The 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder is the right Bronco engine for most Long Island commuters, while the 2.7L EcoBoost V6 is worth the step up if you tow, load the truck with gear, or simply want 410 lb-ft of torque on tap. Both are turbocharged, both run on regular fuel, and both make more power on premium. By the end of this guide you will know exactly which one to check the box for.
Bottom Line: Pick the 2.3L for value, a manual transmission option and lighter weight; pick the 2.7L V6 for a 40-plus horsepower and 95 lb-ft torque advantage that you feel every time you merge onto the Southern State.
- 2.3L: 275 hp / 315 lb-ft on regular fuel, 300 hp / 325 lb-ft on premium; 7-speed manual or 10-speed automatic
- 2.7L V6: 315 hp / 410 lb-ft on regular fuel, 330 hp / 415 lb-ft on premium; 10-speed automatic only
- The V6 is optional on Outer Banks, Badlands and Heritage (4-Door), standard on Stroppe Edition and included in the Wildtrak Package
Ford Bronco 2.3L vs 2.7L: The Numbers
Ford publishes output for each engine on both regular and premium fuel, and the gap between the two engines holds on either grade. Both run a 10.0:1 compression ratio and both are turbocharged, so neither feels lazy off the line the way older naturally aspirated four-cylinders did.
| Spec | 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 | 2.7L EcoBoost V6 |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower, regular fuel | 275 hp @ 5,700 rpm | ✓ 315 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Horsepower, premium fuel | 300 hp @ 5,700 rpm | ✓ 330 hp @ 5,250 rpm |
| Torque, regular fuel | 315 lb-ft @ 3,400 rpm | ✓ 410 lb-ft @ 3,250 rpm |
| Torque, premium fuel | 325 lb-ft @ 3,400 rpm | ✓ 415 lb-ft @ 3,100 rpm |
| Transmissions | ✓ 7-speed manual or 10-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic only |
| Body styles | ✓ 2-Door and 4-Door | 4-Door only |
The torque gap is the headline. On regular fuel the V6 delivers 95 lb-ft more than the four-cylinder, and it peaks slightly lower in the rev range. That is the difference you feel when a Sasquatch-equipped truck on 35-inch tires pulls away from a light on Hempstead Turnpike, or when a loaded 4-Door merges into traffic.
Which Trims Get Which Engine
The 2.3L is standard on Base, Big Bend, Outer Banks, Badlands and Heritage Edition. The 2.7L V6 is optional on Outer Banks, Badlands and Heritage Edition, and only in 4-Door form. It is standard on the Stroppe Edition and bundled into the Badlands Wildtrak Package. Raptor uses its own 3.0L EcoBoost V6.
If you want a 2-Door Bronco, the decision is made for you: the V6 is not offered in the shorter body, so a Base or Badlands 2-Door will be a 2.3L. Likewise, if you want the manual transmission, that means the 2.3L. See our manual vs automatic guide for what each gearbox brings.
"Most Levittown and East Meadow buyers who daily-drive a Bronco are perfectly happy with the 2.3L, especially with the automatic. The ones who come back asking for the V6 are the ones running 35-inch tires with a roof full of gear. If that's you, get the 2.7L the first time."
General Manager, Levittown Ford
Regular vs Premium Fuel: Does It Matter on Long Island?
Both engines are rated on regular unleaded, and the premium numbers are a bonus, not a requirement. On the 2.3L, premium adds 25 hp and 10 lb-ft; on the 2.7L it adds 15 hp and 5 lb-ft. Whether that is worth the per-gallon premium at a Levittown station is a personal call. Commuters who mostly sit on the Meadowbrook will rarely notice; buyers who tow or run the Sasquatch tires may.
Fuel economy for the 2026 model year had not been finalized at the time of writing, so we are not quoting numbers here. As a rule, the smaller engine with the smaller tires will return the best mileage, and the V6 with Sasquatch will return the least. Use our calculator to model your own annual fuel spend:
Both engines share the same safety hardware and structure, so crash performance is not a factor in the choice; federal results are posted at the NHTSA vehicle ratings site. When you are ready to compare them back to back, browse Levittown Ford’s Bronco inventory and note which engine each unit carries, or check current Bronco offers.
Our Recommendation by Buyer Type
Daily commuter, Nassau County to the city or across the island: 2.3L with the 10-speed automatic. Plenty of power, lighter nose, lower running costs, and remote start with the Mid Package.
Weekend beach and trail truck with Sasquatch: either works, but the 2.7L V6 makes the 35-inch tires feel effortless and is the engine Ford pairs with HOSS 3.0 in the Wildtrak Package.
Enthusiast who wants three pedals: 2.3L with the 7-speed manual, which is the only way to get the crawler gear and a clutch in a Bronco.
Towing a small boat or trailer to Captree: the V6’s 410 lb-ft is the safer bet. Both engines get the trailer tow prep pack standard, and a trailer tow package is available on every trim.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much more power does the Bronco 2.7L V6 have than the 2.3L? On regular fuel the V6 makes 315 hp and 410 lb-ft versus 275 hp and 315 lb-ft for the 2.3L. On premium fuel it is 330 hp and 415 lb-ft versus 300 hp and 325 lb-ft.
Does the Ford Bronco require premium fuel? No. Both the 2.3L and 2.7L EcoBoost are rated on regular unleaded. Premium fuel unlocks slightly higher output but is optional.
Can I get the 2.7L V6 with a manual transmission? No. The 2.7L V6 is paired only with the 10-speed automatic. The 7-speed manual is exclusive to the 2.3L four-cylinder.
Can I get the V6 in a 2-Door Bronco? No. For 2026 the 2.7L V6 is 4-Door only. The 2-Door Bronco, offered on Base and Badlands, uses the 2.3L.
Which Bronco engine is better for Long Island winters? Both perform the same in snow because traction comes from the 4x4 system, tires and G.O.A.T. Modes rather than the engine. Our Bronco winter driving guide covers what actually matters.
Which Bronco engine holds value better? Well-optioned V6 trucks tend to draw the most enthusiast interest on the used market, but 2.3L automatics sell in the highest volume in Nassau County and remain easy to resell.
Compare Both Engines at Levittown Ford
Levittown Ford serves Levittown, East Meadow, Wantagh, Seaford and all of Long Island, and usually has both engines in stock so you can drive them back to back. Browse Bronco inventory, view current specials, or contact us to set up a test drive.