Checked out a 2025

[FreddieLee]

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.

100% agree.

Sponsored

 

[unique_ptr]

The new dash is one of the biggest reasons I ordered a '25 instead of buying a 2024 off the lot.

The digital dash in my 2019 Mustang is light years ahead of what was in the pre-2025 Broncos. If the new digital dash is anything like what I currently have, and I have no reason to think it won't be, then it's gonna be great and anyone moving up to a '25 is going to love it especially if you got a manual like I did. Either go full analog or full digital, a half-and-half compromise is just a bizarre design decision.

I just wish the SYNC4 interface could get design language to match, not just for consistency but also so it doesn't look like it was ripped out of an ATM from 2010.

 

[heavyD]

I wouldn’t be surprised if 2026 models get further upgraded with the new Android based infotainment system.

 

[tock13]

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.

The one thing I hated more than anything was the stupid Atari looking instrument cluster in my Bronco...hated it, whined about it a million times here. But a year in and I totally get what you are saying. As much as I was jealous of the '25s getting a normal dash....I agree, there is something weirdly charming about this ugly designed cluster, it just "fits". Never thought I would say it...but I wouldn't trade mine in on the new 2025 cluster design at all.

To me it is the same with the beauty rings, I had a dozen different rims picked out when I was waiting on my Bronco and I even removed the rings for a long while after I got it, but those rings are iconic to the 6gen Sasquatch package and just "fits" the whole vehicle theme. I am keeping those too. Way cooler than a hood sticker in my opinion.

 

[Timo]

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

It’s just cheaper to make at this point.

I never used uprising or demading. But there were quite a few on this site alone asking why the Chinese Broncos got them, asked about or bought the Panda version, wanted to know if they could buy one from the dealership and when the 2025 order guide was released a lot of the post were about the digital dash.

 

[[DELETED MEMBER 27901]]

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.

Totally agree, what a lot of guys are looking for is a Restomod. Gen1 Bronco with a modern powertrain etc. They already exist and are very expensive for a reason!

 

[KC2LLW]

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.

Maybe you should be looking for a 70s Bronco, I have a 1954 Willys and don’t think a 2025 Jeep should have the same gauge cluster As my Willys and the thought of iPad gauges would be cool in my 3B

 

[HoosierDaddy]

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.

emphasis added


That tach is the slowest, shittiest one I have ever used.

It's not like I want to race the damn thing, but every now and then having an accurate, easy to read tach would be nice.

 

[bassist]

Those of us who rode motorcycles without tachs are scratching our heads at people complaining about having any sort of tach.

Heck, plenty of manual cars existed without tacs too. Listen to the car, feel how it’s running…easy peasy.

 

[Rydfree]

Those of us who rode motorcycles without tachs are scratching our heads at people complaining about having any sort of tach.

Heck, plenty of manual cars existed without tacs too. Listen to the car, feel how it’s running…easy peasy.

Amen. On the track I never had time to look down at a tach. You just learn the sound/feel of the machine.

 

[stampede1]

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.

I think one way to have achieved as much approval as possible (not to say everyone would be satisfied) would have been to have a configurable instrument panel on the non raptor models that included as one option, an electronic display that was identical to the original large round speedo that had all the battery, fuel, temp and oil gauges located inside it.

 

[BeachBroncoBabe]

I think i enjoy real buttons as much as I do gauges. In fact, I like that I can control most things from the center stack using real buttons. But what annoys me Is that if I want to change where the heat is distributed (feet, mid, or windshield) i have to hit a really button and then select a virtual button on the touch screen (unless there is a real button that i don't know about). Anyway, I am probably just old school. FWIW, all my other cars are MT and will never buy a car unless it is MT or i can read a book while it drives me to my destination :-D

 

[Timo]

Those of us who rode motorcycles without tachs are scratching our heads at people complaining about having any sort of tach.

Heck, plenty of manual cars existed without tacs too. Listen to the car, feel how it’s running…easy peasy.

That's how I still drive. I find a speed that I'm comfortable driving and after a short time I don't have to look at the dash to know how fast I'm going. I can tell by the sound of the engine and wind noise.

 

[Timo]

I think one way to have achieved as much approval as possible (not to say everyone would be satisfied) would have been to have a configurable instrument panel on the non raptor models that included as one option, an electronic display that was identical to the original large round speedo that had all the battery, fuel, temp and oil gauges located inside it.

Problem with that is they want to have as few different parts and options as possible. They don't want multiple interior colors either. The depend on the middle of the crowd, the outliers are usually the enthusiasts or people who want something because it's trendy. The enthusiasts will always find ways to individualize or improve their.

 

[dpAtlanta]

The digital dash in my 2019 Mustang is light years ahead of what was in the pre-2025 Broncos.

The analog dash in my 2019 Shelby is one of the last old school gauge dashes that Ford offered. Thank You Ford… I do not plan on selling my GT350, or my ‘24 Badlands SAS 2 door!

Sponsored