Ford Bronco Engines: Which is Best?
The Ford Bronco has made a big splash in the SUV industry with its retro style and world-beating off-road capabilities. But not all Broncos are the same. Ford offers the new Bronco with three engine options, each with its advantages to consider.
What kind of engine does a Ford Bronco have?
Ford offers three engine options for the new Bronco:
- Base 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder
- Available 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6
- Available 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6
The base turbo four-cylinder is available with a manual transmission
Some might argue that the purest Bronco experience is with a stick shift. If that’s the case, then the base 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is the way to go. It’s the only Bronco engine offering a six-speed manual transmission with a low-range crawler gear.
But don’t let its smaller size fool you – the four-cylinder engine is still potent. According to Car and Driver, the base Bronco engine is good for 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque – more power than the base Jeep Wrangler V6 offers.
The base engine is also the most efficient, with an EPA-estimated 18 mpg combined fuel economy rating.
Bronco Raptor offers the most power with the worst fuel economy
When Ford announced the new Bronco, enthusiasts wondered whether the brand would make a Raptor version. Just a couple of years into production, Ford made the Bronco Raptor a reality with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 making 418 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque.
It’s far more potent than either of the other two Bronco engines. But that comes at a cost, too.
The Bronco Raptor engine is easily the thirstiest option. According to Car and Driver, it’s rated for 15 mpg combined.
2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 is the Bronco engine sweet spot
The most popular engine for the new Bronco is the 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6. This engine sits in the sweet spot between the base and Raptor powertrains, making 330 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. Even with that extra power, it only gets a minor efficiency penalty, yielding 17 mpg combined.
Versions of the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 have been used in other Ford models like the F-150 and Edge ST.
Does the Ford Bronco have a V8?
So far, Ford has not offered the new Bronco with a V8 engine option. That contrasts the V8 Jeep Wrangler, which recently debuted with Stellantis’ popular 392 HEMI V8. Bronco lovers have clamored for a V8 option, but Ford hasn’t announced anything yet.
Which Bronco engine is the best?
There’s a strong argument for each of the Bronco’s engine options.
With the base 2.3-liter engine, you get a punchy and powerful powertrain that’s easier on the wallet and has the potential for stick-shift fun. The middle-ground 2.7-liter engine offers balanced power, while the Bronco Raptor has muscular excitement. The best way to decide is to get behind the wheel.
