The New Ford Bronco is one hot ride and there are six distinct trim levels to satisfy many types of buyer. The Black Diamond is geared for off-roading adventures without a bunch of fluff — or having to spend an insane amount of money.
As you walk up to the Bronco Black Diamond, you notice its steel wheels and bumpers. It’s a refreshing look in a world of fancy big wheels and bright chrome trim. It goes retro with the large circular headlights and an up-right style that is a nod to the original Bronco from the 1960s. There is plenty of ground clearance and its steel bash plates will protect the underside as you thrash this off-roader.
Looks are one thing, but the Bronco Black Diamond is ready to play with an advanced, on-demand 4×4 system with a rear locking differential.
Want the ultimate off-road capability? Add the pricey Sasquatch package and really explore. The Bronco Badlands upgrade comes with a 2.3L turbo four that had zero problems motivating this SUV.
A seven-speed manual transmission is standard with a crawl gear and six other gears for normal operation. I found the gearbox easy to use with long throws between the gears, but still less than the Jeep’s shifter. The ride is very compliant without any wandering on the highway.
Inside the Bronco Black Diamond is a no fuss off-road-ready interior. Heated seats made of marine grade vinyl looks durable and ready to take some abuse. No carpets on the floor, just rubber flooring and mats. There are drain plugs, so you can easily clean the inside after a weekend of playing in the mud.
The vinyl and rubber give way to a leather steering wheel and shifter knob. It also has an 8-inch touch screen with a vastly improved Sync4 system and even a 4G Wi-Fi hot spot.
The hard top, with several removable panels, allows for open-air motoring. Use the included tools to remove the entire top, or even take off the doors. The two-door version only has space for four so, if you want more space, choose the four door model.
Cost: $36,845; as tested $40,025
MPG: I managed 20.9 in 247 miles of mixed driving on regular grade fuel.
Options: $120 cargo area protector; $595 towing capability; $495 sound deadening headliner; $110 keyless entry pad; $365 roof rail with crossbars; $1,495 destination & delivery
Safety: SOS post-crash alert system; advancetrac; pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking; personal safety system; auto high-beam headlamps; rear view camera
Things to know: The Bronco Black Diamond is perfect for off-road adventures. This more stripped-down version delivers the goods without a bigger price tag.
Pros:
• The Bronco’s looks will impress with a rugged style.
• A peppy turbo engine with its available manual transmission (+crawl gear) makes for some serious off-roading.
• Good street manners mean this is more than a just an off roader.
Cons:
• Two-door versions only have seating for four.
• A bit sparse for some. Luckily there are six trim levels for buyers.
• Hard to find. You’ll likely have to order your new Bronco.
