Ford has confirmed the Bronco Basecamp for Australia and New Zealand, with the five-seat electrified SUV due to arrive in the second half of 2027.

The new model is not the full-size US-market Bronco and is not related to the Bronco Sport.

It is also not a ladder-frame 4x4 in the mould of the American Bronco, instead using a unibody platform like the Bronco Sport.

Ford describes the Basecamp as another member of the Bronco family, positioned between the more hardcore Bronco and the smaller Bronco Sport.
At 5025mm long, 1960mm wide and with a 2950mm wheelbase, the Chinese-market model is larger than a Ford Everest when you account for the rear-mounted spare wheel.

It is a China-led project, developed with Ford’s joint-venture partner JMC, with the engineering homeroom based in China.

Australia is expected to be the first export market for the right-hand-drive vehicle, and Ford has indicated the Basecamp is not headed to the United States despite being produced in left-hand-drive as well,

The confirmation follows CarSauce spotting a right-hand-drive Bronco New Energy in Australia, pointing to local development work already being under way for some time.

Australian testing is covering off-road performance, ride and handling, advanced driver assistance systems and ANCAP-related development.

Ford says it is working toward a five-star ANCAP rating, though final safety results will be confirmed closer to launch.

The Australian and export-market suspension tune will differ from the Chinese-market version, with testing also taking place in the Middle East and Thailand.

The Basecamp arrives as established brands face increasing pressure from Chinese new-energy entrants and Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, which places greater importance on lower-emissions model mixes.

Ford has not confirmed local pricing, final Australian grades, towing capacity or expected sales volumes.

EREV powertrain and range

The Bronco Basecamp uses what Ford calls a super-hybrid powertrain, more commonly described as an extended-range electric vehicle setup.

A 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine acts only as a generator for the battery and does not drive the wheels.

Drive comes from dual electric motors, with energy supplied by a 49kWh usable battery for the Australian-market EREV.

Overseas figures for the extended-range version list outputs of 310kW and 600Nm.

Ford quotes an estimated WLTP combined driving range of 800-900km based on a full charge, with final figures still subject to completion of testing.
Chinese-market CLTC figures previously listed 220km of electric range and 1220km of total range, though CLTC is often very inaccurate to real-world scenarios.

The SUV can also be driven in pure EV mode, with the petrol generator intended to provide backup for longer trips where charging availability may be limited.

Ford says the EREV layout was chosen deliberately for Australia, where long-distance travel and charging access outside major metropolitan areas remain key considerations.

A full EV version is also available overseas, with previously reported figures of 332kW and 575Nm, plus up to 650km of CLTC range.

Ford has not confirmed that full EV version for Australia.

The Basecamp uses a unibody platform rather than a body-on-frame layout, and Ford has positioned it away from heavier-duty towing and extreme off-road roles handled by models such as Ranger and Everest.

Ambrose Henderson, Marketing Director at Ford Australia, said the model was chosen with Australian and New Zealand outdoor use in mind.

“When we looked at how Aussies and Kiwis spend their time outdoors, the national parks, the coastal trails, and the distances they travel, the fit was immediate,” said Henderson.

“Outdoor life here isn’t a trend, it’s just life. Bronco Basecamp was almost purpose-built for these customers.”

Overseas Bronco Basecamp specifications point to up to 220mm of ground clearance, 30-degree approach and 32-degree departure angles, and available front and rear differential locks.

The model is also understood to offer up to eight drive modes and a tank-turn function overseas, though Ford has not yet detailed the final Australian feature list.

Unlike more traditional hardcore 4x4s, the Bronco Basecamp does not use a low-range transfer case.

Visually, the Basecamp adopts familiar Bronco cues including classic round headlights, an illuminated BRONCO grille, boxy proportions and a rear-mounted spare wheel.

A roof-mounted LiDAR unit is fitted to the Chinese-market model, although Ford has not yet confirmed the final local driver-assistance specification.

Simon Brook, Studio Design Director, said the design brief aimed to retain familiar Bronco themes while adapting the package for electrification.

“We started by preserving that honest Bronco stance, reimagining those classic proportions for the electric era and balancing rugged volumes with modern design language,” said Brook.

Brook also described the vehicle as being “built from the campsite out”.

Inside, previously reported Bronco Basecamp equipment includes an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, a 15.6-inch central touchscreen and a large 70-inch augmented-reality head-up display.

The SUV is five-seat only, with available heated and ventilated front seats, a 7.5-litre warm/cool centre console storage compartment and a 21-speaker audio system on higher-grade overseas models.

Camping-focused equipment includes up to 6.6kW of Pro Power Onboard, an integrated rear kitchen setup, a fold-down rear table, fold-flat seats and an available accessory mattress.

Outer Banks models add an electric pop-up lift roof, a 7.5-litre warm/cool centre console storage compartment and sleeping-focused cabin features including overhead LED lighting.

The warm/cool storage only operates when the vehicle is running, while Pro Power Onboard output varies depending on outlet use and requires an accessory adaptor for exterior power connection.

Boot capacity is listed at 497 litres overseas, while the full EV version gains an additional 160-litre front boot.

The EREV’s front-end packaging is different due to its petrol generator.

Ford will release further details on local variants, specifications, pricing and exact timing closer to the Bronco Basecamp’s Australian launch.

For now, the Basecamp gives Ford Australia a different type of electrified SUV: one with China-led development, a petrol-backed electric drivetrain and a factory-integrated camping package.

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