The Ford Bronco is an off-road SUV from the American automobile manufacturer, Ford Motor Company. It has been in production since 1966 and serves as a popular entry in the company’s line of SUVs. The Ford Bronco has since been well-received in the market, and even the older model years remain popular choices for those looking for a reliable off-road vehicle.
After being discontinued in 1996, the Bronco was finally revived in 2020 to much fanfare and excitement from Bronco enthusiasts across the globe. We were particularly excited by this revival since we’re fans of the classic Broncos. It also gives Ford a new model to pit against the likes of the Jeep Wrangler. We just love when there’s more competition in the 4WD market.
But which year was the best for the Ford Bronco? We’re taking a look at all the different generations of the Ford Bronco – from shortly after its introduction up until its modern revivals – to determine which year was the best for this off-road icon.
1974 Ford Bronco (1st Generation)
Eight years after the initial launch of the Bronco and still part of the first generation, the 1974 Bronco stands out as a great year for this iconic off-road SUV.
The 1974 Ford Bronco was reliable, with its 4-wheel drive system providing smooth and dependable power to tackle any obstacle you could encounter while off-roading. The design of the first generation Bronco was also attractive and timeless, never looking out-of-date despite the years.
This classic Ford Bronco was also equipped with a variety of features that make it stand out from other generations, such as its front sway bar and leaf spring rear suspension. It also had several trims/variants available, including the Baja Bronco, which was powered by either a 170 CID 6-cylinder engine or a 302 CID V8, and had an optional automatic transmission.
On the performance end of things, the 1974 Bronco was able to generate up to 125 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque with its V8 engine option.
In terms of price, a classic Bronco from 1974 can still be found in the market today, with prices ranging from $15,000 up to $101,000 depending on their condition and other factors.
For a vehicle that sold for $4,394 in 1974 for a new Ford Bronco (about $24,000 adjusted for inflation), that’s a pretty good return on investment.
All in all, the 1974 Ford Bronco is an excellent choice for a reliable and feature-packed off-roader. It’s no wonder that it stands out as one of the best years for this iconic SUV.
1978 Ford Bronco (2nd Generation)
Fast-forward to 1978, and we find ourselves in the second generation of the classic Bronco. The ’78 Bronco is considered by many to be the best year for this beloved ride. It’s easy to see why.
These classic vehicles were reliable, powerful, and highly capable, offering 4-wheel drive as standard, as well as a variety of engine options, including a 302 CID V8 (the same one used in the first generation Bronco) as well as a 351 CID Windsor V8. It also had several transmission options available, from 3- and 4- speed manual to automatic.
The Bronco was also equipped with the “Free Wheelin’ Package”, which included full-time 4WD, a dual exhaust system, and power front disc brakes.
In terms of performance, the ’78 Bronco was rated for up to 158 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque with its 351 CID engine option.
The 1978 Ford Bronco also had a great price tag at launch, and you can find used models selling for around $15,000 and up in the current market.
1985 Ford Bronco (3rd Generation)
Next up is the 1985 Ford Bronco (3rd Generation). Also considered to be one of the most reliable, well-designed, and feature-packed classic Broncos ever made, the ’85 model year had some big shoes to fill and surpassed expectations in doing so.
For starters, it had a powerful engine and multiple transmission options, with up to 190 hp and 305 ft-lb of torque. Ford also offered the Eddie Bauer edition for those who wanted extra luxury.
When it comes to reliability, there are few SUVs that can compete with the ’85 Bronco. Its robust build and durability allowed it to last for decades, making it an ideal choice for those looking for a reliable off-road vehicle.
The design of the ’85 Bronco was also on point. It had sleek lines and a modern look that set it apart from earlier generations.
In terms of features, the ’85 Bronco had plenty to offer. It was loaded with a variety of features, from power windows and locks to air conditioning and more.
At the time, a new Bronco in 1985 was quite reasonable. Today, you can get a used 1895 Ford Bronco for about the same price at launch of around $9,000.
For these reasons, the 1985 Ford Bronco (3rd Generation) is widely considered to be the best year for the iconic off-road SUV. With its reliable build and feature-packed design, it’s no wonder why so many drivers continue to choose this classic model.
Overall, the ’85 Bronco is a great choice for those looking for an off-road vehicle that is reliable, stylish, and packed with features. It’s no wonder why this model continues to be a fan favorite.
1987 Ford Bronco (4th Generation)
Ford’s 1987 Bronco kicked off the fourth generation of the Bronco. It came with a variety of trim levels and options, including two-door and four-door versions. This year also featured some technological advancements, such as ABS brakes and fuel injection.
The Ford Bronco 4th Generation offers reliability, advanced design, and great features which make it one of the most popular and desirable Ford Broncos ever produced.
The 1987 Bronco was available with three engine options, including a 4.9L I6, a 5.0L V8, and a 5.8L V8. Transmission options included either a 3-speed automatic or a 4-speed manual transmission. The Bronco was available in a variety of configurations, including two- and four-wheel drive.
The Ford Bronco 4th Generation offers impressive horsepower and torque figures, depending on the engine and configuration chosen. The 4.9L I6 is capable of generating up to 140 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque, while the 5.0L V8 offers up to 190 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. The 5.8L V8 can generate up to 210 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque.
The 1987 Ford Bronco is still a highly sought-after vehicle, even in the used car market. Prices vary depending on the condition, but you can expect to pay around $20,000.
1994 Ford Bronco (5th Generation)
Ford decided to take a radical departure from the 4th generation Bronco model in 1994 with its 5th-gen offering. It had a completely new body style that was unlike anything Ford had ever made before and featured many of the improvements found in later models.
The 1994 Ford Bronco had reliability, great design, and some notable features that made it stand out. Perhaps the most notable of these features was the availability of an Eddie Bauer Edition which is a special trim level with stylish interior and exterior design elements.
In terms of specs, the 5th-gen Bronco had a 4.9L I6 engine that produced 160 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque, depending on which transmission option was chosen. It also offered a more powerful 5.8L V8 engine which generated 215 hp and 340 lb-ft of torque.
The market price for the 5th-gen Bronco used depends on the trim level and condition but can cost around $30,000.
2021 Ford Bronco (6th Generation)
The more things change, the more they stay the same. With the 2021 model of Ford Bronco, we’ve seen little change in what makes this SUV great.
It still has a reliable design, plenty of features and options, and robust engine power – all while maintaining its iconic style.
The 2021 Ford Bronco is available in various trim levels and configurations, such as the two-door and four-door Badlands, Wildtrak, and Black Diamond models.
The Bronco is also available in a wide range of engine options for various levels of power – ranging from 270 horsepower to 310 horsepower. The modern classic vehicle also comes with a 10-speed automatic transmission option and the ability to be configured in either four-wheel or two-wheel drive.
The vehicle also features modern engineering for toughness and a comfortable ride. It uses a toughened steel platform (the same one used by the new Ranger) and sports independent double wishbone suspension up front and a solid rear axle with coil-over shocks at the back.
In terms of the market price, used 2021 Ford Broncos can be found starting at around $42,000 and going as high as $64,000.
A Classic Across Multiple Generations
No matter which generation of the Ford Bronco you choose, you can be sure to find a reliable, powerful vehicle that will take you wherever you want to go.
From the 1974 Bronco to the 2021 model, each year of this iconic off-road SUV has been a great choice for those looking for adventure and excitement.