I recently had the opportunity to test the 2025 Ford Bronco Stroppe Limited Edition on a messy, sloppy off-road course during the Midwest Automotive Media Association Spring Rally, and it won the day. It walked over fallen logs like they were twigs, sloshed through inches of mud without slipping, turned on a dime in narrow wooded conditions, and climbed over large spikey rocks like they were a finely churned gravel road. I had taken six other vehicles out on that course, and this one, hands-down, was the best.
5 Reasons the Ford Bronco Stroppe Special Edition Makes a Great City Vehicle
That’s kind of funny since the Stroppe Special Edition was specifically bred for the desert. It’s named after Bill Stroppe, who was a legendary desert racer, and it has retro exterior packaging reminiscent of the OG Stroppe Baja Broncos built between 1971 and 1975.
The 2025 Ford Bronco Stroppe is a two-door only model and is equipped with the 2.7-liter V-6 EcoBoost engine. And while I found it to be capable in off-road situations, it was also a surprisingly nice ride in the urban jungle.
So, if you’re looking for a weekend warrior vehicle that can double as a city car, here are five reasons the Bronco Stroppe is a great choice for urban adventures — and one that isn’t.
Great Turning Radius
The turning radius of the Bronco Stroppe is 20 feet, and that combined with a wheelbase of 100 inches make this body-on-frame SUV highly maneuverable. It essentially turns on a dime, and I found this helpful in small parking lots as well as in my narrow city alley peppered with a garbage-can obstacle course. Additionally, the large windows, upright stance, and excellent 360-degree cameras give you extra visibility for all those tight turns.
Plenty of Power
The 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 in the 2025 Ford Bronco Stroppe has just the right amount of power for this vehicle. It delivers 330 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, which provides plenty of oomph for quick off-the-line starts (of which there are many in Chicago) as well as highway merges. Plus, it’s no slouch in the passing department. While the low-end torque is great for slow and rocky climbs in off-road situations, it was also necessary to propel me up the 22-degree ramp into my apartment’s garage.
Flashy Trappings
The retro styling of the Bronco Stroppe is a modern take on the original livery of the Stroppe Baja Broncos, using heritage paint colors. The Oxford White and Code Orange body paint is topped with an Atlas Blue hardtop. It’s a bold and bright statement that stands out in the sea of gray, black, and white vehicles. Plus, with the 35-inch tires, Sasquatch Package, and suspension lift, the Bronco Stroppe stands tall. So, with the bold colors and taller stance, it’s unlikely that you’ll lose your vehicle in crowded parking lots.
Pothole and Speed Bump Ready
Though the High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension (HOSS) 3.0, 35-inch Goodyear Territory RT tires, bash plates, high-clearance ride height and FOX internal bypass dampers are designed for off-road, they come in handy in the urban jungle as well. Potholes in Chicago can swallow a small car whole, and the speed bumps are like fallen logs in a forest. The Bronco Stroppe had no problems cleanly navigating these urban pitfalls with ease and comfort.
All the Tech You Need
Though the styling is retro, the tech in the Bronco Stroppe is not. OK, yes, the seat and steering wheel adjustments are manual, but everything else is from 2025. In addition to creature comforts like dual automatic climate controls and heated front seats, you’ll have a 12-inch digital gauge cluster, 12-inch infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bang & Olufsen Sound system, and ambient lighting. There’s also a ton of standard safety tech such as 360-degree camera views, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams.
Not So Great Urban Fuel Economy
The EPA estimates you should get 17 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway, which aren’t great numbers if you’re looking for something fuel efficient. But I didn’t even come within spitting distance of those numbers. In my mostly city treks, I averaged 13.6 mpg.
CG Says:
The 2025 Ford Bronco Stroppe is a special-edition model that is high on flashy design and off-road capability. But since most people rarely take their off-road vehicles, well, off road, it’s nice to know the Bronco Stroppe does well in an urban situation–especially since it’s not cheap. Our test vehicle rang in at $77,665, with the only option being a sound-deadening headliner for the hard top.
The Bronco Stroppe is a fun toy with a lot of practicality baked in. You just need a deep wallet and to make peace with frequent fuel stops.
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2025 Ford Bronco Stroppe Special Edition Pictures
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