2021 Ford Bronco Gets One European Seal of Approval, Though Not the One It Needs

Running a big naturally aspirated V8 engine in Europe is akin to burning money. Not only is the price of fuel a lot higher, but you would also pay very high taxes for engines with a displacement greater than a set value, and that value is way below that of the blocks most American companies put under the hood of their cars.

Vehicle size is also a valid problem. With towns built many hundreds of years ago when, one, traffic wasn't an issue, and two, vehicles tended to have four legs and eat oat, the streets are usually a lot narrower than what you can generally find in the New World. The higher population density also means that real estate is more expensive – that, in turn, makes large parking spaces a bit of a non-existent luxury.

Well, none of these problems apply to the 2021 Ford Bronco. The off-roader comes with two engine options, none of which is a big V8, and its size, though still substantial, is nothing compared to other SUVs you can find on the EU market.

So, why is Ford not selling the Bronco in Europe? According to the company's CEO, the decision lies with the heads of the company's European branch, though it could be a little more complicated than that. We all know the model's production has had a bit of a rough start, so the last thing it needs right now is another market opening.

However, if carwow's Cowboy Matt's review is anything to go by, the Bronco might receive a warm welcome when it eventually makes it over. Despite diesel sales dropping vertiginously in Europe over the last few years, the Bronco might still benefit from having the option of an oil-burner under its hood. Alternatively, Ford Europe may decide to wait until the two electrified options become available - the hybrid and the battery-powered one - and skip the diesel altogether. Given the times, that would definitely be the smarter thing to do image-wise, even if it might hurt sales at first.