Ford Bronco review for Colorado buyers

The Bronco for Colorado buyers

Two-door or four-door

This is the first decision, and it changes the vehicle more than any trim. The two-door seats four, and Ford's specs give it a better breakover angle than the four-door in the same configuration (28.9 degrees vs 26.3 with the Sasquatch package, for example). That shorter body is nice on tight switchbacks and narrow trails.

The four-door seats five, has real rear doors and much more usable cargo room. Its longer body is also steadier at highway speed. If the Bronco is your only vehicle, or you'll carry skis, dogs or more than one passenger regularly, the four-door is the one to buy. Ford rates both at the same 3,500-lb max towing, so towing isn't a reason to pick one over the other.

Buyers sometimes confuse the Bronco with the smaller Bronco Sport. The Bronco Sport is a smaller crossover, and this review covers only the full-size Bronco.

Part-time 4x4 vs Advanced 4x4 for Colorado roads

Every Bronco has a two-speed transfer case with low range. The standard system is a part-time, electronic shift-on-the-fly 4x4. You drive in 2H and switch to 4H or 4L when you need traction, and like any part-time system it isn't meant to stay in 4WD on dry pavement.

The Advanced 4x4 adds an electromechanical clutch and an automatic 4A mode that sends power to the front axle as needed. For Colorado winters, that's the setup most shoppers should want. A drive from Denver to Breckenridge can go from dry to slush to packed snow and back, and 4A handles that without you changing modes. Ford lists Advanced 4x4 as optional on the Base, Big Bend and Outer Banks and standard on trims like Badlands, so check the actual vehicle.

None of this replaces tires. When CDOT activates the traction law on I-70 between Dotsero and Morrison, you need at least 3/16 inch of tread on M+S, all-weather or winter-rated tires, or chains. The big all-terrain tires on many Broncos may or may not carry those markings, so look before you buy. Our winter buying guide covers tire checks.

Engines and altitude

All three Bronco engines are turbocharged. The 2.3L four makes 300 hp and 325 lb-ft and is the only engine offered with the 7-speed manual. The 2.7L twin-turbo V6 makes 330 hp and 415 lb-ft and comes with the 10-speed automatic. The Raptor's 3.0L twin-turbo V6 makes 418 hp. Ford's ratings are on premium fuel.

Turbocharging matters in Colorado. Turbo maker Garrett Motion says a naturally aspirated engine typically loses about 3 percent of its power for every 1,000 feet of elevation, and turbocharging recovers much of that loss. A Bronco climbing toward the Eisenhower Tunnel keeps more of its rated power than a non-turbo competitor would.

For most buyers, the 2.3L is plenty. The 2.7L is the pick if you drive passes often with a full load or a trailer, though EPA ratings are similar or slightly lower depending on year. Keep in mind that 2021-2022 2.7L Broncos are covered by an intake valve recall, so confirm the status on any used one.

Trail hardware and the Sasquatch package

Ground clearance varies a lot. Ford's specs show 8.3 inches on a base two-door with 30-inch tires, 10.5 inches with 33-inch tires, 11.6 inches on a two-door with the 35-inch Sasquatch package and 13.1 inches on the Raptor with 37-inch tires. Max water fording runs from 31.5 inches up to 33.5 inches with Sasquatch and 37 inches on the Raptor.

For Colorado forest roads and moderate 4x4 roads, a Bronco on 33s with Advanced 4x4 covers most of what owners will do. The Sasquatch package makes sense if you're running rocky, technical routes. It does cost fuel economy: EPA ratings drop to 17-18 mpg combined with Sasquatch on recent years.

Compared with the Jeep Wrangler, the Bronco's independent front suspension is the main philosophical difference. The Wrangler's solid front axle is the traditional rock-crawling choice, while the Bronco's setup is generally easier to drive on pavement. If you want a more conventional SUV with similar trail intent, the Toyota 4Runner is the other one to compare.

Removable tops, hail and winter

Broncos come with a soft top or a hardtop, and both doors and roof panels can come off. For a Colorado winter, a hardtop is quieter and better sealed. If you're buying a used 2021 or 2022 with the molded-in-color hardtop, check recall 26V299: Ford found that sections of the outer roof panel could separate, and the remedy, an inspection and hardtop replacement as needed, was expected to start in November 2026.

Hail is the other issue. Hardtops, hoods and fender flares all take damage, and replacing a Bronco top is not cheap. Inspect in good light and ask about claims history. Our guide to hail damage and used cars explains what to look for.

If you plan to pull the top for summer, ask whether the seller has all the pieces, the storage bags and any tools. Missing panels on a used Bronco are a common and annoying surprise.

Towing and what to check on a used Bronco

Ford rates most Broncos at 3,500 lb and the Raptor at 4,500 lb, properly equipped. That handles a small teardrop, a utility trailer or a pair of dirt bikes. It's not a camper hauler for the passes. If that's your plan, read our notes on towing a camper in the mountains.

The Bronco is still young, and it has collected a lot of recalls since 2021: air bags, rearview cameras, child locks, rear shocks, front control arm fasteners, the hardtop and engine valves among them. Many are fixed by now, but run the full VIN on NHTSA's site and ask for dealer paperwork.

If you want a specific body style, engine and 4x4 system, we can search for that exact Bronco and check its recall history before you commit.