Ford Patents May Have Accidentally Revealed the Next-Generation Bronco’s DesignCar and DriverJack FitzgeraldTue, September 8, 2026 at 8:18 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleFord Patents May the Show Next-Gen BroncoUSPTOA pair of patents filed by Ford may have just given us our first look at the next-generation Bronco, which is expected to start production in late 2029.The patents include detailed drawings of an unnamed SUV that looks suspiciously like a redesigned Ford Bronco.One patent details clever sleeping arrangements (both inside and on top of the SUV), while the other shows a modular storage system for removable door panels.Ford is cooking up new patent applications for a nameless SUV that's giving us a bit of déjà vu. To our eyes, the patent drawings look an awful lot like a next-generation Bronco, which is expected to arrive around 2030.USPTOThe mystery SUV has a familiar boxy shape with an enlarged grille that looks almost more like a Scout Traveler than a Ford Bronco. The overall shape of the SUV looks about right for the next Bronco too, though the proportions in the drawings make it look slightly smaller than the current version. Assuming the proportions shown in the patent applications are true-to-life, the next Bronco's rear door openings are shrinking, as are the wheel arches. The front end sports a pair of vertical tow hooks integrated into a chunky front bumper, similar to the setup found on current Bronco Raptor models. One big change found in the drawings—though not one that would necessarily migrate to a production model—is a shift to a top-hinged liftgate, rather than the rear swing gate found on the current Bronco.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe patents themselves are a little less interesting than a sneak preview of the new Bronco, though they're still worth checking out. The first shows a modular storage system for the doors, which could be removed from the car and moved to the cargo area. The system uses removable support beams that the doors clip onto and off of when being stowed. The second patent explores potential sleeping arrangements for both inside and on top of the SUV. The former involves a fold-out platform (think camping table) that transforms the rear three-quarters of the SUV into a flat floor—ideal for a sleeping mat. The latter shows a rooftop tent that uses the hood of the car as a support structure.USPTOThe current Bronco has carried on without any generational changes since the badge was revived for the 2021 model year, meaning it'll be high time for an overhaul by the end of the decade. A hybrid model is expected to arrive next year as a 2028 model, and Ford is even working on a Bronco pickup, according to a recent report. Still, what Ford really needs is a new generation for the popular off-roader. The drawings shown in these patents might be our first tast of that next generation.➡️ Skip the lot. Let Car and Driver help you find your next car.Shop New Cars Shop Used CarsYou Might Also LikeGift Guide: Best Ride-On Electric Cars for KidsFuture Cars Worth Waiting For: 2025–2029