The original 1966 Bronco, conceptualized by the legendary Lee Iacocca, was a masterclass in utility—built specifically to dethrone the archaic Jeep CJ-5 and International Scout. It survived five generations before bowing out in 1996. When the current generation broke cover, it wasn’t just the round headlights and boxy silhouette that caught our eye; it was the engineering philosophy. By blending classic, open-air modularity with an independent front suspension, Ford did something Jeep never could: they built a hardcore off-roader that doesn’t punish your spine on the drive home.
2028 Ford Bronco Powertrain, Specs, and Real-World Performance
Let’s talk numbers of 2028 Ford Bronco, because that’s what matters when you’re staring down a vertical rock wall or merging onto a fast-moving interstate. Ford gives you three EcoBoost flavors, and our testing team has clocked them all.
Dal-Motor Insider Note: Keep in mind that to achieve those peak horsepower and torque figures, you must pump 93-octane premium fuel. Drop down to regular unleaded, and the ECU dials back the boost, costing you roughly 15 to 20 horsepower.
How It Handles the Clock
The 2.3L EcoBoost: Don’t sleep on the four-cylinder. When paired with the 7-speed manual (which features a dedicated, ultra-low “crawler” gear), it’s an absolute purist’s delight on slow technical trails.
- The 2.7L EcoBoost V6: This is the sweet spot for 90% of buyers. It pulls hard through the mid-range and drops a 0–60 mph time of just over 6 seconds—impressive for a vehicle with the aerodynamics of a cinder block.
- The 3.0L Raptor: This thing is an absolute animal. With a 0–60 mph sprint of 5.6 seconds, it barks hard and utilizes anti-lag technology derived from Ford’s racing programs to keep the turbos spooled up.
Fuel Economy
a Brick If you’re cross-shopping a 2028 Ford Bronco for commuter efficiency, we need to have a serious talk. Its upright stance means you’ll be fighting aerodynamic drag constantly.
- 2.3L I-4: Expect around 20 city / 21 highway / 20 combined MPG. If you tick the box for the Sasquatch package and its massive 35-inch mud tires, watch that drop closer to 18 MPG.
- 2.7L V6: Delivers 19 city / 21 highway / 20 combined MPG in standard clothing, falling to 17 MPG with the Sasquatch gear.
- 3.0L Raptor: It’s a heavy drinker. Expect a brutal 15 city / 16 highway / 15 combined MPG.
Exterior & Modularity
From an exterior styling standpoint, our team gives 2028 Ford Bronco a perfect 10. The short front and rear overhangs mean you won’t be scraping your bumpers when dropping into deep washouts.
What we love most is the modular design. If you smash a fender flare on a tree limb, you don’t need a body shop; you just pop the quarter-turn fasteners and swap it out yourself. The doors are frameless, meaning they are light enough to be removed by a single person and—crucially on four-door models—can be stowed directly in the cargo area.
If you’re ordering one, our team considers the Sasquatch Package mandatory equipment. It brings locking front and rear differentials, high-clearance fenders, and position-sensitive Bilstein shocks that soak up terrain like a sponge.
Interior, Tech, and Cabin Ergonomics
Step inside, and you’re greeted by a cabin of 2028 Ford Bronco that perfectly bridges the gap between old-school utility and modern digital real estate.
- The Tech: Ford’s 12-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen is standard across the board, and it’s one of the best infotainment systems on the market. It boots up instantly, features crisp graphics, and runs wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto flawlessly. The off-road telemetry screen is highly intuitive, showing real-time pitch, roll, and articulation angles.
- The Materials: If you plan on getting dirty, skip the leather and opt for the marine-grade vinyl seats and rubberized flooring. Our team has literally taken a hose to the interior after a dusty weekend in the desert—thanks to the integrated passive floor drains, the water empties right onto the driveway.
- The Quirks: Because the doors are removable, Ford had to move the window and mirror controls to the center console. It takes a few days to build the muscle memory, but it’s a fair trade-off for open-air freedom.
The Competitive Analysis: Dal-Motor’s Verdict
How does the 2028 Ford Bronco stack up against its arch-nemeses? We broke down the three-way battle:
2028 Ford Bronco vs. Jeep Wrangler
The Wrangler still uses a solid front axle, which gives it the edge in maximum wheel articulation when crawling over massive boulders at 2 mph.
- Our Take: Unless you live in Moab, buy the Bronco. The Wrangler behaves like a jittery tractor on the highway. The Bronco’s independent front suspension tracks straight, eliminates steering wander, and won’t fatigue you on a 500-mile road trip.
2028 Ford Bronco vs. Toyota Land Cruiser
The Land Cruiser focuses heavily on bulletproof global reliability, interior luxury, and an efficient hybrid powertrain delivering roughly 23 combined MPG.
- Our Take: The Land Cruiser is a phenomenal, premium overland rig, but it lacks the theater of the Bronco. You can’t take the roof off, you can’t drop the doors, and it won’t run hard down a desert wash like a Sasquatch-equipped Ford.
Warranty & The Factory Perk
Ford backs the 2028 Ford Bronco with a standard warranty package that covers the essentials:
- Bumper-to-Bumper: 3 years / 36,000 miles
- Powertrain: 5 years / 60,000 miles
- Roadside Assistance: 5 years / 60,000 miles
The Dal-Motor Favorite Feature: Every single Bronco buyer gets a golden ticket to the Bronco Off-Roadeo. This isn’t some cheesy slideshow presentation; it’s a legitimate, one-day off-road driving school hosted by professional instructors on hardcore trails across the US. Ford supplies the vehicles, so you can push their trucks to the absolute absolute limit while keeping yours pristine in the parking lot.
