The hotly anticipated revival of the Ford Bronco nameplate is due out for the 2021 model year, with the big sheet pull expected at the new SUV’s debut in April. However, we’re now getting a sneak peek at the utility thanks to a single fresh image that just leaked onto the Web, as covered by our sister publication, Ford Authority.
This is our first look at the new Bronco without any cladding or camouflage. This particular model is the four-door version of the “real” Bronco – that is, the body-on-frame model, as opposed to the Ford Bronco Sport crossover, a.k.a. the “baby Bronco.”
The leaked image shows off the new Bronco’s tall stance and boxy styling. The front end is dominated by bright Bronco branding against a glossy black grille section, while the headlamps include a circular “halo” effect around the perimeter. The overhangs appear to be very short, which no doubt help to up the SUV’s claims to off-roading prowess. The front bumper also comes with fog lights, a place to mount a winch, and collapsible recovery hooks.
Higher up, we see a soft-top roof, while the thin A-pillars seem to suggest a foldable windshield. This particular Ford Bronco also comes with large, black fender flares that jut out from the body at a 90-degree angle. This latter feature suggests that this particular model is higher in the trim line, given previous variants have been spotted with a narrower stance and without the flares.
Final details include beadlock wheels wrapped in chunky rubber.
Critically, General Motors has no real answer to this machine, at least not yet. That said, the upcoming GMC Hummer EV pickup should have what it takes to rival the new Ford Bronco SUV, albeit from the all-electric utility segment and at a higher price point.
What are your thoughts on the upcoming 2021 Ford Bronco? Post ‘em in the comments, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for ongoing GM news coverage.
This post was created in collaboration with our sister publication, Ford Authority.
Comments
I’m bored by it. It seems like if they just made another Jeep Wrangler
It’s actually ok GM doesn’t have a direct rival. There aren’t enough buyers in the segment to justify the development cost. Bringing back the Avalanche would make more sense for GM.
GMC Hummer?
“At a higher price point”. That kind of takes care of seeing the GMC as competition to the Ford doesn’t it?
Not sure what to expect here.
Jeeps sell because they are Jeeps.
This was a want to be Jeep back in the day with a small following. Will it pick up enough buyers to compete over a long cycle?
I expect it will eliminate some of the Jeep short comings but will it be priced to compete as it will be more than a Ranger that it is based on,
If it does work will GM respond soon as GMC has begged to do one.
I used to drive a first Gen Bronco. It was like a Jeep and nothing special back then. Most rusted away too. Will the appeal of. A removable top and doors help.
I still look to the Suzuki and Tracker GM had and was amazed how well they sold. Today good copies with no rust are expensive.
I hope GM has a gas version. If something not just the Hummer..
Unfortunately, the gas version isn’t coming, at least not any time soon.
According to reports, GM apparently WAS planning on giving GMC a new Wrangler-fighter based off the new 32XX platform that was going to underpin the next Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. However, during the major company restructuring of November 2018 (when GM announced all those plant closures and future layoffs), the 32XX platform was scrapped, with the 31XX was set to be modified instead. Because of this, GM killed the “Jimmy” development program, which was underway (evident by Wranglers testing all over the place at GM proving grounds). They didn’t deem the GMC Jimmy worth the cost of redesigning to fit the modified 31XX platform…go figure.
Unless the new Bronco is a major success, I don’t see GM reviving the Jimmy resurrection plan. Especially not when they’re so damn focused on EVs. I think that’s a huge missed opportunity, but what do they care. At the very least, at least we’ll still have the Hummers to represent GM off-road; yeah, they’re electric and likely a good deal more expensive, but the off-road potential is really promising, they’ll likely be able to do anything the Bronco can do. This is all just for bragging rights and image, though – I’ll always wish we had a gas Wrangler-fighter too.
Here’s the links for the info I had:
https://www.musclecarsandtrucks.com/gm-cancels-body-on-frame-midsize-suv-program/
https://driving.ca/gmc/auto-news/news/gmcs-rumoured-bronco-fighter-reportedly-shelved
Who wants to go way back off the beaten path in an EV. That’d certainly generate range anxiety; can’t plug in to a tree. There’s a reason true off-roaders have those gas cans attached to them.
I view GM’s Hummer EV as more of an Arnold Schwarzenegger-style vehicle for the environmentally conscious Hollywood crowd and their imitators across the country. It’s the classic Hummer without the guilt. It looks all big and tough and towers over plebeians in Corollas and, if necessary, it can take a trek through the sand but it was built mostly for cruising Rodeo Drive.
Unfortunately, the gas version isn’t coming, at least not any time soon.
According to reports, GM apparently WAS planning on giving GMC a new Wrangler-fighter based off the new 32XX platform that was going to underpin the next Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. However, during the major company restructuring of November 2018 (when GM announced all those plant closures and future layoffs), the 32XX platform was scrapped, with the 31XX was set to be modified instead. Because of this, GM killed the “Jimmy” development program, which was underway (evident by Wranglers testing all over the place at GM proving grounds). They didn’t deem the GMC Jimmy worth the cost of redesigning to fit the modified 31XX platform…go figure.
Unless the new Bronco is a major success, I don’t see GM reviving the Jimmy resurrection plan. Especially not when they’re so damn focused on EVs. I think that’s a huge missed opportunity, but what do they care. At the very least, at least we’ll still have the Hummers to represent GM off-road; yeah, they’re electric and likely a good deal more expensive, but the off-road potential is really promising, they’ll likely be able to do anything the Bronco can do. This is all just for bragging rights and image, though – I’ll always wish we had a gas Wrangler-fighter too.
Here’s the links for the info I had:
https://www.musclecarsandtrucks.com/gm-cancels-body-on-frame-midsize-suv-program/
https://driving.ca/gmc/auto-news/news/gmcs-rumoured-bronco-fighter-reportedly-shelved
Save the wind for a soap box on Sunday morning lol.
Sorry, I thought this was a car forum. Thanks for the advice, though.
In the spirit of giving, here’s some advice for you: don’t quit your day job.
😉
Yawn.
I’ve seen countless Fords with the hood up already. This is nothing new or original.
Aww Man, stole my joke..
Found Off Road….Dead..
I don’t understand, GM in their ultimate wisdom has brought the Blazer back, oh excuse me I thought the Blazer name stood for something that could go off road farther than a gravel driveway. Hee Hee
Good ol K5, just another faded memory, like Mr. Goodwrench , Bob Segar singing like a rock….
That’s progress ?
The fender flares are pretty bad looking, IMO
No direct competition, but does it need one.
This was the decision of General Motors CEO Mary Barra while the Chevrolet Blazer was in development; but one has to think that Chevrolet engineers could integrate suspension components from the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison into the Blazer to create an off-road variant.
No.
Colorado is a Body On Frame Pickup truck.
Blazer is a Unibody FWD/AWD crossover.
Things don’t just “integrate” like that.
If there is a future model it would be a new model to replace the Tailblazer that Holden has. Now if there are plans to do that we still do not know. There is still much to learn about the new truck and if it will be merged into a SUV too.
But the Blazer is and has nothing to so with the Colorado as pointed out. It is a FWD based unibody as pointed out and was not a Barra decision.
Who’s the shot call at GM?
Are you saying it’s not Barra…
Don’t let your boss hear you say that, Your fired…
Just make GM Great Again !!!
That is terrible looking. There is no real need to be in this space its a very limited market the ZR2 is better than the jeep and jeep wranglers are so over priced for what they are. Most Jeeps wranglers that sell never go offroad and with the rise of SXS popularity jeeps for Offroading are going to be seen less and less.
HA, ZR2 better than the Wrangler. That’s still not an apples to apples comparison. At least Ford put this on the stout T6 platform. Only negative is the front IFS for hardcore wheeling, I see a solid axle conversion kit looming in the distance. So Joe, it’s ugly but this isn’t? https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.motorcarstudio.com%2Fvehicles%2Fsold%3Fpage%3D6&psig=AOvVaw2-iu9YAFkYDmMSqU-kasjq&ust=1583930476735000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCKCeqP32j-gCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAG
Jeff, I agree with your statement about a “solid front axle conversion coming.” If Ford really wanted this thing to be a Jeep killer, it would have a straight front axle. Jeeps are very over priced. But, they sell like hot cakes cause they are a simple idea. Yes, most won’t see the offroad at all. But they serve a limited group, very well. GM has to come up with something better than the ZR2 Bison. We need a simple, solid axle SUV. I agree with a unit similar to the old Susiki. Yeh they could roll over, but one can roll over anything, if one is stupid. GM, please, bring something out other than unibody pieces of sh..! Just sayin’
Another letdown for Ford. Almost as if both Ford and GM are in a war to see who can be the most mediocre. Another one for Malaise Era II.
An SUV companion to Colorado would be good. It shouldn’t be retro and there is no need for a two-door. Building a direct competitor to the Bronco would be a mistake.
No doubt these are cool but Wrangler’s appeal is its’ box-like (G Wagonish) utilitarian military look. This has too much of a rounded typical SUV look… and those wheel well flares – ugh… Halo lights are already considered passe in Wrangler community. Playing catch up is ok … but this seems like a too-safe design which may limit sales … because I’m guessing it will be overpriced. Would love a new Bronco but probably not at the price they will be asking.
I’m sure the 20,000 or so they’ll sell will be totally worth the investment and the siphoned sales from other Ford products and its kinda ugly too…..
Mary Barra will be the death of GM. She’s giving up entire segments of the market to go electric, which the public and the infrastructure just aren’t ready for. Gas is going to be around for a long time and those that liked Impala’s and Pontiac’s will all be buying Japanese and Korean models, including me.
They’ve been buying Japanese or Korean for a while now…
I have several friends that have recently traded in theirGM cars for foreign makes because they couldn’t get a similar GM Sedan. Dumping all the sedans was a bozo mistake that’s going to cost them a lot of customers, especially the older set. Mary was not the right person for the job,
Actually what she is doing today will pay the bills in the future and permit GM to keep some fun ICE models around.
Gas will be around but it is the emissions that so many places are making laws against. Also the fact is once battery prices come down the EV models will be cheaper to build. Less parts less regulations lower development cost as they will all be based much on the same parts.
I am a petrol head but I learned to look at the big picture. There are many parts to this and you have to consider the whole thing. GM has plans for ICE till 2050 even if they are not marketing it.
EV is not going to fit everyone but EV will help pay the bills.
Narrow minded people think shes ruining GM. Shes actually saving it by making tough decisions that hurt her popularity. She eventually will be remembered as a visionary.
With this but especially with the two-door Bronco, we’ve gone back to where it all began.
Today’s lumbering beasts and car-based CUVs are a far cry from the original go-anywhere nature of the first SUVs that popularized the category. I welcome the return to a real Sport Utility Vehicle, which incidentally is a term Ford coined way back in 1966 to define the Bronco.
I again, agree. See my above comments. Yes Ford did start the SUV invasion. But Jeep was the real mother of it all. What GM needs to do, is go back to what brought them to the dance… A straight axle, no nonsense REAL SUV, Make a smaller version of the original Blazer/Jimmy. NOT another crossover. GM has more of these, than most all the other manufacturers, combined. I want an SUV, that is a body on frame, truck based SUV, Solid axles and a real transfer case. Just sayin’
This market is about looks and that’s it. yes their are some that take a 50K priced vehicle and don’t care what they do to it. SXS are gaing in popularity because they can do much more than any of these vehicles and not have to worrying about denting a panel. I was in MOAB and yes i saw many jeeps but they were slow to go compared my group which was made up of SXS and ATV’s. We also saw other SXS and they were just like us passing up the slow jeeps. With SXS getting on road approval from many states the market is going to grow there more than the 50k off road vehicle market.
SxS vehicles aren’t daily drivers – not even a valid comparison. We’re talking about selling Broncos and Wranglers as On road vehicles to drivers who want the look & feel of a tough ORV but cup holders for their Venti Mocha when driving billy to soccer. We’re not talking about Moab here …
The 6.2 would be a beast off road. Imagine a Tahoe ZR2 to compete with the off-road version of a 4 door bronco.
Fugly. Looks like they “borrowed” the design from Land Rover then raided their parts bin.
ok i love GM i really do but they missed the boat on the true off road market and Ford hit it on the head, you guys can bad mouth this Bronco to death but the fact that none of you will buy one doesn’t matter to ford they will sell a lot of them, and my beloved GM has nothing but a name on a grocery getting called blazer how sad.
This truck and I mean Truck will sell if Ford puts the correct engine inside. NO 4 BANGERS!!! I have been waiting for someone to build a beefy 2 Door truck since I sold my ’96 GMC Yukon GT 2 Dr. That is all many of us want and need…Fits in shorter spaces..Usually provides heaps of front legroom. And to be truthful ..to me a 2 door is better looking. I have no need for a back row and to take away valuable front seat legroom for a third seat…nonsense. All of the ’21 GM full size SUV’s are shrinking front leg room so to accommodate the minuscule 3rd row occupants. If you need a 3rd row..get a ‘burban. I am a GM buyer..But Ford..build a 2 door thats just a bit Beefier than a Jeep..with a good engine and front leg room..and you will earn my business.
there you go Robert, i agree 100% with everything you said.
It’s getting a turbo 4.
Robert, you are right on. If one needs a three row SUV, buy a ‘Burban. We, who drive TRUCKS, want a truck based SUV. The 1969-1991 REAL Blazer sold like no body’s business. All GM has to do, is go back just a bit, and take a page from the past. Just build a solid axle V8 truck based unit. They can put all the new tech they want in it. Make it comfortable to sit in, give it some power, and of most of all, make it look nice!!!!! Again, GM will not make it with the move to all electric. The infrastructure is along way away. Gas is more available now more than any time in the past. GM just needs to build it. We will come!!!!!!
Blazers sold like crazy in the 70’s. In the 80’s they declined much and the Tahoe killed the 2 door sales.
That is why you see a 4 door Bronco as it will account for most sales. The 2 door may live a limited life.
I loved the Blazer but even I have to admit the rear seat was a major pain to get into even for kids.
I think some kind of SWB variation of a Tahoe may work but you would have to open up access to the rear. Other wise once the few die hard fan buy sales will go no where.
I feel a Colorado sized SUV would do much better and add a smaller ute truck. Not only would they sell globally but they would better fit today market.
It was called the S10 Blazer & the Trailblazer.
The Tahoe is there for you today!….
The 1998-2005 k5 blazer was cool.
Yes it was but it died because few people bought them in the end. Same thing happened to my El Camino.
All the Blazers were cool but the market changed. Even the articulated front seats could not save it.
I used to think the Tahoe was going to fail as if you were going for 4 doors you would get a Suburban. I missed that one by a mile!.
Bring back the HX just as it was………..it will blow Jeeps and Fords into yesterday!!!!!!! How stupid can GM be…..The friggin car was already made,……DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Totally outdated now. I bet you’re right, the HX had all the off-road hardware to hammer the Jeep Wrangler of that era, but it’s not as easy as just bringing the concept back out of the basement at RenCen and putting it into production. Beyond the fact that all the tech from that truck is totally obsolete its so old, the platform that underpinned it has been dead for over a decade. GM would need to adapt it to an entirely new body-on-frame platform, and that frame doesn’t exist at GM today. The right move would have been to kill off the H2 but not the entire Hummer brand back in 2010, and put the HX into production. But that ship has sailed, and GM missed a golden opportunity.
It was made how many years ago. The platform it was on has long ago been replaced.
GM is not Stupid. They are using care before committing billions to programs that are risky.
I think what you miss is GMC has been on this a Hummer deal longer than you realize. They have been pushing GM to give them a shot with it. They have had plans for a smaller unit. We could see a smaller ICE version if the market is big enough.
Remember you just can’t sell 70k of these units just in the states anymore. You have to global and they want at least 2ook units or more.
Then it is tough to price cheap enough. Jeep is over priced and I suspect the Bronco will not be cheap once you order what is wanted or needed.
How well will a Bronco do pushing $50k with only a 4 cylinder option?
GM lacks… enough said…
just in time for oj to get married again
The OJ edition comes with special gloves and Italian shoes along with a collectors knife.
They will only be white.
Finally a ford bronco a much better suv currently than that horriffic piece of trash crossover soccer mom blazer, GM and chevy should be ashamed of themselves disgracing long time blazer fans with that junk.
Yep Chevy messed up ….the Blazer will only sell 2 to 1 vs the Bronco once both get up to speed.
The sales opportunity is much greater with the family truckster like it or not.
The soccer moms have a lot of money and add 50% or more to sales in the Market on most models.
Yes reality sucks but in the end it comes down to making money.
Yes a different name would have been better but it is done so time to move on.
About the worst thing any auto company can do is always have answer for the completion at every single market segment. Why does GM need an answer to the Bronco? It a narrow niche market and you just cannot afford a new vehicle and expect to only sell maybe 20-25,000 in the first year to off roaders with diminish sales as the fad fades.
Give it time….these will be ubiquitous at the rental car lots. Ford will destroy / milk the Brand’s “uniqueness” offering loss-leader leases and it’ll soon blend-in with the Jeep Compass and the bazillion other Equinox’s on the road.
It’ll burn brightly, but then fade quickly.
This is a winner
This vehicle is a winner. They have done it pretty much correct.
I have been stating for years that Chevrolet or GMC dependently needs a Wrangler fighter.
I hate that GM has basically become only a mainstream Auto Maker. They hardly have any Niche Models
If Gm is looking to compete all they have to do is build a real suv with a body on frame construction 2 solid axles( no chicken bone front suspension with torsion bars ) a V8 under the hood and avaliable in 2 doors. The interior doesnt have to be elegant just clean and functional. Take for instance a 91 k5 blazer slightly updated. Build it with guys looking to plow snow, pull a boat, and do some off roading. Take note of the dodge challenger and replicate it with a real life full size suv. Gm would smoke the competition if done right. Please any gm executives reading this, make it a reality.
Bobby, see my earlier comment at the beginning of this post. GM, HAS to get back to what they built the whole SUV industry around. A TRUCK based SUV. Solid axles, a nice V8, and a decent interior. They can offer all the whistles and bells they want. Just don’t make them mandatory. K.I.S.S (Keep it simple stupid) They will out sell anything on the market. Just sayin’
The last thing I would be in is a two solid axle vehicle going 70 mph or more on the interstate. It’s one if the most unstable platforms ever built. One of the biggest problem was the wobble of death And don’t try to over correct, you’ll be waiting for a tow trunk with the vehicle upside down.
George, Ive owned several trucks with 2 solid axles all with the added weight of a 500lb + snowplow, all of which Ive never had any death wobble issues. Ford and Dodge still currently use solid axles on there trucks and as matter of fact almost everybody I know in the snow and ice buisiness prefer them over the chicken bone suspension of gm. If you want a luxury suv or truck buy a cadillac or mercedes. Trucks used to be built like trucks for guys that needed something rugged and dependable, than country music became main stream in the late 90’s and everyone wanted to become a cowboy with a pickup truck that rides like a car. And thats where we are at today, 70k luxury trucks that dont hold up the way they used to, and dont get me wrong Yes todays offering have a lot to offer but at the sacrafice of keeping something rugged and affordable. By the way I currently own a 2016 tahoe that I bought new, and I previously ( 25 years ago ) owned a 1991 K5 blazer, I would take the k5 all day over the tahoe if I could buy another brand new with a warranty.
I think Chevy should take the 1971 k5 blazer style and update to battle Jeep and ford. This is classic styling and with updated interior and no less than turbo 3.6 or a 5.3. Also a 2 door is a must with removable doors and top. I am ready to order one now.
Bronco is a shoe box with wheels!!!!!! You say the underpinnings of the HX are obsolete????? Really????? What about the frames of pickups for the last 50 years?????? Get real dude….The HX could be updated for practically
nothing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You clearly have zero understanding of automotive production.
No one said anything about body-on-frame being obsolete, or else there’d be no new Bronco. There is WAY more to a platform than the frame, dude. Things like electronics architecture and tech, safety and crash equipment, regulation compliance equipment, materials, etc. There’s nothing wrong with the FRAME of the HX, it’s the platform as a whole that is now entirely outdated. The interior and technology is laughable today, and would need to be totally redone. Not only that, but the HX platform doesn’t exist anymore, so an entire factory would need to be retooled for an entirely new platform for the HX to reach production. That isn’t realistic in the least.
You need to educate yourself on things you know nothing about.
Burnout.
You don’t know it all,
Sound like you might think so…
Lol
Nah, that’s simply the facts, nothing hard to understand about it at all. A donkey could comprehend this. If you somehow still can’t grasp these concepts or simply refuse to acknowledge reality, that’s on you.
Burnout, I think you are burnt out!!!!!!!…….GM has the PERFECT body style in the HX to obliterate the Jeep!!!!! OPEN YOUR FRIGGIN EYES!!!!!!……..or your mind!!!!!!!!
Again dude, this has nothing to do with body style lol. This isn’t hard at all, but somehow, it’s apparently too much for you. Read.
Clever nickname, by the way. Your sense of humor is exquisite.
Some people don’t hide behind a “nickname”…!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Get educated!!!!!!!
Lol, sure, “dude!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
You need to calm down and get off whatever drugs you’re on.