Which Ford Bronco Is Best for Your Off-Road Adventures?

Ever since its triumphant return, the Ford Bronco has established itself as one of the most popular SUVs on the road—but it’s even better for going OFF the road. Every Bronco out there can handle some degree of off-roading, given that impressive features like Ford’s “Goes Over Any [type of] Terrain” (GOAT) modes and High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension (HOSS) system come standard on every model. That being said, there are still some differences between the available trims you should keep in mind when considering a Ford Bronco for sale.

You can get a 2023 Bronco in nine different trims, which is a tremendous amount of freedom to get the features and capabilities you need. While any Bronco can handle easy trails thanks to standard four-wheel drive (4×4), if you’re looking for something to do some serious work, there are some key models you should focus on. Whether you want to show the Jeep Wrangler how a real trailblazer tackles California’s Rubicon Trail, or you’d like to explore Moab in Utah, there’s a Bronco that’s up to the challenge. Let’s look at the four key trim levels you should focus on for the best off-road performance.

The Ford Bronco Badlands

If you’re looking for some serious off-road performance, then the Badlands is the most affordable trim level that you should be looking at. For starters, the Badlands features the GOAT modes like other Bronco models, but it comes with seven available modes—compared to the six modes that you’ll find on most lower-trim models—including Sand, Slippery, Sport, Eco, Normal, Mud/Ruts, and Rock Crawl. This lets you choose between a wide range of conditions and environments to ensure your Bronco has the traction it needs.

The Bronco Badlands also comes with a front stabilizer bar disconnect for improved articulation, perfect for climbing over large obstacles, and electronic-locking front and rear axles. You get a HOSS 2.0 system with Bilstein position-sensitive dampers on the Badlands (while previous trims typically come with the HOSS 1.0 system), plus Advanced 4×4 with automatic on-demand engagement for improved overall performance. This is a great place to start if you want a Bronco with improved off-road capability. Still, there are several options with even greater performance.

The Ford Bronco Wildtrak

Although we certainly love the Bronco Badlands, the Wildtrak is probably our top pick for most drivers looking for exceptional off-road performance. We’re not alone on this either: Car and Driver also chose the Bronco Wildtrak as the one they would recommend most. For one thing, while the Badlands comes with a standard 2.3L I-4 engine, the Wildtrak features an even more powerful 2.7L V6 with 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, giving you amazing performance out on the trail. You also get electronic-locking front and rear axles with the Wildtrak, plus it features a HOSS 3.0 system with FOX internal bypass dampers.

One of the biggest reasons we recommend the Wildtrak, however, is that it comes with the Sasquatch Package standard rather than as an available option as does the Badlands. With the Sasquatch, you get 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels wrapped in large 35-inch mud-terrain tires, along with high-clearance fender flares and more. As far as we’re concerned, the Sasquatch Package is essential for anyone looking to ensure their Bronco can handle any trail you throw at it, so you might as well choose a trim that includes it. With Trail One-Pedal Driving, Trail Turn Assist, and Trail Control all included on the Wildtrak, this is an amazing choice for your Bronco as it can take you pretty much anywhere.

The Ford Bronco Heritage

If you’re looking for impressive performance and gorgeous styling, then we have to take a moment to mention the Bronco Heritage model. (Not to be confused with the Heritage Limited, which is also fantastic but not ideal for every driver.) The Heritage also comes with the Sasquatch Package, much like the Wildtrak, along with some unique aesthetic touches that truly make it stand apart. You get a HOSS 2.0 system on this one, which is one area where it’s lacking compared to the Wildtrak, and it has the 2.3L I-4 engine like the Badlands.

On the outside, the Heritage model stands apart for several reasons starting with the 17-inch Oxford White wheels that have a gorgeous vintage look to them. The Heritage comes with a modular hardtop—also in Oxford White—with unique badging and details like Classic Bronco Script, a White painted grille with Red lettering, and much more. Inside, you’ll find Vintage plaid cloth seating that looks stunning, along with an Oxford White instrument panel and much more. Overall, if you want to really stand out when you’re on the trail, this is a truly lavish pick.

The Ford Bronco Raptor

For genuinely exceptional off-road performance and capability that no other Bronco (or any other SUV out there, honestly) can match, then the Bronco Raptor is what you should be looking at. This model is on a level of its own, with incredible performance and engineering designed to let you go anywhere you can imagine.

For starters, the Bronco Raptor features a beastly 3.0L EcoBoost V6 engine that delivers 418 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque, giving you incredible power that can propel the Raptor across any terrain. Going even further than other models, the Raptor features a HOSS 4.0 system with FOX Live Valve 3.1 internal bypass semi-active dampers carefully developed and chosen by the Ford Performance team to elevate the Raptor to the next level; it helps this model attain 13 inches of front wheel travel and 14 inches of rear travel.

The Bronco Raptor comes with massive 37-inch all-terrain tires that provide incredible traction in even the most challenging conditions. They help it attain its incredible 13.1 inches of ground clearance, compared to just over 11 inches possible with other models. You can enjoy 37 inches of water fording capability with the Raptor, and it comes with the same incredible technology as the Wildtrak, including Trail One-Pedal Driving, Trail Control, and more. The Raptor comes with seven GOAT modes, heavy-duty full-vehicle steel bash plates for added protection on the trail, and a Ford Performance Heavy Duty Modular Bumper with RIGID fog lamps so even when things get intense on the trail, you’ll be ready.

Beyond these incredible details, the Raptor also has a number of great extra touches like a unique Raptor hood, available Raptor Graphics, and more. Inside the Bronco Raptor, you’ll find a 12.0-inch infotainment display, a 12.0-inch digital instrument cluster screen, and unique Raptor details throughout the interior. You can add options like a wireless charging pad, a ten-speaker B&O sound system, and leather-trimmed seating to elevate your off-road experience beyond anything else on the trail.

The Right Bronco Is Out There, Waiting, and Ready

This was only a small taste of what these four trims have to offer, and they don’t even comprise HALF of the lineup of Bronco trims available this year. It’s clear that Ford has heard the praise and applause from fans; the Bronco just keeps getting better with each new year, creating more options than ever for a trail-ready SUV designed to let you leave civilization far, far behind.

At the end of the day, the right Bronco for you really depends on what you need from it; any Ford Bronco can do basic off-roading, while models like the Wildtrak and Raptor equip you to tackle demanding trails that will push your limits. If you’re not sure which of these models has everything you need, then visit us at Loganville Ford, and we’ll help you find the right one to take you where you want to go.