Ford Bronco Trim Levels: How Much Bronco Do You Actually Need?
Updated: Oct 8
For the 2026 model year, Ford Bronco trim levels run to seven: Base, Big Bend, Outer Banks, Badlands, Heritage Edition, Stroppe Edition and Raptor.
On the lower trims, the off-road hardware comes in the Sasquatch Package rather than with the badge. Higher up, the Badlands already has the locking axles and HOSS 2.0 suspension as standard, and the Heritage Edition comes with the package fitted.
So the badge and the package are two separate decisions, and what the package adds depends on the trim you start from.
That is where most of this decision sits.
Key Takeaways
Seven trims, one ladder. Base, Big Bend, Outer Banks, Badlands, Heritage Edition, Stroppe Edition and Raptor.
On the lower trims, the hardware comes in a package. On a Base, the Sasquatch Package adds electronic-locking front and rear axles, HOSS 2.0 suspension with position-sensitive dampers and 35-inch tires, and what it adds depends on where you start — a Badlands already has the axles and the suspension as standard.
The Badlands is the big step among the first four trims. It is where the standard suspension steps from HOSS 1.0 to HOSS 2.0 and the G.O.A.T. Modes step from five to seven.
The V6 arrives one trim before the Badlands. The 2.7L EcoBoost V6 is available on Outer Banks, Badlands and Heritage Edition, and standard on Stroppe Edition.
For the 2026 2.3L Bronco configurations NRCan lists, the 10-speed automatic rises from 12.0 to 13.2 L/100 km combined with Sasquatch; the 7-speed manual rises from 12.1 to 13.2. Actual consumption varies with configuration, driving, and conditions — Natural Resources Canada notes its published ratings are "based on standard tests and may not accurately predict the fuel consumption you will get on the road."
Black Diamond, Sasquatch and the 60th Anniversary are packages, not trim levels. All three get shopped as though they were trims.
Removable doors and top start at the bottom of the ladder. Ford lists them on the Base and the Big Bend, so check the roof and door setup on the exact build.
What Are the Ford Bronco Trim Levels and Engines?
Seven, in this order: Base, Big Bend, Outer Banks, Badlands, Heritage Edition, Stroppe Edition and Raptor.
Three engines sit underneath those seven trims. The 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 is standard on five of them, the 2.7L EcoBoost V6 is available on three trims and standard on a fourth, and the 3.0L EcoBoost V6 belongs to the Raptor alone.
This is how Ford Canada lists the 2026 Bronco, trim by trim.
Trim | 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 | 2.7L EcoBoost V6 | 3.0L EcoBoost V6 | Sasquatch Package |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Base | Standard | Not listed | Not listed | Available |
Big Bend | Standard | Not listed | Not listed | Available |
Outer Banks | Standard | Available | Not listed | Available |
Badlands | Standard | Available | Not listed | Available |
Heritage Edition | Standard | Available | Not listed | Standard |
Stroppe Edition | Not listed | Standard | Not listed | Optional |
Raptor | Not listed | Not listed | Standard | Not listed |
Read that table once and a common assumption falls over.
A buyer who thinks he has to climb to the Badlands to get the V6 has misread the ladder. It is available one trim earlier, on the Outer Banks.
The other step that is easy to miss is the manual. The seven-speed manual is listed on Base, Big Bend, Badlands and Heritage Edition, and it is not listed on Outer Banks, Stroppe Edition or Raptor.
If a clutch pedal is part of why you want one of these, that narrows the list faster than any off-road spec does.
So the engine question and the badge question come apart early, and that is a good thing — it means you can start from the work instead of from the top of the page. Start from what the vehicle has to do, then look at the trims that carry it.
Which Trim Gets You the Off-Road Hardware?
On the Base, Big Bend and Outer Banks, the Sasquatch Package does. On the Badlands, the locking axles and HOSS 2.0 suspension are already standard.
On a Base, Ford lists the package as bringing electronic-locking front and rear axles, HOSS 2.0 suspension with position-sensitive dampers, and 35-inch tires. It is available on the Base, the Big Bend, the Outer Banks and the Badlands, and it is standard on the Heritage Edition.
Take those one at a time, because the names hide what they do.
A locking differential makes both wheels on an axle turn together, so the wheel with grip still pulls when the other one is spinning in mud or hanging in the air. Front and rear means both ends.
Position-sensitive dampers change their damping depending on where the suspension is sitting in its travel, instead of behaving the same everywhere.
And the 35 is the tire's overall diameter in inches, not its width.
A Base with the package and a Badlands without it are not the two vehicles their badges imply.
On a Big Bend there is a second layer to it: choosing the Sasquatch Package also adds the Black Diamond Package.
On the Stroppe Edition Ford lists the package itself as optional, over hardware that is already standard there — HOSS 3.0, the electronic-locking front and rear axle and 35-inch tires. Bring the configuration you actually want to Carleton Place Ford and we can review the build with you.
Among the first four trims, the big step on the badge is the Badlands.
That is where the standard suspension steps from HOSS 1.0 to HOSS 2.0 with position-sensitive dampers, and where the G.O.A.T. Modes — Goes Over Any Type of Terrain — step from five to seven. Base, Big Bend and Outer Banks all sit on HOSS 1.0 with five.
A front stabilizer bar disconnect appears on the Badlands list twice over: Ford shows it as standard when the Sasquatch Package is selected, and also as an available option. Which one applies depends on how the build in front of you is configured, and that is exactly the kind of thing that turns into an argument at delivery — so check the build sheet rather than the trim name.
Now put the two halves side by side.
Order a Base with the Sasquatch Package and you have HOSS 2.0 with position-sensitive dampers, electronic-locking front and rear axles and 35-inch tires — on the badge at the bottom of the ladder. The G.O.A.T. Modes are not among the things Ford lists the package as bringing.
Order a Badlands and leave the package off, and the suspension tier is already there: HOSS 2.0 with position-sensitive dampers is standard on that badge, and the G.O.A.T. Modes run to seven rather than five. Ford lists the electronic-locking front and rear axle as standard on that badge too.
So the package does not add the same thing to every badge: on a Base it adds the lot, on a Big Bend it upgrades the suspension and ride height and adds the Black Diamond Package, and on a Badlands it adds the 35-inch tires, the wheels and High Clearance Suspension.
The G.O.A.T. Modes are not on its list. And the disconnect is a build question either way.
That is the arithmetic that gets skipped in a showroom, and it is why "the Badlands is the off-road one" is a half-answer. Neither one is simply more Bronco than the other.
Above the Badlands, the ladder changes character.
The Heritage Edition is the styling trim that arrives with the hardware already fitted — Sasquatch standard, High Clearance Suspension, 35-inch tires standard.
The Stroppe Edition moves to the 2.7L EcoBoost V6 as standard, with HOSS 3.0 and seven G.O.A.T. Modes.
And then the Raptor: the 3.0L EcoBoost V6, HOSS 4.0, 37-inch tires, and 333 mm (13.1") of ground clearance. Ford lists no Sasquatch Package on it.
That is not the top of a ladder. It is a different vehicle wearing the same name on the fender, and it should be shopped as one.
Before choosing a trim, write down how you will actually use the vehicle: the roads, the weekends, the loads and the kilometres. Then check that list against the exact trim's equipment list and the exact build in Ford Canada's build and price tool.
Standard equipment and package contents vary by trim and configuration. Start with our new Ford inventory and tell us what the vehicle actually has to do.
Which Names Get Shopped as Trim Levels but Are Not?
Three of them.
Black Diamond is a package on the Big Bend, not a trim. The 60th Anniversary is a package on the Outer Banks, not a separate trim.
And Sasquatch is a package too — the one carrying the locking axles and the 35-inch tires — not a rung on the ladder.
This matters more than it sounds, because all three get typed into search bars as though they were trims.
Shop for one as a trim and you can miss which trim it is actually offered on — and, in the Sasquatch Package's case, that it is available as far down the ladder as the Base.
Black Diamond brings heavy-duty protection and tech features for off-road use, and it is optional on the Big Bend.
The 60th Anniversary Package sits on the Outer Banks, and it is a package there too.
One more name-level thing, because it catches people out.
The Bronco and the Bronco Sport are two different vehicles that happen to share three trim names. Big Bend, Outer Banks and Badlands exist on both.
Nothing on this page is about the Bronco Sport. If that is the vehicle you are actually weighing, our Bronco Sport trims guide works through which one fits your roads.
What Do You Actually Live With Around Carleton Place?
Whatever you chose, every day, for the rest of the year.
Ford lists removable doors and top on the Base and the Big Bend, so that part does not require climbing the ladder. The 35-inch tires and the locking axles do cost you something — in fuel, and in what a set of tires costs to replace.
Here is the week we actually see around here.
A gravel concession through Beckwith in April. A boat launch on Mississippi Lake on a Saturday.
A wet field at a site out past Lanark.
And then Highway 7 into Kanata and back, five days out of seven.
That is our read and not Ford's or the government's: only one of those four is the job the Sasquatch hardware was built for.
The fourth one is the job that runs every week.
We have asked a neighbouring question before, on a different vehicle. Our piece on the Explorer Tremor and the roads it is built for works out which three-row SUV suits the roads you drive; this page is about how much hardware you want to own and feed, whatever the roads do.
So the honest question is not which Bronco is the most capable. It is how many days a year you spend at the limit of the hardware you bought.
Our straight answer, and it costs us the bigger sale.
If you are at that limit a handful of days a year, buy the trim you like and leave the package off. If you are out there most weekends, buy the hardware, and check the exact build to see whether it comes in the package or is already standard on that trim.
Thirty-five-inch tires are part of what you buy and part of what you replace. We price-match tires, so that is a conversation worth having before you order rather than after.
That is the sort of thing we would rather work through with you in person at Carleton Place Ford, with the equipment list open, than leave you to guess at from a web page.
What Is Your Trade Worth, and How Does Financing Work at Carleton Place Ford?
Start with the trade number before you settle on a trim. Value your trade online, then bring it in and we will appraise it in person.
We take trades of any make, whether it is paid off or not. We put our appraisal of your trade in writing.
Bring the ownership, every key and fob, and any service records.
We buy vehicles outright, so an appraisal does not commit you to buying from us.
With your permission, we get the payout from your lender and show it beside our appraisal. That way you see the gap before you start choosing packages.
If you owe more than the vehicle is worth, the shortfall may be added to the amount financed, increasing the amount borrowed and potentially the total cost of borrowing. Financing is subject to lender approval (O.A.C.).
You may also cover the difference with money down.
Apply for financing before you come in if you wish. With your consent, we can review options with participating lenders, on approved credit (O.A.C.).
Approval, rate, term and payment depend on the applicant, lender and vehicle, and a credit-bureau inquiry may be required.
Bring a driver's licence and proof of income if requested; lender requirements vary.
Who Looks After a Bronco Once the Hardware Is on It?
We do. Book it in when it is due, and tell the advisor what the vehicle actually does — a Bronco that spends its weekends on gravel and its weeks on Highway 7 lives a different life from one that never leaves pavement, and that is worth saying out loud at the desk.
You can also come to us for parts and accessories, and for open Ford recall campaigns applicable to your vehicle, subject to parts availability and appointment scheduling.
Ask our team to check the VIN and confirm any open campaigns before you buy.
Big tires and locking differentials do not look after themselves. The honest version of owning the hardware is a few things looked at on time.
Carleton Place Ford handles sales, service, parts and recalls, and it takes one phone call or one trip to the website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Ford Bronco Trim Levels?
Seven for the 2026 model year: Base, Big Bend, Outer Banks, Badlands, Heritage Edition, Stroppe Edition and Raptor. Three engines sit underneath them — the 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 is standard on five of the seven trims, the 2.7L EcoBoost V6 is available on three of them and standard on the Stroppe Edition, and the 3.0L EcoBoost V6 is the Raptor's alone.
Is Black Diamond a Bronco Trim Level?
No. Black Diamond is a package, and it is optional on the Big Bend.
On a Big Bend, choosing the Sasquatch Package also adds the Black Diamond Package. The 60th Anniversary Package on the Outer Banks is also a package, not a separate trim.
What Does the Sasquatch Package Add to a Bronco?
It depends on the trim. On a Base it adds electronic-locking front and rear axles, HOSS 2.0 suspension with position-sensitive dampers and 35-inch tires; a Badlands already has the axles and HOSS 2.0, so there it adds the 35-inch tires, wheels and High Clearance Suspension.
It is standard on the Heritage Edition and optional on the Stroppe Edition.
Does the Sasquatch Package Use More Fuel?
Yes: Natural Resources Canada's 2026 guide rates a 2.3L Bronco Sasquatch 4WD at 13.2 L/100 km combined, against 12.0 for a Bronco 4WD automatic and 12.1 for the manual. The guide adds: "Your vehicle's fuel consumption will vary from its published fuel consumption ratings, depending on how, where and when you drive."
Those are guide labels, not Ford trim names.
Do You Need the Badlands to Get the V6?
No. The 2.7L EcoBoost V6 is available on the Outer Banks, Badlands and Heritage Edition, and it is standard on the Stroppe Edition.
The Badlands is the rung where the suspension steps from HOSS 1.0 to HOSS 2.0 and the G.O.A.T. Modes step from five on the Outer Banks to seven — that is what the badge buys, not the engine.
Is the Bronco the Same Vehicle as the Bronco Sport?
No — they are two different vehicles that share three trim names. Big Bend, Outer Banks and Badlands appear on both.
Everything on this page is about the full-size Bronco, and nothing here describes the Bronco Sport.
Why Work Out Your Bronco Trim With Carleton Place Ford?
Because the badge is only part of the decision.
What settles it is which hardware you will genuinely use, what that hardware costs you on the kilometres you actually drive, and what you are prepared to live with in between. Bring us the list of what the vehicle has to do and we will work through it honestly, including the times the answer is less Bronco than you thought.
A gravel concession through Mississippi Mills in April is one answer. A site out past Lanark in the spring melt is a second.
Highway 7 into Kanata every weekday is a third, and it is the one that quietly decides most of these.
If Ford's order bank, dealer allocation and your preferred configuration are available, we can review the build and help you submit an order. Availability, order acceptance, timing and pricing are subject to Ford and dealer confirmation.
Towing is its own question with its own numbers, so if a trailer is what is really driving your decision, bring us its papers and we will work it through with you against a real build. If the honest answer turns out to be a truck, our piece on what a Ranger is rated to pull covers that version of the question.
Start with our featured new Ford inventory and tell us what the vehicle has to do when you come in.
With over 300 used vehicles in stock, Carleton Place Ford has one of the largest selections in the area.
Sources: Ford Canada's 2026 Bronco model pages and Natural Resources Canada's 2026 Fuel Consumption Guide.
Visit us at 10441 Hwy 7, Carleton Place, ON K7C 0T6
Browse inventory, value your trade, apply for financing (on approved credit), book service, or contact the team.
Sales: (888)-910-3538 Parts: (888)-876-1102 Service: (877)-866-8810 Local: 613-257-3988
About the Author:
Kerry Irven is the Vice President of New and Used Automotive Operations for Heighton Automotive Group, a family-owned and operated automotive group serving communities across Eastern Ontario. Kerry began his automotive career in new-car sales, building his experience on the showroom floor and working his way through multi-store dealership operations.
With over 25 years in the automotive industry, Kerry has helped grow automotive businesses from one location with 40 to 50 vehicles in stock to more than 500 vehicles across 10 rooftops. His hands-on background in both new and used-vehicle operations gives him a practical understanding of what customers look for when shopping for their next vehicle.
Throughout his career, Kerry has always been actively involved in staff coaching and in understanding customer wants and needs, helping ensure the businesses he works with continue to adapt to what customers are truly looking for.
One of the most exciting chapters of his career has been the shift into modern automotive marketing, embracing new technology, transparent pricing, customer-first inventory strategies, and new ways to create a better vehicle-shopping experience.
Kerry has completed extensive automotive training, including certification through the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council, involvement with the Used Car Dealers Association of Ontario, Canadian automotive dealer training, and multiple customer service courses.
Born and raised on a farm, Kerry has always valued family, hard work, and a practical, down-to-earth approach. Joining Heighton Automotive Group and working alongside Thomas Heighton and family, along with managing partners Kyle Lothian and Martin Gougeon, has allowed him to bring those same values into the car business. It has also allowed Kerry to continue following a simple philosophy: treat every customer exactly the way he would want to be treated.
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