Ford’s New Bronco RTR Undercuts The Bronco Raptor By Nearly $30,000

Image Credit: Ford.

Ford has spent years turning the Bronco lineup into a playground for off-road enthusiasts, with everything from trail-focused trims to the wide-bodied Raptor. For 2027, it’s adding something aimed at drivers who want to attack a desert trail without spending Raptor money.

The new Bronco RTR starts at $50,790 before destination, according to Ford. Using the 2026 Bronco Raptor’s roughly $81,000 starting point for comparison, that puts roughly $30,000 between the two before delivery charges are added to the equation.

That lower price doesn’t leave buyers with a dressed-up Bronco carrying little beyond some RTR badges. Ford and RTR Vehicles have given it suspension upgrades, 33-inch tires, and hardware intended specifically for faster off-road driving.

There is also plenty of room to make it wilder. Ford says a Bronco RTR loaded with its major performance and appearance packages will still come in just under $60,000 before destination and delivery.

The RTR Is Built For Speed In The Dirt

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Image Credit: Ford.

Ford describes the Bronco RTR as a desert-focused SUV influenced by the company’s off-road racing experience and its collaboration with RTR. Five-time Ultra4 champion Loren Healy was involved in its development, with the project following the recently introduced Mustang RTR.

Every Bronco RTR gets a unique wide-track HOSS 1.0 suspension with additional ride height and 33-inch tires. Ford also fits squared-off fenders, 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, rock rails, and RTR-specific lighting and exterior details.

Power comes from Ford’s 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Ford hasn’t announced output figures yet, although the RTR receives its own engine calibration with anti-lag along with upgraded cooling.

That anti-lag system should help keep the turbocharger ready to deliver boost when the driver gets back onto the throttle. It’s another indication that the RTR was developed with fast running across loose terrain in mind rather than simply crawling slowly over obstacles.

Another $10,000 Unlocks Serious Hardware

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Image Credit: Ford.

Buyers wanting something closer to the extreme end of the Bronco range can add the Sasquatch Package with the RTR Suspension Package. That combination replaces the standard setup with 35-inch tires and HOSS 3.0 Fox internal-bypass dampers.

Ford also throws in a heavy-duty modular front bumper from Ford Racing. Appearance options include a Hyper Lime package and RTR graphics, with the bright green treatment extending into the cabin for anyone who wants their Bronco to be difficult to miss.

Even with those packages fitted, Ford says the price stays below $60,000 before destination. That still leaves a substantial gap to the outgoing 2026 Bronco Raptor.

It Isn’t A Cheaper Bronco Raptor

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Image Credit: Ford.

The price comparison is tempting, although the RTR isn’t simply a Raptor offered at a massive discount. The Raptor occupies another performance tier with its twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, 37-inch tires, and more extreme chassis hardware.

Instead, the RTR fills a useful space below it by concentrating on the parts needed for high-speed off-road fun without chasing the Raptor’s specification or price. It will sit between the Bronco Badlands and Raptor when the 2027 lineup arrives.

Order books are scheduled to open in October, with the first deliveries expected in January 2027. For buyers who like the idea of a factory-built desert runner but can’t justify an $80,000-plus Raptor, the Bronco RTR could land in a particularly appealing part of the lineup.

Author: Andre Nalin

Title: Writer

Andre has worked as a writer and editor for multiple car and motorcycle publications over the last decade, but he has reverted to freelancing these days. He has accumulated a ton of seat time during his ridiculous road trips in highly unsuitable vehicles, and he’s built magazine-featured cars. He prefers it when his bikes and cars are fast and loud, but if he had to pick one, he’d go with loud.

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