Bronco Badlands
2026 Ford Bronco Badlands
Badlands starts at $48,890 MSRP and, alongside Base, is one of only two 2026 trims still available as a two-door — it is also offered as a four-door. Standard equipment steps up meaningfully from Big Bend: HOSS 2.0 suspension with Bilstein position-sensitive dampers, a front stabilizer bar disconnect, 7 G.O.A.T. Modes, full-vehicle steel bash plates, and 35-inch off-road tires standard rather than optional. The available 2.7L EcoBoost V6 and the Sasquatch Package both live here too. It is on the Lakeland Ford lot at 1430 West Memorial Boulevard.
The trail-first trim, on paper and off it
Badlands is where the Bronco lineup stops treating off-road capability as an add-on and builds it in standard. The suspension jumps to HOSS 2.0 with Bilstein position-sensitive dampers, the G.O.A.T. Mode count climbs from 5 to 7, and a front stabilizer bar disconnect — a genuine trail tool, not a marketing checkbox — comes standard. The interior gets a functional upgrade to match: marine-grade vinyl seating and washout-capable rubberized flooring with drain plugs, built for a truck that is actually going to get muddy rather than just look like it could. Full-vehicle steel bash plates protect the underside from the rock strikes a Big Bend or Outer Banks owner would rarely risk.
None of that comes at the expense of everyday usability. Badlands still has the same 12-inch digital cluster and SYNC 4 as every other trim, and — notably — it is one of only two 2026 trims still offered as a two-door if a buyer wants the shorter wheelbase for tighter trail maneuvering.
Engine choices: 2.3L standard, 2.7L available
Badlands ships standard with the 2.3L EcoBoost (300 hp/325 lb-ft on premium fuel) and offers a 7-speed manual alongside the 10-speed automatic — the same two-engine, dual-transmission flexibility as Base, and the only two trims in the 2026 lineup with a manual option at all. The 2.7L EcoBoost V6 is available as an upgrade, the same 330-hp/415-lb-ft unit offered on Outer Banks and Heritage Edition, though note that the EPA certified rating specific to a V6-equipped Badlands is not broken out separately from the standard four-cylinder listing as of this writing — worth confirming the exact combined mpg for a V6 build directly with Lakeland Ford or the window sticker before comparing it against another trim published number.
The standard-tire trap worth knowing
Because Badlands ships with 35-inch off-road tires as standard equipment rather than an add-on, its EPA-certified combined fuel economy (18 mpg) already reflects that tire size — it is not an apples-to-apples comparison against a Base or Big Bend running smaller standard tires unless those trims also have Sasquatch added. It is a small distinction, but it explains why the Badlands base combined figure looks identical to a Sasquatch-equipped Base rather than to the plainer standard Big Bend rating.
Who buys Badlands in Lakeland
Buyers who actually intend to use the off-road hardware — weekend trips to the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve area north of town, ranch-road driving, or anyone who wants the two-door body style with real trail capability built in rather than bolted on later. One recent buyer, Russell Wilson, chose the two-door specifically: “Trey did a superb job throughout our purchase of a two-door Bronco. He helped us review the inventory and went with us on a few test drives until we found our perfect vehicle. We’re so grateful for his assistance, product knowledge, and patience with our decision making process.” Trey Peterson is a current Ford Sales Specialist at Lakeland Ford.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still get a two-door Badlands?
Yes — Badlands and Base are the only two 2026 trims offered as two-doors. Every other trim, including Stroppe Edition, is four-door only this year.
Is Badlands worth the roughly $8,000 jump over Big Bend?
For anyone who will actually use the added capability — the HOSS 2.0 suspension, standard 35-inch tires, front stabilizer bar disconnect, and washout-capable interior — yes. For a buyer who mostly wants the Bronco look for daily driving, Big Bend or Outer Banks likely deliver more value per dollar.
Does Badlands come standard with locking differentials?
Not standard — that is what the available Sasquatch Package adds on top of the already-standard Badlands 35-inch tires and HOSS 2.0 suspension, pushing capability even further for serious trail use.
Can I get the manual transmission on Badlands?
Yes — Badlands and Base are the only two 2026 trims offering the 7-speed manual, and only with the 2.3L engine.
Where can I see a Badlands Bronco in Lakeland?
Check current Bronco inventory, or ask about a no-pressure look at a demo unit before deciding.
More 2026 Bronco guides
MSRP figures exclude the $1,995 destination charge plus taxes, title, registration, and dealer-installed options; the dealer sets the actual selling price.
Horsepower figures assume premium fuel; regular fuel reduces output.
Fuel-economy figures are EPA estimates and real-world results will differ by configuration, tire size, and driving conditions — confirm the exact rating for a specific engine and tire combination with Lakeland Ford or the window sticker.
Customer quotes are excerpts from public Google reviews of Lakeland Ford.
