Ford is undertaking its first major restructuring of the Bronco lineup since the SUV’s July 2020 debut. According to a report from The Drive, the base model 4x4 is leaving the order sheet for the 2024 model year, slated to be replaced by the Big Bend model. That means the SUV will no longer carry a sub-$40,000 base price.
According to the report, the decision from Ford is aimed at cutting down customer wait times by better aligning model offerings with sales. Customers have continued to line up for a chance to take the reborn 4x4 home despite long wait times. By simplifying the offer sheet and therefore the production line, Ford hopes to cut that lag time down. It also means you’ll have to fork up at least $41,025 to get into a Bronco moving forward. For reference, the outgoing base model carried an MSRP of $37,430. The Big Bend has more options available than the outgoing base model, with added niceties like a leather wrapped steering wheel, as well as 17-inch wheels wrapped in 32-inch all-terrain tires. The Big Bend can also be specced with the larger 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6, whereas the outgoing base was limited to the 2.3-liter four-pot.
The loss of the base model isn’t the only change coming to the Bronco for 2024. The new model year will see the return of the overlanding-focused Everglades trim, as well as the addition of larger 12-inch infotainment screens across all trims. Ford recently announced the new Code Orange package for the Bronco Raptor, which will also be joining the offer sheet for next year. It is worth noting that the Bronco Sport will be following a similar trend as the full-sizer, with Ford axing the small SUV’s base model for the 2024 model year as well.
Nobody likes to see the price of a vehicle they are interested in go up. That said, there are enough Bronco trim levels that this sort of thing was always bound to happen after the initial wave of interest. While a $4000 bump isn’t ideal, it likely isn’t going to be a dealbreaker for a lot of customers. Order books for both the 2024 Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport are open now.
Born and raised in Metro Detroit, associate editor Lucas Bell has spent his entire life surrounded by the automotive industry. He may daily drive an aging Mustang, but his Porsche 944 and NB Miata both take up most of his free time.
