Times are ‘a changin’ and nowhere is this more obvious than looking at the 2022 Ford Bronco.

Despite the legendary name, this Jeep rival rises like a phoenix from the ashes of the '90s into a new world with no V8 under its hood; instead, it comes with modern engines and technology wrapped in a retro-looking skin.

The '90s are now long-gone and so the new Bronco - designed with the Jeep Wrangler in mind – is a classic bucking Bronco in spirit only, applying all the safety, convenience, and performance now available to modern cars to its 4x4 platform.

Ford saw fit to make sure this 2022 SUV was a fitting sequel to the original Ford workhorse, and today it makes for a capable and desirable rugged vehicle. We take a closer look at the 2022 Ford Bronco to see what the hype is about and where it might fall short compared to its rivals.

No V8 Found Under Its Hood

As mentioned above, the Bronco doesn’t come with a V8 option, but it needn’t worry – the available engines are up to the job even with 2-4 fewer cylinders at the Bronco’s disposal.

The base engine is a 2.3-liter four-cylinder with a single turbo, which is enough for a 300 hp and 325 lb-ft maximum power and torque. Even more impressive is the 2.7-liter V6 with twin-turbos, which allows for a maximum of 330 hp and 415 lb-ft, figures which look less puny next to the gas-hungry naturally-aspirated V8s normally favored by SUVs of the past.

It isn’t the most fuel-efficient lineup of engines, with 19-20 mpg EPA-rated economy for the 2.7-liter and 2.3-liter Bronco respectively, for the 2-door version.

There is a Raptor version with a 3-liter engine and 418 hp, but the regular Ford Bronco has enough power for basic off-roading as standard and certainly enough for the road.

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Driving The Wheels Of The Ford Bronco

Under the clean, new design of the 21st-century Ford Bronco is an AWD chassis with a choice of transmissions. While a 10-speed automatic should make easy work of city driving or rural adventure-seeking, there is a 7-speed manual gearbox available as an option for the smaller 2.3-liter engine.

There isn’t an option for a manual transmission in either the bigger 2.7-liter Bronco or indeed in the Raptor version of this SUV, so people who like the driver involvement of that will need to take the 90 lb-ft reduction in torque between the two engines in the standard Bronco to have a manual. A standard 4x4 system is a welcome presence for the Ford Bronco and a low range ratio and various other safety and convenience features make off-roading a piece of cake in theory.

There are many trims, packages and options available, but in essence, the Bronco can have items added until it is ready for anything the wastelands have to offer: a dis-connectable sway bar, lockable front and rear differentials, and more, up to and including Trail Control, ‘class-exclusive’ Trail Turn Assist, and Trail 1-Pedal Drive.

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Practicality And Luxury All Under One Roof For The 2022 Ford Bronco

Luxury is of course subjective, although Ford really want this latest Ford Bronco to stand out not just against its rivals, like the Jeep Wrangler, but also on its own as an aspirational, rugged lifestyle vehicle.

Ford knows that potential buyers today also focus heavily on the cabin design, materials, and equipment, as well as tech and convenience features – cars like the Bronco need to offer it all.

Luckily, once you climb into the Bronco the interior is well executed and looks smart. It's not luxurious like a Land Rover, but the colored accents, Bronco detailing, and placement of accessories inspires confidence, looks modern, and suits the ethos of the Ford Bronco well.

With the driver’s digital gauge cluster, optional 12” center infotainment screen, and the grab handle, along with the vertical dash, this SUV has character. It’s also practical inside, with a soft or hard top up back, a choice of 4-or-2-door body styles and optional rubber floors with drainage, so you can just hose your Bronco down after a day at the beach.

The outside of the Bronco can come as rugged as you like if you can pay for it – there are many options available like skid plates and other options and the Everglades trim even adds a snorkel and winch capable of pulling 10,000 lbs.

Expect many Everglades to pull far less around the shopping mall car park, but it’s a nice option and surely one some people will surely be thankful for – turning this into an even more capable machine for certain situations.

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What It Costs To Get The Keys To A Bronco

Aside from the smorgasbord of options, the initial price online for the ‘Base’ Ford Bronco is $31,300, and the 4-door version is a big jump to $35,200. The higher trims all cost around $2,000 or thereabouts more for the 4-door version, so it costs more to upgrade the Base trim to a 4-door than in any other trim.

Big Bend and Black Diamond trims cost around $38,000 while there are many more options still including that Everglades version which will run you or around $53,000 before options, the most expensive Bronco aside from the Raptor.

For most people, the Base version or one of the lower-priced trims like the Black Diamond will likely suffice, if the Bronco will get used primarily as transport or a lifestyle vehicle for trips to the beach and other less-extreme ventures.

Jeep’s Wrangler, the gold standard in American 4x4 vehicles of this type, starts from $29,999 online up to the Rubicon 392 which retails from $80,000 ($11,500 more than the Bronco Raptor) but comes with a 6.4-liter V8 making that car slightly more impressive as you fire it up - but it does show its age more from the outside, whereas the Bronco shines from almost every angle.