The Ford Bronco isn’t transportation — it’s a lifestyle with a VIN. The 2026 Ford Bronco (the full-size one, not the Bronco Sport) starts at $40,795 and remains the most charismatic off-roader you can buy with a factory warranty: removable doors, removable roof, and a G.O.A.T. Modes terrain system that makes heroes out of novices.
For 2026, the big news is the new Stroppe Edition ($69,995) — a Baja-racing tribute with the 2.7L V6, Code Orange accents, and a white grille that looks straight out of 1969. The Everglades trim is discontinued, and the old Black Diamond becomes a Big Bend package rather than a standalone trim. Seven trims now span from the $40,795 Base to the $79,995 Bronco Raptor.
The 2026 Bronco is for buyers who want the real thing: a body-on-frame 4×4 with solid aftermarket support, genuine trail capability, and looks that stop traffic. It’s not for everyone — the ride is trucky, the interior is loud at highway speed, fuel economy is poor, and the NHTSA hasn’t rated the 2026 model. But nothing else in this price range makes you feel the way a Bronco does with the top off.
Key Specs at a Glance
| Spec | 2026 Ford Bronco |
|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $40,795 (Base 2-door, excl. $1,995 destination) |
| Engines | 2.3L EcoBoost I4; 2.7L EcoBoost V6; 3.0L EcoBoost V6 (Raptor) |
| Horsepower | 300 hp (2.3L, premium fuel); 330 hp (2.7L); 418 hp (Raptor) |
| Torque | 325 lb-ft (2.3L); 415 lb-ft (2.7L); 440 lb-ft (Raptor) |
| MPG (city/hwy/combined) | 18 / 22 / 20 (2.3L automatic) |
| 0-60 mph | Not published by Ford — unverified |
| Drivetrain options | 4WD standard on all trims; 7-speed manual available with 2.3L |
| Seating | 4 (2-door); 5 (4-door) |
| Max towing | 3,500 lb (4,500 lb Raptor) |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi; 5 yr / 60,000 mi powertrain |
2026 Ford Bronco Pricing by Trim
MSRP figures below exclude the $1,995 destination charge.
| Trim | Starting MSRP | Differentiator |
|---|---|---|
| Base | $40,795 | Purist spec; 2.3L engine, 7-speed manual available, steel wheels |
| Big Bend | $41,295 | Daily-driver pick; 17-in alloys, SYNC 4, keyless entry |
| Outer Banks | $48,190 | Comfort trim; leather-trimmed seats, 12-in screen, high-gloss exterior |
| Badlands | $48,890 | Rock-crawler; front/rear lockers, sway-bar disconnect, Bilstein shocks |
| Heritage Edition | $51,625 | Retro style; white grille and roof, plaid cloth, 1960s livery |
| Stroppe Edition | $69,995 | NEW; Baja tribute, 2.7L V6, Code Orange accents, white grille |
| Raptor | $79,995 | Desert weapon; 418-hp 3.0L V6, long-travel suspension, 37-in tires |
What’s New for 2026
- New Stroppe Edition ($69,995) — honors Bill Stroppe’s Baja-winning Broncos: 2.7L V6, Code Orange accents, white grille, and unique graphics.
- Everglades discontinued — the swamp-ready trim with factory snorkel and winch is gone from the lineup.
- Black Diamond becomes a package — no longer a standalone trim; its steel bumpers and washout interior are now a Big Bend option package.
- Simplified 7-trim lineup — Base, Big Bend, Outer Banks, Badlands, Heritage Edition, Stroppe Edition, Raptor.
- Refined tech — 12-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen standard on upper trims with wireless CarPlay/Android Auto; updated G.O.A.T. Modes calibration.
Performance & Fuel Economy
Three engines, three personalities. The 2.3L EcoBoost (300 hp / 325 lb-ft on premium fuel) is the smart buy — strong enough for highway merging and trail work, and the only engine available with the 7-speed manual (which includes a crawler gear). It’s rated 18 mpg city / 22 highway / 20 combined with the automatic.
The 2.7L EcoBoost V6 (330 hp / 415 lb-ft) is the sweet spot for most buyers: effortless torque, better towing manners, and the engine in the Outer Banks, Badlands, Heritage, and Stroppe. The Raptor’s 3.0L (418 hp / 440 lb-ft) is a different animal entirely — long-travel suspension, 37-inch tires, and the ability to run desert whoops at speeds that would destroy a normal SUV.
Fuel economy is the Bronco’s weakness, full stop. Even the efficient 2.3L manages just 20 mpg combined, the Badlands drops to 17/19/18, and the Raptor is rated 15 mpg combined. The Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid exists partly because of numbers like these. If fuel bills matter, this is not your vehicle.
Off-road, though? The Bronco is magnificent. Up to 13.1 inches of ground clearance (Raptor), 37-inch tires, front and rear locking differentials, electronic sway-bar disconnect, and the G.O.A.T. Modes system (Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, Sand, Mud/Ruts, Rock Crawl, Baja) that optimizes throttle, transmission, steering, and lockers for the terrain. The Badlands is the rock-crawling value pick; the Raptor is the desert-racing halo.
Interior & Technology
The Bronco’s interior is built for a life of mud and hoses — and that’s a compliment. Marine-grade vinyl seating, rubberized flooring, and drain plugs mean you can literally hose out the cabin after a trail day. The dash is upright and functional, with a grab handle for the passenger and auxiliary switches pre-wired for lights, winches, and air compressors.
Tech is better than you’d expect from a retro-styled 4×4. Upper trims get the 12-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the available 360-degree camera with spotter views is genuinely useful on tight trails. The 12-inch digital cluster is clear and configurable.
The compromises are honest ones: it’s loud at highway speed (removable roof panels and frameless doors), the ride is trucky, rear-seat space in the 2-door is tight, and cargo space (35.6 cu ft in the 4-door) trails crossover rivals. You don’t buy a Bronco for refinement. You buy it for the doors-off, top-off days that no crossover can deliver.
Safety Ratings
The 2026 Bronco’s safety ratings are thin, and buyers should know that. The IIHS did not award the Bronco a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+, citing Marginal performance in the updated moderate-overlap front test and Marginal headlight ratings. The NHTSA had not published 2026 Bronco star ratings as of September 2026.
Standard equipment includes Ford Co-Pilot360: pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping system, auto high-beams, and rear-view camera. Available upgrades include adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist.
Context matters here: removable-door, removable-roof 4x4s are inherently compromised in crash testing versus fixed-roof SUVs — the Jeep Wrangler faces the same physics. The Bronco is as safe as this vehicle type gets, but it’s not a family-crossover safety story.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Iconic design with removable doors and roof — nothing else feels like it
- Genuine off-road capability: lockers, sway-bar disconnect, G.O.A.T. Modes, 37-in tires (Raptor)
- 7-speed manual with crawler gear still available — a dying breed
- New Stroppe Edition is an instant collectible with real Baja heritage
- Huge aftermarket support; endlessly customizable
Cons:
- Poor fuel economy: 20 mpg combined at best, 15 mpg for the Raptor
- No 2026 IIHS award (Marginal moderate-overlap, Marginal headlights); NHTSA unrated
- Loud and trucky on the highway — removable panels have a price
- Everglades discontinued; Black Diamond demoted to a package
- $40,795 starting price is steep versus the Jeep Wrangler’s lower entry point
Learn More
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the 2026 Ford Bronco cost?
The 2026 Ford Bronco starts at $40,795 for the Base 2-door (excluding the $1,995 destination charge). The new Stroppe Edition starts at $69,995, and the Bronco Raptor tops the range at $79,995.
What’s the new Stroppe Edition?
New for 2026, the Stroppe Edition ($69,995) honors Bill Stroppe, whose Broncos dominated Baja racing in the 1960s. It features the 2.7L V6, Code Orange accents, a white grille, and unique heritage graphics.
Can I get a manual transmission?
Yes — the 7-speed manual (including a dedicated crawler gear) is available with the 2.3L EcoBoost on Base, Big Bend, and Badlands trims. It’s one of the last manual-transmission 4x4s on sale.
How much can the Bronco tow?
3,500 pounds for standard models; the Bronco Raptor is rated at 4,500 pounds. For serious towing, look at the F-150 or Ranger instead.
Bronco vs Jeep Wrangler — which is better?
The Bronco rides better on-road (independent front suspension vs the Wrangler’s solid front axle), has a more modern interior, and the Raptor outguns the Wrangler 392’s rivals on value. The Wrangler counters with a lower starting price, the 4xe plug-in hybrid, and deeper aftermarket roots. Drive both with the top off — you’ll know in five minutes.
Data sources: Ford Media Center press releases (media.ford.com); Ford build-and-price data; fueleconomy.gov 2026 Bronco listings; iihs.org 2026 ratings. MPG figures are EPA ratings. Destination charge is $1,995. Image: Ford Motor Company media asset.