2026 Ford Bronco Base: Dacono Buyers Guide

2026 Ford Bronco Base 4x4 SUV at Interstate Ford in Dacono, CO

Quick Answer: 2026 Ford Bronco Base

The 2026 Bronco Base starts at $41,295 MSRP before Ford's $1,995 destination charge. It is available as a two-door or four-door, comes with the 300-hp 2.3L EcoBoost engine, and pairs it with either a 10-speed automatic or a 7-speed manual. Four-wheel drive, a 12-inch digital instrument cluster, the HOSS 1.0 off-road suspension and five G.O.A.T. Modes are all standard. The available Sasquatch Package adds 35-inch tires and locking differentials if you want more trail hardware. You can see the Bronco lineup at Interstate Ford, 120 Laura Court in Dacono.

The Bronco with nothing to hide

Base is the entry point, and Ford has not dressed it up to look like something else. The seats are six-way manual, the cabin is built around a MOLLE strap system for clipping gear, and the windshield uses acoustic glass to keep road noise from getting tiresome on a long I-25 run. The upside is that you start with the same body-on-frame chassis, the same four-wheel-drive hardware and the same removable top as every other trim in the lineup. Ford lists up to 11.6 inches of ground clearance and 33.5 inches of water fording on Base, which is plenty for gravel roads and a lot of Colorado trailheads.

Base also gives you the most body-style choice. Along with Badlands it is one of only two 2026 trims that still come as a two-door, which suits buyers who like the shorter wheelbase and the tighter turning circle on a trail. If you are hauling kids, dogs or climbing gear, the four-door is the more practical pick, and you pay the same starting price either way.

Engine and gearbox choices

The standard engine is the 2.3L turbocharged four with 300 hp and 325 lb-ft on premium fuel (275 hp and 315 lb-ft on regular). Base is also one of the few trims where you can pick the 7-speed manual, a real draw for drivers who want to shift their own gears off-road. The EPA lists 20 mpg combined with the automatic on standard tires and 19 with the manual. Add the Sasquatch Package and its taller tires, and the figure drops to 18 combined, which is a fair trade for the extra clearance.

Where Sasquatch earns its keep

The available Sasquatch Package is what turns a Base Bronco into a very capable trail vehicle without moving up a trim. It brings 17-inch alloy wheels with 35-inch tires, electronic-locking front and rear differentials, a high-clearance suspension with Bilstein dampers and a more advanced four-wheel-drive system. Buyers in Longmont and Boulder who are eyeing mountain roads often start here and decide whether the package is worth the jump. If most of your driving is pavement, the standard setup is already more capable than the average SUV; if you are heading for rock, snow-packed forest roads or soft sand, Sasquatch is worth pricing out.

Winter driving and the I-70 traction rule

Because every Bronco is a four-wheel-drive vehicle, you are halfway to meeting Colorado's Traction Law, which applies on I-70 between Dotsero and Morrison from September 1 through May 31 when it is in effect. The other half is tires. Colorado's Department of Transportation asks four-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive vehicles to run all-weather, mud-and-snow or mountain-snowflake tires with at least 3/16 inch of tread. A set of dedicated winter tires on a Base Bronco is a popular move for people who ski, and it also helps the vehicle feel planted on icy mornings along the Front Range.

What Dacono buyers say

Bronco shoppers often mention how relaxed their visit felt. John P. wrote in March 2025: “I stopped in one day on a whim to take a look at a 2025 Bronco.” After a few return trips and test drives he drove one home, and he closed with: “Top notch service from the I-25 Ford team!” Jim B. posted in 2022: “The whole experience buying a new Bronco felt very honest and friendly. Interstate Ford was recommended to us by friends, and we will gladly do the same.”

Frequently asked questions

Is the two-door body still offered on Base?

Yes. Base and Badlands are the two 2026 trims still offered as two-doors, and every other trim is a four-door only. The starting price is listed for the Base trim in either body style, so the choice comes down to how you plan to use the vehicle.

What is the difference between Base and Big Bend?

Big Bend starts at $41,995, about $700 above Base, and is four-door only. It adds second-row and swing gate privacy glass, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, premium ambient lighting and 17-inch Carbonized Gray wheels. If you want those touches and a four-door body, Big Bend is the natural step up; if you prefer a two-door or a lower price, Base covers the same mechanical foundation.

Does the Bronco Base come with a manual transmission?

It is available. The 7-speed manual works with the 2.3L engine on Base, and the 10-speed automatic is the other choice. The V6 engines are not offered on Base, so the manual and the standard four-cylinder go together.

Is the Sasquatch Package worth it on a Base Bronco?

For buyers who spend real time off pavement, it is one of the most popular upgrades because it adds 35-inch tires, locking differentials and a higher-clearance suspension. If your Bronco will mostly commute and take the occasional gravel road, you can skip it and save the money for tires, accessories or a higher trim.

Where can I try a Bronco Base near Erie or Firestone?

Interstate Ford is a short drive from both at 120 Laura Court in Dacono. Start with the current Bronco inventory or request a quick quote if you already know the body style and package you want.

A sensible way to start

Base is the Bronco for people who want the capability and the character without paying for extras they may not use. Compare it with the Big Bend guide if you want the four-door equipment floor, or read the pricing and leasing guide to see how Colorado taxes affect the final number.

All 2026 Ford Bronco guides

The starting MSRP shown is Ford's published price for the Base trim and does not include the $1,995 destination charge, taxes, title, registration or dealer-installed items. Interstate Ford sets its own selling prices. Output figures for the 2.3L assume premium gasoline. EPA mileage numbers are listings from fueleconomy.gov and actual results differ with equipment and driving. The Traction Law summary reflects Colorado Department of Transportation guidance and may change, so review the current rules before heading into the mountains. Ask the dealership to verify equipment and availability. Comments quoted above come from public Google reviews of Interstate Ford.

Although every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on this site, absolute accuracy cannot be guaranteed. This site, and all information and materials appearing on it, are presented to the user "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. All vehicles are subject to prior sale. Price does not include applicable tax, title, and license charges. ‡Vehicles shown at different locations are not currently in our inventory (Not in Stock) but can be made available to you at our location within a reasonable date from the time of your request, not to exceed one week.