Perhaps the most famous and lasting image that existed in a lot of people’s minds is the infamous O.J Simpson chase if you can call 35mph a chase. It could be argued that before that point, the Bronco was appreciated within certain circles. After that event, however, sales of the Bronco increased by 7000 units the following year.
Infamy does have its benefits. The Bronco was first launched in 1965 as a 1966 model and enjoyed a 30-year run until it was eventually discontinued.
By any measure, it seemed as though that was the last we would see of the Bronco. To a lot of people’s delight, Ford announced the launch of the re-imagined Ford Bronco as a 2021 model.
News quickly spread and pre-launch Ford Bronco forums and discussion boards were launched. Ford began to release information and footage of the much-anticipated vehicle including engine specs.
The options available on the Bronco would be a choice of the 2.3L and 2.7L Ecoboost engines. In this article, we are going to be looking at the difference between the 2 engines discussing the pros and cons of each.
In short, the 2021 Ford Bronco has two engine options, the 2.3L and 2.7L Ecoboost engines. The 2.3L offers 300HP and 325-pound feet of torque. It is turbo charged and has the option of a 7 speed manual transmission or a 10 speed auto. The 2.7L option has 330HP, 415 pounds-feet of torque, twin-turbo and 10-speed automatic transmission.
Fortunately, the long wait is over and the 2021 Ford Bronco is finally out. Discussion on which was the better engine however did not wait for the release. The 2.3L and 2.7L engines to be used on the Bronco were already being run on the Ford Ranger.
A lot of people went to Ford Dealerships to test drive the Ranger so that they got a feel of what to expect on the yet-to-be-released Bronco. Though the Ranger is about 1000 pounds lighter depending on the trim, driving it gave you an idea of what to expect. Let’s take a deeper dive and have a look at these 2 engines.
Ford Bronco 2.3L Ecoboost Engine Option
The base trim of the Ford Bronco comes with a 4 cylinder 2.3L engine. It’s able to deliver 300HP and 325-pound feet of torque. If that looks like great output at that engine size, it’s because it’s turbocharged. With the 2.3L engine, you get the option of a 7 speed manual transmission as well as a 10-speed auto.
You will have the freedom to pick your poison when it comes to manual or auto. Though it may seem like a small engine, it actually produces more horsepower than a Jeep Wrangler which is probably its most direct competitor.
In light of that, there are a number of pros to owning a Bronco. When it comes to extreme off-road performance though, the Wrangler still holds an edge over the Bronco.
Ford Bronco 2.7L Ecoboost Engine Option
Next up is the 2.7L option. Though there is a .4L difference in capacity, the bigger engine is a V6 twin turbo which kicks out an impressive 330HP and 415 pound feet of torque.
This option is only available in the 10 speed automatic transmission. That could be cited as the only big drawback for those who want both more power and manual transmission.
As a matter of fact, this is the major talking point as far as choosing an option is concerned. Many would love the greater power output of the 2.7L without the automatic transmission.
Many would also argue that the 2.3L provides the necessary power output to more than meet their needs. If you do choose to go for the 2.7L, you will be forking out an additional $3,000.
Though these claims are largely unsubstantiated, there have been reports of the 2.3L engine losing power with time especially around the 50k, 75k, and 100k marks.
This data is based on their performance on the Ford Ranger since it is highly unlikely that any of the Broncos have hit that mark at this stage. Another concern with the 2.3L is that they do not have direct fuel injection and will experience buildup. Whether this turns out to be true or not, it’s a problem that can be easily managed and not a major one.
Conclusion on Bronco 2.3 vs 2.7
At the end of the day, the option you choose to go with boils down to your personal preference based on your need. If truth be told, whether you get the 2.3L or the 2.7L, you are getting a great car in the Ford Bronco.At the end of the day, the option you choose to go with boils down to your personal preference based on your need. If truth be told, whether you get the 2.3L or the 2.7L, you are getting a great car in the Ford Bronco.
Robert Anderson is a world class motorhead who rebuilt his first carb at age 10, his first engine at age 15, and completed his first full hotrod build when he was just 18! Previously, he has ran a part warehouse, delivered pizzas, and managed the service department for a $20 million/year revenue dealership. Robert knows cars like few others and he is passionate about sharing his knowledge.