It’s not every day that we get to be a part of history, but as your Tennessee Ford Bronco dealer, Newton Ford South has that privilege. The brand new Bronco resurrects one of America’s favorite SUVs – the one that started it all way back in 1966 is back for 2021 better than ever before, and you’ll find the biggest selection right here at our dealership. Whether you’re looking for an attractive Bronco Sport or the more retro look of the rugged Bronco, you’ll find a huge inventory of options right here at Newton Ford South.
Our team of seasoned sales consultants will help you narrow your search and settle on the Bronco or Bronco Sport that matches your lifestyle and budget. With so many trims and packages to choose from, you’re sure to find one that’s ideal. Both models offer budget-oriented trims, and throwback features like a manual transmission and removable doors and roof harken back to the Bronco’s roots. The team at Newton Ford South looks forward to helping you find the one that belongs in your driveway. Lean on us to walk you through all the Bronco’s available features and accessories.
Prior to its re-release in 2021, the Bronco enjoyed a five-generation history, during which it cemented a reputation for trail-ready prowess and utilitarian durability. Buyers chose the original Bronco for off-roading. Its two-door body style appealed to weekend adventure seekers and served as a first glimpse of the SUV, a category that would eventually dominate the driveways of suburban families.
In its first five generations, the Bronco’s short wheelbase offered maneuverability over rocky terrain, and four-wheel drive with a shift-on-the-fly transfer case was the only available drivetrain. The first Bronco engine was a straightforward inline six-cylinder that produced a modest 105 horsepower. It was soon followed by a larger 200 horsepower V8.
In 1966, a new Ford Bronco cost just $2,194 and featured a stripped-down interior with dealer-installed extras like a CB radio, a tachometer, and bucket seats. The second generation Bronco, launched in 1978, was built to face stiffer competition from Chevy, Dodge, and Jeep. It received a longer wheelbase borrowed from the popular F-Series pickup.
Second-generation Bronco buyers enjoyed a removable hardtop and the choice of two big V8 engines: a 5.8-liter and a massive 6.6-liter. By today’s standards, both engines were ungainly and underpowered, with the former delivering 156 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque and the latter achieving only 158 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque.
The third generation brought the smaller Bronco II built on the compact Ford Ranger pickup chassis. The fourth generation was marked by a cherry red Silver Anniversary Edition Bronco with the vehicle’s first-ever leather seats. At the end of its fifth generation run in 1996, the Bronco was discontinued and replaced with a more practical four-door Explorer SUV.
What’s the difference between the Bronco and the Bronco Sport? Well, for starters, they’re completely different vehicles. You can think of the Bronco as a reincarnation of the original, with its truck chassis and rugged exterior styling, and the Bronco Sport as a more refined on-the-road crossover. This is most evident in each model’s unique exterior styling. The Bronco features a rugged body-on-frame, and the Bronco Sport relies on unibody construction with a fully independent suspension that’s designed to absorb bumps and provide a smoother overall ride. That’s a lot of technical speak, but in short, the Bronco is built primarily for off-roading, while the more demure Bronco Sport is most at home driving around town.
Both vehicles are designed for their own primary purpose, but there is still plenty of crossover between the two. You can take a Bronco Sport off-road just as easily as you can do your daily commute in a Bronco. However, you can only get a two-door body and a manual transmission on a Bronco, and you can’t hose down the seats of your Bronco Sport after a day on the trails like you can with the available marine-grade seating found on the Bronco Black Diamond.
The differences between these two models boil down to intended use: choose a Bronco Sport for more refined driving manners and an off-road-lite capability, or opt for the Bronco if your adventures take you deep into the wilderness. The former straddles two different lifestyles, while the latter incorporates the equipment and toughness necessary to effortlessly tackle extreme trails and off-road conditions.
What’s not to love about the newest iteration of the SUV that started it all? With its seven available trims and sub-$30,000 starting price, the Bronco makes rugged off-roading accessible to even the most value-conscious buyers. It blends old-school off-roading equipment with the latest technology to give buyers a thrilling new way to experience adventure.
Ford’s High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension (H.O.S.S.) is standard across the entire Bronco lineup and includes a solid rear axle and special springs and shocks designed for the trail. Upgrade to the available Sasquatch Package, and you’ll get the Advanced H.O.S.S. system, designed with Bilstein shocks that supply a wider range of damping control. Speaking of the Sasquatch Package, it’s the option you need for serious off-roading. Featuring massive 35-inch mud-terrain tires, electronic locking axles on the front and rear, additional ground clearance, and a track that’s wider by 2 inches. It’s standard on the Wildtrack and First Edition trims and available as an add-on for the rest.
No matter which Ford Bronco trim you choose, what you get is the perfect companion for serious off-roading. You can trust the up to seven selectable G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) modes – including mud/ruts, Baja, and rock crawl – on the Bronco’s Terrain Management System to set you up for success in just about any trail condition. Simply toggle over to the setting you need, and the system will automatically adjust torque range, traction, and suspension settings to optimize output. It’s yet another example of the Bronco’s technology-fueled capability.
If you’re ready to purchase a Bronco or Bronco Sport, you’ll find it right here at Newton Ford South. We invite you to trust the team at Newton Ford South to help you find the model that will work best for you and leave behind the stress and hassle commonly associated with buying a vehicle. Instead, you can relax and enjoy the process in a low-pressure environment. Our customer-centric approach starts with Newton Fastpass, a unique online purchase process that lets you shop for, finance, and even test drive the vehicle you want from the comfort of your own home. You can conveniently view our inventory online and use the chat feature to ask questions, then fill out paperwork and even value your trade right on our website.
At Newton Ford South, our commitment to convenience-oriented customer service doesn’t end after the sale. We invite you to bring your vehicle here for maintenance and repairs. When you use our Ford-certified service center, your vehicle is cared for by factory-trained technicians who use only genuine Ford replacement parts. What are you waiting for? Join the Newton Ford South family of happy owners. Call, visit, or reach out to us online and take advantage of our Newton Fastpass program to get the Bronco or Bronco Sport model you really want.
