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AUTO AUTO
2022 Ford Bronco
REVIEW REVIEW

By Stephen Schutz, MD

Being an automotive manufacturer is hard. Tremendously hard, ac- side can be hosed out without damaging anything if you’re so inclined.
tually. The idea of car creation is simple enough: design and engineer Nevertheless, the Bronco has all of the tech anyone would ever want.
a vehicle that appeals to a broad section of the population, manufac- Apple Carplay and Android Auto come standard, and the central
ture it with very few defects and then market it so that people line up touchscreen enables you to control any HVAC/audio/what-have-you
to buy it. Despite the simplicity of that concept, launching a vehicle functions that you need to access. And the cinematic rocks-turn-into-
that checks all those boxes is unbelievably difficult. a-bucking-bronco CGI show that happens every time you start your
For one thing, delivering a vehicle takes three years from approval Bronco is kind of cool.
to ready-to-sell, and customer tastes can change significantly during Otherwise, experiencing owning a Bronco is going to be mostly
that time. In addition, government regulations may evolve, your com- similar to if you’d bought a Wrangler: there will be some compro-
petition may beat you to the punch and the economy can tank. mises, but overall, you’ll be driving an authentic American icon,
If you’re sensing that it takes brains, clairvoyance and luck to get it which means that other drivers will notice you, mostly approvingly,
all right, you're correct—car companies with thousands of talented and you’ll feel special.
employees and super-smart executives rarely hit home runs. A base two-door Bronco costs just under $31,000, and it includes
In fact, I can only think of three over the past 50 years: the 1970 a four-cylinder engine with a six-speed manual transmission, but that’s
Datsun 240Z, 1979 Mazda RX-7 and 1990 Lexus LS400. not what you want. You actually want the four-door Bronco with the
Now there’s another one, the 2022 Ford Bronco. Seemingly a love ecoboost 2.7L V6 and the 10-speed automatic transmission. Any reg-
child of the original 1960s Ford Bronco and current Jeep Wrangler, ular reader will know that I’m a manual transmission enthusiast, but
the new Bronco is a true phenomenon, selling out before a single unit Ford doesn’t allow the manual with the V6, and the manual coupled
was made, commanding up to $20,000 over list price at some dealer- with the 4-cylinder is just, I’m sorry to say it, lame.
ships and giving new meaning to the term, “waiting list” (expect to Options and option packages are plentiful in the Bronco, so if you’re
wait about a year if you order one today). insistent on keeping your Bronco under $50,000, I wish you luck. You
I recently drove one for a week, and I get why it’s such a big deal. don’t need the expensive off-road killer Sasquatch package (although
For starters, it looks great. Closely mimicking the current Jeep Wran- I suspect many readers will want it) because the middle of the road
gler’s footprint, the new Bronco adds lots of retro 1960s Bronco styling Outer Banks or loaded Wildtrak packages are plenty good enough.
elements such as an upright grille with big “BRONCO'' lettering in As noted, most BCMS members interested in a Bronco will prob-
the center, a boxy profile and round headlights coupled with vertically ably configure one that costs north of $60,000 and will wait for a year
rectangular taillights. In person, the design works. or so to get it. To get your best deal and minimize your wait, call
Actually, this is such a striking truck that I don’t think it’s an exag- BCMS’ Phil Hornbeak at 210-301-4367.
geration to say that 80% of its appeal is due to its good looks alone. The 2022 Ford Bronco is a rare automotive home run, and I con-
Like the Jeep Wrangler, the Bronco can be had in either two- or gratulate Ford for conceiving and launching it. If you are fortunate
four-door variants. And as with the Jeep, most Bronco buyers will opt enough to get one, good for you. And if you’re on the waiting list, hang
for the four-door models. on. This is a very good SUV.
Unless you go off-road where the Bronco is superb, driving Ford’s
home run is remarkably unremarkable. Around town it’s fine, good As always, call Phil Hornbeak, the Auto Program Manager at
even, but on the highway it’s just average. The Bronco tracks well and BCMS (210-301-4367), for your best deal on any new car or truck
has no problem keeping up with traffic, but the blockiness of the de- brand. Phil can also connect you to preferred financing and lease rates.
sign means that wind noise intrudes at speed, and the larger tires that
confer that off-road ability add noise as well. Having said that, the Stephen Schutz, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist
Bronco is better (and quieter) on the open road than the Wrangler. who lived in San Antonio in the 1990s when he was stationed
The Bronco’s interior is mostly utilitarian, which should appeal to here in the US Air Force. He has been writing auto reviews
most buyers who are looking for an authentic type of cabin. Buttons for San Antonio Medicine since 1995.
and switches are mostly big and obviously durable, and the entire in-

36 SAN ANTONIO MEDICINE • February 2022 Visit us at www.bcms.org 37