A Bronco-Based Lincoln!? Luxury Off-Roader Would Be Its Most Exciting SUV Yet

What It Is: Could we soon see a Lincoln with some real off-road chops? Ford is reportedly working on an all-new model for its luxury SUV division that would use the body-on-frame architecture from the Ford Bronco as the basis of a vehicle designed to compete with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, Lexus GX, and Land Rover Defender.

Lincoln recently announced plans to discontinue the Corsair, and while this new SUV wouldn’t directly replace that entry-level compact crossover, it would serve as an exciting addition to the lineup. More important, it would give Lincoln something it currently lacks: a rugged, lifestyle-focused vehicle with genuine off-road capability. SUVs like the GX and Defender have proven that buyers are willing to pay a premium for luxury vehicles that can truly venture beyond the pavement, and a vehicle along those lines would allow Lincoln to capitalize on that trend.

Despite sharing underpinnings with the Bronco, this new model should deliver the refinement Lincoln buyers have come to expect. It should be capable on the trail, but comfort, craftsmanship, and a more refined on-road ride will remain top priorities.

Why It Matters: Lincoln is in a relatively good place right now. The American luxury brand just refreshed its entire lineup and has carved out an identity that feels both authentic and distinctive with impressive technology. But the discontinuation of the Corsair shouldn’t be overlooked. After the 2026 model year, Lincoln’s lineup will consist of just three vehicles: Nautilus, Aviator, and Navigator. That’s a challenge for any brand to stay relevant, let alone one whose vehicles start at around $56,000.

The all-new, boxier, and more aggressive-looking Lincoln would no doubt attract a different type of buyer to the brand. Customers who find a Land Rover or Mercedes-Benz G-Class out of reach or those looking for an alternative to the increasingly popular Lexus GX could see this new Lincoln as a compelling option. We’d expect pricing for it to land somewhere between the Aviator and Navigator, likely around the $68,000 starting point of the GX.

Platform and Powertrain: The Ford Bronco itself is expected to undergo a complete ground-up makeover by the end of the decade, and with this Lincoln reportedly arriving around the same time, sometime in calendar year 2029 or 2030, it would make even more sense for the two SUVs to share an architecture. But Lincoln engineers would no doubt prioritize ride comfort, cabin isolation, and overall refinement, resulting in a quieter and more luxurious experience than its Ford counterpart. In short, don’t expect any removable doors or roof panels on the Lincoln.

As for what would power it, the obvious candidate at present would be Ford’s well-worn 3.0-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6, versions of which powers the Aviator. A potential optional powertrain would be the 2.0-liter turbo-four-based hybrid, which is available for the Nautilus.

Another possibility given the vehicle’s timeline would be an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) setup, which uses a gasoline engine as a generator to supply power to electric motors. Ford is currently working on this range-extender technology, and a luxury vehicle like this could be an ideal application, even more so if the next Bronco is being developed to use it, as well.

• Estimated Price: $68,000
• Expected On-Sale Date: 2029