The 2027 Ford Bronco is set to receive a “new engine,” according to Ford, adding another significant update to the current sixth-generation SUV. The announcement has fueled speculation that Ford could finally introduce a hybrid Bronco after years of rumors surrounding an electrified version.
2027 Ford Bronco Set for a New Engine
The current sixth-generation Bronco has been on sale since the 2021 model year, but Ford has yet to give the SUV a mid-cycle refresh or redesign. Instead, the automaker has continued making incremental changes to the model.
That strategy appears to be continuing for 2027, but Ford says the Bronco will receive a “new engine.” Bronco engineer and development driver Seth Goslawski said earlier this year that the 2027 model would receive an “obvious” update.
The announcement has raised questions about whether Ford is preparing to electrify the Bronco.
Could the Ford Bronco Finally Go Hybrid?
Rumors of a Bronco Hybrid date back to 2020, but speculation intensified in August after Automotive News reported that a Bronco Hybrid would debut in 2027.
The latest report also says Ford ruled out the recalibrated four-cylinder engine used in the Bronco RTR and the V6 in the Bronco Filson as the new engine. Ford CEO Jim Farley said at the beginning of the year that Bronco buyers “should expect a lot of exciting powertrains” for 2027, while also ruling out the Chinese Bronco New Energy powertrain for the U.S.
That leaves several possibilities for an electrified Bronco, including a mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid or range-extender setup.
Ford Already Has a Hybrid Platform Option
Farley has previously said Ford understands that Bronco buyers want additional power options such as the Pro Power Onboard system. That could point toward a relatively traditional electrified setup.
The Bronco is based on Ford’s T6 platform, an architecture also shared with the Ranger. That connection is significant because other markets already offer a 2.3-liter plug-in hybrid Ranger with Pro Power Onboard, demonstrating that the platform has been adapted for electrification.
That Ranger produces 277 horsepower combined, although the U.S.-spec Bronco could potentially use the 2.7-liter EcoBoost as its base engine if Ford takes this approach.
Could the 2027 Bronco Get a V8?
Another possibility is a V8-powered Bronco. When Ford refers to “exciting powertrains,” a V8 is one potential interpretation, although it remains an outside possibility.
Ford said in 2020 that a V8 Bronco could not happen because of emissions regulations. With President Trump rolling fuel economy standards back by years, those constraints may no longer be as relevant.
The Bronco DR, introduced in 2021, also demonstrates that a V8 can fit under the Bronco’s hood. However, a production V8 model could be considerably more expensive than the Bronco Raptor, which already approaches $80,000.
For now, Ford has confirmed only that the 2027 Bronco will receive a new engine. The company has not revealed which powertrain will be used, leaving the possibility of a hybrid or V8 Bronco open.
