Keeping a legend “alive”
In the early 1970s, racing legend Bill Stroppe prepared special Ford Broncos for consumers that could compete in early Baja 1000 races. If you remember what Carroll Shelby did with Mustangs, this was a similar tactic for the off-road crowd. The strategy brought Ford the first and still only outright win by a stock 4×4 in Baja 1000 history, and the 2025 Ford Bronco Stroppe Edition is a contemporary take on the original. It’s not just a livery and badges, it is a seriously well-prepared 4×4 that can be driven every day. Of course, there are compromises to every serious 4×4, and the Stroppe is no stranger to them. Still, if you’re excited about something coming from an automaker as large as Ford with this type of kit, you will find some of its details interesting.
So, what is the Bronco Stroppe Edition?
The Bronco Stroppe Special Edition is available only as a two-door model and replaces the Wildtrak in the Bronco lineup. It includes a standard Stabilizer Bar Disconnect, High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension 3.0 (HOSS 3.0), upgraded steering/tie rods, full underbody steel protection, front tow hooks, and 17-inch matte black wheels wrapped in 35-inch Goodyear Territory RT tires, delivering off-road performance that would make its namesake proud.
The 2025 Ford Bronco Stroppe Edition comes with a 2.7-liter V6 that produces 330 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a beefy 4×4 system featuring front and rear locking differentials. On the downside, its relatively small 16.9-gallon fuel tank and EPA-estimated 17 mpg city and 18 mpg highway means you will see a lot of gas stations in between your off-road destinations.
The livery is very similar to the 1960s Broncos, featuring a Code Orange body and a Frozen White grille emblazoned with “BRONCO” lettering in orange. It also has an Atlas Blue removable hard top, matte-black hood, and tailgate wrap. The interior has a ton of orange highlights as well, and the entire dashboard is white, mirroring the exterior design.
Driving the Ford Bronco Stroppe Edition
This is not the beastly Bronco Raptor with the 418 hp V6, so it’s no rocket. Still, there’s plenty of oomph with 330 hp to get it up to speed with alacrity. Unfortunately, it won’t do it quietly. There’s a lot of road and wind noise, with the main culprit being the beefy tires. The 2-door Bronco is known to wander a bit on the highway, and this one is no different. The ride is also a bit tight thanks to the off-road-bias suspension and the interior can rattle a bit.
On the flip side, this is one extremely capable off-roader. The articulation is one of the best I’ve experienced in a vehicle with independent front suspension, the traction is tenacious, and the control is remarkable on any surface. Granted, my experience was behind the wheel of a Bronco Wildtrak, but they are very similar. The biggest difference is that the Stroppe Edition looks even cooler doing it.
Final thoughts
Here’s the deal: the 2025 Ford Bronco Stroppe I tested came in at $77,665, which is undeniably steep. That’s only a few thousand dollars shy of a Bronco Raptor, which packs far more power and presence. Honestly, you could opt for a Bronco Heritage Edition with the Sasquatch Package for about $25,000 less and still end up with a distinctive, highly capable off-roader. Still, for those who appreciate heritage, exclusivity, and potential collectability, the Bronco Stroppe Edition offers something the others can’t – a direct link to Ford’s off-road racing legacy, wrapped in a package that’s every bit as bold as its name.
About the author
Nathan Adlen
Contributing Writer, Autoblog