The spare tire no longer blocks the view: Ford built a separate camera for the Bronco

© ford.com

The 2027 Ford Bronco Filson has gained an unusual detail that improves visibility at the back of the vehicle. The new version of the SUV is equipped with a digital rearview mirror that has its own camera and washer. Regular Bronco models don’t offer this system.

The clever part is where the camera sits. It’s not built into the spare-tire housing and it’s not placed in the center high-mounted stop lamp, as one might expect. Instead, the digital mirror’s dedicated camera is mounted behind the rear glass of the tailgate and looks out through its upper portion. Ford chose this layout because the spare tire on the door doesn’t obstruct the view, while the CHMSL can vibrate while driving and produce a shaky image.

To keep the camera working in mud, rain or snow, Ford retained the rear wiper and washer. They clean the glass in front of the camera, so the digital mirror delivers a more stable picture than a conventional mirror in situations where the cabin or rear of the vehicle blocks the view.

The Bronco Filson is, in general, a more refined take on the SUV. It boasts acoustic glass, upgraded seals and revised aerodynamics, which together cut perceived wind noise by nearly 20% compared with the 2021 Bronco. It’s also the first Bronco to come from the factory with power-deployable running boards.