The Bronco has always been known as an off-road vehicle — from the first to the sixth-generation model — and while its latest iteration isn’t a full-size SUV like its predecessors (it is now categorized as a mid-size), it is cocked, locked, and ready to rock over any terrain.

Eruption Green is just one of the six colors this Bronco sports, but this has to be the most eye-catching of the lot. It is laid on a body that is a mixed bag of throwbacks and new features.

Just like its first version, the 2025 Bronco has a flat hood with raised sides, but now sports trail sights along the edges to help drivers estimate tire placement on technical trails. These can also serve as attachment points for accessories or tie-downs. The nose has a horizontal grille with BRONCO lettering, and its signature round LED headlamps with configurable daytime running lamps. To give cabin occupants the full off-road experience, it comes with removable doors and a roof (carbonized hard top). For maximum visibility, it also has LED fog lamps and LED taillights.

Unlike some off-road-capable vehicles, the Bronco does not require a wheel-and-tire upgrade. It rolls off the dealership with mud-terrain tires and 17-inch alloy bead-lock-capable wheels, which means the tire won’t slide off even if it’s running on extremely low tire pressure because the tire’s bead is physically clamped on the wheel rim.

A full-size spare is mounted on the side-swinging tailgate with an independently opening glass window. This allows easy ingress for small items while providing a wide opening for larger cargo.

For such a hefty vehicle, I like how the smart keyfob is small. I kept it in my pocket and, grabbing the door handle, unlocked the Bronco so I could step over its 292 mm of ground clearance into the cabin. Inside is a visibly rugged cabin highlighted by noticeable roof release levers, hinges that allow the doors to detach, and grab handles for ingress assist.

The cockpit has a vertical orientation and Bronco badging everywhere, from the multi-function steering wheel and shift knob to the floor mats and even lettering in front of the passenger seat. For durability and low upkeep, it is made of hard plastic and features an eight-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-inch capacitive touchscreen with SYNC 4 and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Despite the sound-deadening headliner, I needed the premium B&O sound system with 10 speakers and a subwoofer to drown out external noises.

I found the two-tone leather seats (with stitching) very comfortable and properly bolstered. But one thing I had to get used to was the power window controls. Since doors were removable, the buttons were on the center console. Getting in and out of the parking lot required a bit of muscle memory unlearning. The second row has 60/40 split-fold seats and power outlets, window controls behind the center console.

The Bronco is powered by a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 that delivers 335-PS and 555-Nm of torque, sending power to an advanced 4x4 with automatic on-demand engagement. With that kind of power, acceleration is always exciting, and climbing to highway speed was a cinch. It even boasts G.O.A.T (Go Over Any Type of Terrain) drive modes, including Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, Mud/Ruts, and Sand. It also has four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and Electronic Stability Control.

Steering feedback is precise and weighted enough to reflect the Bronco's weight and size. I thought the flared fenders were going to be challenging around tight corners and narrow passes, but it wasn’t an issue at all.

Comfort is a 7 (out of 10) at best, even with its HOSS suspension and Bilstein shock absorbers, because the Bronco is built for off-roading, and an acceptable amount of stiffness is expected on city roads. I didn’t get a chance to take it off-road, but I’m sure it would have been fun to test out its electronic-locking front and rear axles.

One of the best features of the Bronco is the Ford Co-Pilot360 Technology. It’s a driver-assist system that automates the headlights, senses when the vehicle is veering outside its lane and gives subtle cues, watches for blind spots/pedestrians/frontal collisions, and even has Adaptive Cruise Control, among others.

All that does not come cheap. This Bronco Outer Banks trim with the Sasquatch Package will set you back P4.998 million. That’s a lot of money, but this is a whole lotta truck as well. If you want a modern off-roader with power and pedigree, go for the one that’s ‘Built Wild.’