Ford Bronco Badlands vs First Edition
Last Updated August 15, 2024 | Nate MoonisThe First Edition and Badlands trim levels are both aimed at serious enthusiasts who want the best money can buy. However, they are for totally different segments of that market.
In this article, we'll discuss the differences between the First Edition and Badlands Ford Bronco trim levels to help you make the right choice.
| Spec | Bronco First Edition | Bronco Badlands |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 2-Door: $59,305 4-Door: $63,500 |
2-Door: $42,095 4-Door: $44,590 |
| Engine | 2.7L EcoBoost | 2.3L EcoBoost Optional: 2.7L EcoBoost |
| Transmission | 10-Speed Automatic with Trail Control | 7-Speed Manual with Crawler Gear Optional: 10-Speed Automatic with Trail Control |
| G.O.A.T. Modes | Normal, ECO, Slippery, Sand, Mud/Ruts, Rock Crawl, and Baja | Normal, ECO, Slippery, Sand, Mud/Ruts, Rock Crawl, and Baja |
| Wheels and Tires | 17" black-painted aluminum beadlock-capable wheels 35" LT315/70R17 BSW Mud-Terrain tires | 17-inch Carbonized Gray-painted machined face aluminum wheels 33-inch LT285/70R17 all-terrain tires |
| 4WD System | Advanced 4x4 with automatic on-demand engagement | Advanced 4x4 with automatic on-demand engagement |
Bronco First Edition
The Greatest Hits
The First Edition is an amazing blend of the other Bronco trims. It takes the best bits of each. This means it has the luxurious Outer Banks interior, the mechanicals of the Badlands, and exterior of the Wildtrak.
Originally, only 3,500 were to be built and all were quickly reserved. Since then, Ford has doubled the total number of First Edition Broncos to 7,000 (which have all been spoken for).
Bronco Badlands
Extreme Off-Roading
The Badlands trim comes off-road ready straight from the dealership.
7 G.O.A.T modes, front stabilizer bar disconnect, advanced 4x4 with automatic on-demand engagement, and a locking front and rear diff are all awesome off-road features. If you want to do some serious off-roading, many consider this a step up from the Black Diamond trim level.
Even though this is a serious, off-road ready machine, you don't miss out on some important interior upgrades. You get an 8" SYNC 4 touchscreen with Apple Carplay and Android Auto as standard, along with rubberized flooring and carpeted floor mats.
If you're really serious about off-roading, this is a great investment with plenty of room to grow.
Bronco First Edition vs Badlands: Which Is Right For You?
The Bronco First Edition is considered a step above the standard trims and combines all the best bits of each. You get the comfortable interior of the Outer Banks with the performance of the more serious off-road trim levels like the Badlands and Wildtrak.
But, all of these goodies come with a pretty robust price tag. Retailing at almost $20,000 more than the Badlands, you're paying a serious premium. You'll also be hard pressed to find one for under $80,000 on used lots.
The Badlands, on the other hand, gives you all the essentials you need to conquer challenging trails. If you want to build the perfect Bronco yourself, the Badlands is a great place to start. The price difference between the two means you'll have plenty of room to add all the supporting mods you can imagine and still have money left over with what you'd spend on a First Edition.
Still not sure if either of these trims is right for you? See how they stack up to these other popular Bronco trim options:
