Why More Ford Owners Are Signing Up for Connected Features

You don't need to spend every weekend crawling over rocks to appreciate a Ford Bronco. For many Los Angeles drivers, the appeal goes well beyond off-road adventures. It can handle the weekday commute, carry friends and gear for a weekend away, and then shed its roof and doors when Southern California weather makes staying enclosed seem unnecessary. Choosing one, however, can be complicated. The 2026 lineup includes seven models, three available engines, and a long list of packages that can change both the vehicle's look and capabilities. Every version comes with four-wheel drive, but they aren't all designed for the same buyer. The current lineup brings several noteworthy updates, including the return of Wildtrak, a new 60th Anniversary Package and additional customization options. So, which one belongs in your driveway? Start with how you plan to use it. What's New for 2026? One of the biggest changes is the return of Wildtrak, but this time it isn't a standalone model. The new Wildtrak Package is available exclusively on four-door Badlands models. It combines the 330-horsepower 2.7L EcoBoost® V6 and 10-speed automatic transmission with the Sasquatch® Off-Road Package, HOSS 3.0 suspension with FOX™ internal bypass dampers and the Black Appearance Package. Ford has also expanded painted-roof choices on select models, giving buyers more ways to personalize the exterior. Another major addition marks six decades of Bronco history. The 60th Anniversary Package starts with the Outer Banks and adds the Sasquatch Package, along with heritage-inspired details such as Wimbledon White and Vermilion Red accents, unique badging, and design cues inspired by the original 1966 model. Buyers can choose the standard 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder or the available 2.7L EcoBoost V6. The Stroppe Edition also changes for 2026. Previously offered with two doors, it's now a four-door model, adding passenger and cargo flexibility to its Baja-inspired formula. Two Doors or Four? Start With Your Daily Life Before comparing specialized equipment, consider something more basic: how many doors do you want? Base and Badlands are available in two- and four-door configurations. The remaining models are four-door only. A two-door has the shorter, classic proportions many people associate with the name and seats four. It may appeal to someone who prioritizes maneuverability and a more traditional open-air 4x4 experience. The four-door seats five and offers considerably more room for everyday use. Depending on roof configuration and model, it can provide up to 38.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 83 cubic feet with the seats folded. The two-door provides 20.6 cubic feet behind its rear seats and up to 52.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. For drivers who regularly carry kids, friends, dogs, beach equipment, or luggage, that difference can matter far more than an off-road specification they'll rarely use. Removable doors and roof options preserve the open-air experience in both body styles. Which Model Matches the Way You Drive? With seven choices, it helps to think of the lineup by personality rather than simply moving from the least expensive version to the most expensive. Base: The Essentials The Base is the straightforward starting point, with a 300-horsepower 2.3L EcoBoost I-4, standard four-wheel drive, five G.O.A.T. Modes®, and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. If the iconic design, open-air experience, and core 4x4 capability are what attracted you in the first place, the Base may be all you need. Big Bend: The Everyday All-Rounder The four-door Big Bend builds on the essentials with added comfort and customization options. Available packages can move it toward more serious trail use without requiring a jump to one of the specialized models. For many Los Angeles shoppers looking for a distinctive daily driver that can also get out of town on weekends, this is a logical place to start. Outer Banks: Comfort and Style Outer Banks shifts the emphasis toward appearance and comfort, while still retaining the fundamentals that distinguish the vehicle from a conventional crossover. An available 330-horsepower 2.7L EcoBoost V6 adds another performance option. It's also the foundation for the new 60th Anniversary Package. If most of your miles will be on the 405 and PCH rather than climbing over boulders, Outer Banks deserves a close look. Badlands: Serious Trail Capability Badlands moves much farther into specialized off-road territory. Standard equipment includes HOSS 2.0 suspension with Bilstein® position-sensitive dampers, a front stabilizer bar disconnect, steel bash plates and seven selectable drive modes. Badlands can also be equipped with the returning Wildtrak Package, which adds another level of off-road performance. If you plan to spend time exploring desert and mountain trails, those upgrades have a purpose beyond appearance. Heritage Edition: Retro Personality Heritage Edition blends modern engineering with styling inspired by the vehicle's early years. Its distinctive touches include an Oxford White-painted hard top, heritage graphics and plaid cloth seats. This one makes sense for a buyer who wants personality and nostalgia to be a major part of the purchase decision. Stroppe Edition: Baja-Inspired Performance Named for legendary racer and builder Bill Stroppe, this version draws on desert-racing heritage. Its 330-horsepower 2.7L EcoBoost V6 is paired with HOSS 3.0 suspension featuring FOX internal-bypass dampers and seven G.O.A.T. Modes. The move to four doors in 2026 makes that specialized hardware easier to live with when you're also carrying passengers or gear. Raptor: When Maximum Performance Is the Point Raptor sits at the extreme end of the family. Its 3.0L EcoBoost V6 produces 418 horsepower, and its suspension, 37-inch tires, and other hardware are engineered for demanding, high-performance off-road driving. It's an impressive machine, but it's also far more capable than many buyers need. If you prioritize commuting, open-air weekends, and occasional trail excursions, another model may make more sense. How Much Off-Road Hardware Do You Really Need? Here's where shopping for this SUV can become easier than the long options list makes it seem. Every model already includes four-wheel drive and selectable G.O.A.T. Modes, which adjust vehicle settings for different driving conditions. You don't have to choose one of the most specialized versions to get genuine all-terrain ability. Available equipment can take things considerably further, with upgrades such as electronic-locking differentials, 35-inch tires and more sophisticated suspension systems. A driver whose adventures mean campgrounds, fire roads and trips to the mountains has different needs from someone planning rock-crawling excursions or high-speed desert runs. Knowing where you fall on that spectrum can keep you from paying for equipment you may rarely use or help you identify upgrades that really are worthwhile. What Is It Like as an Everyday Los Angeles Vehicle? A Bronco is intentionally different from a conventional crossover. Its character includes an upright design, removable doors and roof, 4x4 hardware, and trail-focused engineering. That's also why a test drive matters. If this will be your primary vehicle, consider how it feels to do the ordinary things: navigating traffic, parking, carrying passengers, loading groceries, and making your normal commute. Then consider what it can add when the workweek ends. On a warm Southern California weekend, opening the roof or removing the doors delivers an experience most SUVs simply can't match. And when the destination shifts from pavement to dirt, the same vehicle is designed to keep going. That combination is a large part of the enduring appeal. Find the Right 2026 Ford Bronco at South Bay Ford There isn't one version that's best for everyone. The smart choice comes down to finding the right balance of everyday usability, style and trail capability to suit your plans. At South Bay Ford in Hawthorne, CA, you can explore available new Ford inventory. Experience the differences in size, comfort, and driving character firsthand. For shoppers in Hawthorne, Torrance, and throughout the greater Los Angeles area, a test drive can help answer the question that specifications alone can't: which one feels right behind the wheel?

For many vehicle shoppers, what goes into an SUV matters. So does where it comes from. That makes the latest recognition for two familiar Ford SUVs especially noteworthy. The 2026 Ford Expedition and Ford Explorer were both named among Cars.com’s most American-made vehicles of the year, ranking in the top 15 of the 86 vehicles that qualified for the 2026 American-Made Index. The recognition goes beyond where the assembly plant is located. Cars.com looks at several factors tied to U.S. vehicle production, giving shoppers a broader view of what “American-made” can mean. What Goes into the American-Made Index? Cars.com reviewed nearly 400 model-year 2026 vehicles before determining which qualified for its annual index. The ranking considers five primary factors: Final assembly location U.S. and Canadian parts content Country of origin for available engines Country of origin for available transmissions U.S. manufacturing workforce A vehicle does not earn a place on the list simply because final assembly occurs in the United States. Parts sourcing, powertrain production and manufacturing employment also contribute to the result. For shoppers interested in supporting U.S. manufacturing, the index provides more context than a single “made in” label. Ford Expedition: Built in Kentucky Ford assembles the Expedition at its Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, Kentucky, alongside the Ford Super Duty and Lincoln Navigator. According to Ford, the plant employs about 8,900 people, including more than 8,300 hourly employees. The Expedition’s place on the American-Made Index adds another point of interest to a full-size SUV already designed around capability and space. With three rows of seating, generous cargo room, and available towing capability, the Expedition is built for families whose everyday driving may include everything from school and work to road trips and weekends away. For shoppers comparing full-size SUVs, its U.S. manufacturing story adds another dimension to the decision. Ford Explorer: Built in Chicago The Ford Explorer also ranked among the top 15 vehicles on the 2026 American-Made Index. Ford builds the U.S.-market Explorer at its Chicago Assembly Plant, which opened in 1924. Ford reports that the plant employs about 4,600 people and currently produces the Explorer, Police Interceptor Utility, and Lincoln Aviator. For generations, the Explorer name has been closely associated with family travel and everyday versatility. Today’s three-row Explorer continues that legacy in a midsize SUV that is comfortable for commuting, carpools, errands and longer trips. Its inclusion on the American-Made Index links that familiar Ford nameplate to a long-running U.S. manufacturing operation. Ford’s U.S. Manufacturing Story Is Bigger Than Two SUVs The Expedition and Explorer are part of Ford’s much broader manufacturing presence in the United States. Ford reports that it assembled more than 2 million vehicles in the U.S. in 2025, more than any other automaker. The company also says it employs approximately 56,300 hourly manufacturing workers nationwide. The Ford Mustang also earned a place on Cars.com’s 2026 American-Made Index, adding another recognizable nameplate to the list. For shoppers, those numbers help put the Expedition and Explorer’s recognition into perspective. These two SUVs are not isolated examples. They are part of a manufacturing network spanning multiple U.S. plants and supporting tens of thousands of workers. Two Ford SUVs, Two Different Ways to Travel The Explorer and Expedition serve different needs, but both bring three-row versatility to the Ford SUV lineup. The Explorer offers a midsize footprint that works well for families who want passenger space without moving into a full-size SUV. The Expedition steps up in size, cargo room, and available towing capacity for drivers who need more room and muscle. Now both have another distinction: recognition among the most American-made vehicles of 2026. Visit South Bay Ford in Hawthorne, CA, to compare the Ford Explorer and Ford Expedition in person, explore their features and cabin space, and find the SUV that fits the way you drive.

Your first car can mean an easier commute, greater independence, or finally having a vehicle that fits your lifestyle. But before choosing a vehicle, it helps to understand your financing options. If you have never financed a vehicle, you may wonder whether your credit history is enough to get started. The Ford Credit First-Time Buyer Program is designed to help eligible shoppers, including those with limited credit history, explore their options. For drivers in Hawthorne, Torrance, and throughout the South Bay, knowing the requirements before visiting the dealership can make that first conversation more productive. Who Can Qualify? Ford currently lists four eligibility requirements: No prior auto credit history and no adverse credit history At least six months of verifiable current full-time employment A minimum FICO score of 620 A down payment of at least $750 Meeting these requirements does not guarantee approval. Depending on credit history and underwriting guidelines, a co-signer or higher down payment may be required. Additional documentation may also be needed. What Benefits Are Available? The program includes eligible new and Certified Pre-Owned Ford vehicles, financing amounts up to $50,000, and terms up to 84 months. Qualified applicants may be eligible for a lower APR. Eligible buyers can receive $750 Bonus Cash toward a new Ford, combinable with most active offers. Ford Credit financing is required, and not all buyers qualify. Ask South Bay Ford about eligible vehicles, current incentives, and complete terms. The bonus cash and minimum down payment are separate program details. Ask how both apply to your purchase rather than assuming the incentive replaces your required down payment. Start With Your Budget, Then Shop Getting approved is one step. Choosing a payment that fits your budget is another. Decide what you can afford before falling in love with a particular vehicle. Leave room for insurance, fuel, maintenance, and the other expenses that continue after you drive home. When reviewing a financing proposal, look at the full picture: vehicle price, APR, loan length, amount financed, and total payments. A longer term can lower the monthly payment but increase total interest costs. Ask for an itemized breakdown of taxes, fees, and optional products, too. You should understand what each charge covers before deciding whether to proceed. Choose for the Miles You Actually Drive What does your car need to handle on a typical day? A commute on the 405, a carpool, or equipment for work or fun? Will it fit comfortably in your parking space, with enough room inside for passengers and weekend gear? Your answers can help narrow your choices more effectively than a long feature list. During the test drive, check the details you will notice every day: visibility, seat comfort, parking, passenger space, and how easily you can use the controls. Give yourself time to decide whether the vehicle feels right. Bring Your Questions to South Bay Ford You do not have to figure out your first purchase alone. Contact South Bay Ford in Hawthorne, CA, to ask about current program details, discuss eligibility, and schedule a test drive. Start with what you need from a vehicle and what you're comfortable spending. From there, you can explore your options with a clearer sense of what belongs in your driveway.