If you are looking at the current lineup, this 2024 Ford Bronco model comparison chart will help you sort through the massive list of trims and packages to find the one that actually belongs in your driveway. Since Ford dropped the "Base" trim for this model year, the starting point has shifted, and the features have shuffled around a bit. Navigating the differences between a Big Bend and a Badlands can feel like a full-time job, but once you break down the suspension setups and interior finishes, it starts to make a lot more sense.
The 2024 lineup is all about finding that sweet spot between a daily driver and a weekend trail warrior. Whether you're looking for something that can handle a grocery run in the snow or a rig that can crawl over boulders in Moab, there's a specific build for you. Let's dig into what makes each of these trims unique.
The Entry Point: Big Bend and Black Diamond
Since the Base trim is officially a thing of the past, the Big Bend is now your jumping-off point. It's a solid value if you don't need all the fancy bells and whistles. You get 17-inch carbonized gray-painted aluminum wheels and 32-inch all-terrain tires right out of the gate. Inside, it's pretty comfortable with cloth seats and the now-standard 12-inch LCD touchscreen. It's the "blank canvas" of the Bronco world—perfect if you plan on doing a lot of aftermarket modifications yourself.
If you want something a bit more rugged without jumping into the deep end of the price pool, the Black Diamond is where you should look. This trim is built for people who actually expect to get a little mud on the floorboards. It comes with heavy-duty bash plates and rock rails to protect the undercarriage. The best part? It has rubberized flooring with drain plugs and marine-grade vinyl seats. If you spill a drink or get a bunch of trail dust inside, you can literally hose it out. It's a practical, "no-nonsense" off-roader that feels like it can take a beating.
Stepping Up: Outer Banks and Badlands
Now, if you plan on spending 90% of your time on the pavement but still want that Bronco vibe, the Outer Banks is the "sophisticated" choice. It trades some of the raw off-road hardware for creature comforts and style. You'll notice body-colored fender flares, door handles, and mirrors, which give it a much cleaner, more cohesive look. It sits on 18-inch wheels and usually comes with more tech features standard. It's arguably the best daily driver in the bunch because it's tuned for a smoother ride on the highway.
On the flip side, we have the Badlands. If I had to pick a "Goldilocks" trim for serious enthusiasts, this would be it. The Badlands is basically the Bronco's answer to the Jeep Rubicon. It features a unique suspension with a front stabilizer bar disconnect, which allows for incredible wheel articulation when you're climbing over uneven rocks. You also get Bilstein position-sensitive dampers that can handle high-speed bumps and slow-speed crawls equally well. It's the trim you buy if you want to go anywhere without necessarily needing the "overkill" of the Raptor.
High Performance: Wildtrak and the Raptor
For those who have a "go big or go home" mentality, the Wildtrak is designed for high-speed desert running. It comes standard with the Sasquatch Package (which we'll talk about in a minute) and the 2.7L twin-turbo V6 engine. The suspension here is the HOSS 3.0 (High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension) featuring FOX internal bypass shocks. It's fast, it's loud, and it's meant to fly over sand dunes. It feels significantly more aggressive than the lower trims.
Then, there's the Bronco Raptor, or the "Braptor" as enthusiasts call it. This thing is a wide-body monster. It's about 10 inches wider than a standard Bronco and runs on massive 37-inch tires. Under the hood, it's got a 3.0L EcoBoost V6 that pushes out over 400 horsepower. It has heavy-duty axles, enough skid plating to cover a small tank, and FOX Live Valve technology that adjusts the damping in real-time. It's complete overkill for most people, but if you want the ultimate bragging rights and a truck that can jump, this is the one.
Retro and Specialized: Heritage and Everglades
Ford also leaned into the nostalgia factor with the Heritage Edition. This is basically a Big Bend or Outer Banks under the skin, but with a beautiful 1960s paint job, an Oxford White hardtop, and a white grille with red "FORD" lettering. The interior gets unique plaid cloth seats that look like they came straight out of 1966. It's a head-turner, plain and simple. If you want even more luxury with that retro look, the Heritage Limited steps it up with the 2.7L engine and leather-trimmed plaid seats.
Finally, there's the Everglades. This is a niche model built specifically for swampy, wet conditions. It comes from the factory with a snorkel intake (so you don't drown the engine in deep water) and a Warn winch mounted to the heavy-duty modular front bumper. It also has unique squared-off fender flares that you won't find on other models. It's essentially a specialized tool for people who live in places like Florida or the Pacific Northwest where water fording is a daily reality.
Understanding the Sasquatch Package
When looking at any 2024 Ford Bronco model comparison chart, you're going to see the word "Sasquatch" everywhere. It's not a trim level, but an add-on package that you can put on almost any Bronco. It's the "secret sauce" that makes a Bronco look and act like a monster truck.
The Sasquatch Package includes: * 35-inch mud-terrain tires * 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels * Electronic-locking front and rear axles * A 4.7 final drive ratio * High-clearance fender flares * The HOSS 2.0 suspension with Bilstein shocks
If you buy a Wildtrak or an Everglades, this package is already included. For the others, it's an option. My advice? If you're buying a Bronco for the look, just get the Sasquatch. It gives the truck the stance everyone expects.
Choosing Your Engine and Transmission
The 2024 Bronco gives you a few ways to power your adventures. Most trims come standard with the 2.3L EcoBoost I-4. Don't let the "four-cylinder" tag fool you; it's got plenty of pep and produces about 300 horsepower with premium fuel. It's also the only engine you can pair with the 7-speed manual transmission. That manual has a dedicated "crawler" gear that's amazing for technical off-roading.
If you want more grunt, the 2.7L EcoBoost V6 is an option on most trims and standard on the Wildtrak and Heritage Limited. It delivers 330 horsepower and a lot more torque, which you'll definitely feel when you're trying to merge on the highway with 35-inch tires. This engine only comes with the 10-speed automatic. Both engines are solid, but the V6 is definitely the way to go if you plan on towing or carrying a lot of heavy camping gear.
Final Thoughts on Picking Your Trim
At the end of the day, the best Bronco is the one that fits how you're actually going to use it. Don't buy a Raptor if you're just driving to the office and back—the width makes it a nightmare in parking garages. If you love the outdoors and want something easy to clean, the Black Diamond is a steal. If you want the classic look, go Heritage.
The 2024 Ford Bronco model comparison chart reveals that Ford has moved away from the "bare-bones" budget builds and is leaning into the idea that a Bronco should be well-equipped from the start. Take a look at your budget, decide how much "mud" you actually want to deal with, and go from there. No matter which one you pick, you're getting one of the most capable SUVs on the market today.