A right-hand-drive Ford Bronco New Energy has been spotted in Australia, pointing to the Chinese-built electrified SUV being prepared for a local launch.

CarSauce sighted the Bronco New Energy locally, with the model expected to reach Australian showrooms either late in 2026 or early in 2027.

Despite wearing the Bronco badge, this is not the rugged US-market off-roader many Australian buyers have been waiting for.
Instead, the model expected here is the Bronco New Energy built in China by JMC Ford, Ford’s joint venture with Jiangling Motors.

The sighting follows earlier indications that a Bronco-badged model was likely for Australia, though the vehicle now expected is a very different proposition to the T6-based, body-on-frame Bronco sold in North America.

Australian pricing has not been confirmed, but expectations point to a starting price from around $48,000 to $55,000, with upper variants potentially landing just below $60,000.

That would position the Bronco New Energy closer to mainstream family SUVs than to specialist off-roaders, while also giving Ford Australia a lower-emissions SUV entrant as local efficiency standards tighten.

Expected powertrain and range

The Bronco New Energy is offered in China in both battery-electric and extended-range electric vehicle forms.

An EREV operates differently to a conventional plug-in hybrid.
It still has a combustion engine and a sizeable battery, but the petrol engine functions as a generator to recharge the battery rather than directly driving the wheels.

In China, the Bronco New Energy EREV uses a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with a 43.7kWh battery pack, which is large by plug-in hybrid or range-extender standards.

Depending on the variant, the SUV is claimed to offer close to 200km of electric-only driving range, while total driving range is understood to be close to 1000km.
A 0-100km/h time of 5.8 seconds has also been claimed overseas.

The model is understood to use batteries supplied by BYD, one of China’s largest battery manufacturers.

The Bronco New Energy is based on a monocoque platform rather than a ladder-frame chassis, so it is not being positioned as a direct Jeep Wrangler rival or a replacement for the US-market Bronco.

It is a large five-seat SUV; at 5025mm long and 1960mm wide, it is 101mm longer and 37mm wider than a Ford Everest, with a wheelbase 50mm longer than the ladder-frame Ford SUV.

While it is more road-biased than the hardcore Bronco, Chinese-market specifications still point to some off-road ability.
Ground clearance ranges from 215mm to 220mm depending on the variant, while wading depth is listed at 600mm.

Available equipment in China includes all-terrain tyres on some versions, multiple terrain modes, an off-road crawl function and locking front and rear differentials, depending on grade.

Local grade names have not been confirmed, though the Australian lineup is expected to include three variants: Big Bend, Outer Banks and Badlands.

Chinese-market versions feature a cabin presentation distinct from Ford’s current Australian SUV range, with a large 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen and premium-leaning equipment.

One unusual feature available overseas is a centre-console fridge, though final Australian specifications remain to be confirmed.

Ford Australia has not yet announced final timing, pricing, equipment, local naming or grade details for the Bronco New Energy.

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