Another 1st Impression — Blown away!

[Jarrett]

I visited Colonial Ford in Danbury, CT yesterday and got to see a SAS BD 4dr and a 33” Badlands 4dr, both with MGV seats. Overall I was blown away at first sight. My current order is a BD 2 door, so it was great to be able to see a BD and compare it to the Badlands. While I love most things about the BD, I left with a decision to move up from BD to Badlands, mainly for the 12 inch screen but of course Badlands comes with many extras as well.

Here were my thoughts as I captured them in case they are helpful to others:

1. The open air view with the soft top folded back was awesome with no bar over the B pillar. It’s going to be a great experience driving in any Bronco for this reason.
2. The 12 inch screen was simply awesome. And it makes the whole interior look better and more upscale, somewhat overcoming all of the plastic dash and rubber flooring on the Badlands.
3. The 8 inch screen looked too small when the screen was off. And, given that the bezel surrounding it is also black plastic, it makes the BD dash feel like it just has too much black plastic. Note the 8 inch screen seemed much better when the screen was turned on (as it would be most of the time). But, this smaller screen + bezel makes the entire interior seem very utilitarian, especially in addition to the rubber flooring in the BD. If you want it to be tough but a little upscale, then you definitely need the 12 inch screen.
4. The MGV seats were hot in the sun. I got to touch both the BD MGV and Badlands MGV, and both were hot (although I’m guessing no hotter than leather). The light grey area of the BD MGV was hot, and the BD MGV dark area (which I believe is the same as the Badlands MGV) was even hotter. However, when the sun went behind the clouds or when I sat on the drivers seat for a minute, the seats cooled quickly, so I’m not concerned about the seats staying swamp ass hot for more than a couple of minutes.
5. The front and rear seats were really comfortable. And the manual seat adjustments worked really well. I could dial in exactly the position I needed especially with the up / down lever.
6. The exterior is amazing. Both AMB and Iconic Silver looked awesome in the sun. Can’t go wrong with either.
7. The front end with heavy duty steel bumper looked great on both BD and Badlands.
8. Sasquatch was huge. The good news was that I’m 5’ 10” and I could still just barely slide my butt onto the seat from standing outside of the vehicle to get in the driver’s seat, so I didn’t have to use a pull handle or hop up into the vehicle. However, I’m quite sure my 5’ 3” wife will need to do something more.
9. While I love the beefy look of the Sasquatch, the 33” tires on the Badlands were plenty for me. They still look beefy and aggressive and a great match to the exterior of the Bronco.
10. The rear cargo area of 4 door was adequate but definitely not large.
11. You can barely see anything through the rear view mirror (at least with the headrests up in the back).
12. I looked, but I couldn’t tell any difference between the Badlands and the BD on the dash or top of dash (except of course the 12” screen). It was all plastic, but with some texture. It all felt solid.

That’s it. Based on my visit, I think I’m going to upgrade from the BD to the Badlands with High package. A bit more money, but I really loved the 12” screen and the look of the 33’s, and of course Badlands comes with all of the off-road extras and the great camera features.

Hope these observations help you make your final selections as well.

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[JGuske23]

Looked awesome, thanks for the write up. Another instance of the Badlands optional wheels looking amazing.

 

[Wanted33]

JJ, like you I live in NC. Ford really needs to throw in one of those Jerry cans just in case this dang gas shortage doesn't clear up.

 

[Lilj4425]

That Bronco is clearly black and not blue.

 

[BuzzyBud]

Great write-up, thank you!
I am booked for a showing in NH later this month. I hope those same Broncos make it to NH. I will be particularly interested in the GVWR sticker in the Badlands. Just curious!

 

[Dubsesd]

I was at that event too! Makes me want it even more.

 

[BitterBronco]

I was there as well! I thought the MGV was a bit thin feeling. I was concerned that it would rip during long term use

I was expecting it to be thicker or more durable - typically the vinyl on a boat feels pretty durable. These did not.

However, still on my order and I’ll still get them! I’ll throw a neoprene cover on top if I’m that worries because hosing out the Bronco is a must!

 

[ATLBronco75]

BL optional wheels look even better with the BFGs.

 

[ColoradoGuy]

This thread just took a hard right turn...

Anyway, thanks for the impressions OP. I'm 5'10" too (and my wife is 5'3"). For getting in and out, was the difference noticable between Sasquatch and Badlands with 33s? Also, was your wife there and what did she think about getting in and out?

I'm hoping I don't have to get a step because I like the look of the rock rails.

 

[Chrism81]

I visited Colonial Ford in Danbury, CT yesterday and got to see a SAS BD 4dr and a 33” Badlands 4dr, both with MGV seats. Overall I was blown away at first sight. My current order is a BD 2 door, so it was great to be able to see a BD and compare it to the Badlands. While I love most things about the BD, I left with a decision to move up from BD to Badlands, mainly for the 12 inch screen but of course Badlands comes with many extras as well.

Here were my thoughts as I captured them in case they are helpful to others:

1. The open air view with the soft top folded back was awesome with no bar over the B pillar. It’s going to be a great experience driving in any Bronco for this reason.
2. The 12 inch screen was simply awesome. And it makes the whole interior look better and more upscale, somewhat overcoming all of the plastic dash and rubber flooring on the Badlands.
3. The 8 inch screen looked too small when the screen was off. And, given that the bezel surrounding it is also black plastic, it makes the BD dash feel like it just has too much black plastic. Note the 8 inch screen seemed much better when the screen was turned on (as it would be most of the time). But, this smaller screen + bezel makes the entire interior seem very utilitarian, especially in addition to the rubber flooring in the BD. If you want it to be tough but a little upscale, then you definitely need the 12 inch screen.
4. The MGV seats were hot in the sun. I got to touch both the BD MGV and Badlands MGV, and both were hot (although I’m guessing no hotter than leather). The light grey area of the BD MGV was hot, and the BD MGV dark area (which I believe is the same as the Badlands MGV) was even hotter. However, when the sun went behind the clouds or when I sat on the drivers seat for a minute, the seats cooled quickly, so I’m not concerned about the seats staying swamp ass hot for more than a couple of minutes.
5. The front and rear seats were really comfortable. And the manual seat adjustments worked really well. I could dial in exactly the position I needed especially with the up / down lever.
6. The exterior is amazing. Both AMB and Iconic Silver looked awesome in the sun. Can’t go wrong with either.
7. The front end with heavy duty steel bumper looked great on both BD and Badlands.
8. Sasquatch was huge. The good news was that I’m 5’ 10” and I could still just barely slide my butt onto the seat from standing outside of the vehicle to get in the driver’s seat, so I didn’t have to use a pull handle or hop up into the vehicle. However, I’m quite sure my 5’ 3” wife will need to do something more.
9. While I love the beefy look of the Sasquatch, the 33” tires on the Badlands were plenty for me. They still look beefy and aggressive and a great match to the exterior of the Bronco.
10. The rear cargo area of 4 door was adequate but definitely not large.
11. You can barely see anything through the rear view mirror (at least with the headrests up in the back).
12. I looked, but I couldn’t tell any difference between the Badlands and the BD on the dash or top of dash (except of course the 12” screen). It was all plastic, but with some texture. It all felt solid.

That’s it. Based on my visit, I think I’m going to upgrade from the BD to the Badlands with High package. A bit more money, but I really loved the 12” screen and the look of the 33’s, and of course Badlands comes with all of the off-road extras and the great camera features.

Hope these observations help you make your final selections as well.

I was there yesterday too. Was def. impresses w/ the bronco and can't wait to get one. I thought the MGV felt nice, but it also felt very thin and cheap and I don't think it will hold up over time. I felt the rear cargo for the 4 door was not small at all and was a nice size, but then again I am coming from a Mazda cx3 that has a tiny ass trunk area so anything will be an improvement. I am guessing the 2 door will have the same trunk space as my Mazda

 

[Dillhole]

Nice write up! I'm really excited about your first take away

1. The open air view with the soft top folded back was awesome with no bar over the B pillar. It’s going to be a great experience driving in any Bronco for this reason.

That bar that goes directly overhead on the Wranglers has always been a little annoyance of mine, glad to see Ford shake it up and engineer it to go across the rear.

 

[cybersal]

Let's leave politics aside and talk about what really matters: our love of Broncos.

I haven't seen one live and in the flesh, but at 5' tall, I am a bit concerned about the size of the Bronco. Size-wise, what is the most comparable vehicle to a two door Bronco on the road today? Thanks.

 

[Jarrett]

This thread just took a hard right turn...

Anyway, thanks for the impressions OP. I'm 5'10" too (and my wife is 5'3"). For getting in and out, was the difference noticable between Sasquatch and Badlands with 33s? Also, was your wife there and what did she think about getting in and out?

No real noticeable difference for me getting in the driver’s seat between the Sasquatch BD and Badlands with 33s, although I didn’t check to see if the seat height was the same between the two, so that could have made a difference. Guessing that the Badlands was a little easier but not much. Unfortunately my wife couldn’t make it yesterday, as I really wanted to see her reaction to climbing up into the vehicle.

That said, I plan to add a small aftermarket step like on this concept model right on top of the rock rails to help her get in.

 

[ColoradoGuy]

No real noticeable difference for me getting in the driver’s seat between the Sasquatch BD and Badlands with 33s, although I didn’t check to see if the seat height was the same between the two, so that could have made a difference. Guessing that the Badlands was a little easier but not much. Unfortunately my wife couldn’t make it yesterday, as I really wanted to see her reaction to climbing up into the vehicle.

That said, I plan to add a small aftermarket step like on this concept model right on top of the rock rails to help her get in.

That looks like a good option if she (or my kids) needs a step. TY

 

[Gamecock]

Let's leave politics aside and talk about what really matters: our love of Broncos.

I haven't seen one live and in the flesh, but at 5' tall, I am a bit concerned about the size of the Bronco. Size-wise, what is the most comparable vehicle to a two door Bronco on the road today? Thanks.

I don’t get the concern over size being too big...just climb in. Seriously. Are people that concerned about a tiny, tiny expenditure of effort? If you’re over 75, then I could see it as a concern...otherwise, really?
I had an 85 year old family member climb into my lifted FJ...into the back. I think anyone here can handle a stock Bronco. Put your mind at ease...

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