2025 Broncos... 2-door going extinct?

[Kevin Scarbel]

Yeah... unfortunately... this is a reflection of sales—or lack thereof.

What killed the Bronco back in the 1990s was the fact that it was 2-door, Ford ultimately replaced it with the 4-door Expedition. The 4-door Wrangler exists because Jeep needed it to keep the Wrangler afloat. And the existing Bronco would not be possible unless Ford offered the 4-door.

Those of us who are manual transmission enthusiasts have been in a similar position for the past two decades. Economies of scale is needed to build these vehicles, and if the scale isn't there they have to make cuts. The only other option is to increase prices on the less-popular configurations.

Which brings up a good question: How many of you would buy a 2-door Bronco if it cost more than a 4-door Bronco???

But that's a silly question as it is rightfully assumed by any prudent individual that the cost to produce a 2-door is less than that of a 4-door.

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[RagnarKon]

If ford really wants to go at Jeep they need to offer actual 4x4 capability…

Heh... if you ask Wrangler people... Jeep is the one that needs to keep up with Ford. Unhappy bunch over there.

With our powers combined, we will save the off-roading world.

 

[Kevin Scarbel]

I get limiting options as things were out of hand, but the V6 takes me out, I was thinking about going back to a 2 door this year since 4 doors are everywhere now, but the price on a Stroppe is ridiculous and no V6 Badlands, I guess I'm out.

Hopefully Bronco Brand Manager Jason Hyde will weigh your thoughts.

 

[Smocaine]

... Which brings up a good question: How many of you would buy a 2-door Bronco if it cost more than a 4-door Bronco???

Much like the manual transmission, I would have happily paid more but they graciously charged me less. And much like the manual transmission, it was the correct decision.

 

[RagnarKon]

But that's a silly question as it is rightfully assumed by any prudent individual that the cost to produce a 2-door is less than that of a 4-door.

Well... yes... unless you factor in economies of scale.

There may be a time when there is a choice between cutting 2-door from the lineup altogether or simply charging more for the 2-door for the enthusiasts that really want it. We're already seeing this shift today: the 2-door Base is the same price as the 4-Door Base for 2025.

Personally... I'm in the same camp as @Smocaine and @Tricky Mike ... I would gladly pay slightly more for the manual transmission if it meant I could actually get the manual transmission. But I'm not sure how many of us are in that camp, or how many 2-door owners are in that camp.

Which is why I'm bringing up the question.

 

[zuke]

Manuals went away because Boomers hated them, not because millennial's want a safe space.

Ummm, Many of Us Boomers do not/did not hate manuals, but driving one is a lost art because it's not a useful art any more, Modern Automatics are better at shifting, and get better gas mileage.

The only thing the Manual does better is engage the driver in driving, and there aren't many of us left that value that.

I will mourn the end of the manual transmission in the end, but I recognize that it's past it's age of usefulness.

I mean really, do you want a manual 'carburetor adjustment' and a 'spark lever'? They helped the driver stay engaged in what they were doing!

 

[Pitpup]

The very least they should have done for this year's base model is allow the Mid Package to be an option in the build and price. That or allow the two door on the Big Bend model. I am very disappointed with Ford.

 

[BigFootie]

Much like the manual transmission, I would have happily paid more but they graciously charged me less. And much like the manual transmission, it was the correct decision.

When they first came out, you basically did if you wanted Sasquatch. They charged you for the automatic, even if you wanted the manual. That was one of the benefits of the original heritage edition you didn’t not get the automatic transmission tax.

 

[Lowcountry Bronco]

Which brings up a good question: How many of you would buy a 2-door Bronco if it cost more than a 4-door Bronco???

I'd be good on an up-charge for a 2 door and manual, not crazy Stroppe up-charge but if they'd switch the paradigm where a 2 door was a grand or two more than a 4 door and the manual was optional at current automatic prices ... I sure would.

Now I'm older, last kid in the house already driving, fairly financially secure, and not toting anyone around any more that I'm more than happy with a 2 door. Funny what @prospectfour stated earlier ...

"people don't want to spend $60k to shimmy into a cramped rear seat."

The thing is I'm the one paying the $60k and I'm not the one that'll be shimmying into the back seat, my son and grand kids have no problem climbing in the back and to me is all part of the fun!

 

[Tricky Mike]

When they first came out, you basically did if you wanted Sasquatch. They charged you for the automatic, even if you wanted the manual. That was one of the benefits of the original heritage edition you didn’t not get the automatic transmission tax.

You might say I paid an extra ~10k to get a manual. I wanted a basemansquatch, was forced to go non Sas BL to get what I wanted without waiting for MY22.

 

[PrepVet]

Maybe, eventually, but it won't be this model year. If the Bronco were only 2 door I would certainly not own one. And Ford saw the writing on the wall with that with the Wranglers. When the JK and JKU came out they expect it to be 25% 4-door and 75% 2-door. By around the second model year it was already the exact opposite. I've only owned 2 door Wranglers but I sure would have liked a 4 door.

 

[adam1991]

Ford ruined Ranger for me already by nixing a 2-door cab, and I wonder how long before the F150 follows suit.

Wash your mouth out right now!

I want a simple truck for simple truck duties, not lifestyle/showing off duties. Can it take me and someone else somewhere to pick things up? Yes? That's what I want in my driveway. And agreed, why would I want a 4.5 foot bed???

Maybe there's a business opportunity here...

 

[BluebroncoNC]

Yeah... unfortunately... this is a reflection of sales—or lack thereof.

What killed the Bronco back in the 1990s was the fact that it was 2-door, Ford ultimately replaced it with the 4-door Expedition. The 4-door Wrangler exists because Jeep needed it to keep the Wrangler afloat. And the existing Bronco would not be possible unless Ford offered the 4-door.

Those of us who are manual transmission enthusiasts have been in a similar position for the past two decades. Economies of scale is needed to build these vehicles, and if the scale isn't there they have to make cuts. The only other option is to increase prices on the less-popular configurations.

Which brings up a good question: How many of you would buy a 2-door Bronco if it cost more than a 4-door Bronco???

As I ordered a Stroppe edition, me.

Edit: I considered a Raptor but could not justify a daily driver with 15 mpg. My current 2dr '23 gets me 20 mpg, which is bad enough I suppose.

I get Ford's decision on the 4 door and If I had kids or grand kids (tweener now) I might have reconsidered. Happy as a lark to have a 2 dr option. Really does feel like my Gen 1 at times.

 

[heavyD]

No point in getting upset as Ford simply offers what's dictated by the market. Two door vehicles are becoming endangered and now reserved almost exclusively for sports coups which in itself is an endangered segment. Heck Honda had been offering coupe versions of the Accord and Civic for decades up until the recent generations where both were dropped. It's not because Honda is incompetent or hated 2-doors and because the take rate is too low to justify the overhead and assembly and smart businesses don't stick with slow selling products. Automakers are in business to make money not cater to the small minority that wants something different than the masses. It sucks for enthusiasts but it is what it is, so rather than complain, just buy those two doors while you can. It's not a lot different than the manual transmission which is also endangered because people don't buy them. The reasons for that don't really matter as all that matters is the reality which is they are going away so get them while you can. I recently ordered a 2025 Badlands 2-door with manual transmission so I got one while they are still available which as a consumer is all I can really do.

 

[adam1991]

as it is rightfully assumed by any prudent individual that the cost to produce a 2-door is less than that of a 4-door.

wrongfully assumed, you mean.

ASS-U-ME what you like--there's much more involved in the process from start to finish. It may very well be that in the end, it's cheaper to build the 4 doors. That wouldn't surprise me in the least if someone in the know told me that.

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