- The Ford Bronco New Energy is a plug-in SUV in China, available in both full EV and extended-range EV (EREV) variants.
- In China, this vehicle's price starts around $33,000.
- It is made by Ford's Chinese partner, Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC).
Ford has lost a lot of ground in China. Sales have plummeted from 1.2 million cars in 2016 to not even 300,000 by 2025. Partially, that may be because it’s been slow to electrify its mostly gas-powered lineup. The Mustang Mach-E does all of Ford’s fully electric heavy lifting in China. Not great in a country where plug-in models now account for more than half all new car sales.
But Ford is making moves in the right direction. The recently released Ford Bronco New Energy could help turn around the brand’s fortunes in China by targeting a growing market for off-road vehicles that don’t need to burn gas. After some seat time in the SUV during the Beijing Auto Show, I think it could be a great addition to Ford’s U.S. lineup, too.
What Is It?
The Bronco New Energy is a mid-sized SUV made in China, for Chinese consumption. Although it is styled to resemble the body-on-frame Bronco we’re familiar with here in the United States, it’s actually a unibody design, more akin to a Kia EV9 or Chevrolet Blazer EV. There’s no parts-sharing between it and the full-fat Bronco or the Bronco Sport crossover.
Photo by: Christian Petersen-Clausen
Technically, it’s not quite the same Ford you’d get at home, either. This vehicle was co-developed with Ford’s Chinese joint venture partner, Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC), so it uses a JMC platform and engine.
The Bronco New Energy is available in two forms: either an extended-range EV (EREV) or full EV. In the EREV, there’s a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine solely meant to charge the 43.7 kWh battery. Ford is working on an EREV Lightning pickup and several other manufacturers are eyeing the technology too, but nothing like this exists in the U.S. as of yet.
Photo by: Christian Petersen-Clausen
The full EV loses the gas engine, trading it for a larger 105 kWh battery. It has 445 horsepower, while the EREV model drops to a still strong 415 horsepower. Ford says the range of the EREV model is 137 miles in pure electric mode, jumping to 748 miles when used in tandem with the onboard gas generator. The EV model has to settle for 404 miles of range. Keep in mind this is China’s CLTC average, so it’s not quite a one-to-one comparison to the EPA ratings we're familiar with in the States.
What’s It Like In Person?
In short, it’s pretty dang good. I like the way this Bronco variant looks more than both the standard one and the Bronco Sport. Sometimes, the larger Bronco can feel over the top, especially in Raptor trim with its super wide stance and large tires. The Bronco Sport is attractive, but it’s relatively small. This Bronco New Energy feels sleek and futuristic, while maintaining that same Bronco spirit and having room for a family.
Photo by: Christian Petersen-Clausen
Sometimes Chinese firms miss the design brief when it comes to making a rough-and-tumble SUV. Boxy crossovers from Fangchengbao (BYD) or iCar (Chery) are cool-looking outside, but I’m not convinced that their reliance on soft-touch materials is wise, especially if you’re looking for something that can handle camping.
The Bronco’s interior may be slightly generic in this day and age, but I found everything to be pleasantly high-tech and well thought out. The interior plastics feel hardy and ready to sustain abuse without feeling cheap and brittle. The screen comes off responsive and high tech—and quicker to use than the last time I sampled an American Ford product.
Photo by: Christian Petersen-Clausen
This Bronco may not have a convertible top like the big guy does, but it does have a lot of clever features. For example, it has a glass roof that can actually be raised and lowered, just like an old Westfalia camper. Add in front seats that can fully recline, and an inflatable mattress sold by Ford that fits the Bronco’s interior exactly, and this car could be the perfect overlanding companion.
I wish I could have gotten some seat time on roads, but my hectic schedule in China meant that securing and driving one between the five other cars was damn near impossible. I’ll just have to take the word of car reviewers like Wheelsboy and Telescope, who say it’s a good effort from Ford.
Why Can’t We Have it?
The Bronco feels like it would be a great complement to Ford’s U.S. lineup, especially as the company navigates a major EV pivot. The full-fat Bronco is a lot of car to live with. Granted, its on-road manners are surprisingly good for a body-on-frame SUV with a convertible top, but it’s no Cadillac. The Bronco Sport may be a more comfortable alternative, but its relatively small size could be limiting to buyers who need more space. Plus, neither model has any sort of electrification, nor are they particularly thrifty at the pump.
Photo by: Christian Petersen-Clausen
The Bronco New Energy takes what I like about both the Bronco Sport and Bronco SUV, and adds in the fuel-saving power of electrification. Sporting an EREV variant, it's also the exact kind of vehicle Ford aims to bring to market. The company is planning an extended-range Lightning pickup to replace the electric version. The promise of EREVs is that they deliver the best of both worlds: lots of range and towing power when you need it—plus a punchy electric powertrain.
If the Bronco New Energy were on sale today, it would beat many rivals to the punch. Scout plans to start producing its EREVs starting in 2027. EREVs from Jeep and Ram are supposed to launch this year.
But the Bronco EREV is likely never going to come to North America. For starters, it shares little to parts or development with any U.S.-market Ford. The supply chain for this model is tied up entirely in China, and it would be subject to debilitating tariffs. Also, it’s not clear if this model was ever designed for U.S. spec crash tests or emissions standards (for the EREV model). And there's the ban on certain Chinese software and hardware coming into play.
If all those things could be disentangled for a reasonable cost, then I think the Bronco New Energy could be a successful entry to the U.S car market, especially if Ford somehow kept the roughly $32,000 base price for the EREV (or PHEV) model.
Photo by: Christian Petersen-Clausen
Whatever the case, Ford definitely needs something electric soon for the U.S. Sure, it still has the Mach-E. And a pickup based on its new Universal EV Platform is on its way, but we haven’t seen anything aside from teasers and roundtables. The F-150 Lightning, arguably the best EV truck on the market, has been canceled. People want EVs, but the numbers look like they might not want EV pickups.
Ford’s CEO Jim Farley both extols the virtues of Chinese cars, while simultaneously warning against their availability in the U.S. market. Perhaps it would be wise to put feelings aside and use its own Chinese assets, because I think the Bronco New Energy would be a good option for North American buyers.
Contact the author: kevin.williams@insideevs.com
Source link
Discover more from Autojunction
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.