The all-new 2021 Ford Bronco SUV is a lot of things. It’s an off-roading machine on a truck platform. It can crawl over rocks or race through the desert. There’s a trim with a wash-out interior. This new Ford is one of the most hardcore modern SUVs available. But don’t buy one if you’re looking for a plush daily driver like a comfortable crossover SUV.

If you want a comfortable crossover SUV, buy a Kia Telluride. Or, buy a Mazda CX-5. Though the 2021 Ford Bronco can come equipped with countless creature comforts, it’s never going to be a smooth, plush ride. That just isn’t what this off-road SUV is designed for. The Ford Bronco 2-door and 4-door SUVs have class leading off-road capability. But the comfortable ride of a unibody crossover is not something the new Bronco is capable of.

The 2021 Ford Bronco SUV

The base model Bronco, according to Ford, is a “no-frills” off-roader. It’s meant for those who are buying this as a recreational vehicle. Or for anyone who already has plans to modify and customize their 2021 Ford Bronco SUV. Overall, it’s super basic. However, if you want more there are several other trims for the Ford Bronco. Each one adds a few more extras to give you a more complete driving experience.

But no matter what, you’ll always be riding on a truck frame. Your driving experience will always be affected by the designated off-road tuning. Additionally, though traversing with the roof open and the doors off is adventurous and exciting, it’s definitely not what most would describe as comfortable.

What classifies an SUV as comfortable?

For most, when it comes to comfortable, you can pretty much rule out anything on a truck platform. That immediately edges out both the 2-door Ford Bronco and the 4-door 2021 Ford Bronco SUV. The Ford Bronco Sport–– with its unibody construction––would be the only contender for comfort in the entire Bronco herd.

That said, what exactly do we mean when we say comfortable? The higher trim levels for the 2021 Ford Bronco SUV feature a longer list of amenities the higher up in the range you go. However, for an SUV to truly be considered comfortable it pretty much has to be built on a unibody frame. Comfort means a quiet cabin and a smooth ride. The truck platform of off-roaders like the new Bronco in addition to its off-road-tuned suspension give it less comfortable road manners.

On the other hand, something like the Kia Telluride or the Mazda CX-5, which are both a unibody crossover SUV, are designed for comfort. Each of these examples are some of the most comfortable crossover SUVs out there. According to US News and World Report, the 2020 Mazda CX-5 has a “silky ride.” The 2020 Kia Telluride––according to US News––”features a premium cabin” and “provides a cushioned ride.” These comfortable crossover SUVs are just designed to do something totally different than the 2021 Ford Bronco SUV.

When not to buy the new Bronco

So, if you want an off-roader, the Bronco is a great choice. If you want an SUV that’s built from the ground up, inside-out for romping around off of the pavement, buy a Ford Bronco. It’s an absolute mountain goat.

However, if you want an SUV that gives you a plush cabin like we find in a comfortable crossover, look elsewhere. You can do better if you’re looking for comfortable road manners. The all-new 2021 Ford Bronco SUV just can’t quite be tamed.