We spent two days evaluating the Bronco Badlands Sasquatch on rocky climbs, muddy ruts, and deep sand to gauge its real-world off-road capability. This review focuses on ground clearance, 4WD systems, and how it handles varied terrain when driven as most owners will: aired down, loaded with camping gear, and without a chase crew.
Our test vehicle was a 2024 Ford Bronco Badlands with the Sasquatch package, 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 (330 hp, 415 lb-ft), and 10-speed automatic. Sasquatch brings 35-inch LT315/70R17 Goodyear Territory MTs, Bilstein position-sensitive dampers, front and rear locking differentials, and the electronically disconnecting front sway bar. Factory geometry is stout: 11.6 inches of ground clearance, 43.2-degree approach, 26.3-degree breakover, and 37.0-degree departure. Ford claims 33.5 inches of water fording.
Testing spanned high-desert slickrock, rutted forest trails, a shallow creek crossing, and a half-mile sand wash. Ambient temps ranged from 48 to 78°F. With two adults, 120 pounds of gear, full fuel, and tires aired down to 18 psi for rock work (15 psi for sand), we ran 4A on graded dirt and switched to 4L/lockers for technical crawls. Trail Control was set between 2 and 3 mph on steep descents.
Ground clearance proved more than numbers on paper. The 11.6-inch spec is measured at the chassis, but the lowest real-world point is the rear diff pumpkin, which we measured at roughly 10 inches with the 35s at 18 psi. That still cleared 10–12-inch ledges without drama. The approach angle let us take rock shelves head-on; we only kissed the front bash plate once when cresting a deeply undercut step.
Breakover was the limiter on a sharp ridge—at stock wheelbase, you must pick a line to straddle the crown, but the skid plates took the scrape without damage. Departure is excellent; we never tagged the rear bumper. The 4WD hardware is a highlight. The advanced on-demand transfer case offers 2H/4A/4H/4L; 4A was fuss-free on mixed-traction gravel without binding.
In 4L, first gear and the 3.06:1 low range yield a 67.8:1 crawl ratio with the automatic, which, paired with the turbos’ low-end torque, allowed throttle-only climbing on grade-8 rocky ascents. Locking the rear diff quelled diagonal wheel lift immediately; adding the front locker made slickrock climbs almost tractor-like. The sway-bar disconnect improves articulation and stays disengaged under load, reducing head-toss over offset bumps. Trail Control and Hill Descent Control modulate brakes smoothly, though the system can clack valves audibly on choppy descents.
Terrain handling is confidence-inspiring. On rocks, steering precision and tire sidewall support at 18 psi made it easy to place the front tires; the front trail camera and fender sight lines help. In mud, the MTs clear well but dig fast—momentum in Mud/Ruts mode with rear locker engaged worked best. In sand, 15 psi and Baja mode kept temps stable; the turbos respond cleanly once spooled, but feather the throttle to avoid surge.
Ride quality off-road is controlled, with the Bilsteins absorbing sharp edges; on-road, the MTs hum and tramline slightly. Overall, the Bronco Badlands Sasquatch delivers serious off-road capability out of the box. Ground clearance and geometry handle moderate to hard trails, and the 4WD toolkit—lockers, low range, sway-bar disconnect, and 4A—covers nearly every surface. For buyers prioritizing rock crawling or deep sand, Sasquatch is worth it; adventure travelers who spend more time on dirt roads might prefer all-terrains for quieter pavement manners.
Bring a compressor, use proper airing-down, and the Bronco will take you impressively far with minimal drama.