2021 Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport/How I Would Buy It: 2021 Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport are looking to shake up the off-roading scene and rekindle some nostalgia.

Ford has taken the wraps off its highly anticipated Bronco and Bronco Sport SUVs, so let’s talk about each briefly and then I’ll show you which one I’d consider for myself.

Bronco:

The revived Ford Bronco is aimed at the Jeep Wrangler and is built on a high-strength steel platform. There will be two and four-door models and engines offered will be a 2.3L turbo inline four-cylinder making 270 HP and 310 lb.-ft. of torque and a 2.7L turbo V6 making 310 HP and 400 lb.-ft. of torque. While the 2.7L V6 will have a 10-speed automatic, the 2.3L I4 will have a 10-speed automatic or an optional 7-speed manual transmission. Broncos will only have 4 wheel-drive with an independent front suspension and a solid rear axle. The advanced 4WD setup has a two-speed electric transfer case with a heavy-duty Dana rear axle and available front and rear locking differentials. The roof and doors on both the two and four-door Broncos can be removed for a “drop top style” ride. Ford’s SYNC 4 infotainment will be standard and includes several preloaded trails and allows users to share their off-road journeys as well. Of course, many skid plates, rock rails and other accessories will be offered through Ford (and I’m sure aftermarket as well as time passes).

Bronco Sport:

The Bronco Sport is aimed at the Jeep Renegade, Compass, and Cherokee among other “rugged” compact crossovers, such as the Toyota RAV4 Adventure and RAV4 TRD Off-Road. Unlike its big brother Bronco, the Bronco Sport is only offered as a four-door model. Trim levels are shared with the larger Bronco and are called Base, Big Bend, Outer Banks, Badlands, and the limited run First Edition. Lower trims will have Ford’s 1.5L EcoBoost 3-cylinder engine making 181 HP and 190 lb.-ft. of torque. Badlands and First Edition models get a 2.0L EcoBoost turbo I4 making 245 HP and 250 lb.-ft. of torque. Both engines have an 8-speed automatic transmission. The Bronco Sport will have an independent front and rear suspension, and on the Badlands and First Edition models you will get an advanced 4x4 system with a twin-clutch rear-drive unit and differential-lock. Drive modes are called “G.O.A.T.” (which means ‘goes over any type of terrain’ - this is also found in the bigger Bronco) and include Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, and Sand. Mud/Ruts, Trail Control, and Rock Crawl drive modes are included in the Badlands and First Edition models. Ford Co-Pilot360, which is Ford’s active safety package and ADAS, is standard across the Bronco Sport lineup. 

Ford seems to be turning the Bronco into its own family within the Ford lineup. Reservations for the Bronco and Bronco Sport can be made for $100 on Ford’s website. You can build your dream Bronco Sport now. Speaking of which…

How I Would Buy It: 2021 Bronco Sport

The bigger Bronco isn’t quite my style, but here’s how I’d get a Bronco Sport.

-Trim: Outer Banks

-Exterior Color: Alto Blue ($395)

-Interior Color: Ebony/Brown Leather Seats

-Features: 4WD, power passenger seat, reverse sensing system, heated seats, heated steering wheel, cargo mat, Sync 3, SiriusXM Radio, front and rear floor liners, class II trailer tow package ($495)

-Price: $35,095

Verdict: To me, this trim strikes the best value in the Bronco Sport lineup, since it has everything I’d personally want. 4WD, heated seats, a heated steering wheel, leather seats, and rugged looks make for a compelling package, along with sharp blue paint. Jeep would be smart to offer larger engine choices in the Compass, specifically.

Will you be reserving and buying a Bronco, and are you excited for its return? The off-roading game is about to get interesting!

Bonus: Here are some photos of the Bronco Sport and Transit Connect I saw testing on the highway! Could this mean a hybrid Transit is coming? And it looks like Jeep is planning a future HEMI V8 Wrangler as a response to the 2021 Bronco as well.

SPOTTED: Ford Transit Connect and Bronco Sport prototypes

It looks like a HEMI Wrangler (and maybe Gladiator) could be coming...

Copyright © 2020 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

Its Amazing that the Pontiac Aztek Looks *Almost* Normal Now

Perhaps one of the most controversial vehicles ever, the Aztek seems to have inspired some modern SUV designs.

In the age of crossovers, you often hear people complaining that “everything looks the same”. However, I’d argue that there are actually some pretty unique SUV designs out there. And all these aggressively styled, flashy, modern SUVs have one unique predecessor to thank: the Pontiac Aztek.

Throwback: The Pontiac Aztec and Buick Rendezvous were similar, but the Buick came across as more conventional.

For those of you that need a refresher: the Pontiac Aztek was an SUV produced between the 2001 and 2005 model years that was based on GM’s U-body minivans (the Chevrolet Venture, Pontiac Montana, and Oldsmobile Silhouette). It came standard with a 3.4L V6 engine and could be optioned with AWD and even a lifestyle tent that attached to the rear of the car. Its largely considered one of the ugliest vehicles of all time and holds the dual distinction to many as being the car that began Pontiac’s final decline into oblivion by 2010. A part of me feels the Aztek was ahead of its time on the crossover trend. Buick also made a version of the Aztek called the Rendezvous starting in 2002, although its styling wasn’t quite as… “controversial” let’s say. The Aztek was replaced by the Pontiac Torrent for the 2006 model year and Rendezvous was replaced by the Buick Enclave after the 2007 model year.

And that’s where we get to the meat of this post. For all the hate the Aztek got in the 2000s, there are a lot of SUVs now that emulate its once-bizarre styling. In particular, the split headlight trend that is going on now in the industry is worth noting.

Look at Hyundai’s entire SUV lineup for example:

The 2014-2018 Jeep Cherokee:

The face on the new Chevy Blazer and Trailblazer, also GM products:

Somewhat the Genesis GV80:

BMW X7:

2021 Nissan Rogue:

Lynk & Co:

And the new Mazda CX-30, which actually is a good looking crossover, BUT - it has a ridiculous amount of black lower body cladding like the Aztek had:

Bonus - Let’s not forget the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, which ripped its rear styling directly from the Aztek:

And there are/will be others I’m sure. But to me, this just shows us two things. For one, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Because this whole split headlight and large grille trend is DEFINITELY NOT my cup of tea… But hey, it’s a look that sells! So, there must be something the masses like about it – maybe because it looks more aggressive/rugged. And two, society really does move in “waves” as I call it, or trends. This might be a trendy look now, but 10 years from now, who knows? Maybe we’ll all love sedans and coupes again.

Until then, thank your lucky Azteks for your high-style inspired SUV. Walter White would be proud.

Copyright © 2020 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.