Boy oh boy, is the Bronco a good time.
When I’m driving a new vehicle, and not thinking about the horsepower or the torque or the differential, but simply enjoying the ride with a giant smile plastered to my face, I know what I have with me is something different, something magical. Few things in the world today have avoided being converted to monotonous shells of their former selves, blending into the competition to try to stay relevant and accessible.
However, products with true individuality don’t need to try for relevancy; we need more character, more niche toys that enthusiasts drool over and anticipate, that generations remember for decades. That is how Henry Ford began his influence when he envisioned his company in 1903; I am happy to say that behind the wheel of the 2024 Bronco Big Bend, I feel that in spades.
The Bronco is just so fun. Once I received word that it would be my loaner vehicle this year, I decided to take it down to Ocean City, Maryland, as it seemed fitting that I would live out the last remnants of the summer on the beach, in the sand next to the ocean. This seemed like an ideal habitat for the Bronco, and I was excited to test some of its off-road capabilities. Prior to arriving though, I had to make the five-hour long trip to Maryland from New York, which ordinarily would have been a headache but I actually enjoyed.
Although I had the lowest-tier Big Bend model of the Bronco, the vehicle was still surprisingly comfortable and had all of the basic amenities that I could ever need. This included comfortable adjustable seats with heating and cooling, a full touchscreen CarPlay and Android Auto infotainment system, smart-charging USB ports, and ample space in the front and rear seats. Driving the five hours was a breeze, and there was never a time that made me feel constricted or at odds with the vehicle. I jammed out with my family to some Ariana Grande with the amazing speaker system, enjoyed the sun, drove through a thunderstorm, stopped for food and gas, took some wrong turns by accident, made scenic detours on purpose, and just had a great time throughout.
2024 Ford Bronco Big Bend
We finally reached Ocean City in the afternoon, and the Bronco felt immediately at home. Taking a casual drive through the strip, the car looked destined to spend its time in the sun and by the boardwalk. This is when several of the Bronco’s outdoor-oriented features came to light: we decided to take the entire roof completely off and converted the vehicle into an open-top car perfect for the sun.
Win the glare in our eyes and the wind streaming through our hair, we headed to Assateague Island, a popular destination for lovers of wildlife and the beach, considering that the location sports a multitude of wild horses that thrive right by the ocean. The route to the island was not completely paved, and there were several sections of the trip where we had to drive solely on a dirt road. The Bronco never faltered, however, and even with uneven ground, all of us within the vehicle were perfectly comfortable.
I was able to utilize the Bronco’s extensive G.O.A.T mode system (Go Over Any Terrain), and once I switched the knob to Sand mode, which would disable the traction control, the trip was a cinch.
Once we reached the island, we found a nice trail that would take us through a forest along the beach; this is when we realized would be the perfect time to remove the doors of the car. Easily unscrewing them and storing them in the rear, we soon had just the exoskeleton of the vehicle, and god was it exhilarating. Weaving through the dappled shadows of the trees, the sun glinting out from our left as we went through forests, then a clearing besides the beach, then some more forests, I truly realized the purpose of the Bronco at that moment.
This machine was not for work, and not for collecting and displaying; it was for driving fast, getting it dirty, forgetting about trivial problems, and forgetting about the world. It was a car to get younger to, and to remind yourself of what you still have. It’s the college girlfriend, the sugary snack, the sitcom TV show. It won’t win any awards for elegance, but it will stay in your heart for the rest of your life.
I truly believe that Ford has created a one-of-a-kind vehicle with the Bronco. It has been around for decades (since its inception in 1966), and now having driven one, I see the consumer appeal. With the Bronco, every trip is a story, every drive is a memory. I truly believe I will be purchasing one for myself soon, and I cannot wait for what it has in store.