Ford has a new Bronco brewing that will break from convention in more ways than one

The automaker is set to expand the Bronco family with a new midsize crossover aimed at replacing Europe’s discontinued Focus hatchback.

With Jeep fielding its hybrid Wrangler 4xe from 2021, it’s fair to assume Ford has already responded with its Bronco SUV.

However, in the United States, Dearborn has not extended the Bronco brand beyond the limits of internal combustion. This is strange, especially because some of Ford’s mixed-energy solutions have proven to be great sales successes.

According to a new report, another Bronco is now brewing at the Blue Oval. Although not destined for American shores, it’s set to be a notable departure from current versions, and it also speaks to Ford’s desire to diversify the nameplate around the world.

The new plug-in pony

Confirmed accordingly autocarAs reported by the outlet, Ford will build the new model at its plant in Valencia, Spain. Furthermore, per Automotive News Europe“It will be a large compact SUV using the Bronco nameplate.”

Since the new crossover will be built on the C2 platform alongside the midsize Kuga (which is also shared by the Bronco Sport in the States), Ford will offer a model with plug-in hybrid propulsion as an option.

However, unlike the Bronco built for the Chinese market, autocar reports that there is no all-electric version on the horizon. For now, Ford is instead looking to round out its lineup with more mixed-energy solutions.

Not without good reason – beyond a tepid demand for EVs, Ford has to consider Europe’s lifting of the upcoming internal combustion ban. Moreover, the automaker has closed one of its volume sellers in the Focus hatchback.

Filling the focus void

Accordingly, with the bucking convention through its hybrid powerplant, Ford’s upcoming European Bronco may also rock the nameplate with another distinct footprint.

After all, as the spiritual successor to the Focus hatch (it also rode on the C2 platform), the model should slot in between the Puma and Kuga as another midsize crossover option.

While that means it can stretch the same length as the Bronco Sport (both it and the Focus measure 172 inches at the tail end), there’s also plenty of wiggle room on either side of that number—Europe’s compact Puma crossover clocks in at about 166 inches long, while the Kuga stretches out to about 178 inches.

In any case, although it shapes up in terms of size, it’s set to carry a similar theme to the US-spec Broncos.

According to autocarFord is increasingly drawing on its American heritage in its European offerings, and the upcoming crossover will distinguish itself from the Kuga through its traditional retro-inspired two-box design.

It’s a strategy Ford has already used with the Explorer, as the Blue Oval offers a small electric version for Europe that takes inspiration from its big American namesake.

Because of the stateside equivalent

While this particular version of the Bronco is bound for a European release, that’s not to suggest Ford will ever Offer a hybrid for the US market.

Especially since, according to the Blue Oval’s latest US sales report, there’s good reason to expand its hybrid lineup stateside.

Between a 13.6 percent improvement in November 2025 compared to November 2024 and a 19.4 percent year-over-year improvement, Ford’s hybrid vehicles are easily its most promising vehicles.

EVs, on the other hand, showed a 60.8-percent decline for November—if the next Bronco is coming to the U.S., it’s even less likely to be all-electric.

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