1994 Ford Bronco Review (continued)
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Walkaround

Yep, the 1994 Ford Bronco is still big-looking. You can dress it up in Royal Blue with Tucson Bronze accents and Eddie Bauer identification, but it's really built to take on the rough country. Ground clearance is not unusual but this vehicle sits high. And it's apparent you're going to have to step up to enter. While this is a boon-docker, it doesn't look the part.

No flat paint or black-out treatments. No meaty black wheel arch or bulky bodyside moldings. The paint is set off by bright bumpers and attractive forged deep-dish aluminum wheels. A swing-away spare tire carrier is included in the Eddie Bauer package. Fit-and-finish rank with the best we've seen on a sport utility vehicle.

Interior Features

Trimmed in what Ford calls Medium Mocha, the interior of our test vehicle had leather seating surfaces as part of the Bauer package. Up front were captain's chairs for both driver and passenger, with inside fold-down center armrests. The driver's chair has a power lumbar adjustment, which we found to be one of the best in a sport utility. The seats were comfortable and supportive. The Bauer package adds many extras to the Bronco, such as a retractable cargo cover, a rear cargo net, an overhead console with compass, an outside temperature display and map lights. The package also includes tinted glass, a rear defroster, visors with extenders and lighted mirrors, and a rearview mirror that dims itself at night so bright lights don't blind you.

The rear bench seat folds up for additional storage. Ford says it will seat three, but we think two is more appropriate. One complaint: The rear seatback is not split to allow for long cargo while still accommodating a passenger.

Out back, the spare tire carrier swings away easily to provide access to the cargo area. However, this is where the old technology is in need of an update. The Bronco has a tailgate that folds down, getting in the way of loading and unloading. To drop the tailgate, you use the key to lower the glass into the gate, then reach inside and operate the latch on the inside of the gate. You won't be carrying anything when you're doing this.

Visibility was good except for small blind spots on either side due to the door pillar. A taste of the old technology we liked was the vent windows for driver and passenger.

We also liked the instrument panel and the clear display of the analog gauges. New for '94 (along with sidedoor guard beams), is an air bag mounted in the steering wheel. Ford thought this one through and managed to include the air bag and still find room on the steering wheel for cruise control buttons. We also liked the positive-acting rotary controls for the heater and air conditioner. Incidentally, the air conditioning system uses CFC-free refrigerant.