Sydney Sweeney Joins Bronco’s Off-Roadeo Experience: ‘Felt Like the Coolest Version of Myself’
This wasn’t Sydney Sweeney’s first foray into off-roading. In late September, the 26-year-old Euphoria actress partnered with Ford Motor Company, a brand she has an ongoing relationship with, to venture into the stunning Moab, Utah, for the Bronco Off-Roadeo experience. This program is designed to educate Bronco owners in off-road driving techniques. While on the trail, Sweeney showcased her impressive driving skills, maneuvering challenges like a steep 28-degree side slope.
Speaking after a day of driving, Sweeney shared, “Today I felt like the coolest version of myself. I want everyone to see me do this because I feel like it’ll earn me some cool points. When you’re on the road, it makes you feel like, ‘Oh, I can do anything.'”
For current Ford Bronco or Bronco Sport owners, the full-day, 10-hour Off-Roadeo experience is complimentary. Additionally, Off-Roadeo is now accessible to the general public with their Half-Day Adventure program, starting at $795 per vehicle and accommodating up to four guests. This four-hour adventure is guided by expert trail guides and is suitable for drivers of all skill levels.
Currently, Off-Roadeo is offered in three locations: Las Vegas, Moab, and Horseshoe Bay, Texas. In spring 2024, it will also be available in Gilford, New Hampshire.
As an adventure enthusiast who grew up in the nature-rich environment of Spokane, Washington, Sweeney’s off-roading experience comes as no surprise. She stated, “The Pacific Northwest is all mountains, trees, and lakes, so there are plenty of trails for riding. My parents always wanted me to be outdoors, so I spent my childhood outside, letting my imagination run wild. They put me behind the wheel as soon as I could reach it.” Remarkably, she was just four years old at the time.
Sweeney further recalled, “My papa would stand me up on his lap and let me drive up his driveway when I was four years old. I have vivid memories of those moments.” As she got older, Sweeney learned how to drive a manual transmission with her grandpa’s Ford F-100.
“My mom didn’t let me drive an automatic until I actually got my license,” she said. “She taught me to drive a manual on country roads. She would pull over and say, ‘Get out of the car. You need to change the tire.’ I’d say, ‘There’s nothing wrong with the tire.’ And she’d respond, ‘You need to learn how to change a tire.’ My mom was great at putting me in situations where I didn’t know what to do, and then I had to figure it out. She taught me to conquer fear and push through it, and I’m so grateful for that.”
Even now, Sweeney finds her knowledge of driving a manual transmission to be valuable. “When you’re in a film, they sometimes test your driving skills,” she explained. “I mention that I know how to drive a manual, and they’re surprised. It’s really fun.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sweeney’s mechanical skills were put to the test when she decided to restore a vintage 1969 Bronco. She shared, “During quarantine, I needed a project because my mind always needs a creative outlet. I got a 1969 Ford Bronco and thought, ‘I’m going to learn how to fix this up.’ I knew how to change a tire, check oil, and handle fluids, and jumpstart a car. But disassembling various parts under the carriage? I had no clue. My best friend’s dad builds and restores cars, so I called him and said, ‘Hey, I really want to do this. Can you help me learn?’ He graciously allowed me to bring my Bronco in, and at every step, he showed me what to do. He’s like a father figure to me, and he’d instruct me and then say, ‘Alright, now you have to do it. Get your hands dirty.’ It challenged me in so many ways.”
After successfully getting the car running, Sweeney eventually switched to an automatic transmission, which didn’t sit well with her mom. She added, “I drove it for a couple of months, and it was a manual. People don’t really appreciate manual vintage cars as much as they should. Whenever I was on the canyons, cars would tailgate me. I thought, ‘I want to enjoy driving this,’ so I converted it to an automatic. I think my mom is still mad at me to this day. But I drive it everywhere now.” Her choice of license plate, “HEY SYD,” also raised eyebrows. She remarked, “My license plate is ‘HEY SYD,’ and my mom said, ‘That’s very discreet.’ I told her, ‘Everyone knows, Mom. It’s fine.’ On my next car, I think I’ll use ‘BYE SYD.'”
Sweeney’s restoration journey became a viral sensation, with her @syds_garage TikTok page gaining 1.6 million followers. She shared, “It took off. I started recording because my parents wanted me to send them videos of what I was doing with the car, like, ‘What are you doing to this car?’ I said, ‘I can’t send you videos every time,’ so it was more like, ‘I’ll create these cute videos and then send my parents the link so it’s easy to show them what I’m doing.’ Whenever I saw the comments, [they said], ‘You look a lot like [her Euphoria character] Cassie,’ or ‘You look a lot like Sydney Sweeney.’ I thought, ‘That’s me!'”
Sweeney also noticed comments that underestimated her abilities, a common issue faced by female mechanics, who make up only 2.1 percent of mechanics in the U.S. She said, “I’d get comments like, ‘Oh, I bet you just fixed the mirror.’ I’d respond, ‘Go check!'”
Sweeney’s talents extend beyond her mechanical skills. After gaining recognition for her roles in “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Everything Sucks” in 2018, she had her breakthrough moment in “Euphoria.” Since then, she has portrayed a wide range of characters, from Olivia Mossbacher in “The White Lotus” in 2021 to real-life whistleblower Reality Winner in the film “Reality” earlier this year.
Last month, Sweeney transformed into an ’80s video vixen in the Rolling Stones’ music video for their song “Angry.” She shared, “Bringing my mom to London to meet the Rolling Stones definitely earned me some brownie points. It was incredible to see her face light up. Everybody idolizes these guys.”
Next, Sweeney will showcase her comedic skills in the film “Anyone But You,” premiering on December 22. This past September, she celebrated her 26th birthday with an ’80s prom-themed party, even designing the pink dress she wore for the occasion herself.
Sweeney’s previous workwear collaboration with Ford sold out in just over 24 hours. She now has design projects centered around her new home. She stated, “
