Lincoln may be preparing its boldest SUV in decades, at least according to a recent report by Autoweek that cites unnamed industry sources. The publication reports that Lincoln is developing a rugged, body-on-frame sport-utility vehicle based on the Ford Bronco platform, positioning it as a potential competitor to high-end off-road luxury models such as the Land Rover Range Rover and Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Lincoln and its parent company, Ford Motor Co., have not publicly confirmed the project.
According to Autoweek, sources familiar with the matter say the proposed SUV would ride on the same underlying architecture as the Bronco, Ford’s mid-size off-roader that returned to the market in 2021. That platform is a traditional body-on-frame design engineered for durability and off-road capability, distinct from the unibody construction used in most of Lincoln’s current crossovers. The report suggests the vehicle would likely be a two-row SUV and would lean heavily into both off-road performance and upscale appointments.
Autoweek characterized the vehicle as something akin to a Lincoln interpretation of the Bronco, blending rugged mechanical underpinnings with the brand’s established luxury design language. The publication speculated that the styling could merge Bronco-inspired proportions with Lincoln’s signature front-end treatment and interior refinement. However, no official design sketches, specifications, or technical details have been released.
The report indicates the vehicle could arrive around the 2029 or 2030 model year, based on information provided by unnamed sources. That timeline would potentially align it with the next generation of the Ford Bronco, which is widely expected within the next several years, though Ford has not publicly detailed Bronco’s future product cadence beyond the current generation.
If produced, the SUV would represent a notable strategic shift for Lincoln. The brand’s present lineup consists primarily of unibody crossovers and SUVs focused on on-road comfort and technology. Models such as the Nautilus and Aviator emphasize smooth ride quality and premium interiors rather than trail-rated hardware. Lincoln’s only current body-on-frame vehicle is the full-size Navigator, which shares its platform with the Ford Expedition but is not positioned as a hardcore off-road competitor in the same mold as the G-Class or Range Rover.
Autoweek’s report suggests the proposed SUV could carry a premium price tag, potentially placing it squarely in the six-figure luxury bracket occupied by its European rivals. For context, the Lincoln Navigator currently starts in the mid-$90,000 range, while the Land Rover Range Rover begins well into six figures depending on configuration. Pricing for the rumored Bronco-based Lincoln has not been disclosed, and no official estimates have been provided by the automaker.
Car and Driver also reported on the Autoweek findings, similarly noting that the information stems from unnamed sources and that Lincoln has not confirmed the program. Both publications emphasized that the project remains speculative until Ford or Lincoln offers formal comment.
The Ford Bronco itself is available in two- and four-door configurations and offers multiple turbocharged engine options, removable doors and roof panels, and advanced off-road systems. If Lincoln were to adapt that architecture, industry observers speculate it could incorporate upgraded suspension tuning, enhanced sound insulation, premium materials, and advanced driver assistance features tailored to luxury buyers. Again, no such specifications have been officially announced.
As with many long-lead automotive development stories, plans can evolve significantly before production decisions are finalized. Automakers routinely explore product concepts years in advance, and not all internal proposals reach the showroom floor.
For now, the only confirmed facts are those reported by Autoweek and echoed by Car and Driver: unnamed sources claim Lincoln is studying a Bronco-based, body-on-frame luxury SUV aimed at the upper tier of the off-road market, potentially arriving near the end of the decade. Until Lincoln or Ford publicly verifies the project, the vehicle remains an intriguing possibility rather than an official addition to the brand’s future lineup.
Photo: NOT ACTUAL PHOTO. AI-generated rendering of a hypothetical Lincoln Bronco-based SUV.