Checked out a 2025

[Nc211]

Checked out the 2025 this week, an OBX on the lot near my office. Probably not the popular opinion, but I’m sorry, the digital dash is a mistake. It kills some of the stand alone uniqueness charm of the Bronco throwback fun. Made me feel like “hey, I’m not just a Bronco, but I’m a noisier Explorer”. Sorry, just not a fan of it. No slight to the digital dash, I like it as much as any of the others out there, and think Ford does a great job with it. Just. Not the right fit for a regular normal Bronco. Raptor? Fine. It’s such an over the top vehicle in general, a digital 4k dash makes sense. But for a regular? Not a fan. Still would pick the Bronco over the Jeep, don’t get me wrong. But think some of the throw back charm to the Bronco is now gone. The old dash has a retro 80’s vibe with a dedicated speedometer as back up. Just think it’s cool while not being cool all at the same time.

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[Brian_B]

I haven't seen one in person yet - just photos.

And as much as I dislike the current instrument cluster, of the photos I've seen, I didn't think the full digital one was really that much better. I could have been seeing the Chinese market one, maybe it's different than the 2025 US market display.

Now maybe I'll change my mind if I see it in action. Having what amounts to 2 giant speedometers taking up 85% of the pre-25 cluster is a bit... I can think of several negative adjectives to fill in this spot. But not certain the '25 cluster is an improvement.

But I do reserve the right to change my opinion once I finally see one in action. Maybe it is totally awesome.

 

[MayhemMike]

Always amazed at the things people spend their time on.

 

[OCNORB1974]

The dash takes away all the Gen 1 charm? Really? You do realize the Gen 1 had one large round gauge. Do you think that's what the Gen 6 should have? No tech at all?

 

[Nc211]

Let me rephrase, to ME, it takes away the feel of a retro throwback vibe. It also takes away some of the uniqueness of the Bronco when compared to the Explorer, because it’s obviously a shared parts bin decision. I think the “tech” in the current version is perfect, all easily usable and purposeful, unlike my wife Mercedes GLS that is beyond annoying to use. I think Ford does a great job with the tech! I just wish they would have kept the Bronco’s dash unique onto itself with a little retro charm to it. But that’s just me. Those who love the latest and greatest in tech will likely disagree with me, and that’s fine too. But I didn’t buy a Bronco to be showered in tech and luxury (even though I have the Lux package). I bought it because I recognized a unique moment in the automotive world where a likely limited run vehicle that hit it just right was available. I still think it is, but the digital dash, in my opinion, goes against some of that. Perhaps if they just made it an option to buy instead of standard now..

 

[Timo]

And this is the problem when doing retro vehicles. People want the charm of the original but modern conveniences. Then when they put in modern conveniences people say it's not like the original. People then say they want this new gadget and when they add the new gadget people say it's gimmicky. No car company can make everybody happy so they aim for the middle since it's the largest group. In this instance the majority were calling for the digital dash.

 

[WarthogJr]

I’m just here to read about everyone’s feelings.

 

[Nc211]

And this is the problem when doing retro vehicles. People want the charm of the original but modern conveniences. Then when they put in modern conveniences people say it's not like the original. People then say they want this new gadget and when they add the new gadget people say it's gimmicky. No car company can make everybody happy so they aim for the middle since it's the largest group. In this instance the majority were calling for the digital dash.

No argument from me, I agree with you too! People always want what they don’t have, and it’s impossible to satisfy everyone at the same time. I’m not trying to knock the new dash, it is very very nice, and certainly adds more of a “wow” factor to the experience. I don’t know. Just something about it doesn’t feel quite right to me for a car like this. Feels a little like wearing a suit to a fraternity party. That being said, I miss the days of a thoughtful dash with a tach and speedo. I personally think the “tech” balance was at its best with the VW / Audi design of a little digital square between them in the middle. I DO LOVE the fact that Bronco has a dash and dedicated center stack instead of just two iPads slapped together. I can’t stand what they did to the Mustang now. BMW is the same way.

Guess I’m just getting too old now to be cool… pretty soon I’ll be yelling at my teenager to reset the clock on the VCR…

 

[Coldsmoke]

I’m just here to read about everyone’s feelings.

MY 2021 Badlands identifies as a 1966 Bronco.

 

[tonytexchappy]

I agree. At first when I saw the new dash I felt maybe I should have waited (more so with the rear vents). However, as I’ve thought about it, I am glad to have the physical gauge. That’s less to do with the retroness and more to do with the Luddite in me that feels more comfortable having some tangible to look at.

It could be worse. My R52 mini has only one large speedometer — in the middle of the dash.

 

[Climber]

I upgraded from a Base SAS to a Raptor and there is NOTHING that I miss about the old, cheap IP. The Wrangler speedo and tach look to be so much better in quality, if an retro look is what you’re after. Also, the analog speedo should have been a tach, full stop.
Just my opinion after living with both.

 

[bassist]

And this is the problem when doing retro vehicles. People want the charm of the original but modern conveniences. Then when they put in modern conveniences people say it's not like the original. People then say they want this new gadget and when they add the new gadget people say it's gimmicky. No car company can make everybody happy so they aim for the middle since it's the largest group. In this instance the majority were calling for the digital dash.

Pretty sure there wasn’t an uprising demanding a digital dash.

It’s just cheaper to make at this point.

 

[DBX2]

That’s why there’s chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, etc. I’ll continue to love my ‘23 thank you.

 

[heavyD]

I could understand your point if the outgoing cluster was all analog but it’s not. Having a redundant, useless analog speedometer occupy instrument cluster space that drivers don’t pay attention to because a digital one is better located and easier to read isn’t charm. It’s just bad design especially for owners of manual transmissions that have to deal with one of the poorest ever implementations of a digital tach. The mental gymnastics some will do to come to grips with improvements made over their version never ceases to amaze or surprise. Just say it’s fine but you are happy with yours but realize there’s no charm or retro vibe to a poorly integrated half analog, half digital instrument cluster as that’s what all brands today implement on their base model vehicles saving full digital for top specs.

 

[Poppavein]

If I had bought an old Bronco without a tach, I would have added one. And it would have been analog.
I don’t understand the design decisions they made on my dash, but they don’t bother me enough to replace it.

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