive one. I have a feeling you’ll end up placing an order.

2022_Bronco_Wildtrack_007.jpg
2022_Bronco_Wildtrack_008.jpg
2022_Bronco_Wildtrack_010.jpg
2022_Bronco_Wildtrack_011.jpg
2022_Bronco_Wildtrack_016.jpg
2022_Bronco_Wildtrack_017.jpg
2022_Bronco_Wildtrack_019.jpg
2022_Bronco_Wildtrack_028.jpg


-SID297
 
Last edited:

Tob

Salut!
Super Moderator
Joined
Mar 17, 2009
Messages
12,192
Location
The Ville
Ooo...a squared up photo of this label and then PS your VIN and Tag# (along with some random VEE#) and your tuned and catless badboy now has hope.

Inspection station - "What the..."
Me - "Yup. You are authorized to slap an inspection sticker on there and we gone!"


2022_bronco_wildtrack_013-jpg.1782101
 

TORQUERULES

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2005
Messages
1,583
Location
Huntington, WV
Not a pretty engine, that's for sure.
It's like they have given up making them neat and tidy. If a Ferrari can pass emissions and still look tidy under the hood, then other manufacturers can try a little more. Not just slap a cover on there to hide it all either. Some wire looms and bracketry to get the hoses out of the way and bundled would go a long way.
 

SID297

OWNER/ADMIN
Administrator
Joined
Mar 27, 2003
Messages
55,703
Location
Myrtle Beach, SC
It's like they have given up making them neat and tidy. If a Ferrari can pass emissions and still look tidy under the hood, then other manufacturers can try a little more. Not just slap a cover on there to hide it all either. Some wire looms and bracketry to get the hoses out of the way and bundled would go a long way.

You're not wrong.
 

TORQUERULES

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2005
Messages
1,583
Location
Huntington, WV
You're not wrong.
Those 2.7s are the most disguising I have seen, but they are all bad right now. The 7.3 Godzilla and Coyote are the best Ford has for neatness, but could be much better. I realize they do not want the average Joe working on them, but that nightmare would make most Ford service mechanics want to quit. Not to mention how much that would be to deal with on the assembly line.
 

SID297

OWNER/ADMIN
Administrator
Joined
Mar 27, 2003
Messages
55,703
Location
Myrtle Beach, SC
Those 2.7s are the most disguising I have seen, but they are all bad right now. The 7.3 Godzilla and Coyote are the best Ford has for neatness, but could be much better. I realize they do not want the average Joe working on them, but that nightmare would make most Ford service mechanics want to quit. Not to mention how much that would be to deal with on the assembly line.

The 7.3 looks flat-head V8 simple compared to a 2.7L.
 

OX1

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2015
Messages
833
Location
New Jersey
Those 2.7s are the most disguising I have seen, but they are all bad right now. The 7.3 Godzilla and Coyote are the best Ford has for neatness, but could be much better. I realize they do not want the average Joe working on them, but that nightmare would make most Ford service mechanics want to quit. Not to mention how much that would be to deal with on the assembly line.

Try working on one in "FWD" configuration....UGH!! Had to drop the entire subframe just to put in a front swaybar. Not looking forward to someday swapping in MKZ turbo's (but I will).
 

Users who are viewing this thread



Top