Ford Bronco-based Lincoln could be its boldest SUV yet
Ford is reportedly developing a luxury Lincoln SUV on Ford Bronco body-on-frame architecture, aiming to rival the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, Lexus GX, and Land Rover Defender. The boxier model could arrive around 2029 or 2030, with an estimated start near $68,000, as Lincoln seeks genuine off-road capability after dropping the Corsair.
That report, published by MotorTrend, frames the project as more than a rumor mill tease. It would give Lincoln something the brand currently lacks: a rugged, lifestyle-focused SUV with real trail ability, wrapped in the comfort and craftsmanship buyers already expect from the nameplate.
The idea also lands squarely in a Nostalgia: Then & Now moment. Classic Bronco culture is booming again, while Ford's modern Bronco platform may soon underpin a polished Lincoln counterpart.
Key Takeaways
- Ford is reportedly working on a Lincoln SUV based on Ford Bronco body-on-frame underpinnings.
- The model is pitched as a rival to the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, Lexus GX, and Land Rover Defender.
- Arrival is expected around calendar year 2029 or 2030, alongside a ground-up Bronco remake.
- Estimated pricing sits near $68,000, between Lincoln's Aviator and Navigator.
- Powertrain ideas include a 3.0-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6, a hybrid option, or a future EREV setup.
What is a Ford Bronco-based Lincoln SUV, exactly?
According to MotorTrend, Ford is reportedly developing an all-new model for Lincoln that would use the body-on-frame architecture from the Ford Bronco. The goal is a capable off-roader designed to compete with premium adventure SUVs such as the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, Lexus GX, and Land Rover Defender.
Lincoln recently announced plans to discontinue the Corsair. This Bronco-rooted SUV would not directly replace that entry-level compact crossover. Instead, it would expand the lineup with a boxier, more aggressive lifestyle machine.
Sharing underpinnings with the Bronco does not mean copying the Bronco's personality. MotorTrend notes the Lincoln should still prioritize comfort, craftsmanship, and a more refined on-road ride. Trail capability would matter, but cabin isolation and luxury feel would come first.
In short, do not expect removable doors or roof panels on the Lincoln. Think Bronco toughness underneath, Lincoln manners on top.
Why would a Ford Bronco platform matter for Lincoln now?
Lincoln is in a relatively strong spot after refreshing its lineup and sharpening a more distinctive identity with impressive technology. Still, the Corsair's exit leaves a thinner catalog. After the 2026 model year, MotorTrend reports Lincoln's lineup will consist of just three vehicles: Nautilus, Aviator, and Navigator.
That is a tough place for any brand that wants to stay relevant, especially one whose vehicles start at around $56,000. A true off-road luxury SUV would give Lincoln a fourth pillar and a new customer magnet.
Buyers have already shown they will pay a premium for luxury vehicles that can leave the pavement. The Lexus GX and Land Rover Defender helped prove that appetite. A Bronco-based Lincoln could court shoppers who find a Land Rover or Mercedes-Benz G-Class out of reach, or who want an alternative to the increasingly popular GX.
MotorTrend expects pricing to land somewhere between the Aviator and Navigator, likely around the GX's $68,000 starting point. That positioning could make the vehicle feel aspirational without jumping straight into ultra-exotic territory.
When could the Ford Bronco-based Lincoln arrive, and how would it be powered?
The Ford Bronco itself is expected to undergo a complete ground-up makeover by the end of the decade. MotorTrend says the Lincoln is reportedly timed for around the same window, sometime in calendar year 2029 or 2030. Sharing architecture then would make practical sense for both brands.
Lincoln engineers would still tune the vehicle differently. Ride comfort, cabin quietness, and overall refinement would be higher priorities than on the Ford counterpart, producing a quieter and more luxurious experience.
On powertrains, the most obvious near-term candidate is Ford's 3.0-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6, versions of which already serve in Lincoln's Aviator and, as AOL's MotorTrend reprint notes, the Navigator. A potential optional setup is the 2.0-liter turbo-four hybrid available in the Nautilus.
Given the late-decade timeline, another possibility is an extended-range electric vehicle, or EREV, setup. In that design, a gasoline engine acts as a generator for electric motors. Ford is already working on range-extender technology, and MotorTrend suggests a luxury SUV like this could be an ideal application, especially if the next Bronco is developed to use it as well.
MotorTrend's snapshot estimates put the price at about $68,000 and the expected on-sale date in 2029.
How does Bronco nostalgia connect to this luxury SUV rumor?
While Lincoln looks ahead, Bronco nostalgia is already loud in popular culture. In mid-July 2026, Kim Kardashian showed off a restored 1973 Ford Bronco in a photo dump tied to her Idaho summer home near Lake Coeur d'Alene. Coverage put the vintage truck at about $285,000, with ties to Velocity Restorations and an introduction through brother-in-law Travis Barker, according to reports citing TMZ.
That classic Bronco moment underscores why the name still carries lifestyle heat decades later. A boxy silhouette, outdoor fantasy, and American off-road romance remain potent. A future Lincoln built on modern Ford Bronco bones would try to translate that same appetite into quieter luxury for the next decade.
Whether the reported Lincoln ever reaches showrooms remains uncertain until Ford and Lincoln confirm it. For now, the reporting paints a clear picture: Bronco hardware, Lincoln polish, and a shot at one of the most exciting SUVs the brand has considered yet.