We all know the new Ford Bronco has incredible off-roading ability. It’s already winning awards for its performance and capability and was just named the 2022 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. Impressive right? But for the person who can’t (or prefers not to) go off-roading every weekend, does the Ford Bronco still make sense? Before you head to your local Ford Bronco dealership, let’s dive into if the Ford Bronco can work for all of your other daily responsibilities.
Roomy Interior
With the focus on what the Bronco can do outside, you may be wondering how the Bronco’s interior shapes up. While it’s not necessarily built with families or around town driving in mind, it’s certainly not missing anything and might work for your family. The Ford Bronco falls into the 2-row midsize SUV category, with its biggest competitor being the Jeep Wrangler. You may be surprised at the interior features offered in the Bronco!
If you’re looking for a Ford Bronco that can also work with family life, you definitely want to opt for a four-door Bronco model. The four-door Broncos offer seating for five passengers, rather than just four passengers in the two-door Bronco. This extra middle seat is possible because the four-door Bronco is actually slightly wider than the two-door Bronco models. The extra width also gives more comfort to all passengers.
As far as cargo space goes, the Ford Bronco has enough space for all your gear. Since the Bronco was built to take all the adventure gear, you can benefit from that specialized cargo storage even around town. The maximum cargo capacity in the 2022 Ford Bronco four-door models with a soft-top is 83 cubic feet (77.6 with a hardtop). Even with the back seats in use, you still get around 38.3 cubic feet (35.6 with hardtop) of cargo storage.
A lot of the Bronco’s technology is dedicated to a stellar off-roading experience, but there is still technology available that comes in handy for those drives to the store or school drop-off. The 2022 Ford Bronco comes standard with Ford’s SYNC 4 infotainment system and an 8-inch touchscreen. You can even opt for the rather large 12-inch touchscreen. This infotainment system helps keep you connected and entertained plus works beautifully with the standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability.
Driving Around Town
You’re probably fully aware of the 2022 Ford Bronco’s ability to take on just about any type of terrain. So, let’s take the other approach and see how this SUV does on the paved road. When you’re looking for a family SUV, it’s important to have a comfortable and efficient drive.
Many die-hard off-roaders prefer a manual transmission, so some of the 2022 Bronco models come with the option of a manual transmission. This likely doesn’t make sense for an SUV that only sees the paved city roads, so choosing a Bronco with automatic transmission is ideal unless you really are simply a fan of manuals. Another feature to consider is the Bronco’s ground clearance. Off-roading vehicles need substantial ground clearance for safety and experience, but it’s not that necessary when you’re loading kids in and out. A more family-friendly option may be a Bronco model that features 8.3 or 11.6 inches of ground clearance instead of the 2022 Bronco Raptor’s 13.1 inches of ground clearance.
Some of the Bronco’s drive modes may be useful even in your daily driving responsibilities. We’ll go deeper into the drive modes below, but there are particular drive modes that help you get the most efficient and safe drive on the road. The Eco mode works to save fuel consumption on your drive, and this comes standard in nearly all the 2022 Bronco models. The Slippery mode gives you more traction and stability to better control those slippery road conditions. This mode is standard on all Bronco models and one that you might find yourself using in changing weather conditions.
Safety Features
Safety is important on the open trails but just as crucial on drives to work and everywhere else. Ford is one of the leaders in standard safety features, and the 2022 Ford Bronco is no different. A family-friendly SUV must have the necessary safety features to give you peace of mind.
The standard safety and driver-assist features in the 2022 Ford Bronco include Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, Auto High-Beam Headlamps, and a Rear View Camera with Backup Assist. This extra layer of protection is essential for a family SUV! There are also more safety features available like a 360-Degree Camera with Off-Road Views, Hill Descent Control, and Adaptive Cruise Control. Safety and driver-assist technology features like these make the Ford Bronco very family-friendly and intentional about both normal driving and off-road adventures.
Other Capability Features
Now, just because you may use the 2022 Ford Bronco for more on-roading than off doesn’t mean you don’t want to have fun! Even if you’re not heading off to the desert or tackling a rock crawl, you can still take advantage of the Bronco’s impressive capability features that may be more in line with your family’s needs. A lot of the Ford Bronco’s performance and capability are geared to the ultimate adventure life, but several stand out for being versatile for any type of adventure.
If you’re heading for a weekend away, the Bronco allows you to carry some of your toys with you. While you shouldn’t expect to tow your large camper or boat with the 2022 Bronco, you can certainly carry your smaller gear like ATVs, motorcycles, dirt bikes, and jet skis. Specifically, the maximum towing capacity in the 2022 Ford Bronco is between 3,500-and 4,500 lbs, depending on the model. With the Tow/Haul drive mode and standard tow hooks on the 2022 Ford Bronco, it makes it much easier to make a spontaneous trip.
We mentioned that the Bronco has several drive modes to choose from to enhance your driving experience. The drive modes available depend on the Bronco model, but one that’s standard on most Bronco models is the Sport mode. The Sport mode gives you that enhanced performance that makes even the most mundane drives more exhilarating. If you do choose to go on an off-roading journey, there are plenty of modes that can help you adapt to your exact situation, like Sand, Mud/Ruts, Rock Crawl, Baja, and Off-Road.
So, Is This Vehicle as Capable on the Road as It Is Off?
Based on all of this information, does the Ford Bronco shake out to be a good family-friendly SUV? It definitely can be! While it may not be as comfortable or versatile for family life as some of the other Ford SUVs, it’s not an SUV where you’ll have to sacrifice a lot. If you’re just drawn to the Ford Bronco for its legacy, design, and presence, you can still make it work for your busy life. If you’re looking for more function than a large presence, maybe check out the Ford Edge or Explorer. Bottom line, the Bronco can adapt to whatever lifestyle you choose to live.
The Ford Bronco Is an SUV With Many Talents
The Ford Bronco continues to wow the crowd with its sleek design, impressive capability, and powerful performance. For those who aren’t the off-roading type, the 2022 Ford Bronco can still meet your needs and exceed expectations. Opting for the more family-friendly features is key to making this a vehicle you can live comfortably in. However you use the Ford Bronco, you surely won’t be disappointed for many years to come.
