As many now know, the Bronco Wildtrak trim has been discontinued. While you may be able to find a new 2024 model on dealer lots for the near future, you won’t be able to order the trim for 2025. If you want all the upgrades of a 2025 Bronco –– the new digital instrument cluster, rear vents on 4 doors, a redesigned B&O sound system, matte film, and more –– consider ordering a Bronco Badlands or Bronco Stroppe instead. Here’s a look back on the retired trim and an overview of why these two suggested models are relatively close to the Wildtrak’s specs.
Wildtrak’s History
The Wildtrak has been part of the 6th Gen Bronco since launch. Introduced as a 2- or 4-door model with the 2.7L engine, 10-speed automatic transmission, and Sasquatch Package included, the model started at $46,980 and was dubbed Ford’s high-speed off-roader. The trim had its own all-black wheels, plus gloss black mirror caps, grille, and Bronco emblem on the rear. Originally, it also came with body-colored door handles, though that feature and the black mirror caps were replaced with Molded-in-Color (MIC) parts in the next model year.
In 2021, Wildtrak vs. Badlands was one of the major trim comparisons. While Wildtrak came with more features as standard, Badlands seemed more capable, with rock rails, full vehicle steel bash plates, and the stabilizer bar disconnect. However, in February 2022, Ford revealed the HOSS (High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension) 3.0 system, which established a stronger differentiation between Wildtrak and the rest of the trims.
The optional upgrade gave buyers FOX 2.5-inch Internal Bypass Dampers, the Ford Performance Severe-Duty upgraded steering rack from Bronco Raptor, and upgraded inner and outer tie rods. It became standard on the trim in 2023, and the components became heavily desired and even requested by the community for other trims.
Wildtrak Alternatives
2025 Bronco Badlands
Ask for a component upgrade, and you may receive: For 2024, Ford gave the Bronco Badlands HOSS 3.0’s steering gear. Now, HOSS 3.0 is available in its entirety as an option for 2025 if you choose the Sasquatch Package as well. With this addition, Badlands moves up in viability as an alternative to the eliminated Wildtrak.
There are some caveats, of course. Badlands can only be ordered with the 2.7L engine in a 4-door Bronco. Two-door Badlands get the 2.3L. You won’t have Sport Mode from factory, and while not negatives, you’ll be getting the full vehicle steel bash plates and rock rails that may not be as important to you if you just want to go fast in sand.
Specifying a 2025 Badlands close to a 2024 Wildtrak (4-door, 2.7L engine, leather interior, Sasquatch Package and HOSS 3.0, Heavy Duty Modular bumper, etc.) will cost you at least $66,495, compared to the ’24 4-door Wildtrak at $63,355.
2025 Bronco Stroppe
New for 2025 is the Bronco Stroppe Special Edition. This Bronco comes with the 2.7L engine, Sasquatch Package, HOSS 3.0, and Lux Package included, but the downsides for some people may include 2-door/automatic transmission options only, as well as the color scheme that echoes the legendary Broncos it is modeled after. It’s iconic, but bold.
The starting-at price of $75,635 can sting too, for some. A 2-door 2024 Wildtrak similarly decked out would have costed around $66,140.
Why Not the 2025 Bronco Raptor?
The 2025 Bronco Raptor is, of course, an option, just not the best comparison, in my opinion. While you will be getting Ford’s highest horsepower/torque engine available in a street-legal Bronco (the 3.0L), as well as its boss suspension system (HOSS 4.0), you’ll also be paying the price that comes with them. The 2025 Raptor starts at $90,035.
For some people, that may not be a deterrent, and for others who don’t want to pay that but would like the benefits, you could try to find an earlier model –– new or used –– for less.
However, with a Raptor, you’re looking at a Bronco that’s wider than a Wildtrak, comes with 37" tires instead of 35s, gets fewer MPGs, and comes in the 4-door/automatic transmission configuration only, if any of that is important to you.
Trim Comparisons At-a-Glance
In summary, while there is no direct replacement for the Bronco Wildtrak, you can get close, or better, in technology and options, though there will be compromises on any available 2025 trim. If you’re in the market, or have a Wildtrak now, what will/would you do? Tell us below.
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