Many Bronco enthusiasts got excited when Ford announced it was bringing it back and giving it a modern makeover. The 2021 Ford Bronco is classified as an off-roading vehicle, which is no surprise to those who were fans of the original. 

With the six trim options, plus the anticipated limited-run First Edition, you have plenty to mull over. However, don’t take too long, because we expect the First Edition to last a short time since only a certain amount will get produced. Car and Driver explains each trim the Bronco comes in. Since the First Edition comes with a lot of what the Badlands trim has, let’s explore both trims and see what is exclusive to the First Edition. 

An overview of the 2021 Ford Bronco Badlands trim

The Badlands trim level is the Ford Bronco’s top-of-the-line offering outside the First Edition model. It’s marketed as the most capable off-road trim Bronco offers, and you’ll find it priced a little higher than other all-terrain vehicles in its class. Ford set the price starting at $43,590, which is about $4,000 more than the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. 

Ford installed an exclusive suspension system that comes with a hydraulic front sway-bar disconnect. It also comes with 17-inch aluminum wheels surrounded by rugged 33-inch all-terrain tires that can crawl over any kind of rough lands. 

The anticipated G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Terrain) modes consist of several ways to drive the new Bronco in off-roading applications. In the Badlands trim, you can choose Normal, Eco, Sport, and Slippery driving modes. There’s also Sand, Baja, Mud, and Rock Crawl. 

An overview of the 2021 Ford Bronco First Edition trim

Ford is also producing the First Edition trim, originally planning on making a limited run of only 3,500 vehicles. However, it increased the amount, recently, to 7,000 units, as reported by Motor Authority. 

This model will have tons of off-roading goodies and will have a price tag of approximately $60,800. It’s not expected to last very long with the iconic Bronco name. What you see with the Badlands trim you get with this First Edition model.

This trim comes with a black hard-top, a safari bar, First Edition graphics for the hood and sides, and leather interior specific to this limited trim. It will also only come in specific colors such as Rapid Red, Cyber Orange Metallic, Dark Teal Area 51, and Cactus Gray.

Ford plans to offer the Sasquatch Package as standard equipment for the First Edition model. This would include 35-inch mud-terrain tires, a higher clearing suspension system, locking front as well as rear axles, and fender flares. It will also come with the Bilstein dampers for a prime shock-absorbing system. 

There’s also a LUX package, which will add all the luxury must-haves for any off-roader. You can expect to receive a 10-speaker audio system, adaptive cruise control, a voice-activation touchscreen for easy navigation, and a wireless charging pad. 

How comparable vehicles stand up to the Bronco 

Critics often compare the Jeep Wrangler to the new Ford Bronco, specifically two of its trim levels. The Sahara, being one, comes with a price tag of $39,000 to start. The Rubicon trim level is the other, and it has a price tag of approximately $42,000. 

The Sahara gets 19 mpg combined, while the Bronco promises 23 mpg when you factor the combined rating. Jeep claims the Rubicon can get 25 mpg, which is slightly better than the Bronco. 

Both the Sahara and the Rubicon come with a 3.6-liter V6 engine that puts out 285 hp. The Bronco will sport a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine running at 310 hp, which will offer more power for off-roading adventures. 

It goes to show that the 2021 Ford Bronco and the Jeep Wrangler are two tough competitors in the off-roading market. 

The First Edition trim will only have 7,000 units for drivers to buy, but it’s likely those will sell out fairly quickly as the Bronco comes back to life in the SUV market. Most people are sadly going to get left in the 2021 Ford Bronco First Edition’s dust.