It’s possible the 2020 Ford Bronco just had an unlikely reveal after photos of last month’s Las Vegas dealer convention found their way online. On a Ford website, no less.
Slated for production alongside the 2019 Ranger in Wayne, Michigan, the Bronco is returning to satisfy the burning itch felt by longtime fans of the rugged, body-on-frame SUV. But is this that vehicle?
These photos, uncovered by Off-Road.com, show a vehicle that certainly seems to fit the bill for Bronco. A retro visage with contemporary cues greets us. Circular headlamps ringed with LED mascara are a nod to the classic 1960s ute, and the model’s prow is (nearly) as blunt as can be. As noted by Off-Road, it appears the grille’s large “FORD” lettering features its own illumination, though whether this is a pre-production feature destined for the dustbin remains to be seen.
Clearly, Ford is enamoured by the floating roof trend sweeping the nation. Blacked-out pillars all around call attention to the equally retro white roof, which dips downward aft of the C-pillar. Meanwhile, the beltline rises to meet it. From a side-on angle, this feature brings to mind other SUVs that are most definitely not Fords. Along the slab-sided flanks, a small fender vent can be seen, while a lower character line rises to meet the rear fender bulge. Out back, the taillights are reminiscent of modern Blue Oval steeds like the Explorer.
You’ll also notice the presence of four doors and a fixed roof, which certainly isn’t retro. As a supposed Jeep Wrangler fighter, many hoped the returning model would allow drivers to go topless and give short shrift to rear-seat passengers, regardless of potential lost sales.
About that. Ford hasn’t, as of publication time, confirmed the identity of this vehicle. The model’s wheelbase and proportions raises suspicions that we’re looking at something else besides the Bronco. Also, Ford has already released an official teaser of the Bronco (above), showing a boxy, straight-edge vehicle that can’t possibly be a four-door. It’s known that Ford ‘s planning an Escape-adjacent “baby Bronco” crossover to capitalize on the returning nameplate, built on the platform of the new-generation Focus, with the automaker releasing a conceptual rendering earlier this year (see below). There are similarities, not least of which are the two hood bulges.
Two sources tell TTAC that the vehicle in the dealer meetup pics is not the BOF Bronco, which is expected to arrive in three- and five-door bodystyles. That would make this the unibody Baby Bronco, slated to arrive around the same time as its bigger stablemate.
An email to Ford remains unanswered. We’ll update this post when we hear back.*
*Update: Jiyan K. Cadiz, Ford’s North American car communications manager, writes (not unexpectedly), “Ford has an exciting product future but we don’t comment on speculation.”
[Images: Ford]
If I had to guess this is the “Baby” Bronco.
Looking at the sideview I would say it looks like a restyled Jeep Renegade – another variation on the “toaster” design language.
Looking at the sideview, I would say it’s another silly fake-macho CUV (complete with five grand upcharge over whatever non-CUV it’s based on) that I ain’t ever gonna buy.
After reading the article text that was included with the pictures, I’d say the author of those words agrees with you.
Look at the silhouette of the Big Bronco behind the Baby Bronco…
Great catch!
BINGO!!
Because there aren’t enough ugly-looking CUVs in the world.
@RedRocket, there are plenty of ugly CUVs out there. I know that I’m out of my mind, but it would seem like Ford should seem to be able to get a bit of that market share.
If there actually were 2 “Broncos” coming, one based on the Focus and one BOF, I think the market would respond in a positive way. I’ll probably still hold out with my remaining shares for the December dividend payout as I haven’t completely washed F from my portfolio (yet). They either have to ship something that appears to start with a bit of a flame other than the 5-figure “savings” on a F-150, or screw it, good luck with the VW hookup. I’m too old to wait for autonomous cars to generate a dollar to Ford’s bottom line.
There has already been an announcement that there will indeed be two off-road focused utilities, one a unibody (what we see here) that is smaller, and one that is BOF and based on Ranger (Bronco). This is a more utilitarian alternative to Escape, while the Bronco is a more utilitarian alternative to Edge and Explorer (or a more civilized alternative to Wrangler, depending on how you look at it).
Nissan did a decent job with the new Cube!
Wait this is the Bronco? BWHAHAHAHAHAHA (< Jeep's reaction)
I think this looks pretty good. Nice looking, subtle retro, rugged cues. Personally, I think this looks significantly better than a Jeep Renegade, nothing like a Cube. If anything, I see Mini Countryman. Look at the front wheel placement, I am thinking this is not RWD based but it has the proportions. Front window clearly ends well aft of the front axle. This is the sweet spot also, where the bulk of Bronco sales will come from. Home run in my opinion. I am not interested, but for the segment, its just what the Dr. ordered.
I see a Jeep Renegade, and that’s definitely not a complement.
Don’t tell me, it’s the new Bronco Ecosport.
BUT WILL IT HACK YOUR LIFE?!?!?!?
;-)
Oh, most definitely! The one I drove successfully hacked 30 minutes from my life that I’m never getting back, after all.
FreedMike, you win today.
They could put wraparound rear window glass on it and call it the Bronco II or the Bronco II II or the Bronco 4 I suppose
Bronco Lite?
If Bronco, then boo.
If Baby Bronco, then not bad.
I agree with your summary.
I also agree with the relationship between your avatar photo and screen name…true knowledge and understanding deftly shielded by academe.
Alas – such a calamitous shame, then, that these just-concluded elections were nearly bereft of positive news for those in opposition to said economist. Better luck next time.
@vehic1, I know I’m ignorant, but WTH are you talking about?
Are you digging the Fed raising the FFR rate or is this just a slam on Mr. Orange hair?
Reminds me of an FJ Cruiser
It’s like Ford decided to make their version of the MINI Countryman / Jeep Renegade.
And I like the looks of both of those vehicles.
Is it really going to be BoF? Please oh please!
Unless it has 4×4 off road chops, we’ve seen this before…
Yep. I like the styling, but inevitably the FWD-sedan based chassis will be a let-down. Won’t matter too much, people will still buy them. If nothing else, it’s a notable upgrade from the horrid EcoSport and things like the Trax and whatever Toyota calls their abomination.
If it is bigger than the Ecosport will it be smaller than the Escape? I don’t understand where this thing fits into the lineup.
The only way it would make sense is if it were BOF but since Ford doesn’t do small BOF, I can’t see how it would be possible. If the Bronco is going to share the architecture of the Ranger, then whatever this thing is, would not.
Eh, don’t really care that much, soon enough we’ll see these things crowding office park and grocery store lots.
I’ve always loved the Ford Flex, but have absolutely zero need for a vehicle that big. I’ve wished for a 3/4 scale model of the Flex, or perhaps a redux of the Honda Element. This had the potential to be one of those things, but instead looks like another ugly little toy.
Nobody makes vehicles in that form factor for whatever reason, esp. with a taller roof. Personally, I’ve despaired to wait and bought a clean used Element in AWD+5MT. If the TJ Cruiser comes out I’ll reassess.
My ideal vehicle would be a 3/4 scale Yukon. But mid-sized SUVs have been eradicated without mercy.
WRT the real Bronco: Ford, make it with a sliding rear window and I will forgive *everything*.
I loved the TJ Cruiser concept, but the CH-R is what we get instead. I also would go nuts at the chance at a manual/AWD Element, but the only ones I find are priced into the stratosphere. Strictly in the “I know what I got” class, although in that case, they may have a point.
Yes, a roll-down rear window would be great; why should Toyota have the monopoly on that?
The old Bronco had that feature, so Ford has no excuses.
Hell, even Explorer Sport Trac Ltd had that feature.
Following the link from Off-Road.com, it appears that this is indeed the Bronco, not the baby Escape model. Comparing the leaked photos to the cover Bronco photo, you can see a lot of similarities from hood size, to wheelbase. Sorry Bronco fans, this is your new model.
Wrong
“Baby Bronco” looks like a boxy Fiat 500L. Not good.
We’ll see, so much unanswered. I hate when Ford does this
“On a Ford website, no less”
Account suspended
Nice looking CUV IMHO. Assuming it’s not an EcoSport-ish trainwreck, Ford should sell a ton of them.
Yeah, it looks like a more masculine alternative to Escape and EchoSport, something with at least an inkling of off-road abilities. I like it, but then again, I like the Renegade too.
I hate that stupid upward kink after the C-pillar all these designers are doing.
Also, I sincerely hope this is a Bronco “Active” or some such nonsense and that the real Bronco is based on the silhouette in the background.
If the real Bronco is decent, I might be in the market for it to replace my ’06 F-150 supercrew.
You may rest assured that this is not *the* Bronco, this is the smaller CUV already announced. It’s basically an alternative to the on-road biased CUVs like Ford’s own Escape, Chevy’s Equinox and Honda’s CRV.
Now to wait 9 months to even know what the thing will look like…
Although this is obviously the fake baby bronco it’s still a very underwhelming rendering. I expected it to at least compete with the Grand Cherokee (i.e. Be on the cool side of the uncool CUV range) this is more like a fiat competitor then a whole hearted attempt.
Big missed opportunity here. This was supposed to capture the millions of old Escape drivers who were alienated by the new Escape. They wanted something simple and utilitarian, not something that looks like a cartoon.
The SUV under the tarp looks amazingly like an International Harvester Scout 80.
Will Ford follows Jeep lead and hamper both new Bronco models with underperforming powertrains? Love to get the new Bronco with at least 300hp and same in torque!
Wow. I didn’t realize 707HP would ever be considered “underperforming”
Call it the Bronco II and I will probably buy one