Ford may be preparing to give the Bronco family another member, and this one could put the Jeep Gladiator directly in its sights. A new report claims the automaker is developing a Bronco-based pickup truck that could reach showrooms before the end of the decade.
Nothing has been officially announced by Ford, so there are still plenty of unanswered questions surrounding the project. Automotive News reports the rugged pickup is in the works, however, suggesting an idea Ford previously walked away from may have found its way back into the product plan.
A Bronco pickup isn’t exactly difficult to imagine. The current SUV already has the body-on-frame bones, off-road hardware, and instantly recognizable styling needed to make a convincing adventure-oriented truck.
It would also arrive as Ford continues looking for ways to expand some of its strongest nameplates into additional segments. If the reports prove accurate, Bronco could soon describe an even broader family of vehicles rather than simply the two- and four-door SUVs and smaller Bronco Sport.
Ford Has Considered A Bronco Pickup Before
The idea isn’t new. After the current-generation Bronco returned for the 2021 model year, reports emerged that Ford was considering a pickup derivative that would challenge the Jeep Gladiator.
That truck was once rumored to arrive around 2024, although the project was subsequently reported to have been canceled before reaching production. Now, the concept has apparently returned, with Automotive News reporting that a Bronco pickup could arrive sometime before 2030.
Ford hasn’t confirmed the vehicle, much less revealed specifications, pricing, or a production timeline. Until that happens, the Bronco pickup should still be treated as a reported future product rather than a guaranteed addition to the lineup.
The Ranger Connection Makes It Possible
If Ford does move ahead, much of the engineering groundwork already exists. The Bronco rides on a body-on-frame architecture closely related to the Ranger, giving Ford experience building both an SUV and pickup around similar underlying hardware.
A production version could potentially borrow from the Bronco’s existing engine lineup. Current choices include the turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder and 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6, while a hybrid powertrain is also expected to join the Bronco family in the coming years.
Precisely how Ford would position the truck is less obvious. The company already sells the compact Maverick and midsize Ranger, meaning another pickup of similar dimensions could create significant overlap inside its own showroom.
That could encourage Ford to make the Bronco truck a more specialized proposition. Removable doors, serious off-road hardware, and Bronco-specific styling could give it a personality distinct enough from the Ranger to justify having both.
Jeep Gladiator Would Be The Obvious Target
The most obvious rival would be the Jeep Gladiator, which follows essentially the same formula by combining the Wrangler’s off-road character with the usefulness of an open cargo bed. Ford already battles the Wrangler with the Bronco, so extending that rivalry into pickups would be a natural move.
Competition could become even busier by the time the Bronco truck arrives. Hyundai is also reportedly preparing a rugged pickup inspired by its Boulder concept, potentially giving buyers another lifestyle-oriented alternative to conventional midsize trucks.
Ford’s biggest challenge may therefore be making the Bronco pickup feel sufficiently different from the Ranger. Badge engineering wouldn’t be enough for a vehicle carrying one of the company’s most recognizable enthusiast names.
The Bronco Family Could Grow Further
The rumored pickup isn’t the only expansion reportedly being considered for the Bronco’s platform. Ford is also said to be developing a rugged Lincoln SUV using related architecture, with production potentially beginning at Michigan Assembly in 2029.
For now, neither project has been formally confirmed. Still, a Bronco pickup makes plenty of sense on paper, especially when Ford already possesses most of the ingredients required to build one.
If it reaches production before 2030, Ford could finally deliver the Bronco truck enthusiasts have been discussing since the SUV returned. The bigger question is whether buyers would choose it over a Ranger sitting a few rows away at the same dealership.