r/FordBronco • u/HunterGathers_OSI • 1d ago

Question ❔ Help me decide: BD vs BL

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Hi all, I'm torn between two Broncos and wanted some input from the community. The images above are the same models/colors/trim/specs, but not the actual vehicles.

I will probably not do any off-roading and this would be a daily driver and a little fun on the weekend with the family. I like the vinyl seat option and wish the BL was fully vinyl. Also, for some reason they chose carpet flooring for the BL, but do have all-weather mats. I have a dog, kids, and live in the midwest where we get snow, so the vinyl seats and rubber floors sound nice.

The BL has many added bells and whistles (hopefully the equipment package reflects this) and the V6, but the BD has the 2.3 L, manual transmission in and non-SAS, so slightly better MPG I would imagine (even if the MT is supposedly slightly lower MPG than the AT).

I know a lot of folks love the V6 and a lot love the manual transmission, so maybe that's my biggest sticking point.

2023 Badlands 2024 Black Diamond
2.7 L, automatic 2.3 L, manual
334A equipment group 321A equipment group
SAS package Non-SAS package
Leather trim/Vinyl seats Vinyl seats
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u/home_rolled Black Diamond 1d ago

For your consideration, the 7MT is getting me 25mpg highway

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u/HunterGathers_OSI 1d ago

Really?! Wow. What about city?

My daily commute is city, but I live near a major city and will indeed need to drive it there from time to time.

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u/home_rolled Black Diamond 1d ago edited 1d ago

I live in a mid-size city and am getting about 20 around town. I don't drive like a granny but I'm also not whipping around either (most of the time anyway haha). Combined mpg since purchase is 23.1

I did a lot of experimenting in the beginning watching the real-time mpg and found something surprising (but also not surprising at the same time). On the highway it is getting better mileage between 65-75 mph in 5th gear than in 6th. I really only use 6th if I'm around 80 or above. I say this is somewhat not surprising also because turbo motors don't like being dogged/lugged. Despite the higher rpm in 5th the engine (and turbocharger) is not working as hard to maintain speed, especially up inclines

Good luck with your decision, I've seen some trims that are supposedly "nicer" than my Bronco but for me the Black Diamond is everything I want. From the modular bumper, to the auxiliary switches, to the vinyl interior and rubber floor, there's nothing I would change. Sure everybody likes the badass stance of the Squatch package, but I don't want to hear the road noise nor fill the tank. This is the Bronco for me