New European Ford Bronco coming in 2027.

Ford just introduced a larger Bronco model for the Chinese market a few weeks ago. Now we are hearing of a smaller Bronco for the European market, coming as soon as 2027.

The new model will be related to both the European Ford Kuga (AKA Escape in the US) and the even smaller Puma. It will be built in the same plant in Valencia, Spain. The illustration above shows what this new Bronco model could look like.

While this is potentially great news for European buyers and Ford, it is still a bit weird.

Since it is based on the same “older” C2 platform as the Bronco Sport, why not build the Bronco Sport locally? The Kuga is pretty much the same car as our Escape already, and it seems the current Bronco Sport would be a great fit in Ford’s European lineup.

The other bit of news is that this new “European Bronco” will have a PHEV option. But still no EV. Unlike the Puma, which is already available as an EV. The current Escape has been available as a PHEV in the US for years, but, for some reason, not the Bronco Sport. Something that always felt a bit strange to me. I guess the Bronco Sport platform has been modified compared to the Escape, and a PHEV isn’t possible.

Which brings me back to what this new European Bronco really could be. I think it is the 2nd-generation Bronco Sport. It will probably be introduced to the European market first, since it has never been available there; it will be a bigger deal than in the US. Where it will “just” be a second generation of a vehicle already available and quite popular.

It would also explain the PHEV. Something Ford has probably been able to fix for a second generation. Since it will then be available in Europe, the interior will probably finally get the quality updates it has needed from the start. Which will be great news.

The timing also makes sense. Production of the current generation started in late 2020 as a 2021 model year. A second generation being introduced in late 2026 in Europe and early 2027 in North America would make perfect sense.

Just reading behind the lines…