For six generations spanning nearly 60 years, the name Ford Bronco has been synonymous with off-road excellence. Today, the new Ford Bronco is the unrivaled ruler of all things adventure, and a big reason for that is because Ford stays true to the legacy of the world’s first true sports utility vehicle.
The first Ford Bronco debuted in 1965 as a sort of spiritual counterpart to the Mustang. Fittingly, it came about as a result of Ford polling Jeep owners and finding that they found their vehicles to be unsatisfactory on many fronts. This led Ford to develop the Bronco as a vehicle that Goes Over All Terrains.
And Ford got straight to proving that point with Bill Stroppe winning rallies like the Mint 400 and Baja 1000. For a whole generation, Ford set the table for what an SUV could and would be, and it would only further that reputation with time
By the time it reached its fifth generation in 1992, Ford had cemented the Bronco as a cultural icon and an off-road champion. Previous generations had introduced innovations like power steering, automatic transmissions, an independent front suspension, and that iconic Tu-Tone paint style.
But with the Explorer quickly rising as a hot-selling SUV, Ford decided it was time to bid the Bronco adieu. The final Bronco rolled out of Michigan Truck Plant on June 12, 1996, just shy of two years removed from the infamous O.J. Simpson chase. Fans would spend the next 25 years braying for this horse to return. And then one day, it did.
After a quarter-century, we got our wish: The Ford Bronco returned in 2021, and it’s better than it’s ever been. The new sixth-generation Ford Bronco is an absolute powerhouse with standard 4×4, must-haves like a removable roof and doors, and a wide range of trim options.
For has only made the Bronco better in the short time since its revival, adding new models like the 418-horsepower Raptor and vintage-style Heritage and Heritage Limited. And there’s no reason to think the new Bronco won’t just keep getting better.
Want to get in on the action? The new Ford Bronco is available at Packey Webb Ford in Downers Grove, Illinois. Experience history for yourself — take one for a test drive.
