First Look: 2021 Ford Bronco

Two horses, no waiting

Of course, it would only be right to bring a pony to meet a pony. Thus, thanks to Hertz, I rolled out of Dulles to Daingerfield Island in a 2020 Ford Mustang EcoBoost. The black stallion had logged around 1,800 miles thus far, but was already missing a piece of its door handle on the driver\’s side, not to mention the water spots all over the car from the last time it was washed.

I also didn\’t know I had an EcoBoost until popping the hood after my time with the Bronco drew to a close. Still, the 2.3-liter turbo-four delivered enough of its 310 horses and 350 lb-ft of torque to the road through the 10-speed automatic to thread a few needles around the DC area.

In closing…

The 2021 Bronco already has a few fans, like my dad, who is seriously considering trading in his old Nissan Xterra for a Bronco, even though he really loves the Xterra.

It wouldn\’t be his first rodeo with a Ford, either, as an F-250 Super Duty, an Explorer Sport Trac, and a Ranger are a part of his past. Yet, this is one rodeo where he\’d have plenty to hold on to. And for a $100 refundable deposit on the model of his (and your) choice — aside from the sold-out First Edition models — he (and you) can get started on the adventure of a lifetime.

As for yours truly, I can\’t wait to review the big horse and/or the smaller Bronco Sport down the road. Maybe I\’ll take one over to visit the Ford plants in my old Old Kentucky home of Louisville, just to say hello to all of the Super Dutys, Escapes, and Aviators rolling out of the assembly line.

Until that review happens, a big shout-out to Ford, Ford representatives Rhonda Bambrick and Jim Tobin, DST Industries, and the Washington Automotive Press Association for making this all possible.

Photos: Aubernon Highway/Cameron Aubernon