The 2026 Ford Bronco gets 15 to 20 miles per gallon combined, depending on the version. The best is the 2026 Bronco 4WD (4-cyl 2.3 L, Automatic (S10)) at 20 mpg.
In the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD class for 2026, the Bronco ranks 65th (tied with 1 other) of 66 for combined mileage (20 mpg), 54th of 66 for yearly fuel cost ($3,100 for its cheapest version, cheapest first) and 66th of 66 for tailpipe CO2 (452 grams per mile for its lowest version, lowest first). The middle model of the class gets 27 mpg, costs $2,500 a year and puts out 329 grams per mile.
Across all 235 2026 models in the file that burn fuel, the middle best-version figure is 24 mpg and the highest is 57 mpg (Toyota Prius). Of the 234 other models, 183 get more miles per gallon than the 2026 Bronco's best version, 7 other models get the same and 44 get less. The 2026 Bronco's cheapest version costs $3,100 a year to fuel by the agency's figure; of the 225 other models with a cost figure, 136 cost less, 8 the same and 81 more.
Open the best-mileage list of this class for 2026. Cost and CO2 in the table are each model's lowest figure over its versions; plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell versions have no fuel cost and are left out of the cost column.
| Place | Model | Best version | mpg | Fuel a year, cheapest version | CO2 g/mi, lowest version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61 | 2026 Honda Passport | 2026 Passport AWD | 21 | $2,950 | 424 |
| 61 | 2026 Jeep Wrangler | 2026 Wrangler 2dr 4WD (4-cyl 2.0 L) | 21 | $2,950 | 230 |
| 61 | 2026 Porsche Macan | 2026 Macan | 21 | $3,700 | 424 |
| 65 | 2026 Ford BroncoThis car | 2026 Bronco 4WD (4-cyl 2.3 L, Automatic (S10)) | 20 | $3,100 | 452 |
| 65 | 2026 Land Rover Discovery | 2026 Discovery Sport | 20 | $3,850 | 437 |
Pick a 2026 version, then set your miles and fuel price. Fuel price as of 2026-11-14, U.S. Department of Energy / EPA. The price box starts at the dated price of the fuel the picked version burns (regular, midgrade or premium gasoline, diesel, E85 or electricity) and sets the price of that fuel. Miles are limited to 1,000 to 60,000 a year and the price to $0.01 to $20.00; a value outside that is worked out at the nearest limit.
2026 Bronco 4WD (4-cyl 2.3 L, Automatic (S10)), 4-cyl 2.3 L: 18 mpg city, 22 highway, 20 combined. The agency's own estimate for the 2026 Bronco version is $3,100 a year (15,000 miles, the agency's fuel prices).
The 3 nearest rivals in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD class for 2026, picked by closest combined mileage; only versions with a fuel-cost figure are listed. Same miles as on the left. The price box on the left is the price of the fuel of the version you picked: a rival that burns the same fuel uses that price, a rival that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. The 5-year line is 5 times the yearly gap.
The Bronco costs $579 less to fuel each year.
Over 5 years the Bronco costs $2,895 less to fuel than the Discovery (5 times the yearly difference, at these miles and these prices).
Dollar gaps use each car's best-mileage version.
| Rival in 2026 | Best version | Combined | Fuel a year, agency (15,000 miles) | Against the Bronco (mileage) | Agency yearly fuel cost against the Bronco | Side by side |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Land Rover Discovery | 2026 Discovery Sport | 20 mpg | $3,850 | same figure | $750 more a year | - |
| 2026 Acura MDX | 2026 MDX AWD | 21 mpg | $3,700 | 1 higher | $600 more a year | - |
| 2026 Honda Passport | 2026 Passport AWD | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 1 higher | $150 less a year | Compare |
EPA test figures for 2026; the last column is the yearly fuel cost against the cheapest version.
| Version | Engine | Gearbox | Drive | City | Highway | Combined | Fuel a year | CO2 g/mi | Fuel vs cheapest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Bronco 4WD (4-cyl 2.3 L, Automatic (S10)) | 4-cyl 2.3 L | Automatic (S10) | Part-time 4-wheel | 18 | 22 | 20 | $3,100 | 453 | cheapest |
| 2026 Bronco Outer Banks 4WD | 6-cyl 2.7 L | Automatic (S10) | Part-time 4-wheel | 19 | 21 | 20 | $3,100 | 454 | cheapest |
| 2026 Bronco 4WD (4-cyl 2.3 L, Manual 7-spd) | 4-cyl 2.3 L | Manual 7-spd | Part-time 4-wheel | 18 | 21 | 19 | $3,300 | 452 | +$200 |
| 2026 Bronco Badlands 4WD (Automatic (S10)) | 4-cyl 2.3 L | Automatic (S10) | Part-time 4-wheel | 17 | 19 | 18 | $3,450 | 507 | +$350 |
| 2026 Bronco Sasquatch 4WD (Automatic (S10)) | 4-cyl 2.3 L | Automatic (S10) | Part-time 4-wheel | 17 | 19 | 18 | $3,450 | 494 | +$350 |
| 2026 Bronco Sasquatch 4WD (Manual 7-spd) | 4-cyl 2.3 L | Manual 7-spd | Part-time 4-wheel | 17 | 19 | 18 | $3,450 | 489 | +$350 |
| 2026 Bronco 4WD (6-cyl 2.7 L, Automatic (S10)) | 6-cyl 2.7 L | Automatic (S10) | Part-time 4-wheel | 17 | 17 | 17 | $3,650 | 525 | +$550 |
| 2026 Bronco Badlands 4WD (Manual 7-spd) | 4-cyl 2.3 L | Manual 7-spd | Part-time 4-wheel | 17 | 18 | 17 | $3,650 | 504 | +$550 |
| 2026 Bronco Raptor 4WD | 6-cyl 3.0 L | Automatic (S10) | Part-time 4-wheel | 15 | 16 | 15 | $4,150 | 577 | +$1,050 |
Enter the price difference you were quoted for the 2026 Bronco; this page has no prices. Miles come from the calculator. The fuel price box there sets the price of the fuel of the version picked there; a version here that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. Versions with no fuel-cost figure are not listed.
Type the price difference you were quoted to see the payback.
Tailpipe CO2: the 2026 Bronco 4WD (4-cyl 2.3 L, Automatic (S10)) puts out 453 grams per mile; across the 9 tested versions the figure runs from 452 to 577.
EPA scores (1 to 10, 10 best) for the 2026 Bronco 4WD (4-cyl 2.3 L, Automatic (S10)): fuel economy score 4 (2 to 4 across versions), greenhouse gas score 4 (2 to 4 across versions).
Best combined figure of the Bronco gas version each model year since 2016, set against the 2026 model.
| Model year | Best gas version | Versions tested | Against 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 21 mpg | 10 | 1 mpg higher than 2026 | |
| 2022 | 20 mpg | 12 | same as 2026 | |
| 2023 | 20 mpg | 13 | same as 2026 | |
| 2024 | 20 mpg | 12 | same as 2026 | |
| 2025 | 20 mpg | 10 | same as 2026 | |
| 2026This page | 20 mpg | 9 | this page |
Compared with the 2025 model: 10 versions were tested then and 9 now; the best figure went from 20 to 20 mpg (no change).
| Version in 2026 | 2026 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Bronco 4WD (4-cyl 2.3 L, Automatic (S10)), 4-cyl 2.3 L | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | no change |
| 2026 Bronco Outer Banks 4WD, 6-cyl 2.7 L | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | no change |
| 2026 Bronco 4WD (4-cyl 2.3 L, Manual 7-spd), 4-cyl 2.3 L | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | no change |
| 2026 Bronco Badlands 4WD (Automatic (S10)), 4-cyl 2.3 L | 18 mpg | 18 mpg | no change |
| 2026 Bronco Sasquatch 4WD (Automatic (S10)), 4-cyl 2.3 L | 18 mpg | 18 mpg | no change |
| 2026 Bronco Sasquatch 4WD (Manual 7-spd), 4-cyl 2.3 L | 18 mpg | 18 mpg | no change |
| 2026 Bronco 4WD (6-cyl 2.7 L, Automatic (S10)), 6-cyl 2.7 L | 17 mpg | 18 mpg | -1 mpg |
| 2026 Bronco Badlands 4WD (Manual 7-spd), 4-cyl 2.3 L | 17 mpg | 17 mpg | no change |
| 2026 Bronco Raptor 4WD, 6-cyl 3.0 L | 15 mpg | 15 mpg | no change |
1 2025 version has no match in 2026.
Crash-test stars from the U.S. safety agency's 5-Star Safety Ratings, checked 2026-11-14. 5 is the best.
| Vehicle | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 FORD BRONCO 2DR SUV N/A 4WD | not rated | 4 of 5 | not rated | 3 of 5 |
| 2026 FORD BRONCO 4DR SUV N/A 4WD | not rated | 4 of 5 | not rated | 3 of 5 |
The agency lists 2 variants; all 2 are shown.
The agency's record for the first rated vehicle also lists 11 complaints, 10 recalls, 0 investigations.
Includes agency records filed under: BRONCO 2DR, BRONCO 4DR.
11 complaints for the 2026 Ford Bronco are on file (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints are reports that owners sent to the safety agency. They are not proven defects, and the counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
| Part named in the reports | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 3 | |
| Electrical System | 2 | |
| Power Train | 2 | |
| Engine | 1 | |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
1 of the 11 reports say the car was in a crash, 0 mention a fire and 0 mention an injury. One report can name more than one part.
Includes agency records filed under: BRONCO 2DR, BRONCO 4DR.
10 recalls are on file for the 2026 Ford Bronco at the U.S. safety agency (checked 2026-11-14). A dealer does recall repairs free of charge.
Includes agency records filed under: BRONCO 2DR, BRONCO 4DR.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Bronco vehicles. A wiper arm nut on the driver-side may loosen, causing the windshield wipers to detach.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the wipers, tighten the wiper arm nut, and replace the wiper arms as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 16, 2026.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Bronco vehicles. The mounting bracket on the right-hand-side side curtain air bag may have a metal burr that can tear the air bag during deployment.
Fix: Dealers will increase the space between the bracket and air bag to remove the contact condition, free of charge. Owner notification letters were October 16, 2026.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Mustang, and Ranger vehicles. The engine piston domes may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in piston dome failure and lead to a loss of drive power.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the engine pistons and replace the engine long block, if necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 3, 2026.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Bronco and Bronco Raptor vehicles. The engine compartment wiring harness may become damaged and short circuit.
Fix: Dealers will install sheathing over the wiring, free of charge. This is a Phased campaign. Phase 1 will include 2026 Bronco Raptor notified owners on 7/31/2026.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Bronco vehicles. The fender flares may not be properly secured and detach from the vehicle.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the fender flares as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 1, 2026.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Explorer, Ranger, and Bronco vehicles. The engine may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engine long block, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. The vehicle specifications listed on the tire placard and safety certification labels may be incorrect, including the VIN, capacity weight, seating capacity, front and rear gross ...
Fix: Dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the certification and TREAD labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2026.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Ranger and Bronco vehicles. The front seats may have a loose or dislodged seat frame height-adjust pivot bolt.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the pivot links and bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2026.
2 more are listed at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Other 2026 models of the same agency class, each with its best combined figure. The Bronco itself is at 20 mpg.
More Ford models that have a 2026 page here, with the class of each and its best combined figure.
The 2026 Bronco 4WD (4-cyl 2.3 L, Automatic (S10)) with 20 mpg combined (18 city, 22 highway).
The 2026 Ford Bronco costs between $3,100 and $4,150 to fuel by the agency's estimate, which assumes 15,000 miles a year. The cheapest is the 2026 Bronco 4WD (4-cyl 2.3 L, Automatic (S10)) at $3,100; the dearest is the 2026 Bronco Raptor 4WD at $4,150. Use the calculator above for your own miles and fuel price.
The 2026 Ford Bronco is 65th of 66 for combined mileage. The top of the class is the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross at 42 mpg, and the middle figure for the class is 27 mpg. In the list, the next one ahead is the 2026 Porsche Macan at 21 mpg and the next one behind is the 2026 Land Rover Discovery at 20 mpg.
The 2025 model had 10 tested versions and the 2026 model has 9. The best figure went from 20 to 20 mpg (no change).
In the agency's 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14; 5 is the best), the stars are 2026 FORD BRONCO 2DR SUV N/A 4WD: front 4, rollover 3; 2026 FORD BRONCO 4DR SUV N/A 4WD: front 4, rollover 3. The agency lists 2 variants; all 2 are shown.
11 complaints for the 2026 Ford Bronco are on file at the safety agency (checked 2026-11-14); the part named most often is Structure (3 reports). Complaints are reports owners sent in, not proven defects.
The agency's database lists 10 recalls for the 2026 Ford Bronco (checked 2026-11-14). They are listed above with the repair the maker offers.
For the 2026 Ford Bronco: EPA file 2026-11-04; fuel price 2026-11-14; crash tests 2026-11-14; complaints 2026-11-14; recalls 2026-11-14. Not covered: purchase price, towing, reliability, repair and insurance costs.
Mileage and fuel cost for the 2026 Ford Bronco: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, fueleconomy.gov vehicle file (file dated 2026-11-04). Recalls for the 2026 Ford Bronco: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (checked 2026-11-14). Crash-test ratings for the 2026 Ford Bronco: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints for the 2026 Ford Bronco: NHTSA (checked 2026-11-14). Fuel prices: U.S. Department of Energy / EPA (2026-11-14). Your own mileage depends on how and where you drive. Where our numbers come from.