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This probably isn’t the first time that someone has said this, but something weird is going on with the Ford Bronco. The Ford Bronco base model is missing from the Ford Bronco configurator, and you can’t select it at all. 

What happened to the Ford Bronco base model? 

The 2021 Ford Bronco in the dirt
2021 Ford Bronco | Ford

The Ford Bronco base model seemed to suddenly disappear. If you check on the Ford Bronco configurator, you’ll see that the image for the best level Bronco is gone, and you can’t select it. The price and text remain above a blank image graphic.

Ford hasn’t officially dropped the entry-level trim, and we aren’t sure how long the option to get one has been gone. Perhaps supply chain issues and the hardtop problems are still impacting the 2022 Bronco. 

Maybe putting the base model on hold is helping Ford limit or delay Bronco orders until it can catch up. But again, there’s been no official word from Ford. 

Is the entry-level Bronco being replaced? 

Currently, you can get started in the 2022 Ford Bronco Big Bend model for $35,280. This is a bit more expensive than the missing base model, with an MSRP of $29,300. So, you’ll have to go up in price by about $6,000. 

There is a rumor for dealerships that the base model wasn’t selling as well for a profit versus other trims. It also wasn’t being ordered as much. But this rumor sounds insane. The Bronco is too popular to ignore. 

When Ford releases its sales figures, they don’t break the numbers do, so we can’t exactly say which Ford Bronco model is the most popular. So, the mystery continues unless they are making room for the Ford Bronco Heritage Edition. 

But what’s the Bronco Heritage Edition? 

A Blue and white retro Ford Bronco first edition is for sale on ebay
Retro First Edition Ford Bronco | eBay seller ardenq2003

There are plenty of new Bronco models on the way, including the Bronco Raptor and Everglades trims. But the 2022 Ford Bronco Heritage Edition is also expected to arrive but hasn’t gotten nearly as much attention yet. 

Also, the Heritage Edition isn’t exactly expected to be cheap. However, it sounds pretty neat. It’s expected to have four-slot wheels like the original Bronco from 1966. Plus, the throwback wheels could come in white. That’s vintage, baby. 

It could also have a new grille that was teased back in 2020. There will be a Bronco Heritage and Heritage Edition. Most of the details are still being kept under wraps, but they can be paired with the Sasquatch package. 

The Heritage Limited is currently listed above the Wildtrak, meaning it could be more expensive. The Ford Bronco Wildtrak starts at about $46,980, to the Heritage models could start at over $50,000. 

We should learn more about these models soon as the Heritage Edition joins the upcoming Bronco Raptor and the Everglades. But this still doesn’t solve the base model mystery. We know prices have increased across the board for 2022 models. 

Perhaps inventory is still limited. We will have to keep our eyes on the configurator to see what’s up. It’s possible that the Big Bend is becoming the new entry-level, and that’s not the best news for wallets across America.

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