Ford Bronco Frequently Asked Questions

Everything Indiana Drivers Want to Know About the Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport

The Ford Bronco is one of the most talked-about SUVs on the road, and for good reason. After more than two decades away, this off-road icon came back with bold retro styling, removable doors and roof panels, and the kind of trail capability that turns a Saturday into an adventure. Whether you are eyeing a two-door, a four-door, or the smaller Bronco Sport, there is a lot to take in.

That is exactly why we put together this set of Ford Bronco frequently asked questions. From the difference between the Bronco and the Bronco Sport to how the Built Wild promise works and where these SUVs are built, we cover the questions Indiana drivers ask us most often here at Ray Skillman Ford.

The Bronco and Bronco Sport share a lot of DNA, but they serve different drivers. Built on a body-on-frame chassis, the Bronco is made to take on serious terrain, while the Bronco Sport is a unibody crossover that handles daily life with ease and still gets dirty when you want it to. Both come standard with 4×4, so no matter which way you lean, you are ready for whatever an Indiana season throws your way. Below, we answer the big questions and compare the trims side by side.

Your Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport Questions, Answered

Where can I buy a Ford Bronco or Bronco Sport near Indianapolis?

You can find both the Ford Bronco and the Bronco Sport at Ray Skillman Ford in Greenwood, just south of Indianapolis on U.S. 31. We keep a strong selection of both on the lot and serve drivers across Greenwood, Indianapolis, Plainfield, and Franklin. Browse our current inventory online or stop by the showroom to see them in person.

Can I still reserve or special-order a new Ford Bronco or Bronco Sport? If so, how do I do that?

The original launch reservation program has wrapped up, but you can still build a Bronco or Bronco Sport exactly the way you want it through a custom factory order with us. Just tell our team which model, trim, color, and options you have in mind, and we place the order with Ford and keep you posted as it makes its way from the assembly line to Greenwood. Give us a call or stop in to get your order started.

Why did Ford bring back the Bronco?

Ford brought the Bronco back to answer a surge in demand for rugged, adventure-ready SUVs and to give one of its most beloved nameplates a modern home. The Bronco had built up decades of loyalty since the original, and Ford saw the chance to win over outdoor lovers and Jeep shoppers alike with a real off-roader.

What is the Ford Bronco’s main competition?

The Bronco’s main rival is the Jeep Wrangler, and Ford has said the two are the most cross-shopped names in the segment. The smaller Bronco Sport lines up against compact off-roaders like the Jeep Compass and Subaru Crosstrek.

Why is the Bronco trending and so popular among off-road enthusiasts and Indiana drivers right now?

After Ford shelved the Bronco in 1996, the love for it only grew. The current Bronco taps into that nostalgia with retro styling, removable doors and roof panels, and real trail capability, all of which give it genuine personality. For Indiana drivers, there is plenty of room to put that capability to work, from the trails at Badlands Off-Road Park near Attica and Redbird State Recreation Area in Linton to the scenic backroads of Brown County State Park and the dunes along Lake Michigan.

When did the original Ford Bronco debut?

The original Ford Bronco debuted on August 11, 1965, as a 1966 model. Ford even called it “a completely new line of sports utility vehicles,” which was the first time an American automaker used the term SUV.

How many generations of Bronco are there?

There are six generations. The original ran from 1966 through 1996 across five generations, and the Bronco that returned a few years ago is the sixth.

Why did the Bronco end in 1996?

By the 1990s, tastes had shifted away from old-school, two-door, truck-based SUVs toward roomier four-door models. Ford leaned into that trend with vehicles like the Explorer and the full-size Expedition, and the Bronco was retired in 1996.

What is Bronco R?

Bronco R is Ford Performance’s purpose-built desert-racing Bronco prototype. It was created to celebrate the Bronco’s historic overall win at the 1969 Baja 1000 and to preview the toughness of the modern Bronco.

What do all Ford Bronco models have in common?

Every Bronco is Built Wild. That means each one draws on more than 55 years of design and racing heritage, standard 4×4, and adventure-focused engineering to give you a confident, fun-to-drive off-road experience.

What is the difference between the Bronco and the Bronco Sport?

The Bronco is a body-on-frame SUV built for serious off-roading, while the Bronco Sport is a unibody SUV that is easier to live with day to day. Both come with standard 4×4 and real trail ability, so the right choice comes down to how hard you plan to push it. We are happy to walk you through both side by side.

Do all Bronco vehicles have 4×4?

Yes. Every Bronco and Bronco Sport comes with standard 4×4, which makes Bronco the only domestic family of SUVs to offer 4×4 across the board. That is a real advantage during an Indiana winter or a muddy spring trail day.

What makes up the Bronco’s Built Wild promise?

Built Wild is Ford’s promise behind every Bronco, and it rests on three pillars: Built Wild Extreme Durability Testing, Built Wild Capability, and Built Wild Innovative Design.

What is the Built Wild Extreme Durability Testing pillar about?

This pillar is all about toughness. Ford puts the Bronco through thousands of lab, proving-ground, and real-world torture tests in some of the harshest conditions it can find, so the SUV holds up wherever you take it.

What is the Built Wild Capability pillar about?

Capability speaks to the legendary confidence to Go Over Any type of Terrain, or G.O.A.T. It comes from standard 4×4, Bronco-specific chassis design, and class-leading suspension and trail technology.

What is the Built Wild Innovative Design pillar about?

Innovative Design blends off-road ingenuity with heritage-inspired styling and a huge range of personalization. The idea is that a first-timer can set up a Bronco with ease while a seasoned off-roader can build something fully trail-ready.

What does G.O.A.T. stand for?

G.O.A.T. stands for Goes Over Any type of Terrain.

Where did G.O.A.T. come from?

The nickname goes back to the original Bronco, a 4×4 project led by Ford’s Donald Frey, who also championed the Mustang. He pushed his engineers for “go anywhere roadability,” drawing on Ford’s experience building rugged 4×4 military vehicles during World War II.

Which architecture is the Bronco two-door and four-door based on?

The two-door and four-door Bronco use a Bronco-specific version of Ford’s second-generation global midsize truck platform. It is closely related to the Ford Ranger and is built right alongside it.

Which architecture is the Bronco Sport built on?

The Bronco Sport rides on a heavily reworked, Bronco-tuned version of Ford’s small-vehicle unibody platform, set up to give a compact SUV real off-road ability.

Which accessories are included on the Bronco?

The Bronco launched with more than 200 factory-backed accessories, covering everything from off-road armor and lighting to roof racks and storage. That makes it easy to set yours up for weekend trails or daily driving around Indianapolis.

Does the Bronco Sport come with special accessories, too, and from which partners?

It does. The Bronco Sport offers more than 100 factory-backed accessories, including gear-hauling racks and carriers made in partnership with Yakima, plus ready-made setups like the Bike, Cargo, Camp, Snow, and Water packages. It is a smart way to outfit one for biking trips, ski runs, or a weekend at the lake.

What is Bronco Nation, and who is it for?

Bronco Nation is the first nationally recognized, certified independent Bronco club. It is built for current and future Bronco owners along with outdoor and off-road fans who want to swap tips, plan trail runs, and share their love of the Bronco.

Is there an Indianapolis or Indiana-based Bronco Nation group?

Yes. Bronco Nation has a statewide Indiana club, with well over a thousand members, where Hoosier owners connect and plan meetups and trail runs. You can find it through the Bronco Nation clubs page and Member Map once you join.

What is the formal relationship between Bronco Nation and Ford Motor Company?

Bronco Nation runs independently of Ford, yet it carries official certification as a recognized Bronco club through Ford Motor Company’s Club Connect program.

Where are Bronco models built?

The two-door and four-door Bronco are built at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan, the only plant that has ever built a Bronco. The Bronco Sport is built at Ford’s Hermosillo Assembly Plant in Hermosillo, Mexico.

Compare Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport Trim Levels

Both the Bronco and the Bronco Sport come in several trims, each tuned for a different kind of driver. Here is a quick look at how they stack up.

Ford Bronco Trim Levels

 

Ford Bronco Sport Trim Levels

Why Greenwood and Indianapolis Drivers Choose Ray Skillman Ford

As your headquarters for everything Ford in the Greenwood and Indianapolis area, we make it easy to get into the Bronco or Bronco Sport that fits your life. Our team knows these SUVs inside and out, from picking the right trim to setting one up for trail days at Badlands Off-Road Park or weekend drives through Brown County. You will also find a no-pressure sales approach, flexible financing for a wide range of credit situations, and a factory-trained service team to keep your Bronco running strong for the long haul.

Stop by our Greenwood showroom on U.S. 31, browse our Bronco and Bronco Sport inventory online, or reach out to start a custom factory order. Whichever way you like to shop, we are here to help you find your next Ford.