Not Every Bronco Is Ready
The Ford Bronco has built its reputation on tackling tough terrain, but not every version deserves the same confidence in the wild. Don’t forget that only some come equipped with specialized systems designed for serious off-roading—others prioritize styling and comfort. It’s all about what you need and how you want to look on the road, and that’s why we’ve rounded up 10 that can handle the wilderness and 10 that belong in the city.
1. Ford Bronco Raptor
Few factory-built Broncos can compete with the Raptor, especially thanks to its 37-inch all-terrain tires and FOX Live Valve suspension. Even when you look at the nitty-gritty, it’s easy to see why it takes the cake. Its 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 produces 418 horsepower, giving drivers more power for tackling terrain. With 13 inches of ground clearance, it also doesn't need to prove itself.
2. Ford Bronco Badlands With Sasquatch Package
Combining the Badlands trim with Ford's Sasquatch Package? Now we’re talking! This deadly combo creates an exceptionally capable vehicle if you plan to hit the trails. Its front and rear electronic locking differentials and 35-inch tires also help maintain traction over uneven surfaces. If steep obstacles are in your future, it’s hard not to appreciate this one.
3. Ford Bronco Everglades
Introduced for the 2022 model year, the Everglades was developed with muddy environments in mind. Its factory-installed snorkel and integrated WARN winch both offer big-time advantages when challenging conditions come knocking. Add its 35-inch mud-terrain tires, and you've got a Bronco equipped for the very environments ordinary SUVs would struggle.
4. Ford Bronco Wildtrak
The Wildtrak earned its stripes after Ford introduced its HOSS 3.0 suspension with FOX internal-bypass dampers. The deal only got sweeter if it was combined with the Sasquatch Package. All that equipment in one car meant a beast well-suited to demanding trails.
5. Ford Bronco Black Diamond
Before disappearing from the lineup, the Black Diamond had practical equipment without demanding all your money. Steel bash plates and washout-friendly interior materials made it even more useful for muddy trails. Don’t get us wrong, the standard all-terrain tires weren't huge, but the equipment and upgrades made up for it.
Charles from Port Chester, New York on Wikimedia
6. Ford Bronco Stroppe Edition
Named after legendary Bill Stroppe, this special edition arrived for 2025 with equipment inspired by desert competition. As you can imagine, you got exactly what you paid for! Ford fitted it with HOSS 3.0 suspension, 35-inch tires, and a disconnecting front stabilizer bar, providing capability beyond its distinctive appearance.
7. Ford Bronco Heritage Edition
We know that its retro styling probably suggests otherwise, but don’t be fooled. The modern Heritage Edition is more capable than a simple nostalgia-themed vehicle. Ford equips it with the Sasquatch Package, bringing 35-inch tires, locking differentials, and increased ground clearance. Try to look past the white wheels—there's serious off-road capability underneath.
8. Ford Bronco Base With Sasquatch Package
You don't need an impressive trim to enjoy impressive capabilities, especially when the Base Bronco has the Sasquatch Package. It’s only available on certain model years, but the combo adds larger tires and upgraded suspension, which is what you want. It's also an appealing choice for enthusiasts who’d rather shell out money for tough capability than upholstery.
9. Ford Bronco With Ford Performance HOSS 3.0 Upgrade
Did you know that owners of compatible four-door Broncos can install Ford Performance's HOSS 3.0 suspension kit? Well, they can! You might want to look into it, too—the upgrade improves suspension control over demanding terrain and provides approximately two inches of additional lift on non-Sasquatch vehicles.
10. Ford Bronco Sport Badlands With Sasquatch Package
The Bronco Sport might be smaller than its cousin, but the Badlands got a lot more capable with the Sasquatch Package. This configuration adds specialized off-road equipment, including additional underbody protection. While it can't match the larger Bronco's most extreme capabilities, it's still prepared for more challenging trails.
Now, that’s not to say that every Bronco can get you from point A to point B. With some of the tough guys out of the way, let’s dive into which ones were built for the pavement.
1. Ford Bronco Outer Banks With Standard Equipment
The Outer Banks emphasizes comfort and styling—not off-road adventures. That means you’ll score a standard configuration of 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, along with a body-color exterior. Okay, yes, it still has four-wheel-drive capability, but if you’re planning any rock crawling, you’d benefit from more specialized equipment.
2. Ford Bronco Big Bend With Free Wheeling Package
Ford's Free Wheeling Package brings all the aesthetics without any of the off-roading. It’s more about colorful retro-inspired stripes and distinctive styling to the Big Bend trim. The only thing is that the appearance doesn't provide the upgrades associated with serious off-roaders. At the end of the day, the Bronco's biggest improvements are mainly visual.
3. Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend With Black Appearance Package
With its blacked-out grille and matte-black wheels, this one makes the compact Bronco Sport look significantly more aggressive. That’s great if that’s what you’re after! If not, then unfortunately, the 2025 Black Appearance Package retains all-season tires over specialized rubber for difficult terrain.
4. Ford Bronco Outer Banks With Black Appearance Package
Drivers chasing a darker exterior can also equip the Outer Banks with the same package. Different model, same results, however. Black exterior accents and distinctive trim details make it stand out without fundamentally changing how it handles difficult obstacles.
5. Ford Bronco Sport Free Wheeling Edition
Do bright stripes, colorful interior accents, and retro-inspired details sound good to you? Look no further than the Bronco Sport Free Wheeling. Beneath those decorative touches, it's more closely related to the everyday-oriented Big Bend than the trail-focused Badlands, though—perfect for commuters over adventurers.
6. Ford Bronco With Oversized Street Wheels
Installing enormous wheels can give a Bronco an imposing look, but pairing them with low-profile street tires also reduces the protective sidewall height needed for rough surfaces and makes tire damage more likely. In reality, a properly equipped Bronco on smaller wheels is better suited to demanding trails.
7. Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks Without Sasquatch
We’ve already gone through the Bronco Sport with the Sasquatch, but what about the ones without it? Well, the standard Bronco Sport Outer Banks concentrates on comfort features and everyday driving convenience. So, anyone hoping to tackle especially rocky routes should recognize the limitations before assuming every Outer Banks is made equally.
8. Ford Bronco With Decorative Lift Spacers
Some drivers only get inexpensive spacer lifts to create a taller stance—all without investing in a properly engineered system. You might want to forget about the height, though; these mods don't automatically improve suspension travel or traction. Not to mention, poorly selected components can also make demanding off-road driving less predictable.
9. Ford Bronco Sport Heritage Edition
The Bronco Sport Heritage Edition celebrates the original Bronco, and that’s great if you want the white exterior accents and vintage-inspired graphics. But despite its adventurous appearance, the standard version doesn't have the specialized equipment found on the Badlands, making it better suited to moderate recreational driving.
10. Ford Bronco With Lowered Street Suspension
A lowered Bronco is an odd customization choice, but street-focused builds can prioritize reduced ride height and aggressive pavement styling over traditional off-road capability. Lowering the suspension, for example, decreases ground clearance and can create headaches on tougher terrain. Don’t be fooled; these modifications are really only for show vehicles.
