Ford Bronco review: a real off-roader for Bahrain's dune runs
3.7/5MotorsSouq Editorial Team
Buy the Bronco if you actually go to the dunes and want a purpose-built vehicle rather than a soft-roader that plays the part — Badlands' locking differentials and factory-fitted skid plates are real capability, not marketing. It rides firmly and drinks fuel on tarmac, and the removable roof lets in more desert heat and dust than most Bahrain owners expect, but nothing else new in this price range matches its off-road specification sheet.
Pros
- Genuine body-on-frame off-road capability
- Locking front and rear differentials on Badlands
- Distinctive open-air removable roof and doors
- Strong low-end torque from the 2.7L V6
Cons
- Noticeable wind noise on the highway with roof panels installed
- Firm ride compared to a crossover-based rival
- Fuel consumption reflects boxy aerodynamics
- Overkill for owners who never leave tarmac
Ford brought the Bronco name back specifically to compete with the Wrangler, and the engineering commitment shows: a genuine body-on-frame chassis, a solid rear axle option on some trims, and removable doors and roof panels that turn the cabin into an open-air experience unlike anything else sold new in Bahrain outside the Wrangler itself.
The 2.7-litre twin-turbo V6 in Badlands trim makes 330 hp and pulls hard from low revs, which matters more in soft sand than peak horsepower ever does. Front and rear locking differentials come standard on this grade, along with a two-speed transfer case and a genuinely useful Trail Control system that acts like low-speed cruise control for technical terrain.
On the road versus off it
On tarmac the trade-offs of that off-road commitment are obvious. Wind noise around the removable roof panels is noticeable at highway speed, the ride is firmer than a Bronco Sport or Explorer, and fuel consumption reflects the boxy aerodynamics and low gearing. This is not the vehicle to buy if 95 percent of your driving stays on the highway.
Desert use in Bahrain
Where the Bronco justifies itself is exactly where it was built to perform. The ground clearance, locking differentials and factory skid plates handle the dune areas south of Sakhir and cross-border trips into Saudi's sand terrain with genuine competence, not just the visual promise of the styling. Removing the doors for a coastal drive is a novelty most owners try once and then use selectively rather than routinely, given Bahrain's heat and dust.