This review first appeared in the November 2024 edition of the Cruisin' News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."
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Sacramento, California -- Loopy as it sounds, when the 2024 Ford Bronco Sport Free Wheeling 4X4 sport-utility vehicle pulled into my driveway, I thought: Isn't that the vehicle they used to tour Jurassic Park in the 1993 movie of the same name?
Well, of course not.
But it gives you an idea of the impression a compact sport-utility vehicle can make wearing stripes of vivid colors.
In truth, I quickly liked pretty much everything about the vehicle right off the bat. I was impressed -- and pleased -- with its basic simplicity and easy-to-use nature. All that before giving a positive nod to the colorful graphics package.
Volunteer passengers felt the same way, going from "what is that?" to "I like this" in the blink of an eye.
The price was right too. In a world of $50,000 and $60,000 sport-utes, the tester weighed in at $37,695 on the bottom line. That included a generous helping of options.
Other numbers to like: 25 miles per gallon in the city and 28 mpg on the highway ... plus a suite of max five-star federal government crash test ratings (including five on the overall score).
Veteran Ford fans will know that the "Free Wheeling" graphics package is a shout out to rainbow colors offered up in the 1970s. And yes, there is a sentimental feeling climbing into a Bronco, the original SUV developed by Ford.
Sentimentality aside, the tester performed flawlessly in all conditions. The 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine on the tester was rated at 181 horsepower, just the right amount to zip the Bronco around with enjoyable authority.
Loaded with five folks, there were no complaints about roominess, and 65 cubic feet of space behind the first row of seats translated to good volume for carrying cargo.
Ford rightly touts the Bronco's off-road charms, and I certainly agree. But I found my tester to be a smooth-operating freeway runner as well.
The extensive comfort, convenience, safety and security features were easy to understand and use. No long hours with my face buried in the owner's manual.
So there you have it: An OG of a sport-ute dressed up in a colorful, head-turning coat. Best of two worlds? You bet.
