By Kamil Kaluski
Ford is adding a new trim to the 2027 Bronco – Filson. It was developed along with Filson, maker of high-quality outdoor wear and bags, much like Eddie Bauer or Nautica models from decades past. The idea is to introduce a high-end luxury model that is not the Raptor but rather represents more of a quiet, understated luxury. Think of it as a Bronco for someone who’d wear a Grand Seiko Tokyo Lion or an analog Casio MR-G – I’m open to other watch suggestions but you get the idea.
I, however, see it as something else. I see it as a marketing study. Ford has said that they are working on a Bronco-based Lincoln. And the Bronco base gives them a lot of options, most of which are limited by bean counters and marketing. And that makes the Filson model idea actually brilliant; load up the Bronco as high as it will go, make easy and affordable, but meaningful changes, and watch the reactions and sales. That’s a hell of a better idea than hiring an agency that would produce a slidedeck.
Power and Drivetrain:
And Ford rolled with this idea much further than I expected it to it. The Filson model has a Raptor-based three-liter twin-turbo V6. However, unlike the Raptor and its 418 hp @ 5,750 rpm and 440 lb-ft @ 2,750 rpm that is generated on premium gas, the Filson will not require premium gasoline (I have confirmed this!). Expect the peak numbers to drop from the Raptor level or perhaps be identical to the other vehicles with the 3.0TT – handy chart below.
UPDATE: Ford released the power numbers and model year 2027 updates on October 13, 2026 – 380 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque.
The transmission will remain the same as the 2.7TT and Raptor, 10-speed 10R60. Because the Filson will come standard with the Sasquash Package, it will have the same transfercase as other SAS models, with 2H, 4A, 4H, and 4L settings. The Filson will get its own drive/G.O.A.T. modes and will retain the front and real locking differentials. But it won’t have the sway bar disconnect system.
Chassis:
Like all Sasquach models, the Filson will retain the Dana 44 AdvanTEK M210 front axle and solid Dana 44 AdvanTEK M220 rear. Likewise, the same Goodyear Territory 35” tires will remain, but on unique wheels.
The Filson will get the HOSS 3.0 suspension as standard. That means FOX internal-bypass dampers, Ford Performance severe-duty steering rack, and severe-duty tie-rod ends. I have not driven a Bronco with this suspension setup yet, but I’ve been told that on the road it rides as smoothly as an F-150 Raptor, which is perfect for this application.
We should all thank Ford for their restraint to keep the wheels at 17-inch. It’s because just about all other makers of luxury off-roaders tend to slap huge wheels on their top trims: Land Rover Defender, Mercedes G, and Lexus GX and LX all can get wheels as big as 22-inches in diameter.
There is one more thing that the Filson inherits from the Raptor. In the cargo area, just behind and above rear seats, there is an added structural brace that is not present on other non-Raptor models. However, Filson did not get the other Raptor bar that goes across the B-pillars. I could not confirm if it got the Raptor rear frame reinforcement.
Exterior:
All Filsons will come with color-matched hardtops. I assume soft-tops will be optional. The launch color is exclusive, and really great looking Field Green Metallic. Other color options include Marsh Gray, Avalanche Gray, Desert Sand, Shadow Black, Oxford White.
There will also be Iron Sands Copper Metallic but it will be only on the First Edition models, which are limited to 2500 units. The First Edition models will include unique First Edition fender badges, serialized center-console plaque and additional Filson-inspired cargo storage bags.
Specific exterior bits include a grille with bronze-toned finish inspired by Filson hardware with textured lettering and a color-matched tire cover. Front trail sights/tie-downs have bronze inserts. The taillights have a unique design, mirror caps are body colored, and it gets its own set of wheel sans beadlocks. In the front is the typical Capable powder-coated steel bumper with integrated fog lamps. All those changes and Ford still hasn’t found a good way to mount the front license plate.
There is at least one external factory option – black fenders or color coated fenders. No MIB option here, both are painted and still removable. Other options are dealer installed, such as the roof rack.
The whole thing is finished off with a set of obligatory Filson badges.
Interior:
Filson are leather people. As such, this thing has leather in places other Broncos don’t have places. Aside from seats, console, shifter, the whole dash is wrapped in leather with contrasted stitching. Front door pockets are now magnetically attached removable bags. I have to say, the whole interior looks, and smells, really good.
The seats are particularly nice. They are powered, like the leather covered seats on lesser models, but the quilted two-tone leather is of much higher quality. In the front, they are ventilated in addition to being heated, a first for the Bronco. Unfortunately, there is still no seat memory feature, which almost defeats the purpose of having power seats. The rear outboard seats get heaters of their own but not coolers.
There are additional storage bags mounted to the roll bars in the cargo compartment. Those may be optional on non-First Edition models. Another Filson specific feature is a digital rear view mirror, camera for which is mounted in the top section of the rear liftgate glass.
And miracle of all miracles. Six years after its introduction, Ford finally realized that interior lighting stinks. There are now additional lights integrated into the rear section of the roll bars, illuminating the rear seats and the cargo area. I had to find an aftermarket solution for that in my own Bronco.
There are also the invisible changes. Ford made a point of stating that extensive work went into interior sound insulation but did not provide details. The liner of the modular hard top did look very thick. In my unscientific test, the doors and tailgate did feel heavier and closed much with a more distinct thump.
Conclusion:
There is a lot more to the Bronco Filson than some leather seats and badges. I must say that this a subjectively greater change than anyone could have expected, certainly the biggest since the Raptor. Most importantly, it all feels very well designed and integrated.
Ford is targeting a suggested retail price in the mid $70,000s. That seems like a lot but also on par with the Lexus GX 550 Overtrail. Jeep’s most direct competitor would be Wrangler Rubicon X, which is significantly less expensive but also not as refined. Opt for one of the 392-powered Wranglers, and for a little more money that refinement is replaced with a grin and potential single-digit fuel economy.
William Byrd 
Jeff Glucker