Ford is preparing to expand the Bronco family once again, this time with a brand-new plug-in-hybrid SUV designed exclusively for the European market. While American buyers already have the Bronco and Bronco Sport—and China gets the Bronco EV—this upcoming model marks a major shift: a Bronco-branded vehicle that won’t be sold in the United States at all.
According to reports from Automotive News Europe, the new SUV will debut in 2027 as a compact model carrying the Bronco name, but it won’t resemble the rugged U.S. Bronco lineup. In fact, it will be smaller than the Kuga (known in the U.S. as the Escape) and will be produced in Ford’s Valencia facility in Spain, where the Kuga is currently built. Positioned between the Puma and Kuga in Ford’s European range, the SUV will target the continent’s fast-growing segment of urban-oriented off-roaders with a cleaner, more modern design philosophy.
The new Bronco for Europe will launch as a plug-in hybrid, aligning with regional emissions goals and consumer demand. Even though Ford is reportedly preparing a “multi-energy” strategy for the model, there’s currently no sign that a fully electric variant is being planned. Instead, the company appears focused on building a versatile platform that supports different powertrains while keeping costs manageable.
Beyond expanding the Bronco name, this model plays a strategic role for Ford’s manufacturing footprint. With Valencia losing production of long-running nameplates like the Mondeo, Galaxy, and S-Max, the plant has been operating below its potential. Introducing a new Bronco-branded SUV could help revitalize output and bring renewed momentum to Ford’s European restructuring efforts.
The timing also lines up with a broader overhaul of Ford’s European strategy. The brand is reshaping its lineup around more efficient, better-targeted models, and the new Bronco PHEV appears to be a cornerstone of that shift—bringing fresh energy to Ford’s SUV portfolio and signaling a more focused plan for the region’s future.
