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nc-hiker

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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.
Analog speedometer and tachometer with a small screen for tire pressure would have been just fine for a retro styled vehicle.
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CT203

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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.
Or, they’re both not quite designed right.
 

techdisaster

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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.
Some people can never be happy.
 

Dads_bronze_bronco

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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 analog speedo on the earlier models was useless. Make it a tack and improve the graphics in the middle and it would have been good. I actually liked the fuel efficiency graphic on the old one. But it was missing a lot of info in the new one.
 

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Nc211

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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.
I can definitely see the need for a traditional tachometer in the manual, 100%! That, is certainly a drawback of the old dash that hopefully the new version will fix for the manual crowd! I'm sure you can "feel" it naturally, but would nice to have an easy and familiar display to glance at quickly.

I suspect the new dash vs old dash is probably going to be like debating the differences between Mobile 1 and Amsoil. There are those who like the old better (me) and those who will like the new better. I am happy that the old style still fits the car and not immediately disposed of as a version of the bronco that you don't want.

I like the reference to the Atari graphics! That's perfectly said, and perhaps a good reason why I like it so much too!
 
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Nc211

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Some people can never be happy.
I'm not one of them, trust me. I'm not losing any sleep over something as silly as a digital dashboard revision. Just talkin' cars...
 

Pipper99

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I can definitely see the need for a traditional tachometer in the manual, 100%! That, is certainly a drawback of the old dash that hopefully the new version will fix for the manual crowd! I'm sure you can "feel" it naturally, but would nice to have an easy and familiar display to glance at quickly.

I suspect the new dash vs old dash is probably going to be like debating the differences between Mobile 1 and Amsoil. There are those who like the old better (me) and those who will like the new better. I am happy that the old style still fits the car and not immediately disposed of as a version of the bronco that you don't want.

I like the reference to the Atari graphics! That's perfectly said, and perhaps a good reason why I like it so much too!
So, Mobile 1 or Amsoil? 😃
 

Sgt Badlands

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I like the original digital display. Easy to use and read. If I had a manual I would not like it.
I wish we had the ability to change the speedometer to a retro version like the Mustang has. That would be cool.
 

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Analog speedometer and tachometer with a small screen for tire pressure would have been just fine for a retro styled vehicle.
....And water temp and oil pressure!
Does the 2025 panel even include an oil pressure gauge???
I'm old school, so oil pressure was always a vital thing to monitor.... my old '67 Fairlane burned oil, so when oil pressure dropped when I hit the brakes, I knew it was time to add a quart!
 

jlockerwildtk

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I had a lease GMC Arcadia before getting my Bronco 9 months ago, What I would have rather have is a heads-up display, displayed on the windshield. I got used to looking straight out the windshield and not have to look at the dash at all. And even in bright sunshine, I could still see the heads-up display. And with the coming MicroLED displays that are super bright these systems will get even better. My thoughts.
 

Rosc78

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....And water temp and oil pressure!
Does the 2025 panel even include an oil pressure gauge???
I'm old school, so oil pressure was always a vital thing to monitor.... my old '67 Fairlane burned oil, so when oil pressure dropped when I hit the brakes, I knew it was time to add a quart!
I'm with the OP on this one. The display is a little wonky--but it's our wonky and I wouldn't change it!!
 

Gregus73

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I love the digital dash in my 2024 Silverado, over my previous Silverado.

I think the digital dash is nice and all, but a physical gauge fits the Bronco quite well. Really liked the retro inspired gauges in my past 2008 Mustang..gave it a great throw back feel to it.
 
 





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