What to Make of Ford's Next Baby Off-Roader
CARS.COM — Ford’s tell-all on future products this week indicates a flurry of investment in trucks, SUVs, hybrids and plug-in cars. Among the forthcoming products is an all-new “off-road small utility” vehicle, Ford says. A teaser image shows a boxy profile with prominent roof rails, plus beady headlights, fender cladding and an all-caps rendition of “Ford” in the grille, similar to the F-150 Raptor.
Related: Mustang GT500, Sub-Bronco Off-Roader Part of Ford’s 2020 Vision
Ford says this SUV and the forthcoming Bronco form “two all-new off-road models” for the automaker, both of which target outdoorsy shoppers. It’s unclear if the small SUV will get a hybrid option, which Ford plans to implement for the Bronco.
Officials said the new SUV will slot below the Bronco and hit showrooms by 2020, but it will emphasize off- and on-road performance. That’s unique compared with the automaker’s current compact and subcompact SUVs (the Escape and EcoSport, respectively) whose front-wheel-drive, car-based platforms prioritize on-road driving.
It’s unclear exactly what the SUV will compete against. Small SUVs like the Jeep Renegade have variants with legitimate off-road chops, but few of those exist. If the Bronco takes on Jeep’s pricier Wrangler, Ford’s sub-Bronco player could have few direct competitors.
Also unclear: what to call it. Ford says the SUV has yet to be named. We suggest Bronco II.
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