- Ford will launch a smaller Bronco in Europe with electrified powertrains.
- Production will start in Spain next to the mechanically related Kuga SUV.
- It will rival rugged compact SUVs like the Jeep Compass and Dacia Bigster.
The Ford Bronco family is getting ready to grow again, this time with a model designed specifically for Europe. Insider reports suggest a new SUV will begin production in Valencia in 2027, combining the Bronco’s familiar rugged look with a plug-in hybrid powertrain option.
According to Autonews Europe, Ford plans to introduce the Bronco nameplate to European buyers, aiming to build on the brand’s American heritage. It’s a strategy Ford has already tested with models such as the Mustang, the Mustang Mach-E, and the Explorer EV.
Where Does It Fit In Ford’s Range?
Interestingly, this new Bronco isn’t meant to replace the compact third-generation Kuga (called Escape in America), which debuted in 2019 and was updated in 2024. Instead, it will sit just below it, filling the space between the Kuga and the smaller Puma.
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Despite its comparable character and market positioning, the upcoming SUV will not share its underpinnings with the Bronco Sport currently sold in the US. Even so, it’s expected to carry over the trademark boxy profile and tough design cues that link every member of the Bronco family.
Earlier reports suggested that the new SUV would act as an indirect successor to the Focus hatchback and estate, which recently ended production after 27 years.
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Sources indicate that the SUV will use Ford’s C2 platform, the same architecture underpinning a long list of models, including the Focus, Mondeo, Bronco Sport, Escape/Kuga, and Maverick, as well as Lincoln’s Corsair and Nautilus.
Electrified But Not Electric
The upcoming model is expected to feature a plug-in hybrid powertrain, with a self-charging hybrid version also under consideration. A fully electric variant, however, seems unlikely following the disappointing sales of the VW-based Capri and Explorer EVs.
In Europe, its competition will come from rugged-style compact SUVs such as the next-generation Jeep Compass and the upcoming Dacia Bigster, rather than premium models like the smaller derivatives of the Land Rover Defender or Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
Ford has declined to comment on the specifics, though it has previously confirmed that a model with a “multi-energy” powertrain will enter production at its Valencia facility starting in 2027.
The plant, which currently produces the Kuga, stands to gain new momentum following the discontinuation of the Mondeo sedan and the S-Max and Galaxy MPVs between 2022 and 2023.
