2021 Ford Bronco

[Ultimateone]

https://media.ford.com/content/fordm...sasquatch.html

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[AVANTI R5]

Remember those open-center doors from some of the Bronco's early promo shots? They might reach production.



Ford has filed to trademark the name "EZ Air" in the US, as it applies to "land motor vehicle doors," and we have a suspicion that it refers to something Bronco-related.

Here's the deal: in trying to siphon away some of the Jeep Wrangler's outdoors-loving, overlanding customers, Ford planned a whole suite of hundreds of different official Ford accessories for the all-new 2021 Ford Bronco. Some of these - like a set of donut-like doors with wide open holes in their centers - were shown off in early press photos, giving us all a small glimpse of things to come.

We're going to go out on a limb and say that Ford's "EZ Air" door trademark probably refers to these open-center doors. That's significant because at the time of the Bronco's reveal, Ford said only that the doors were "among the possible factory-backed accessories" that might eventually be offered. That's the last we've officially heard on the subject.

Ford's trademark, which was filed July 8, 2020 - just days before the Bronco's official unveiling - suggests that Ford is leaning toward releasing the doors for public consumption. The doors in theory replicate much of the open-air doors-off freedom that comes with removing the doors on an off-road SUV like the Bronco or Wrangler, but with a bit more protection from hazards, the elements, and traffic accidents.

Of course, we might be off-base, and the "EZ Air" doors referred to in Ford's trademark application could be something completely different. But we rather doubt that's the case.

Aside from the open-air doors, should they materialize, the 2021 Ford Bronco will also give owners the option of easily removing the doors completely for off-road excursions, just like the Jeep Wrangler. Ford one-upped Jeep on its design, however, mounting the side mirrors to the Bronco's A-pillars so that they stay with the SUV even when the doors are off.

[heavyD]

Looks pretty tacky to me.

[daveyboy]

I have to give Ford credit, the new Bronco is better than I expected.

Removing the door or reducing the sill height is helpful for spotting/picking a line off-road.

However, I think these doors are pointless and nothing but a cosmetic mod for mallcrawlers.

[White out]

Those doors have functionality of a GEN1 Viper.

[Absoluteyeti]

Nothing says hello like side impact intrusion. I get people like to take doors off while driving but having a door with a sizable hole in it is really dumb.

[Calamity Jesus]

Originally Posted by daveyboy

I have to give Ford credit, the new Bronco is better than I expected.

Removing the door or reducing the sill height is helpful for spotting/picking a line off-road.

However, I think these doors are pointless and nothing but a cosmetic mod for mallcrawlers.

Wait until Instagram is full of pics of 'influencers' in mini skirts sitting in Brocos with their legs shown off to the world. Ford knows what they're doing.

Originally Posted by Absoluteyeti

Nothing says hello like side impact intrusion. I get people like to take doors off while driving but having a door with a sizable hole in it is really dumb.

Meh, other than a bit of plastic and two layers of 0.0359" sheet metal there's nothing between you and the outside... except for the anti-intrusion bars, which would still be present in the door with the cutout.

[legacy_etu]

Meh, I've come to realize the whole thing just looks tacky. Like a Tonka toy....and not in a good way. The proportions just aren't right and it looks even worse when you take the doors off. I was trying to like it but the more I look at it the more I DONT like it.

[heavyD]

Originally Posted by legacy_etu

Meh, I've come to realize the whole thing just looks tacky. Like a Tonka toy....and not in a good way. The proportions just aren't right and it looks even worse when you take the doors off. I was trying to like it but the more I look at it the more I DONT like it.

Really though tacky is what this segment is all about much like the old import tuner days as it's redneck rice for those that lust after raised 4x4's with snorkels and the vehicle of choice for city posers chasing the image of being outdoorsy. They will sell like hotcakes at least for the first few years and time will tell after that as if the Explorer is any indication Ford is having major issues with quality.

[Hondaslayer]

TIL: When you take the doors off a Jeep, you lose the mirrors....



I mean, it’s only like the tenth generation.....

[DougNuts]

Originally Posted by legacy_etu

Meh, I've come to realize the whole thing just looks tacky. Like a Tonka toy....and not in a good way. The proportions just aren't right and it looks even worse when you take the doors off. I was trying to like it but the more I look at it the more I DONT like it.

Have you seen one in person? You may very well be right, but lots of cars can look very different until they are seen in person. I'm sure there's a technical term for it, but it's just so hard (for me anyway) to get a real feel for a vehicle's size, proportions and curves until it's on the road with other cars.

[adprokid]

Some people are solely ordering the Bronco because of how bad was their experience with Jeep.

[heavyD]

Originally Posted by adprokid

Some people are solely ordering the Bronco because of how bad was their experience with Jeep.

Ford isn't exactly the pinnacle of quality these days.

[FaastLegacy]

Originally Posted by heavyD

Ford isn't exactly the pinnacle of quality these days.

I'd rather play Russian roulette than own a first year Ford product.

[4S-TURBO]

Originally Posted by heavyD

Ford isn't exactly the pinnacle of quality these days.

Is it better or worse than Land Rover?

[adprokid]

I doubt there is anything worse than Jaguar/Land Rover

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkpB8okB-xw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkpB8okB-xw

[heavyD]

Originally Posted by FaastLegacy

I'd rather play Russian roulette than own a first year Ford product.

Ha ha ha. I wouldn't even touch a 2nd year Ford. My 2012 Mustang GT was 2nd year and by far the biggest lemon I have ever purchased. I had more issues with that car in 18 months of ownership than the last 15 years worth of vehicles combined. Has to be at least 3+ years into the model run for me to consider. Heck I'm not even sure I will ever buy another Ford again. Their transmissions are generally trash and they don't back up their product when they have issues and they have lots of issues.

[subyski]

I really was interested in the new Explorer but they really seemed to botched it.

[godfather2112]

Originally Posted by heavyD

Ford isn't exactly the pinnacle of quality these days.

0 issues with any of my last 3 Ford vehicles. The cars might be garbage but their trucks and SUVs are pretty damn legit. Not sure why the gripe with Ford Bronco.

[chanomatik]

It's something new and unproven. Haters gonna hate.

Plus everyone has different experiences and expectations, which are framed by knowledge. Some people might not use trucks for truck things, cars for car things, or off-roaders for off-road things, and come away enlightened or disappointed from the experience.

Ford SUVs and cars have been fairly meh to me, but their trucks are generally pretty stout. However, something like the Raptor hasn't fared as well concerning reputation in using it for its designed purpose. That might be where the hesitancy lies with the Bronco. Could be all hype and no substance.

[Sid03SVT]

Originally Posted by chanomatik

It's something new and unproven. Haters gonna hate.

Plus everyone has different experiences and expectations, which are framed by knowledge. Some people might not use trucks for truck things, cars for car things, or off-roaders for off-road things, and come away enlightened or disappointed from the experience.

Ford SUVs and cars have been fairly meh to me, but their trucks are generally pretty stout. However, something like the Raptor hasn't fared as well concerning reputation in using it for its designed purpose. That might be where the hesitancy lies with the Bronco. Could be all hype and no substance.

This, so much this.
I've had good luck with Ford trucks as trucks & performance cars as performance cars; admittedly though, I haven't owned one in a while.
Their "normal" cars (same can be said for GM & Dodge/FCA) could never compete with the offerings from Toyota & Honda (Camry/Accord, Corolla/Civic).

I'd take an F150 over a Tundra if I was going to use it as a truck (which I would). The Tacoma has gotten stale/long in the tooth, Although I'm not personally comfortable with the Turbo4 in the Ranger, it appears to be years ahead of the Tacoma, and it's an old model itself; IMHO the Ridgeline is probably the best compact (mid-sized?) truck on the market right now for it's intended audience.

I saw a proper modern short-wheelbase 2dr Jeep yesterday, it wasn't a "bro" jeep, it had the stock wheels, slightly more aggressive/upsized tires on it, a hardtop and no "it's a jeep thing" stickers; of all the Jeeps I see rolling around, that one is most likely to see actual off-road use. The 4-door "bro" jeeps with lifts, aftermarket flares and 20" donks with "off-road" tires and paraphernalia all over them probably see less off-road time than my IS350 does.

I think Ford put in the effort with the Bronco, not saying they didn't with the Raptor, and from what I can tell the Raptors short comings were frame related when taking mahusive jumps in 4dr models, which I'm not sure it was intended for - if there is something else please let me know, but that's all I was aware of.

I'm sure there will be plenty of mall-crawler Broncos, but I think it has the chops for off-road work (as does the Wrangler when spec'd properly).

[heavyD]

Originally Posted by godfather2112

0 issues with any of my last 3 Ford vehicles. The cars might be garbage but their trucks and SUVs are pretty damn legit. Not sure why the gripe with Ford Bronco.

It's not a Bronco gripe to me. It's a Ford gripe. Your good luck with them is of no relevance to how I feel about the brand. I like Ford vehicles. I've always been a Mustang fan, think the Mach-E looks great, and generally like what they have done with this Bronco. I just don't trust them with new model rollouts.

[warpath]

Originally Posted by godfather2112

0 issues with any of my last 3 Ford vehicles. The cars might be garbage but their trucks and SUVs are pretty damn legit. Not sure why the gripe with Ford Bronco.

Me either, I've been very surprised how good my Fords have been.

[SoDealer]

Originally Posted by Hondaslayer

TIL: When you take the doors off a Jeep, you lose the mirrors....



I mean, it’s only like the tenth generation.....

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/bu...or/6083729002/

[godfather2112]

Originally Posted by chanomatik

It's something new and unproven. Haters gonna hate.

Plus everyone has different experiences and expectations, which are framed by knowledge. Some people might not use trucks for truck things, cars for car things, or off-roaders for off-road things, and come away enlightened or disappointed from the experience.

Ford SUVs and cars have been fairly meh to me, but their trucks are generally pretty stout. However, something like the Raptor hasn't fared as well concerning reputation in using it for its designed purpose. That might be where the hesitancy lies with the Bronco. Could be all hype and no substance.

Their SUV’s have been pretty basic up until the Bronco and I have a hard time calling the Explorer and actual SUV. The Raptor, as I’ve but it many times from previous experience of ownership is a fun truck that doesn’t absolutely nothing well. Sure, it can go WOT in the desert fairly well and catch some air but it’s not a great hardcore off road vehicle out of the box and I think people’s perception versus reality of the stock capability is skewed a lot. The cam phasers seem to be a hit and miss issue though.

Originally Posted by heavyD

It's not a Bronco gripe to me. It's a Ford gripe. Your good luck with them is of no relevance to how I feel about the brand. I like Ford vehicles. I've always been a Mustang fan, think the Mach-E looks great, and generally like what they have done with this Bronco. I just don't trust them with new model rollouts.

Fair enough and I generally wouldn’t trust them with a new vehicle roll out either which is why I won’t be a first gen Bronco buyer. That said, their vehicles seem pretty reliable and decent quality after first gen bugs are addressed.