It's honestly a bit overwhelming trying to pick through all the 2024 bronco trims because Ford didn't exactly go light on the options this year. Since they officially killed off the "Base" model, the entry point has shifted, and the ladder of features gets steep pretty quickly. Whether you're looking to crawl over boulders or just want something that looks cool in the office parking lot, there's a specific flavor of Bronco for you. Let's break down what actually matters in the current lineup.
The New Starting Line: Big Bend
Now that the Base trim is a thing of the past, the Big Bend is where the journey starts. For a lot of people, this is honestly all the Bronco they'll ever need. It comes standard with the 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine, which is punchier than you'd expect.
What's great about the 2024 version is that Ford finally made the 12-inch touchscreen standard across the board. You used to have to pay way more for that. You get 32-inch tires and some basic off-road modes, making it a solid daily driver that won't embarrass itself if you decide to hit a dirt trail on the weekend. It's practical, but it lacks some of the "mean" look of the higher tiers unless you add some packages.
Black Diamond: The Practical Off-Roader
If you're the type of person who actually plans on getting mud on the roof, the Black Diamond is usually the sweet spot. It's built for durability. You get heavy-duty bash plates, rock rails, and a steel front bumper.
The best part? The interior. It has marine-grade vinyl seats and rubberized flooring with drain plugs. If you get mud inside, you can basically just hose it out. It's a rugged, no-nonsense trim that feels like a "real" truck rather than a luxury SUV. It still keeps the smaller tires compared to the big boys, but it's ready for abuse right off the lot.
Outer Banks: The Street-Savy Choice
Not everyone wants to spend their Saturdays winching themselves out of a swamp. The Outer Banks is the "sophisticated" sibling in the family of 2024 bronco trims. It swaps out some of the rugged hardware for creature comforts.
You get body-colored fender flares, 18-inch wheels, and side steps that make it a lot easier to hop inside. On the inside, it's much more refined with leather-trimmed seats and options for a better sound system. It's definitely geared toward the person who wants the Bronco aesthetic and open-air freedom but spends 90% of their time on pavement. It's comfortable, quiet-ish (for a brick on wheels), and looks great in a driveway.
Badlands: The Goat of the Group
If you ask a hardcore enthusiast which of the 2024 bronco trims is the best, they'll probably say the Badlands. Think of this as the Ford equivalent of a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.
What makes it special is the front sway-bar disconnect. With the push of a button, you can let the front wheels move independently, which is huge for keeping tires on the ground when you're climbing over uneven rocks. It also comes with 33-inch all-terrain tires and a more advanced suspension system. It's arguably the most capable "all-around" Bronco because it handles technical trails effortlessly but doesn't feel as massive or unwieldy as the Raptor.
Wildtrak: Built for Speed
While the Badlands is for slow, technical rock crawling, the Wildtrak is built for going fast over sand and desert trails. It comes standard with the 2.7-liter V6 engine—which has a lot more grunt—and the Sasquatch Package is included by default.
It features the Fox Live Valve internal bypass shocks, which are specifically tuned to soak up bumps at higher speeds. If you live near dunes or wide-open trails, this is the one you want. It's tall, wide, and aggressive. Just keep in mind that it's a bit of a gas-guzzler compared to the four-cylinder models.
The Style Icons: Heritage and Everglades
Ford decided to lean hard into the nostalgia and niche markets with these two.
The Heritage Edition is all about those 1966 vibes. You get the white grille, white wheels, and those cool "Bronco" script emblems on the side. It's basically a Big Bend or Badlands underneath, but with a paint job that makes people stop and talk to you at gas stations.
The Everglades, on the other hand, is a swamp monster. It literally comes with a factory-installed snorkel and a winch from the factory. It's designed for deep water fording. It's a very specific tool for a very specific job, but if you live in Florida or go through deep crossings, it's a factory-warrantied beast that looks incredibly cool.
A Quick Note on the Sasquatch Package
You can't talk about 2024 bronco trims without mentioning the Sasquatch Package. For most of the lower and mid-tier trims, this is an add-on. It gives you 35-inch tires, locking differentials in the front and back, and a lifted suspension.
- Is it worth it? If you want the "tough" Bronco look, yes.
- The downside: It makes the car harder to park, slightly louder on the highway, and drops your MPG.
- The upside: It makes the Bronco look exactly like the one in the commercials.
The Apex Predator: Bronco Raptor
Then there's the Raptor. It's almost a different vehicle entirely. It's nearly 10 inches wider than a standard Bronco, and it has those massive "FORD" letters across the grille.
Under the hood is a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 that puts out over 400 horsepower. It has 37-inch tires and suspension tech that lets it literally jump off the ground (though I wouldn't recommend trying that on your first day). It's expensive, it's a pain to fit into a standard garage, and it's overkill for almost everyone—but man, is it a riot to drive.
Which One Should You Pick?
At the end of the day, picking between the 2024 bronco trims comes down to how you're actually going to use the thing.
If you want the best value for a daily driver that can still handle a camping trip, go with the Big Bend and maybe add the Sasquatch package if you want the beefy tires. If you want the most luxury, the Outer Banks is the winner. And if you genuinely plan on wheeling every other weekend, save your pennies for the Badlands.
No matter which one you choose, the Bronco remains one of the few vehicles on the road that feels like an event every time you get behind the wheel. Just make sure you check the height of your garage before you go for those 35 or 37-inch tires—you'd be surprised how many people forget that part until they get home!