The Ford Bronco has stirred excitement among off-road enthusiasts and adventurers alike. The resurgence of the Bronco nameplate has brought a wave of nostalgia, but Ford has ensured that this iteration is not just a tribute to the past but a formidable player in the modern off-road vehicle market.
I had the privilege of driving the Ford Bronco Outer Banks with the Sasquatch Package in the diverse and rugged landscapes of Hawaii for a week; despite the compromises, I did enjoy it a lot, so when Ford Philippines offered me to take the Bronco off-roading, I just had to go pack my bags and experience it for myself.
I’ll also hit two birds with one stone with this article, as I will be sharing the on-road take experience I had with the Bronco Outer Banks during my Hawaii trip in conjunction with my off-road experience locally in Sacobia. So, let’s start.
Exterior and Design
The Bronco’s design is a perfect blend of classic and contemporary. It retains the boxy, rugged aesthetics that made its predecessors iconic while incorporating modern touches that enhance both form and function. This Outer Banks variant, in particular, stands out with its wider fender flares, LED signature lighting, and distinctive grille. The Sasquatch Package adds an even more aggressive stance with its lifted suspension and 35-inch mud-terrain tires, making it clear that this Bronco is ready for serious off-road action.
Interior Comfort and Features
Stepping inside the Bronco, you’re greeted with a utilitarian yet refined interior. The Outer Banks trim offers a more upscale experience compared to other Bronco variants, featuring leather-trimmed seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an abundance of soft-touch materials. The 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system, running Ford’s latest SYNC 4 software, is intuitive and responsive, providing seamless access to navigation, entertainment, and vehicle settings. It also features handy cameras you can use off-road which we will get into later.
However, it’s important to manage expectations regarding ride comfort. The Bronco’s ride quality isn’t the best, and NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) levels are noticeable, especially on the highway. This isn’t entirely surprising given its off-road-oriented design. In comparison, major players in the PPV (pickup-based passenger vehicle) segment, and even the updated Jeep Wrangler Sport, offer a more crossover-like driving experience. We will get into more detail of the on-road experience below.
On-Road Performance
Driving the Bronco on Hawaii’s roads was a mixed bag. The turbocharged 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine delivers a healthy 310 horsepower and 555 Nm of torque, providing plenty of grunt for both city driving and highway cruising. The 10-speed automatic transmission is smooth and responsive, ensuring that power is readily available at the command of you right foot.
However, the ride quality leaves much to be desired. The suspension, tuned for off-road prowess, translates to a bouncy and somewhat unsettled ride on pavement. The large 35-inch tires contribute to road noise and a certain vagueness in steering feel. While the Bronco is manageable on the road, it’s clear that its true capabilities shine off the beaten path. It is purpose-built, after all, for the trails first and on-road second, and it truly needs to be to excel in its intended purpose. Of course, there will always be compromises. You don’t expect a Porsche 911 GT3RS to be as comfortable as a Carrera S on-road, right?
Off-Road Capability
Where the Bronco truly excels is off-road. The Sasquatch Package equips the Bronco with heavy-duty Bilstein position-sensitive dampers, a 2.5 to 3-inch lift, and the aforementioned 35-inch Goodyear mud-terrain tires, locking axles front and rear, 17-inch “beadlock-capable” wheels, and a shorter 4.7:1 final drive ratio. This setup provides exceptional ground clearance, approach, breakover, and departure angles, making it incredibly capable right out of the box.
During my off-road adventures in Sacobia, the Bronco performed admirably. It tackled rough trails, loose sand, and rocky terrain with ease. The advanced 4×4 system, featuring electronic-locking front and rear differentials and a high-performance off-road stability suspension (HOSS) system, ensures maximum traction and stability in challenging conditions. The Bronco seemed to laugh at the terrain, feeling truly at home amidst the rugged landscape. It even has targeted cameras for areas you may not usually see during the trails, so you know exactly where and how to place your vehicle for the obstacles ahead. Those cameras also add another safety barrier, which could help you detect hazards ahead of time without needing a spotter. That, alone, could be the difference between falling over a cliff or trekking forward to your next destination. Another trick the Bronco has up its sleeve is its Trail Turn Assist. A feature I wished I had long ago when I was still deep into off-roading. Basically, what it does is help you navigate tighter spots and turns in the trail, which could significantly improve your maneuverability and turning radius. It does this by locking up your left or right rear wheel with the brakes for you to turn much tighter than your usual full lock.
One area where the Bronco might lag behind its competition, specifically the Jeep Wrangler, is in wheel articulation. While the Bronco’s independent front suspension provides a smoother ride and better handling on uneven surfaces, the Wrangler’s solid front axle design offers superior articulation, which can be crucial for extreme off-roading scenarios. Nonetheless, the Bronco’s overall off-road performance is impressive and should satisfy most enthusiasts. It is, without a doubt, the most trail-ready vehicle available on the Philippine market right now.
Value for Money?
With a price tag of around P4.998 million, the Bronco Outer Banks with the Sasquatch Package offers tremendous value in the off-road vehicle segment. It provides a level of off-road capability and ruggedness that is hard to match at this price point. When compared to its closest rivals, such as the Jeep Wrangler Sport (priced at P4.790 million) and the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (indicatively priced at P4.8 million), the Bronco stands out as the most trail-ready option straight from the factory.
Verdict
The 2025 Ford Bronco Outer Banks with the Sasquatch Package is probably the best choice for those seeking a vehicle that can handle serious off-road adventures straight out of the dealership. Its blend of classic design, modern features, and exceptional off-road capability make it a standout in the segment. While it may not offer the best ride quality or the quietest cabin on the road, these are compromises that off-road enthusiasts are likely willing to make for the Bronco’s unparalleled trail performance.
That said, while the Bronco nameplate is well known in the United States for its heritage, it’s also the first time this particular nameplate will be offered here in the Philippines, so I think the Bronco’s most significant hurdle right now is to capture those that have brand loyalty. As Ford Philippines seems dedicated to giving enthusiasts vehicles they would actually want, my answer to you is just to go out and buy one.
