I don’t know about you, but the Ford Bronco has really grown on me since its re-release in 2021. I never disliked it, but I suppose I didn’t quite know how I felt about it right away. It looked like a classic off-road vehicle, but…cleaner and more put-together. But, since that re-release, the Bronco has really leaned into the retro aesthetic, embracing the heritage of the Bronco’s first-generation models. That’s how the Bronco roped me in, personally. I’m all in for anything that feels retro, especially from the ’80s, and the modern Bronco really captures that.
Of course, once the vehicle roped me in with its retro models, I started looking into the other models as well and, wouldn’t you know, I became a Bronco enthusiast. It’s a great SUV on every level. Its capability really is beyond what you could imagine, and its style cues are more diverse and creative than those of many other off-road vehicles in its class. If you’re an adventurous person looking for an adventurous travel companion that’s ready to tackle tougher terrain, I highly suggest that you look into a Ford Bronco for sale.
If you’re thinking of buying a new model rather than a used one, you’re in for a treat. But it’s important to note that the Bronco changes significantly from year to year, even its trim packages, so you’ll want to make sure you’re well-educated on the 2025 lineup. To aid you in this, I’ve put together a 2025 Bronco buyer’s guide that I think will help you narrow down some options. Let’s dive in!
A Closer Look at the Trim Lineup
As one of Ford’s most popular, stylish, and capable vehicles, the Bronco has a trim lineup that is more extensive than other vehicles in its class. Truthfully, Ford tends to offer more trims overall than other brands, but similar to the F-150, the Bronco goes above and beyond with diverse options. 2025 brings back some old favorites as well as some new options to suit any driver’s nostalgic side.
While there are a couple fewer trim options this year with Wildtrak, Everglades, and Heritage Limited Edition not returning, the seven options that drivers do have will check off every box a Bronco driver could be looking for. The lineup for this model year includes the following trim options: Base, Big Bend, Heritage Edition, Outer Banks, Badlands, Stroppe Edition, and Raptor. Within that lineup are several options that will cater to both adventurers and fashionistas.
The new options for 2025 are the Base trim and the Stroppe Edition. While the name may not be as exciting as the others, the Base trim actually provides great value by offering a simpler, more affordable option while maintaining all of the key elements that make a Bronco a Bronco. The Base trim comes in two-door and four-door options, provides a 2.3-liter EcoBoost I-4 engine, and offers an available Sasquatch package for extra adventure. You’ll still have great tech and design in this trim, but it’s just not quite as flashy or specifically themed as some of the other trims. But, if a Bronco on a budget is what you’re seeking, then the Base trim comes in to save the day.
The new Stroppe Edition model is technically a returning nameplate from the Stroppe Baja Bronco of the 1960s and 1970s. This is a true Baja desert-racing vehicle. While other trims like the Outer Banks or Badlands may be designed for more intricate, tactile off-roading maneuvers, the Stroppe Edition is designed for free, open desert thrill-seeking; speed is at the forefront for this two-door-exclusive model, and the design cues certainly hearken back to Stroppe’s old-school heritage.
The 2025 Bronco has some new and exciting offerings for the Bronco. Even though it’s down to seven trims from last year’s nine, that’s still a lot to choose from. While there’s certainly crossover between the two, there are certain Bronco trims that appeal to off-road adventures, while others appeal to vintage-loving fashion-seekers. So, let’s break it down according to which kind of driver you are.
For the Adventurers
If you’re looking to explore the great unknown, the Bronco is a great vehicle. But there are certainly several different types of unknowns; do you want to explore the forest? Mountains? Open desert plains? You’ll want a Bronco that is suited specifically to your preferred type of exploration.
When it comes to the most adventure-ready Broncos, your best bets are going to be the Badlands, Raptor, and, of course, the Stroppe Edition. Before I go into more detail on this, I want to specify that the Bronco is an off-road vehicle, no matter how you cut it. It’s not like other trims aren’t off-roaders, but these three trims are especially cognizant of the vehicle’s off-road mission and will give you the most precise capability.
The Badlands trim is the most affordable of the three in question, but that’s not to say that it’s the weakest. This option is available as a two-door or four-door model, and it provides a HOSS 2.0 Suspension System. This feature makes for durable off-road performance. You can tell by simply looking at the Bronco Badlands that it has some strength and muscularity that some of its counterparts do not. If you’re looking for a versatile off-roader, the Bronco Badlands gives you that versatility at the best price point.
Ah, the Bronco Raptor. Aside from the Bronco, some drivers may be familiar with the Raptor trim from the F-150. Like the F-150, the Raptor is not only the Bronco’s premiere off-roading trim but the Bronco’s premiere trim, period. It’s available exclusively as a four-door model, provides a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 engine (which reaches up to 418 hp), 10-speed automatic transmission, and a HOSS 4.0 Suspension system with FOX Live Valve 3.1 Internal Bypass Semi-Active Dampers. Now, even if you consider yourself a car enthusiast, you might read that and not know exactly what it means. Suffice it to say that the Badlands has some seriously good suspension, making for optimal off-roading. If you want a fierce off-road vehicle, ready to crush any obstacles it finds on the trails, there’s no doubt that the Raptor is the only way to go.
The Stroppe Edition, as described above, is perfect for those seeking the thrills of high-speed desert racing. The Sasquatch package comes standard and splits the difference between the Badlands and Raptor with a HOSS 3.0 Suspension Package with FOX Internal Bypass Dampers. The Stroppe Edition’s thrills will be a little bit different from the Badlands and the Raptor, but it’s the best kind of different. The Bronco has always been known to be a great off-roader, and these three trims prove that. But what about those seeking the Bronco for its styling cues?
For Those Who Crave Style
The Bronco is just as stylish as it is capable, and some of its trims and packages really embrace that. While there’s actually a strong case to be made for the Stroppe Edition’s vintage style, there are two other options to which I’d like to call attention.
First up is the Heritage Edition. As the name suggests, this trim pays homage to the Bronco’s first-generation models. Replacing the more bombastic “BRONCO” grille signature with the simpler, classic “Ford” signature, the Heritage Edition’s old-school grille and classic circular headlamps feel complete. With color schemes that strike up feelings of days gone by and a white hard-top roof, the Heritage Edition truly does feel like a blast from the past.
For those who are enamored with the vintage look but want to jump ahead by a generation, the 2025 Bronco’s Free Wheeling appearance package takes drivers back to Ford’s Free Wheeling Broncos of the 1970s and 1980s. Like I said, I love a good ’80s aesthetic, and then iconic red, orange, and yellow stripes on the exterior (and stitched into the seats!) serve as an instant throwback. Fully capable for modern day driving and off-roading, the Free Wheeling package gives you the best of modern performance and technology with the throwback of old-school style. For you fashionistas out there, the Heritage Edition and Free Wheeling package will have you riding in old-school style.
There’s Never Been a Better Time to Check Out the Bronco Lineup
If you haven’t been a Bronco fan up to this point, you probably will be once you experience the 2025 options. Like I said, it took me a little bit of time to warm up to the Bronco, but ever since I warmed up, I’ve been all-in for this vehicle. Whether it first attracts you for its vintage style or fierce capability, you’ll quickly see that the Bronco is an excellent vehicle on every level. If you’re concerned with off-road performance and not style, consider the style the cherry on top; if you’re looking for a stylish vehicle and never intend to try off-roading, the Bronco will not let you down. No matter how you want to use it, the Bronco offers the whole package of performance, design, and technology. 2025 has made this vehicle even better. If you’re considering investing in this iconic Ford SUV, 2025 is a great year to explore its lineup.
