The Bronco returns as an impressive off-road warrior

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews also can be seen in Cruisin’ News magazine published monthly out of Folsom, California.

Sacramento, California -- The 30-year run of the venerable Ford Bronco closed out in 1996, and for those with off-road passions and excellent memories, it once competed with such trail tacklers as the Jeep CJ-5 and International Harvester Scout.

So, when Ford rolled out the return of the Bronco for the 2021 model year, I was nervous. So many chances to screw it up, or make it unrecognizable from the off-road warrior of years ago.

Fortunately, Ford did not mess it up. In fact, the tested 2021 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands 4X4 was everything I would expect a Bronco to be.  It looks like a rugged off-roader, drives like one and is admirably equipped for days and nights under sunny, cloudy or starry skies.

Where to start?  There's the "safari-style" roof with durable rails.  Ford touts the high roof that enables the Bronco owner to tote 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes and other bulky outdoor cargo.

My ride had rugged, 17-inch, all-terrain tires that sung on the pavement and dug into the dirt. This compact Bronco also features a "Terrain Management System with up to seven available "G.O.A.T. Modes." For the uninitiated, that translates to "Goes Over Any type of Terrain." In the Badlands model, drivers have a choice of Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, Sand, Mud/Ruts and Rock Crawl.

The Bronco handles the rough stuff with an independent front and rear suspension, specially tuned shocks and major league springs.

The tester also had "Trail Control" technology,  essentially an off-road cruise control that functions up to 20 miles per hour in a forward setting and 6 mph in reverse.  With the vehicle handling the throttling and braking chores, Trail Control allows the driver to focus on steering and control.

All this is topped off by some charming shout-outs to Broncos of yesteryear.  My favorite: round headlights.

Power comes from a 2-liter turbo-4 engine rated at a robust 250 horsepower.  Fuel mileage comes in at 21 miles per gallon in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

Simply put, I found driving this Bronco to be an absolute delight.  Even on a modest off-road course, the smile never left my face.

I'm sure Bronco buyers of years ago loved their adventures far from the paved highways, but this current model cashes a check those motorists could only dream of.  The excellent mix of technology, driver-assistance perks and power make this 2021 Bronco a dream camping machine.

And it's pretty enjoyable on the pavement as well.