The Ford Bronco’s old-school design has been a smash hit and now Ford is going all-in on retro appeal. New Heritage Edition models add ‘60s-inspired colors, a splash of white accents, some old-school wheels, and some special upholstery choices. Let’s start by taking a look at what this treatment gets you on the full-size Bronco.
The Bronco Heritage Edition starts with the Big Bend trim and Sasquatch package and adds a bunch of ‘60s-inspired goodies. Specifically, flat fenders, white four-slot wheels, a white grille, white stripes, a white hardtop, white dashboard trim, and a blue plaid interior. Can you really put any more white accents on a Bronco? Sure, there’s a little bit of red accenting going around the grille badge and through the interior stitching, but the Heritage Edition generally keeps to its ethos pretty well. Not bad for $44,950 including a $1,595 freight charge.
If you want more toys, the Bronco Heritage Limited Edition starts with the V6-powered Badlands model, throws on most of the aforementioned Heritage Edition bits, then adds dog dish hubcaps, old-school emblems, saddle brown leather and vinyl upholstery, and a special console badge. Interestingly enough, the wheels on the Bronco Heritage Limited Edition is shown to have two-tone black and white wheels that really emulate old-school trim rings. This decked-out model is not cheap at $68,490, but it’s definitely an option for people who want a very well-equipped Bronco with a more ‘60s look.
However, the retro appearance treatment isn’t just consigned to the full-size Bronco. Shoppers will be able to pick up a ‘60s-look Bronco Sport as well. The Bronco Sport Heritage Edition distinguishes itself with white paint on the grille, roof, and wheels. Red grille emblem outlines and white stripes also make an appearance here, although the wheel design appears to be plucked from the Badlands trim’s options list. On the inside, white trim accents, red stitching, and plaid cloth add a bit of fun, plus navy blue accents help break up the black plastic on the dashboard and doors. I’ll be honest, I’m not entirely sure if the white grille works on the Bronco Sport, but everything else hits the spot for me.
Interestingly enough, the Bronco Sport Heritage Edition is purported to get some suspension upgrades over the standard model. The larger rear dampers and hydraulic rebound stops normally found on the Badlands model filter down to the Heritage Edition, useful upgrades for anyone looking to get off the beaten path.
In contrast to the full-size Bronco, the more expensive Bronco Sport Heritage Limited Edition (say that five times fast) is the preferred pick for keen off-road buyers due to its limited-slip rear differential and 29-inch tires, not to mention the rather torquey two-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. However, it is a bit pricey. $46,250 is a lot of money no matter how you slice it, and I’m not sure if I’d spend it on a compact crossover. The lower-trim Bronco Sport Heritage Edition is priced at $35,840 which is still quite a good chunk of change.
Here’s where things get screwy – color choices go down the further up the range you go. While the Bronco Heritage Edition can be ordered in a range of five colors, the Bronco Heritage Limited Edition will only be available in one color at first. Robin’s Egg Blue will be the only choice until late in the 2023 model year, when Yellowstone Metallic joins the party. Ford expects to add a color called Peak Blue in 2024, which might be the first 2024 Bronco tidbit that’s gone public. The Bronco Sport Heritage Edition can be had in seven colors including Robin’s Egg Blue, while the Bronco Sport Heritage Limited Edition will be available in Robin’s Egg Blue, Yellowstone Metallic, and Peak Blue. While this might sound strange, each Heritage Limited Edition model is genuinely limited to 1,966 units to commemorate the debut of the original Bronco. Presumably, striking “Limited” from the model name opens up vehicle supply to as many as customers order.
In the midst of all this ‘60s-look hullabaloo, Ford dropped a tidbit of information on what things will look like when order books for the full-size Bronco reopen.
Bronco two- and four-door models will go on sale later this year, with initial orders prioritized for current Bronco order holders awaiting their vehicle. Orders will open to all customers next year, regardless of current reservation status.
I’m glad current order holders are prioritized, because the wait for a new vehicle these days can be truly dreadful. It’s bad enough to be pushed to the next model year, but watching fresh orders come in while you’re still waiting for you new ride sounds absolutely agonizing.
While another Bronco variant may seem a bit predictable, Ford’s done a good job here. If you’re going to create yet another way of vacuuming money from customers’ wallets, make it fun. In a world full of nondescript grayscale vehicles, a pop of pastel is much appreciated. Shoutout to the bold souls who’ll order the Heritage Edition and Heritage Limited Edition Broncos, you’ll hopefully make our roads just a touch happier.
All photos courtesy of Ford
Great! Two more versions of a vehicle that you can’t hope to purchase without a 2 year wait or a ridiculous ADM. Here’s an idea: Why don’t you start building the Broncos your reservation holders have been waiting on for 2 years. So tired of the hype.
I really like the look. But I cannot see spending $45k on a frakkin Escape.
Is it just me, or does the Bronco Sport’s headlight shape give off Econoline vibes?
I usually dislike bright red cars, but that two door Bronco in that red and white is awesome. Love especially the white steelies.
The prices listed here don’t matter. Nor do orders. Any orders for these will get highjacked by the dealers, and we’ll see all of these on dealer lots with $25k+ markups.
If a Telluride’s average markup is $20k+, these limited addition will surely be significantly higher.
My local dealer has a Bronco on the lot with a $42K sticker and $65K asking price because you know supply chain issues, market conditions and let’s not forget bullsh*t and greed. I guess I could complain to Ford or go shout at a cloud. It’s about the same thing.
I really like the red one.
Yes to all.
I’ll take the red one, please. It looks abut as fantastic as anything can in 2022 with scowling tortured vehicle design everywhere.
On another note, I watched Ambulance last weekend. I’d give it a thumbs up if you’re looking for an action movie; plus it’s Michael Bay so you know what you’re getting into anyway. The movie begins with a man needing money for an operation for his wife. Past Due notices litter the table. Then he goes outside and gets into a pristine classic Bronco….
Your mention of Ambulance reminded me of one of my favorite cheesy 70s movies: Mother, Jugs, & Speed. No Bronco tie-in that I remember, though
I watched this for the first time about 10-12 years ago. I wasn’t expecting Cosby to go postal at the end.
No white OJ Edition? 😀
Other than the price, I like them.
If they offered the manual with the better engine, it would sell I think.
“Why aren’t manuals selling?”
“We paired them with the worst motor we could, I don’t understand.”
“I guess people don’t want manuals”
“Makes sense, stop having the option.”
Well to my knowledge the 2.3s haven’t had any recalls in the Bronco, the 2.7s however…
What’s so bad about the 2.3? 300 turbocharged horsepower seems like plenty.
I’m genuinely curious.
That being said I’d rather have a torquey naturally aspirated engine like the old Truck 6 than some pretty heavily stressed turbocharged motor.
That being said if Ford offered literally any of their 3 Cylinder automobiles with a manual transmission I’d buy one.
Ecosport especially.
Nevermind about the Ecosport, they got rid of the 1.0L 3 cylinder, which I believe was the last Ford with a 1.0L 3 cylinder being sold new in the US.
I’d preorder A 1.0L 3 Cylinder Maverick XL with a manual transmission if they decided to make one. I love low horsepower automobiles.
They seem to have much more character.
Meh, the white grill is a turnoff for me. Also, great another $350,000 tack on option for the Bronco. Maybe Ford should work on sorting production issues before building out new trims. Just a thought.
Worthy offerings. More rust would provide a period correct ambiance. Finding the true cost after delivery, as seems to be the drill, is off putting. As is the spending, perhaps, $60,000 for the authentic look of a 2,000 dollar vehicle. Can not entertain taking a nice off road vehicle actually off road, especially when one needs the vehicle to get back home and go to work the next day. Not withstanding only a select few will actually go off road.(off road being largest rocks, deepest holes, many trees, and serious mud)
Carry on. Pleased for y’all.
Were I an influencer (a horrible alternate universe!), I’d get one and wrap it in Patina With Mud.
Veering slightly off the main path here, I saw the first Bronco on Matt’s Off Road Recovery yesterday. Wasn’t lack of capability: was in a area of treacherous sand dunes and took the wrong path. Apparently they will not drive unless the doors are fully latched, though.
Yes, unless these are offered with the patented FORD “fast rust” option, I am out. Nostalgia counts for something after all.
You do realize it’s not 1981 anymore, right?
Great, more Broncos that I’ll never actually see for sale.
I honestly love the Robin Egg Blue.
The Bronco Heritage Edition 2 door 7 speed in Robin Egg Blue is calling me.
That being said if Ford gave the Bronco Sport Heritage Edition a 6 speed manual option I’d get that instead in Robin Egg Blue.
If Ford Made a 6 Speed Manual Maverick and gave it an optional Robin Egg Blue paintjob I’d preorder it tomorrow.
I Don’t think I’ll buy another ICE powered car unless it has a manual transmission. If I don’t want to shift I’ll buy a BEV.
Shoot, if they offered a manual AWD Turbo Maverick, I would buy it tomorrow.
Whte roof is a great idea for buyers in the South or the Southwest. Much easier on the AC. Plus it just looks good. I am partial to the light blue and white roof combo.
I guess the real trick will be actually finding one to buy though.
It’s ok. If they really wanted to go full retro, they would have put a manual transmission on the steering column! I want a seven on a tree transmission!
These things look awesome, especially the full-sized Broncos, and especially the red one with the four-slot white steelies. It helps that on the red one, the “F O R D” on the grill matches the car; it looks weird on the other colors. Mind you, the colorway of the Heritage Limited is ever-so-much better than the plain Heritage. The saddle brown seats are some of the best-looking thrones I’ve seen in years, whereas the blue ones look as if they came from a furniture catalog for airport terminals.
Wife said I can’t have one unless I sell something. So here goes. Anyone interested in a 2008 Kid, low miles runs good. Willing to part out to the right buyer
Wife said I can’t sell the kid. Instead I guess I’ll sell something else.
For sale: 1982 Wife. Reliable daily driver, body still in good shape. Making room for new projects. Motivated seller.
I just saw an ad on Facebook Marketplace go up for a late model Husband. Hopefully that’s just a coincidence. 😉
Probably not.
The smaller models are PERFECT, the larger models are tacky, but overall a much better effort than the Heritage Edition pickups, which totally missed the mark.
The red one is so perfect! Wait no. Perfect would be getting the heritage package with Forest Service Green.
I am here for the white wheels. Not enough cars have white wheels. I’m so tired of the blacked-out wheel trend, that the exact opposite is so refreshing to see.
I don’t think it works on the Sport trim there, but that red two-door looks fucking fantastic.
Thinking about it, what Ford should have done with the Sport instead was do a tan/beige midsection or lower contrasting color, just like…the Bronco II.
Gives it something different than the full-on Bronco, and we’re currently in an ’80s retro vogue anyway.
Paint it brown and call it a wagon! It could work!
I think my problem is it’s just so obviously a crossover, especially sitting next to the real Broncos, steel wheels don’t look cool, they look like their hubcaps got knocked off when they hit a pothole. It doesn’t help they gave it the tamest color scheme in these pics, the closest to basic lost-in-the-parking lot silver.
That’s a good way of putting it – I’ve been searching for way to sum up how I feel about them, and that may be it.
That said, I do like the Sport. I think they look way better in person than on screen, and are a totally competent, unique offering. They really do recall the vibe of the Bronco II in a lot of ways, which I do think Ford should play up more.
Intriguingly, they look fantastic and retro-ish in smoke bronze metallic, which is basically metalflake brown.
I like the Bronco Sports, too. I have a 2008 Escape, which was a great rectangular box, with openings that allowed the full use of that space. As they made the Escape more aerodynamic, the hatch in particular shrank to the point where you get things into the vehicle that would actually fit in the full width of the cargo space. The Bronco Sport is the spiritual successor to the ’08-’10 Escape, allowing you to actually put stuff in the cargo space again. If you look at it from that perspective, it’s a great little vehicle.
Hell yes to those white four slot wheels.
The red and white works great IMO, but the others look a bit busy.
The red grill emblems are just too much in my book.
I’m no designer, but seems like there’s already so much color contrast going on between the white and whatever body color you choose that it visually goes overboard when you add a third prominent color.
That’s why, to my eyes, the red Bronco looks okay, as the red grill emblem matches the main body color.
I agree. It only works on the red Bronco, because then it matches. I can’t imagine it would be impossible to fix, though. O can think of a few ways right off the top of my head, assuming the aftermarket doesn’t swoop in and offer replacement badges in the color of your choice.
I’m getting a strong McDonald’s (or ketchup/mustard) vibe from the yellow one. That’s my biggest quibble, and it’s minor considering how easy changing the color or the emblem itself will be. So overall, kudos to Ford for offering retro colors on the retro design. Bonus points for white wheels.
Real Retro would have meant some Chrome Trim
https://www.schmitt.com/inventory/1974-ford-bronco/
Unpopular view I know, but I kinda liked in the mid ’00s when Ford tried to add (faux) chrome trim to its vehicles, mostly on the front end.
It had a slight retro flair, but without going full on.
I hate fake chrome. It gets all wrinkly and looks horrible.
I call it “Scrotal Chrome”
Sadly my 94 Toyota has it on the grill.