20 MPG combined makes the 2025 Ford Bronco Outer Banks with the 2.7L EcoBoost an adventure-ready, highly capable off-roader that doesn’t completely punish your wallet at the pump, provided you understand its mission. This isn’t a family hauler designed for efficiency, and it certainly isn’t targeting the Prius crowd. This is a Bronco, through and through, meaning its design prioritizes ruggedness, ground clearance, and the ability to conquer obstacles. For the buyer who values a removable roof and doors, formidable 4WD, and an engine that delivers ample grunt both on and off the pavement, 20 MPG is a practical concession, not a deal-breaker. It’s the cost of admission for a vehicle that can truly take you where others can’t.

City and highway performance

Looking at the EPA ratings, the 2025 Bronco Outer Banks equipped with the 2.7L V6 and 10-speed automatic achieves 19 MPG in the city and 21 MPG on the highway. This narrow spread between city and highway figures is typical for vehicles with blocky aerodynamics, strong 4WD systems, and a powertrain geared for torque over outright cruising efficiency. In urban environments, the Bronco’s weight, larger tires, and frequent acceleration/braking cycles contribute to the 19 MPG. However, the 10-speed automatic transmission does an admirable job of keeping the engine in its optimal range, mitigating what could otherwise be a much lower city number. On the highway, the 2.7L EcoBoost, with its twin turbos, provides sufficient power to maintain speed without constantly downshifting, but its upright stance and relatively un-aerodynamic shape inherently limit its potential for higher efficiency. The drag coefficient is simply not conducive to outstanding highway MPG, and any Bronco buyer knows this going in. The buyer of this specific Bronco expects to spend time on the highway getting to their adventure, and the 21 MPG is a tolerable rate for that journey.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates an annual fuel cost of $2,200 for the 2025 Ford Bronco Outer Banks 4WD with the 2.7L V6. This figure is calculated based on an assumption of 15,000 miles driven per year, split between city and highway driving, using national average fuel prices. It serves as a useful benchmark for comparing against other vehicles, but as always, individual driving habits, local fuel prices, and the mix of city versus highway mileage will cause actual costs to vary. For the Bronco owner, particularly one who frequently engages the 4WD system or drives aggressively, this $2,200 is realistically a minimum. Hard off-roading, sustained high speeds, or towing will all reduce efficiency and increase expenditure beyond this estimate. But for a vehicle designed for capability rather than frugality, this cost is a known factor. It’s part of the ownership experience for a specialized adventure vehicle.

Real-world expectations

In real-world driving, expect the 2025 Bronco Outer Banks 2.7L to largely align with its EPA ratings, provided you drive it as intended. Aggressive driving, frequent use of the more performance-oriented G.O.A.T. modes, or constant off-road excursions will certainly push numbers closer to the lower end. Conversely, temperate driving, avoiding heavy acceleration, and judicious use of cruise control on the highway might even see you occasionally exceed the 21 MPG highway rating, though not by much. The significant factor for the Bronco is its mission. Owners aren’t buying this for fuel economy, they’re buying it for the freedom and capability it offers. The 2.7L EcoBoost V6 is a powerful engine, delivering 330 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, which plays a major role in its off-road prowess and on-road responsiveness. That power comes with a fuel economy penalty, and the buyer understands this trade-off. They expect the engine’s capability for towing and traversing tough terrain, and the corresponding fuel burn is part of that package. Any off-road enthusiast knows that lower tire pressures, rocky terrain, and sustained low-speed crawling are not conducive to high MPG, and that’s precisely where this vehicle shines.

How it compares

Compared to its direct rivals, the 2025 Bronco Outer Banks 2.7L sits squarely in the competitive landscape for off-road focused SUVs. Take the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with its 2.0L turbo-four engine, which manages 20 MPG combined (19 city/20 highway). The Wrangler sacrifices some horsepower (270 hp vs. 330 hp) for a slightly different power delivery, but its fuel economy numbers are strikingly similar to the Bronco’s 2.7L V6. Opt for the Wrangler’s 3.6L V6 and the combined MPG drops to 19 (17 city/22 highway), putting it slightly behind the Bronco’s more powerful 2.7L. For those considering the more conventional Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road, which still relies on an older 4.0L V6, the combined MPG is a significantly lower 17 (16 city/19 highway). This highlights the relative efficiency of Ford’s turbocharged EcoBoost engine technology, even in a heavy, off-road focused application. The more car-like Subaru Outback Wilderness, while capable, isn’t a direct competitor for extreme off-roading, but its 24 MPG combined (21 city/26 highway) with its turbocharged 2.4L engine shows what’s possible with a unibody platform and more aerodynamic design, but without the Bronco’s hardcore capability. Bronco buyers are keenly aware of BRONCO MPG across all years and appreciate the balance of power and efficiency the 2.7L offers, especially when stacked against its most direct, equally rugged competitors. The 2.7L’s power advantage over the 2.0L Bronco (330 hp vs. 300 hp) for only a 1 MPG combined deficit, and often negligible highway difference, makes it an attractive upgrade for many.

Tips to maximize efficiency

While the Bronco isn’t an efficiency champion, smart driving habits can help optimize its fuel consumption. Maintaining steady speeds on the highway and using cruise control can prevent unnecessary acceleration and deceleration, smoothing out the powertrain’s work cycle.

Regular maintenance is crucial. Keeping tires properly inflated to the recommended pressure reduces rolling resistance, and ensuring the engine’s filters (air, fuel) are clean allows all systems to operate at peak efficiency, minimizing wasted effort.

When you’re not planning an off-road adventure, consider removing the modular roof panels and doors. While great for the open-air experience, they also add weight and alter aerodynamics, especially the hardtop. Their removal might offer a marginal, but noticeable, improvement in MPG for daily commutes.

Avoid carrying unnecessary gear or heavy accessories when not needed. Every extra pound the Bronco has to haul translates directly into increased fuel consumption, particularly in city driving with frequent stops and starts.

Choose your G.O.A.T. mode wisely. While “Sport” or “Baja” modes are exhilarating, they hold gears longer and sharpen throttle response, which inherently burns more fuel. For everyday driving, stick to “Normal” or “Eco” modes to encourage more efficient shifting and gentler acceleration mapping. For more options from the manufacturer, explore all Ford fuel economy data.