PHOTOS: The Ford Bronco Is Back And Better Than Ever (Plus Hidden Features)
After being absent on the market for over two decades, Ford finally resurrected the beloved Bronco in 2021. This time, the iconic SUV is more capable than ever before. It truly is a proper Bronco reimagined for the 21st century. The automaker also fitted the new Bronco with all kinds of easter eggs and hidden features. Some are hidden in plain sight, while the others are nearly impossible to find. Check out what makes the new Bronco better than any of its predecessors.
A Rail To Secure Your Gear
If you look at the top of the dashboard of the 2021 Ford Bronco, you will quickly notice a rail that runs on top of the dash. You may not make much of it at first, though it is a clever solution to secure any equipment when off-roading.
The rail can be used to secure a GoPro camera when driving across crazy trails, for example. That way, you can film your entire journey without worrying about suction cups falling off the windshield of your Ford Bronco.
Steel Shields For The Underbody
In extreme conditions, even an 11.6-inch ground clearance won't protect the underbody from damages. Ford has made sure that the new Bronco survives all kinds of rough terrain and has equipped each one with steel shields.
The steel shields found on the new Bronco are made specifically to protect the crucial under-body components, such as the engine or the fuel tank, from any damage. Buyers can add the optional side rock rails that can handle the weight of the car in case of a rollover.
The Pull-Out Tray Looks Familiar
Paying homage to the original Bronco was most certainly a key point for the design team when developing the all-new Ford Bronco. The team has indeed done a wonderful job, as the SUV looks like a modern version of the iconic first-gen Bronco. It is the little details that make the big difference, just like the design of the pull-out tray.
The pull-out tray located in the rear cargo area is designed just like the one in the original Bronco. The design features horizontal lines as well as the word Ford embossed in the right corner, just like the one found in its predecessor.
The Bronco Has An Inclinometer
One of the primary reasons why a car buyer would pick the brand new Ford Bronco over its predecessors is the comfort of having an array of modern features. A large 12-inch touchscreen found in the middle of the dashboard is the heart of the Bronco's infotainment system. While it has hundreds of helpful features, the inclinometer is one of the coolest ones of them all.
The inclinometer is especially helpful when off-roading. What's more, if you take a closer look at the meter itself you may spot another easter egg. The car displayed in the middle of the meter is the original, first-gen Ford Bronco.
The Floor Has A Drainage System
After an adventurous day of off-road exploration, the interior of your vehicle could definitely use a thorough wash. However, most cars can't be washed from the inside as they have no drain points. Luckily, Ford has proposed a clever solution to this annoying problem.
The new Bronco comes equipped with a rubberized floor that's dotted with drain points. You can wash the car inside and out without any worries. Note that this is an optional feature that's not found on every single new Bronco. Make sure the drain points are open before you begin washing the floor!
Trail Sights
The all-new Ford Bronco was designed with utility in mind. One of the car's clever features is the Trail Sights, which is a set of raised edges on each side of the hood. That way, you can navigate around trails a lot easier. The Trail Sights are more than just a design feature, too.
Apart from improving navigating around narrow trails, the Trail Sights double as tie-down points. Drivers can use the Trail Sights to strap all kinds of stuff to. Remember their maximum capacity is 150 pounds.
A Trail Maps App For Offroading
There is no doubt that the new Ford Bronco was designed with off-roading fun in mind, just like the predecessors of this capable SUV. One of the features that ensure the driver has plenty of off-roading fun is also a part of the sophisticated infotainment system.
The Trail Maps app consists of over a thousand different trail maps, as well as off-roading trail guides. These can be added to your overall navigation. The Trail Maps are available on the standard 8-inch screen, as well as the optional 12-inch one.
Bronco Emblem In The Trunk
It would take a while to find all of the bucking horses hidden throughout the new Ford Bronco. Some of them, however, are rather easy to find. The illuminative bronco that decorates the rear cargo area can quickly be spotted when opening the trunk.
This bronco sits between two LED cargo lights that are directly next to the 12V power outlet, located on the right-hand side of the rear cargo area. The fact that it lights up with all the other interior lights makes this easter egg even easier to find.
The Mirrors Are Mounted On The Cowl
Adding frameless, removable doors caused a new issue for the team developing the Ford Bronco. The design team had to figure out a convenient place to mount the mirrors of the vehicle so that they could still be used even if the doors were off. Clearly, they had to be fitted somewhere else than the doors themselves.
Ford came up with a rather ingenious solution and mounted the mirrors on the cowl, as opposed to the doors. That way, you can still navigate safely even when the doors are taken off.
Bronco Torx Screws
Much of the Bronco's interior is held in place by shiny Torx bolts made of aluminum. This type of screw has become a standard in the auto industry, ever since its introduction in the late 1960s. Automakers often choose to use Torx screws as they can be tightened harder and therefore be more secure than regular flat-head screws.
The 2021 Bronco does not use regular Torx screws. Instead, the ones found in the car are actually Bronco-branded screws. Make sure you don't lose them, as finding a replacement could prove to be expensive!
The Headlights Pay Homage
The design language of the all-new Ford Bronco deeply resembles the original model from the 1960s, and the headlights are no exception. Although the lights look modern, their circular shape pays homage to the ones found on the first-gen Bronco.
On the first-gen Ford Bronco, the front fascia was decorated with two circular headlights. The small amber signals were fitted on each side of the Ford emblem on the front grille, directly next to the headlights. The new Bronco features a similar design. The daytime running lights cut through the circular headlights, which gives them a sleek and modern look.
"Lift Me Baby" Pressed Into Fender Liners
The majority of automakers don't acknowledge aftermarket modifications done to their cars, even if they are beloved by the car community. Ferrari, for example, has a history of suing car owners for overly modifying their products. Ford displays a completely different attitude towards aftermarket modifications when it comes to the all-new Bronco.
Ford added the words Lift Me Baby pressed into the fender liners, as many Bronco owners will modify their vehicles to make them even more capable off-road. One of the most common aftermarket modifications is going to be a lift kit that improves the ground clearance.
Center Console Badge
This feature is not hidden at all. Instead, the badge located on the center console is very noticeable, therefore it is difficult to classify it as a proper easter egg. Nonetheless, it is a cool decorative piece by Ford that certainly makes for an extra touch.
The badge reads Designed and engineered in Dearborn, MI USA, along with a Ford logo right in the middle. While the Bronco is built at Ford's Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, the vehicle was designed over in Dearborn around 20 miles east of the plant.
Spartan Design Removable Roof
Removable doors are a cool feature of the Ford Bronco, that's for sure. However, the spartan SUV comes with a removable roof too, which is arguably even cooler!
The roof, which is reportedly easy to take off, is a great way to open up the cabin when off-roading. There are no elements of the frame that run on the roof between the front and rear seats, allowing for the ultimate open-air experience. Driving with the roof removed would give you the same experience as driving a full-on convertible. What more could you possibly ask for?
Bucking Horse On The Rear
The bucking horse hidden in the headlight design is far from the only easter egg that pays homage to the car's name. The 2021 Ford Bronco comes equipped with a bucking bronco emblem fitted on the rear of the car, directly next to the right tail light.
Though this emblem has been around ever since the original Bronco from the mid-1960s, it is now more glamorous than ever before. The bucking horse's kick is higher and appears more powerful as opposed to the one found in the previous Ford Bronco.
The Steering Wheel Emblem No Longer Has The Blue Oval
Some petrolheads may be surprised to hear that the Ford Bronco does not have the Blue Oval logo on the steering wheel. Instead, the American automaker decided to decorate the steering wheel with the bucking horse. Ford has done the same for the Mustang, which features a model-specific pony on the steering wheel and not the Blue Oval.
Interestingly, it has not always been this way. Back in the 60s, the original Bronco proudly wore a Blue Oval on the steering wheel. Up until the discontinuation of the fifth-gen Bronco in 1996, the car featured Ford's logo on the steering wheel.
Advanced 4x4 Drivetrain
A capable four-by-four drivetrain is the core of any capable off-roading vehicle, and the latest sixth-gen Ford Bronco is no different. The team at Ford made sure the new Bronco was capable enough to bear the moniker. Luckily, the car surpassed all of the expectations, even though the bar was already set high.
The 4x4 system on the new Bronco is powered by a two-speed electromechanical transfer case. It adds an auto mode for automatic on-demand engagement between 2H and 4H. Flat towing is possible too, simply lock the transfer case into neutral.
Trail 1-Pedal Drive
In order to make sure that the new Bronco was tough enough to bear its iconic nameplate, Ford had to prepare the SUV for the toughest off-road scenarios possible. Without a doubt, rock crawling can easily fall within this category.
The automaker introduced a 1-Pedal Drive system to make crawling easier than ever. The driver can control the speed of the vehicle using only the accelerator pedal. When 1-Pedal Drive is engaged, the Bronco will come to a complete stop as soon as the driver's foot is off the accelerator.
Bronco On The Shifter
This easter egg can only be seen in the 10-speed automatic variant of the Ford Bronco. Buyers who opt for the 7-speed manual version of the car will have to sacrifice one decorative feature hidden on the shifter. You guessed it, it's yet another bronco!
This is one of the first bucking horses you'll find as the owner of the all-new Ford Bronco. A small horse is engraved into the aluminum part of the shifter, right above the American flag.
The Bronco's Removable Doors
Removable doors are not all that uncommon in the off-roading world. The doors on the Jeep Wrangler, for example, can be taken off without much of a hassle. The all-new Bronco takes the concept of removable doors to a whole new level, making it easier than ever before.
The frameless doors of the new Bronco are reportedly very easy to be taken on and off. When off-roading, you can store the doors in the rear cargo area. Don't worry about scratching them, as Ford has included a set of protective door bags. Once you're done off-roading, simply take the doors out of the bags and put them back on the vehicle!
Hidden Bottle Opener
While the Bronco is packed with fun easter eggs, most of them do not really serve any purpose. After all, there isn't much you can do with a horse emblem hidden in the headlight design. A bottle opener that's hidden in the rear cargo area, though? This clever easter egg doubles as a useful feature!
Once you park your 2021 Bronco and open the trunk, you'll find the bottle opener hidden in the tubing of the car's roll cage. It is not the first Ford that's fitted with a hidden bottle opener, either.
Trail Turn Assist
An agile turning radius is essential when dealing with challenging terrain off the beaten path. Once again, Ford has introduced a system made to improve the off-roading capabilities of the all-new Bronco.
When engaged, the Trail Turn Assist system improves the turning radius at low speeds. The system is nearly as ingenious as the science behind it. When the system is engaged, the car will apply the brakes to the inside rear wheel of the Ford Bronco.
The Taillights
Much like the headlights of the all-new Ford Bronco, the car's taillights pay homage to the car's legendary predecessor. The design language of the original Bronco's taillights was carried over to the latest sixth-generation, though the lights received a modern facelift.
The design of the housing resembles the one found in the original Bronco. Naturally, the lights are powered by bright LEDs. The white reverse light, which is hidden within the taillight, is also a tribute to the original Ford Bronco.
The Sasquatch Package
At first, the Sasquatch Package available for the sixth-generation Ford Bronco may seem like any other optional package. Until you take a deeper look into the car's technical specifications, that is. More precisely, you may notice something unusual about the ground clearance from the SUV.
When equipped with the Sasquatch Package and factory-fitted 35" tires, the new Ford Bronco has a ground clearance of 11.6 inches. Apart from being impressive, it is also nearly identical to the ground clearance of the original Bronco Roadster from 1966. Now that is the definition of going the extra mile!
See Everything With The 360-Degree Camera System
The new Ford Bronco is all about taking the off-roading experience to a whole new level. While the automaker included an array of standard off-roading features, such as high ground clearance or different drive modes curated for various types of terrain, the SUV is also loaded with high-tech features that should be standard on a modern off-roader. Among them is a 360-degree camera system.
The camera system accessed from the infotainment system offers panoramic 360-degree views. That way, you can see any obstacles around you that would otherwise go unnoticed.
Water Fording
The Badlands variant of the new Ford Bronco features some of the best water-fording capability in its segment. It goes without saying that the ability to cross bodies of water is an absolute must-have on any proper off-roading vehicle, such as the Ford Bronco.
When paired with the optional 35" inch tires, Ford claims that the Bronco can be submerged up to 23.6" underwater. That's over 10 inches more than the ground clearance of the SUV, which is equally impressive.
Horse In The Headlights
The little horse emblem that's hidden deep in the headlight design is not an easy easter egg to spot. In fact, most owners won't know about it at all. You have to know where to look for it!
The horse is hidden on the outer edge of the daytime running light that cuts through the circular headlight. It is not just any horse either, but a bucking horse. Did you know that a bucking horse can also be referred to as the Bronco? That's how the Ford Bronco got its logo, as well as the name.
Wide Array of Accessories
The Ford Bronco has a long history of customization ever since the debut of the first-gen back in the 1960s. The latest 2021 version of the Bronco is no different. In fact, the automaker went the extra mile to make personalizing of the Bronco more complex than ever before.
Ford announced an impressive list of at least 300 different accessories for the new Bronco, all of which are either factory-authorized or factory-developed. The wide array of extra parts includes different mud flaps, floor liners, pet harnesses, and range-extending antennas to name a few.
Mysterious Mountain Range
This is another feature of the new Ford Bronco that's hidden in the rear roll cage of the vehicle, near the previously mentioned bottle opener. There is a piece of plastic with a mountain range embossed on it, as well as the coordinates of a mysterious location at 34.5261 N 116.75685 W. Where do the coordinates lead to?
The coordinates lead to the Johnson Valley in California, which is home to the King of the Hammer race sponsored by Ford. What's more, the SUV was intensely tested throughout this area, too.
The Start Button Looks Familiar
While the new Bronco is packed with various easter eggs all over the interior, this one can be difficult to spot even though it's hidden in plain sight. Take another look at the push-to-start button of the 2021 Ford Bronco. Notice anything familiar?
The shape of the push-to-start button resembles the design of the headlights, complete with a rectangular shape that cuts through the circular light! Although owners of the Bronco will be using the start button every time they turn on the vehicle, it is easy to overlook this clever easter egg.
Trail Control For Cruise Control While Off Roading
This is yet another feature of the new Bronco that is exclusive to the automatic variant of the vehicle. The Trail Control is a clever cruise control system designed for off-road use, which is a standard option on the automatic version of the new Bronco.
Unlike a regular cruise control system, the Trail Control manages throttle and braking at each wheel individually. With the system engaged, the drivers can dedicate all of their attention to navigating through the trails, while the speed is maintained by the vehicle.
Massive Tires From Factory
While Ford is all for the owners slapping aftermarket modifications on their Broncos, the automaker also offers a wide array of optional features fitted right in the factory. Among them is a set of massive 35" tires, ideal for getting through the roughest terrain one could think of.
You wouldn't expect anything less from the 2021 Bronco. Designers went above and beyond to make this highly-anticipated generation extra special straight off the lot.
GOAT
Back in the 60s, Ford began working on a brand new off-roading vehicle. The car was meant to be more capable than any other alternative in its class. The project was internally referred to as the GOAT, short for Goes Over All Terrain. The final product debuted for the 1966 model year as the Ford Bronco. The rest is history.
Ford's recent Built Wild campaign featured a set of photos of the new Bronco in the middle of a trip of goats. The automaker trademarked the acronym, too. In the latest Bronco, the driver can select between different GOAT modes to match the surface of the terrain.
Sync 4
Just like the new Ford Mustang Mach-E Crossover SUV, the redesigned Ford Bronco comes equipped with the latest Sync 4 software for the infotainment system. While much of the Bronco's design pays homage to the original Bronco, the modern infotainment system is a quick reminder that this is indeed a brand new vehicle.
The seamless Sync 4 has any feature a car owner could possibly ask for, including cloud connectivity, natural voice control, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto capability, and a large touchscreen to control all the features.
Off-Road Hero Switches
The higher trim levels of the sixth-generation Ford Bronco come equipped with a handy feature, which is located right in the center of the top of the dashboard. The panel features up to six different switches conveniently located above the touchscreen, all to ensure you stay in control when off-roading.
Thanks to the off-road hero switch pack, the driver can quickly disconnect the stabilizer bar, lock up the front or rear differential, engage Trail Turn Assist, control the electronic stability control or switch on the hazard lights.
An Optional Feature Hides A Campfire Illustration
Just like the previously mentioned bucking horse located on the shifter, this easter egg is exclusive for just one variant of the Bronco. Car buyers have to order the optional slide-out rear cargo panel to get this hidden feature. We'll let you decide whether it's worth it or not.
The slide-out panel comes with a little illustration embossed on a plastic plate. It shows a stick figure enjoying a campfire while sitting on the slide-out tailgate of the original, first-gen Bronco. That's a cute extra touch indeed.
Hidden Lasso Icons
Another easter egg that's hidden in the rear cargo area, perhaps less obvious than the large bucking horse that decorates the floor, is the little lasso. In fact, there are four of them hidden in the back of the all-new Ford Bronco.
A lasso decorates each of the four tie-down hoops that are designed to secure any items stored in the rear. While the loops are already a clever feature in itself, the engraved lassos are a clever extra touch that can easily be overlooked.
Built Wild
Car buyers can currently choose from six different trim levels of the all-new sixth-generation Ford Bronco. Sadly, the seventh trim known as the First Edition was limited to just 7,000 units. It has completely sold out by now. Nonetheless, there is a variety of other trims to pick from.
While the base model is already extremely versatile, the Big Bend trim adds more features such as a remote start system and a steering wheel wrapped in leather. The Wildtrak is the ultimate variant of the Bronco. It features an upgraded 2.7L Ecoboost powerplant and the Sasquatch Package as standard, among other features.
Original Bronco Under The Fuel Tank Door
This is yet another easter egg that's easy to spot within just days of owning the new Ford Bronco. In fact, every owner will spot this hidden feature as soon as they open the fuel tank door to fill up the Bronco for the first time.
Once you pop the fuel tank door open, you will see an illustration of three original Ford Broncos situated right above the fuel cap. The U13 roadster, U14 half-cab, and U15 wagon are the three original body styles of the Bronco offered by Ford back in the 1960s. What a cool tribute to the car's predecessor!
American Flag On The Shifter (Automatic Only)
You may have noticed another easter egg located on the shifter of the Bronco, right below the previously mentioned bucking horse engraved in the aluminum. The shifter is proudly decorated by the American flag, which sits above the leather stitching on the shifter.
The all-new Bronco is perhaps as American as a modern vehicle can get. The SUV is made primarily for the North American market, and it is assembled and designed in the US. Note that the flag is only engraved on the automatic shifter.
