Leaked images from Ford have stirred up a great deal of excitement about the so-called Ford “Baby Bronco,” expected to arrive in 2020. This compact crossover off-road vehicle appears to be about the same size as Ford’s Escape. Beyond that, there are few confirmed details, in addition to a lot of rumors. Here, we’ve assembled everything we know, plus some speculation.
- What We Know For Sure: The Look
The leaked images show a boxy exterior shape, which is somewhat different than the sportier look of many modern crossovers. The boxy fascia, compact size, and muscular fenders all suggest that the Baby Bronco is going to be a terrific vehicle for off-roading adventures as well as for road hauling. However, a muscular engine hood, combined with LED lights and rounded fenders, will give the 2020 Baby Bronco a more modern twist on a classic off-roading exterior design.
- Rumors: The Engine
Moving on to what we don’t know for sure: some have speculated that the Baby Bronco will get the same engine as the Ford Escape since it is a compact SUV and is likely to be introduced around the same time as the newly re-designed Escape/Kuga.
The Ford Escape is currently available in three different 4-cylinder iterations. The base model is a 2.5-liter engine that gets a respectable 168 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. The next level is the 1.5-liter EcoBoost, which cranks out 180 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque. Finally, the 2.0-liter EcoBoost makes a monster 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. While the 2.5-liter version is expected to be discontinued soon, we are likely to see versions of the 2.5-liter and the 1.5-liter iterations in the Baby Bronco if this prediction is correct, although with some changes.
Additionally, we already know that Ford will equip five of its SUVs, including the regular Bronco, with hybrid powertrains by 2020. This suggests that the smaller Baby Bronco crossover could also get a hybrid variant. It could even get a plug-in hybrid model if the 2020 Escape is any indication. Finally, since the Baby Bronco looks like it will be geared towards off-roading, all-wheel-drive is likely to be available, if not standard.
- That’s Puma to You
Ford has not confirmed what the vehicle that goes by the moniker Baby Bronco will actually be called. While Maverick appeared to be the front-runner name for a while, Ford appears to have moved on. The company filed for patent protection for the name “Puma” in Australia and New Zealand in late October and early November 2018. This move has led many to speculate that Puma is now the most likely name for the future Baby Bronco. Ford already controls the name Puma in Europe, although it does not own that trademark in the United States.
Ford is expected to make an announcement about the release of the Baby Bronco at the 2019 Detroit Auto Show, so stay tuned for more. In the meantime, come check out Ford’s latest and greatest models at Freeway Ford.
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