2026 Bronco Badlands - First Impressions (and Changes vs. 2023 Badlands)

[BroncoActual]

• Homelink Universal Garage Opener missing

It's listed as part of the Lux Package so sure seems as though I should have the visor mounted Homelink universal garage door opener. I will have to reach out for Ford on this one. Don't know if it got dropped or what. Im interested to see if other models still have it.

Just picked my 2026 Badlands lux up this morning and am missing the UGDO as well. Dealer inventory manager confirmed that it's completely removed from Broncos for 2026. I was also reading they did the same for Bronco Sports so this seems to track

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[Dreamer]

With a deletion of features that I have become used to, its making the prior model years more desirable to me and not wanting to upgrade to a new one.

 

[CityBoy]

Color matched handles look great! Who did you go with for those?

 

[Pieman]

Congratulations on the new bronco!!

I did the same thing as you lol. I traded in my 23’ 2 door for a 25’ 4 dr.

Any big mods planned yet?

Nice! Nothing too crazy, probably headed for a "factory +" type spec. Life is busy these days so gotta keep my garage time limited.
Right now Im thinking Homelink visor, non-sas fenders, leather shift knob, mirror pod lights, fogs…..lol
Maybe a Ford Performance tune to make up for the extra doors

 

[HulksmasH]

Hi everyone!

Picked up our 2026 Avalanche Grey 4dr Badlands non-Squatch Lux on Friday and I thought I would share some interesting findings after spending a couple days with it. Not sure what all has been covered or is common knowledge but just wanted to share some year model changes for anyone that may find it useful.

I am coming from a 2023 Badlands 2dr with similar spec so that's kind of my reference point.

• Wheels / Tires

First off I am really happy with the new wheels. When I ordered, the B&P showed the old wheel design in carbonized grey. So I was curious to see what it would actually arrive with when the tracker updated to the new style around Christmas. The spoke is similar to the Mustang GTD wheels. Offset is now +40mm, down from +55mm so the stance is for sure a little beefed up compared to '25. They may be labeled as Carbonized Grey but they are just black. I was a little surprised to see the Territory RTs. I didn't notice, but RT is what's listed on the order sheet.
Wheel / Tire combo weight is 76.8lbs

• Flares

From what I can infer, due to reduced wheel offset and wider stance it appears as though all '26 Badlands will get the wider SAS fender flares. Curious to see how other trims and specs turn out.

• A-pillar handles

Nice addition. They feel super solid although ergonomically kind of blocky.

• Mirror turn indicator/ zone lights deleted and associated manual switch

Looks like they removed the integrated turn signals/ zone lights from all mirrors except from Raptor (based on a half-assed B&P review, if you trust the photos) I thought it was a nice feature and losing them is not great if you like to plan ahead and order color matched mirror caps

Thus there is no physical button for the lateral mirror zone lights
Personally, I thought the mirror lights on the dash switch was a nice touch and surprisingly useful. Having to go through the touchscreen for all zone lighting is not my favorite thing.

• Homelink Universal Garage Opener missing

It's listed as part of the Lux Package so sure seems as though I should have the visor mounted Homelink universal garage door opener. I will have to reach out for Ford on this one. Don't know if it got dropped or what. Im interested to see if other models still have it.

• Touch points

This is a bit subjective but the touch points don't seem as nice as our '23. The shift nob is a pretty cheap feeling plastic compared to the leather we had. Door inserts don't seem quite as nice, center grab handle has a more textured surface. It feels more utilitarian. Not bad, just not as nice fwiw.

• Double honk key alert

Double honk after closing door while the vehicle is running without a key is a selectable feature in the settings menu. This might be my favorite thing. I hated that so much and nice to be able to switch off without Forscan.

Nothing too riveting but some noticeable changes. Overall we are enjoying the new addition and looking forward to some adventures this summer.

Are the RT tires as loud as the MT tires? The rims and the flares look really good on that color.

 

[Pieman]

Ok, here is a shot of my new Bronco!! I like the wheels/tires and the SAS fenders don't look bad in person.

Lookin good!

I agree if I pay north of 60K it best have the auto dim mirror this is not 1996.

I actually laughed when I saw the dimmer tab, I forgot they existed... reminds me of my '89 Ranger.

With a deletion of features that I have become used to, its making the prior model years more desirable to me and not wanting to upgrade to a new one.

Agreed. It is super frustrating to have a great experience with a product but then have all those little details and features that helped make it special removed for, let's be honest, the bottom line. Especially at this price point... And in all reality if Lux Pkg was $2000 more for all the bells and whistles I wouldn't bat an eye.

Color matched handles look great! Who did you go with for those?

https://bfntruckshop.com/shop/ols/products/2021-ford-bronco-oem-door-handles-w-smartkey-option

 

[Lcubed]

do the rear vents actually send the proper temperature air into the rear passenger area?
i'm still convinced the underseat vents are missing the connection to the rest of the HVAC system in my MY23

 

[Pieman]

Knob comparison:

New 2026

2023

 

[Pieman]

do the rear vents actually sent the proper temperature air into the rear passenger area?
i'm still convinced the underseat vents are missing the connection to the rest of the HVAC system in my MY23

I'll have to check it out.

Apparently you can now complain directly to the man now? This is new to me.

 

[michelle227]

I'll have to check it out.

Apparently you can now complain directly to the man now? This is new to me.

Does it reply with 'send me your VIN...'

 

[Motovita]

Lookin good!

I actually laughed when I saw the dimmer tab, I forgot they existed... reminds me of my '89 Ranger.



Agreed. It is super frustrating to have a great experience with a product but then have all those little details and features that helped make it special removed for, let's be honest, the bottom line. Especially at this price point... And in all reality if Lux Pkg was $2000 more for all the bells and whistles I wouldn't bat an eye.



https://bfntruckshop.com/shop/ols/products/2021-ford-bronco-oem-door-handles-w-smartkey-option

When I bought my 25 I really felt it was underspec'd for the price but I just went for it since I wanted something fun to drive. I don't know which straw would break the camels back but Ford is really pushing it.
The door handles above show that people want a deluxe vehicle and are willing to pay for it. I don't think anybody considers a Lux Bronco as an econo vehicle.

 

[HalfmuleFarmer]

When I bought my 25 I really felt it was underspec'd for the price but I just went for it since I wanted something fun to drive. I don't know which straw would break the camels back but Ford is really pushing it.
The door handles above show that people want a deluxe vehicle and are willing to pay for it. I don't think anybody considers a Lux Bronco is an econo vehicle.

With all due respect, I considered the Bronco a utilitarian machine, even with the lux package. I’ve owned two MBZs and a Land Rover. I knew a) it’s a Ford, and b) the money I’m spending is going towards the out-of-the-box off road capabilities, not fancy interior features. I wanted/needed a solid off road machine that I don’t have to drive out of state to get serviced. Hoss 3.0 suspension, full armor, and push-button front and rear lockers are not ‘econo’ features. But if luxury and comfort are the most important thing to buyers, and trails and rough winter capabilities are not, then yeah—there are probably better choices out there.

 

[RadMan24]

Thank you for the write up! My 2026 Badlands 4dr 2.3L manual non-SAS in Carbonized Grey (body/roof) max lux and leather seats arrived at the dealer. I am planning on driving there tomorrow. I am glad Ford added the A-pillar grab handles. They should help getting in/out for short people. Since this will be my first Bronco, I won't be able to draw any meaningful comparison. So far, not sure if I like the big "SAS" fender flares ... makes the tire/wheels seem smaller than they are. Hopefully, they didn't cheap out on the 2026 vs earlier models.

Ok, here is a shot of my new Bronco!! I like the wheels/tires and the SAS fenders don't look bad in person.

Nice Bronco. Nice upgrades on wheels and handles. How flexible are they on those '26 orders if the 25's are still on the lot (noting that manuals in badlands are not readily on the lots)?

 

[jdru66]

Nice Bronco. Nice upgrades on wheels and handles. How flexible are they on those '26 orders if the 25's are still on the lot (noting that manuals in badlands are not readily on the lots)?

they have no rebates on 2026. I abandoned my 2026 order for a 2025 badlands SAS left over I got for 10k under msrp. Glad I did with all the decontenting.

 

[KreeHBronco]

Nice Bronco. Nice upgrades on wheels and handles. How flexible are they on those '26 orders if the 25's are still on the lot (noting that manuals in badlands are not readily on the lots)?

My was a little below MSRP, but that was OK with me since it was a special order for the next year's model.

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