Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.The Ford Bronco is a car of compromises, and it's not just because the SUV is nearly constantly under recall. The Bronco's design inherently makes it compromised, but if there's anything that can make a car charming, it's the flaws. Broncos are loud, get crap fuel economy, and can't go around a corner for the life of them. Some of these things make the Bronco fun, and some of them just plain drove me nuts. Here, you'll find the latter.The Bronco Is Built Like A BathtubChase BierenkovenThe Bronco's litany of removable panels is arguably one of its best features. They fit in the trunk, they let the outside in, they're great. Until you put 'em back on. The Bronco is markedly louder on the highway than many solid-roofed alternatives, though Ford attempts to combat this with some added insulation on the panels. It helps, some, but the Bronco's most fun feature is also the biggest contributor to its tough road noise dynamics.The Bronco's Off-Road Capability Is Its Biggest Trade-OffChase BierenkovenThis is less a downside than it is a trade-off. The Bronco is nearly unstoppable off-road, especially with the Sasquatch package, which adds huge 35-inch tires and unique suspension changes, among other off-road-focused upgrades. Those two items in particular contribute to a significant number of on-road problems. The big tires can't help the Bronco stop, which it struggles to do adequately, and they're loud on the highway. Meanwhile, the suspension setup also means the Bronco feels too stiff over bumps but wallowy on the highway. It sort of bounces around until the moment you need it to.Ford Can't Build Em RightChase BierenkovenThe biggest problem, though, isn't the Bronco itself. It's the company building them. Ford has recalled the Bronco, among other products, more than any other manufacturer. Both this year and last, the Bronco was among the most-recalled SUVs built in the US, and the pace has kept up. Nearly everything, from the Bronco's removable roof panel to its engine to its infotainment and driver aids, has been previously recalled and probably will be again. While all of this will one day pay dividends, for now, it makes the Bronco a tough buy.Ford's Interior Isn't The Highest QualityChase BierenkovenAdvertisementAdvertisementWhile most of the time you'll be focused on what's happening out the front window, looking down in the Bronco doesn't reward you. In lower trims especially, the Bronco's interior is just not a nice place to be. While durable plastics have their place in off-road vehicles, the Bronco's don't feel very sturdy. The grab handle wobbles. The center seat armrest flexes under your weight, and the wheel's "leather" trim feels more like melted plastic. Climbing up the trim ladder alleviates some of this, but not totally. Some materials, like that shoddy wheel plastic, don't change.Pricing Has EscalatedChase Bierenkoven$29,995. That's what a base two-door Bronco cost you in 2020. Rampant inflation, serious hikes in materials costs, and Ford's desire to turn the Bronco into a hyper-personalized off-road status machine have all contributed to the SUV's new MSRP. In 2026, it'll run you $42,490 for the same, largely unchanged Bronco two-door. Meanwhile, the high end of the SUV's lineup has ballooned into the $80,000 range for the Bronco Raptor.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the Features section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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