2024 Ford Bronco Everglades Review: A Rugged Off-Roading Marvel with Unmatched Water Wading Capabilities

The 2024 Ford Bronco Everglades is not just another off-road vehicle; it’s a purpose-built machine that has been designed specifically for adventurers who seek to conquer the most challenging terrains, particularly those involving water crossings, dense swamps, and rugged trails. Ford’s iconic Bronco lineup has become synonymous with rugged capability, and the Everglades variant takes that legacy a step further. This model caters to enthusiasts who demand a vehicle that performs optimally in the most extreme conditions, whether you’re exploring the wilderness or navigating your daily commute with a sense of adventure.

Ford has built the Bronco Everglades to stand out with its impressive capability and rugged design elements. This SUV is specially designed for off-road enthusiasts who love to tackle challenging terrains but don’t want to compromise on comfort and technology. In this comprehensive review, we’ll dive deep into the details, covering every aspect of the 2024 Ford Bronco Everglades—from its powerful engine to its advanced off-road features—while analyzing its pros and cons. If you’re curious about whether this SUV is the right fit for your adventurous lifestyle, stick with us as we break it all down.

Overview of the 2024 Ford Bronco Everglades

The 2024 Ford Bronco Everglades is part of the reimagined Bronco family, which Ford revived with great success. Ford understood that it needed to produce more than just a retro-styled SUV for the modern market; they needed to deliver true off-road capability in an era when SUVs are often criticized for being too soft and road-oriented. The Everglades edition of the Bronco is tailored to those looking for serious off-road chops, with a particular focus on water fording and swamp terrain.

One of the most notable aspects of the Everglades is that it takes inspiration from the Bronco Badlands trim but adds exclusive features like a snorkel, a winch, and additional off-road-focused accessories that push its capabilities beyond the typical SUV. This model is engineered to thrive in wet, muddy, and water-heavy environments, making it one of the most specialized off-roaders in the Bronco lineup. It’s not just a vehicle for the urban jungle—this is a machine built for adventurers who take the path less traveled.

Under the hood, the Bronco Everglades is powered by a 2.3-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine, delivering 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. This engine strikes a balance between fuel efficiency and off-road power, providing enough torque for crawling over rocks, navigating muddy trails, or powering through streams and rivers. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, this setup ensures smooth shifts and optimal power delivery, even in low-speed, high-torque situations, which is essential for serious off-roading.

Ford has outfitted the Everglades with a full-time 4×4 drivetrain, complete with electronic locking differentials on both the front and rear axles. This ensures maximum traction, even on the most uneven surfaces. Whether you’re rock crawling, driving through sand dunes, or crossing streams, the Bronco Everglades is engineered to maintain grip and stability in the most challenging situations.

Performance and Powertrain

The performance of the 2024 Ford Bronco Everglades is where it truly shines. While some off-road vehicles may focus solely on power, the Everglades balances its output with practical design and thoughtful engineering. At the heart of this SUV is the 2.3-liter EcoBoost inline-4 engine, which delivers an impressive 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. Although this might seem modest compared to the larger V6 engines in some competitors, this EcoBoost engine offers more than enough power to handle the roughest trails while maintaining respectable fuel efficiency—a combination that’s difficult to find in this segment.

In off-road scenarios, torque is often more important than horsepower, and the Bronco Everglades delivers with its high torque output. This is crucial for low-speed rock crawling or climbing steep inclines, where you need a consistent and controlled amount of power to avoid wheel spin or getting stuck. The 10-speed automatic transmission is perfectly matched to the engine, offering smooth shifts and the ability to hold gears longer when required. The wide gear ratios also help in providing a perfect balance between low-speed torque for off-roading and higher gear efficiency for highway driving.

Additionally, the Everglades edition comes standard with Ford’s Advanced 4×4 system, which includes part-time and full-time 4WD modes. This system enables you to adjust the drivetrain to match the terrain, ensuring that power is delivered where it’s needed most. For example, in the 4A (Auto) mode, the vehicle automatically switches between 2WD and 4WD as needed, ensuring optimal fuel efficiency when off-road conditions aren’t too extreme. The 4H (High) and 4L (Low) modes, on the other hand, are ideal for more serious off-road scenarios, offering maximum torque and traction when traversing rocks, deep sand, or water.

The suspension system is another highlight, featuring Bilstein position-sensitive dampers, front and rear locking differentials, and an independent front suspension. This ensures that the Bronco Everglades can handle uneven surfaces without compromising comfort. Whether you’re navigating tight trails or bumpy roads, the suspension helps absorb shocks while maintaining the vehicle’s balance and stability. When combined with 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory tires, the Bronco Everglades becomes an unstoppable force in off-road environments, handling mud, rocks, and sand with ease.

The towing capacity of the Everglades is rated at 3,500 pounds, which is more than sufficient for pulling small boats, trailers, or off-road equipment. While the Bronco is primarily designed for off-road adventuring, it doesn’t compromise on utility, making it a versatile vehicle for those who need to haul gear on their journeys.

Exterior Design: Built for the Wilderness

The exterior of the 2024 Ford Bronco Everglades is as rugged as it is functional. At first glance, it’s clear that this SUV means business. Ford has made sure that every design element serves a purpose, whether it’s for off-road durability, water fording, or simply enhancing the vehicle’s imposing stance. The Bronco Everglades comes with several exclusive exterior features that set it apart from other trims in the Bronco lineup.

One of the most prominent features is the air intake snorkel, which is mounted on the passenger-side A-pillar. This factory-installed snorkel is designed to help the Bronco Everglades breathe cleaner air when traversing dusty trails or deep water. The snorkel has reversible plates that allow the driver to adjust it for different trail conditions, either to draw air from the front or from the sides, ensuring optimal engine performance regardless of the environment. This feature is critical for off-road enthusiasts who regularly encounter water crossings or dusty trails, as it prevents water or debris from entering the engine.

In addition to the snorkel, the Bronco Everglades comes equipped with a 12,000-pound Warn winch mounted on the heavy-duty modular front bumper. This winch is perfect for pulling yourself—or other vehicles—out of tough situations, whether you’re stuck in deep mud or need to move obstacles out of the way. Ford has also fitted the Everglades with rock rails and bash plates, ensuring that the undercarriage is well-protected when driving over large rocks or other obstacles. The black 17-inch alloy wheels are wrapped in 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory tires, which provide excellent grip and durability in harsh off-road conditions.

The fender flares on the Everglades are more pronounced than those on other Bronco models, not only giving it a more aggressive look but also providing better protection from mud and debris. Additionally, the Everglades comes with unique Everglades graphics, which enhance its aesthetic appeal and differentiate it from other models in the Bronco lineup. For added practicality, the hardtop roof and removable doors provide the open-air experience that many Bronco enthusiasts love, making it easier to enjoy the outdoors without sacrificing protection from the elements when needed.

Interior Features: Practicality Meets Comfort

Step inside the 2024 Ford Bronco Everglades, and you’ll immediately notice that the interior is designed for both durability and comfort. While the focus remains on practicality, Ford has ensured that the cabin doesn’t feel too utilitarian. The materials used are robust and easy to clean, which is essential for a vehicle that’s likely to encounter mud, sand, and water regularly.

The seats are covered in marine-grade vinyl upholstery, which is both water-resistant and extremely durable. This ensures that the seats can withstand exposure to moisture, dirt, and wear, making them ideal for off-road adventures. The floors are rubberized with washout flooring and include integrated floor drains, allowing you to easily clean out the interior after a muddy or wet expedition. This level of practicality ensures that the Bronco Everglades is ready for whatever the elements throw at it, and cleaning up after a day of off-roading is a breeze.

Despite its rugged focus, the Bronco Everglades doesn’t skimp on modern technology and comfort. The vehicle comes with Ford’s SYNC 4 infotainment system, featuring a 12-inch touchscreen that is both responsive and user-friendly. This system includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and FordPass Connect, ensuring that you stay connected even when you’re far from civilization. Voice-activated navigation is also included, allowing you to explore remote trails with confidence. The 360-degree camera system is another notable feature, providing a clear view of the surrounding environment, which is incredibly helpful when navigating tight trails or making tricky maneuvers.

The interior space is generous, with enough room for up to five passengers. Cargo space is also ample, with 35.6 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 77.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. This makes it easy to carry gear, camping equipment, or even small boats and kayaks on your adventures. The rear tailgate features a swing gate with a full-size spare tire, which is both practical and in keeping with the Bronco’s rugged design ethos.

Safety and Driver Assistance Features

When it comes to safety, the 2024 Ford Bronco Everglades is equipped with a suite of advanced features designed to keep you and your passengers safe, both on and off the road. Ford has incorporated its Co-Pilot360 driver assistance package, which includes features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. These features not only make the Bronco Everglades safer to drive on highways and city streets, but they also provide added security when driving in remote areas or challenging terrain.

The terrain management system is another standout safety feature, offering several driving modes like Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, Mud/Ruts, Sand, and Rock Crawl. These modes adjust the vehicle’s throttle response, transmission settings, and stability control to match the current terrain, ensuring that you have the best possible control in any situation.

Off-Road Capabilities: What Makes the Everglades Unique

What sets the Bronco Everglades apart from other Bronco models is its off-road prowess. Ford engineered this SUV with a clear goal: to excel in swampy and water-heavy terrains. The snorkel and winch, paired with 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory tires, are critical for traversing deep water, thick mud, and other extreme conditions.

Water Wading and Fording Features

No review of the Everglades would be complete without discussing its water-fording capabilities. Thanks to the snorkel and raised vent tubes, the Bronco Everglades can safely cross water up to 36.4 inches deep. This makes it a top contender for anyone looking to navigate flooded areas or deep streams, leaving most competitors far behind.

Price and Value: Is It Worth It?

The 2024 Ford Bronco Everglades comes with a price tag of approximately $54,495, which is higher than the base Bronco models but justified by the addition of premium off-road equipment. When you consider the specialized features like the snorkel, winch, and enhanced water-fording capabilities, the Everglades offers excellent value for its price.

Price Comparison:

9. Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Unmatched water-fording capability
• Factory-installed snorkel and winch
• Marine-grade interior perfect for rugged use
• Exceptional off-road performance with 33-inch tires
• Co-Pilot360 safety tech included

Cons:

• Higher starting price than other Bronco models
• 2.3L engine may lack power compared to larger V6 competitors
• Limited availability (only available in select trims)

Who Should Buy the 2024 Ford Bronco Everglades?

The 2024 Ford Bronco Everglades is the perfect SUV for those who seek adventure beyond the beaten path. If you’re an off-road enthusiast who loves exploring wetlands, rivers, and rugged terrains, this vehicle is designed for you. With its snorkel, winch, and off-road features, the Bronco Everglades excels in environments where few other SUVs can venture.

It’s also a fantastic choice for anyone who prioritizes functionality over luxury. While the interior is comfortable and equipped with modern technology, this model is more focused on rugged utility than premium creature comforts. If you’re someone who needs a vehicle that can handle the harshest conditions while providing modern-day conveniences, the Ford Bronco Everglades is a perfect fit.

However, if you’re more interested in on-road performance, premium interior materials, or higher horsepower, you may want to explore other models in the Bronco lineup or consider competitors like the Jeep Wrangler or Land Rover Defender.

Final Thoughts

The 2024 Ford Bronco Everglades is an exceptional off-road vehicle that offers unique features designed specifically for adventurers. With its water fording capability, snorkel, winch, and rugged build, this SUV stands out in a crowded market of off-road vehicles. It’s a specialized tool for a specific kind of adventurer—someone who values capability and durability over luxury.

For those seeking a vehicle that can tackle the harshest environments while still providing modern technology and comfort, the Bronco Everglades is an ideal choice. Whether you’re wading through rivers, traversing rocky trails, or simply enjoying the open road with the roof off, this SUV delivers a thrilling and versatile driving experience.