The Bucking Ford Bronco

The Ford Bronco Sport—a beast so wild, so adventurous, so rugged, it makes you want to strap on your hiking boots and conquer the wild. But, oh wait, we live in South Africa, where this mythical creature is as elusive as a unicorn with a rugby ball.

Let’s talk about what we’re missing out on while the rest of the world gets to experience the joy of off-roading in a vehicle that seems like it was designed to outrun dinosaurs, scale mountains, and probably take on an angry elephant if need be.

The Tease: Bronco's Sasquatch Mode

You heard that right—Sasquatch Mode. It’s not just a name, it’s a lifestyle. Imagine driving over the nearest speed bump in Johannesburg and feeling like you’ve just summited Everest. Meanwhile, the only thing South Africans have to compare it to is the odd pothole, which, to be fair, sometimes feels like it could swallow a small car.

But the Bronco’s got it all… 29-inch tires that could probably roll over the Karoo without breaking a sweat, Bilstein rear shocks with piggyback reservoirs (which sounds like something straight out of a NASA lab), and suspension travel that would make your buddy’s lifted bakkie blush. But again, that’s for other people, in other countries, not us.

Off-Road Dreams, Dashed

This Bronco Sport isn’t just about looking tough, it’s about being tough. From deserts to rocky trails, this thing is ready to tackle anything the wild throws at it. But here in Mzansi, we can only daydream about taking it out for a spin in the Drakensberg, or perhaps imagining it gliding effortlessly through the sand dunes of the Namib Desert. Instead, we’re left with our trusty Fortuners and Rangers, which are great, don’t get me wrong, but they don’t come with something called “G.O.A.T. Modes.” Seriously, G.O.A.T.? “Goes Over Any Type of Terrain.” It’s like they named it just to taunt us.

Why Not Us, Ford?

Ford, let’s talk. You’ve got this amazing vehicle that seems to check every box for South African drivers. We love the outdoors, we love off-roading, and we certainly wouldn’t mind having something as cool as the Bronco Sport to show off at the next braai. But for some reason, you’ve decided to keep this one for yourselves. What gives?

Do you think we can’t handle it? Is it because our road conditions would make the Bronco’s off-road capabilities feel redundant? Or maybe it’s because if we had Sasquatch Mode, we’d use it to plough through the traffic on the N1, and that’s just too much power for one country to wield.

The Future We Can Only Hope For

The Bronco Sport for 2025 is practically screaming to be let loose in Africa. Modular bumpers, brush bars, off-road recovery points—it’s like it was built with South Africa in mind. And don’t even get me started on that SYNC 4 system with the 13.2-inch center display. We could finally have a touchscreen that makes navigating through our radio stations feel like you’re launching a space shuttle.

But alas, it seems we’ll have to settle for dreaming, for now. Unless, of course, Ford decides to finally grant our wish and bring this rugged beauty to our shores. Until then, we’ll keep our fingers crossed, and our bakkies ready, for the day the Bronco Sport gallops its way into our dealerships.

So, Ford, if you’re listening, do the right thing. Let us experience the thrill of Sasquatch Mode, the joy of G.O.A.T. Modes, and the sheer ruggedness of the Bronco Sport. We promise to treat it right. We’ll even let it play in the mud.

Until then, we’ll just have to keep dreaming—and maybe start a petition. Who’s with me?

Images : Ford