A Ford Bronco Hybrid Is Finally On The Way … To Europe

Ford has been promising to launch a hybrid version of the Bronco on-and-off since the nameplate’s return was announced in 2018. It hasn’t made it to showrooms yet, but a new reports says one will in 2027. Just not necessarily in the U.S.

According to Automotive News, Ford will be adding an all-new Bronco model to its European lineup in 2027 that will be based on the Kuga. That makes a lot of sense, as the Kuga is a version of the Escape, which is built on the same platform as the Bronco Sport.

Europeans have been increasingly shifting toward SUV-type vehicles, like Americans, with the style accounting for 54% of sales last year.

The Spain-built Kuga is offered in a plug-in hybrid version, so it will be easy to share with the Bronco, which will be smaller. The Kuga is due for a full redesign in 2027, so its the perfect time to add a Bronco to the model mix.

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As for the U.S. Escape, it’s set to be discontinued in 2026 and Ford hasn’t announced a direct replacement for it yet. The Kentucky plant where it is currently assembled is being converted to manufacture an upcoming $30,000 electric pickup that goes on sale in 2027.

The Bronco Sport is mechanically related to the larger Escape, but is manufactured in Mexico alongside the Maverick pickup, with which it also shares the platform. The Maverick is currently offered as a hybrid, but not a plug-in hybrid, and isn’t expected to be redesigned before the 2028 model year, but a new Bronco Sport would likely accompany it.

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Ford does already sell a Bronco with a plug, but it’s an all-electric model built and sold in China that isn’t related to the American Bronco Sport or Bronco.

Ford also sells plug-in hybrid versions of the Ranger pickup in other countries and the pickup is built on the same platform as the Bronco, but the future of plug-in hybrids in the U.S. is unclear as they no longer qualify for any federal electric vehicle tax credits, now that the program was discontinued.

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