2021 Ford Bronco Engine - VehicleHistory (2024)

The Ford Bronco’s return for model year 2021 has fans and enthusiasts ecstatic, and it comes with fantastic engine choices.

The original Ford Bronco is a cult classic SUV known for its remarkable offroading capabilities. It had an astounding run for over 30 years until its eventual discontinuation in 1996. Though production ended, the love for the Bronco did not. Enthusiasts of the offroad wonder continue to restore, upgrade and drive their Broncos just like they would have been driven when their original owners first enjoyed them.

However, the fans of the Ford Bronco did far more than keep its memory alive. After years of pleading with the American automotive giant, the wishful thinking and polite asking brought the Ford Bronco back.

Ford eventually announced the return of the Bronco namesake in the form of the full-size Bronco and the smaller Bronco Sport for the 2021 model year. Though, this wasn’t a split decision. In January of 2017, Ford officially announced that the Bronco would be returning at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Although it did spend three years in development, many cars have stayed in the development stage for much longer. It seems, then, Ford knew they had thousands of fans waiting with bated breath and pens ready to sign the paperwork.

Though the original Broncos from the 1960s to the 1990s came with small-block V8s, there is no option for a V8 on any trim of the 2021 model year. Instead, both the Bronco and Bronco Sport offer two Ford Ecoboost engine options that output more than enough power and torque to match and, in some cases, exceed the legendary offroad adventuring history of the Ford Bronco namesake.

Ecoboost

While many purists of the Bronco felt let down by the decision to leave out a V8 engine option, it’s essential to take a few factors under consideration. The simple fact is that these EcoBoost engines are advantageous to the Bronco in many ways. They are a lot smaller and lighter than V8 engines, which allows for much easier offroad agility. They use a lot less fuel than a V8 put under the same conditions, as well.

Finally, the best part about modern engine technology is that these Ecoboost engines do not sacrifice horsepower or torque. Gone are the days of the sluggish four-cylinder and V6 engines. These little brutes mean business.

The available engine options for the 2021 Ford Bronco are the 2.3-liter Ecoboost turbocharged inline four-cylinder and the 2.7-liter Ecoboost twin-turbocharged V6. Neither engine is exclusive to the Bronco chassis, and both have been available in Ford’s lineup for several years. Their efficiency and effectiveness have been proven time and time again. A little time behind the wheel of an Ecoboost vehicle will have you singing the praises for forced induction. You won’t even miss the V8!

The new Bronco is undoubtedly built with offroad capabilities in mind. Ford has developed it with plenty of power to get you where you want to go and then some. If you aren’t convinced, we’re going to give you a rundown of the two engine options for the 2021 Ford Bronco and let you decide for yourself.

2.3-liter Ecoboost Inline Four

The 2.3-liter inline four-cylinder Ecoboost engine is tried and true in the Ford and Lincoln lineup. It can be found under the hood of both the Ford Explorer and the Ford Ranger, both of which also carry a heritage of offroad capability.

Furthermore, the 2.3 can also be found under the hood of Ford’s flagship sports car, the Mustang. Last but not least, the crackling and fearsome rally car for the road, the Ford Focus RS, also sports the 2.3 Ecoboost engine.

The version of the Ecoboost 2.3 four-banger found in the 2021 Ford Bronco sports an impressive 270 horsepower output. To coincide with that horsepower rating comes a remarkable torque output of 310 lb.-ft. It’s worth keeping in mind that those power figures alone eclipse that of the specs of some older V8-powered Broncos.

The Ecoboost 2.3 consists of both an aluminum block and an aluminum head. Using aluminum construction saves substantial weight compared to cast iron engine blocks. It has a 10 to 1 compression ratio and direct fuel injection.

However, Ford says it runs on regular unleaded gasoline despite the relatively high compression and power output. This will save you money at the pumps when filling up between adventures. Though, you won’t be stopping for gas as often as you might think. The 2.3 will really stretch the 16.9 gallon (two-door) or 20.8 Gallon (four-door) tank of gas thanks to its monumental fuel efficiency.

One of the most exciting options with the Ecoboost 2.3 engine is the availability of a seven-speed manual transmission. This option is, unfortunately, not available with the V6.

2.7-liter Ecoboost V6

Like the four-cylinder example, the 2.7-liter Ecoboost V6 is not exclusive to the Bronco lineup and has spent years under the hood of Ford Vehicles. It has seen life in an abundance of Ford SUVs like the Flex and Edge. It was also available in the surprisingly fast Ford Fusion Sport. Finally, and perhaps most impressively, it was used in the F-150 and still carried an impressive towing capacity. This engine is more than capable of what a Bronco enthusiast seeks to do with their spare time.

The version of the Ecoboost 2.7 found in the 2021 Ford Bronco sports an impressive 310 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque. It features aluminum cylinder heads as well, but the block departs from similarities to the four-cylinder. It is made of Compacted Graphite Iron. It is not quite as light as aluminum, but it does retain the durability qualities of iron. It also sports a 10 to 1 compression ratio, just like the four-cylinder.

Also, like the four-cylinder, Ford’s recommendation is simply unleaded gasoline. Unfortunately, at the time of writing this article, there are currently no EPA ratings on Bronco fuel economy. However, the Ford Edge with the same engine does get a combined EPA rating of 21 mpg. We expect the Bronco will likely be in a similar range.

One unique feature of the V6 over the inline-four is its use of both direct and port fuel injection. Ford uses this technology on various engines. Having two sets of fuel injectors allows for precise fuel management, increasing efficiency.

Bronco Sport Engine Options

Another addition to the 2021 Bronco family is the Bronco Sport. While the full-size Bronco is a traditional body-on-frame SUV, the Bronco Sport is a unibody construction vehicle with a transverse-mounted engine like a front-wheel-drive car. Don’t let its smaller stature fool you, though. The Bronco Sport is still a capable 4×4 that will get you in and out of wherever your heart desires. Smaller means lighter, too. So, you’re not likely to get yourself dug into the mud too deep.

Like its bigger brother, the Bronco Sport has two available Ecoboost engine options. The cheaper and slightly less potent option is the Ecoboost 1.5-liter inline three-cylinder engine. Simultaneously, there is an available upgrade to the well-known and beloved Ecoboost 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine.

The Ecoboost 1.5 is a zesty little thing that can be found under the hood of the Ford Focus, fusion, C-max, and escape. While its small displacement and low cylinder count may seem offputting, it still manages to crank out 181 horsepower and 190 lb.-ft. of torque.

Like its bigger four-cylinder counterparts, both the engine block and cylinder head are constructed from aluminum. It features a fearsome 11 to 1 compression ratio and shares the port/direct fuel injection technology with the 2.7 V6 found in the full-size Bronco. Also, like the full-size counterparts, Ford recommends running it on regular unleaded gasoline.

The Ecoboost 1.5 Bronco Sport has an EPA fuel economy rating of 25 mpg city and 28 mpg highway for a combined 26 mpg overall. This makes it an excellent candidate for being a work commuter during the week and an offroad adventurer during the weekend.

Ford Bronco Sport’s Four-cylinder Upgrade

If the three-cylinder option doesn’t quite do it for you, the four-cylinder definitely should. The Ecoboost 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine in the Bronco Sport can also be found in the Ford Fusion, Focus, Edge, Explorer, Taurus, and even the fearsome Focus ST. It has a long-standing history in both Ford and Lincoln vehicle lines and has been kicking since 2010.

The Ecoboost 2.0 found in the 2021 Bronco outputs 250 horsepower and 277 lb.-ft. of torque. It is also of aluminum construction for both the engine block and cylinder head. It has a compression ratio of 10 to 1, just like the engines in the full-size Bronco.

However, the 2.0 departs from the pack in one area.

While Ford states that it can be run on regular unleaded, they recommend you run it on premium unleaded. That adds a bit more of a blow to the wallet at the gas pumps.

However, the Ecoboost 2.0 Bronco Sport does still carry an impressive EPA rating of 21 mpg city and 26 mpg highway for a combined overall EPA fuel economy estimate of 23 mpg. Again, more than reasonable for daily commuter use between adventures!

While both variants of the Bronco Sport are only available with an eight-speed automatic, the Ecoboost 2.0 version is available with Ford’s SelectShift technology. This gives you the option to shift gears with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters if you so choose. This is a nice touch that adds to the overall sporty feel of the baby Bronco.

The Bronco Sport’s class-exclusive twin-clutch rear-drive 4×4 system with differential lock feature is available for greater off-road performance. The system can divert virtually all rear axle torque to either wheel, setting Bronco Sport apart from other non-premium subcompact utility vehicles.

Tasteful Blend of Heritage & Modern Technology

Another lovely thing about the Ford Ecoboost engine family is their ability to be tuned for additional power. There is a monumental aftermarket for many of the Ecoboost engines found in Ford vehicles, including the Bronco and Bronco Sport. Companies like Cobb and Mountune are making all sorts of crazy power out of these engines. So, while the stock power is likely more than enough to satisfy your needs, we don’t blame you if you’re tempted to squeeze just a bit more out of it.

Overall, the 2021 Bronco and Bronco Sport lineup is an exciting return of a Ford history legend. All of the engine options feature some top-notch engineering solutions and impressive fuel economy figures. You can also take comfort in knowing that all of these engines have been proven over the years, ensuring you won’t be stranded when you decide to venture off the beaten path.

One thing is for sure, the spirit of the original Ford Bronco is thriving within the 2021 model year lineup, and we couldn’t be happier to see it.

Photos: Ford