What’s New About the Bronco Sport?
The Bronco Sport is still a relatively fresh entrant into the SUV field. While it shares its name and some styling cues with the big bad Bronco, it actually shares more of its underpinnings with the larger Ford Escape and the new Ford Maverick.
What’s Good About the Bronco Sport?
Where the Ford Escape went rounded jellybean in this generation, Ford Bronco Sport skews completely to the other end of the spectrum with boxy ruggedness oozing from nearly every pore (and actually resembles something like what the first generation Escape might look like today. And, it works. Maybe to the chagrin of Big Bronco owners, but there is no denying that the Bronco Sport has definitely struck a chord with buyers, rocketing out to over 100,000 sales in its first year on the market. Ford also saw fit to offer it in some bright colors as well, even more so with the 2023 model year. Design seems to be a homerun.
Also like how configurations and build options are pretty minimal. Yes, there are some themes/trims, but most have one (if any) major package group available, and then choice of if you want added driver systems and the sunroof.
Key Contents / Trims Available
Lineup starts with the Base trim. A torquey 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine is standard, along with 4WD with the Goes Over Any Type of Terrain (GOAT) modes similar to Big Brother Bronco. Inside you get a standard 8″ infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Safety equipment includes blind spot detection with rear cross traffic as well as automatic emergency forward braking. There are fun things like a bottle opener built into the rear door frame and spotlights on the rear lift gate that can pivot out to help illuminate your campsite. Also love the separate opening glass on the lift gate, something quickly disappearing from most SUVs today. Cruise control is also standard.
Up next is the Big Bend trim. Key changes here include a rubberized cargo floor, front seat backs with a unique MOLLE strap system, auto climate control, illuminated vanity mirrors inside and heated exterior mirrors. Front doors have passive unlock/lock controls and push button start is now standard here. You can add on a convenience package with things like heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, power driver’s seat, wireless charging pad and programmable garage door opener. Uplevel driving assistance tech like adaptive cruise control is optional here as well. Something that Ford continues to separate out and charge for, unlike many of the Asian manufacturers. Sunroof is optional.
Fancy Bronco Sport shoppers will likely step up to the Outer Banks trim. This gets 18″ machine finished wheels, a black roof, bold white “BRONCO” badging up front, up level LED headlamps with signature daytime running lamps, dual-zone automatic temperature control, larger 6.5″ instrument cluster display and leather seats. The power driver’s seat is standard here, as is a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel and heated front seats. There are rain sensing wipers up front, rear parking sensors and the Ford iconic Intellicode keypad. An auto-dimming interior mirror and memory positions for the driver seat and mirrors round out this luxurious set. There’s a lot here, but yet again, the up level driving systems and sunroof are optional. A Tech Package here adds an up level B&O sound system, programmable garage door opener and the wireless charging pad.
Up top is the Badlands trim. Wheel size comes back down to 17″ units, but there are 2 additional GOAT modes with advanced 4WD system and an off-road tuned suspension, as well as a unique 2.0-liter turbo engine and front tow-hooks. Metal bash plates and front 180-degree camera come along for the ride as well. Like the Outer Banks, there are heated leather front seats and the LED headlamps with signature lighting elements and power driver’s seat. A Premium Package adds elements to bring it similar to the fancy pants Outer Banks, it adds things like the B&O sound system, garage door opener, wireless charging pad, memory driver package, dual zone temp control and rear parking sensors, a power passenger seat, etc.
Quick Spin
We sampled a Bronco Sport First Edition, which is essentially a fully loaded Badlands. Can I just say I love that it’s a brand new SUV that comes with 17″ wheels and 65-series tires. That means the sidewalls a nice, tall and chunky. Tremendous for ride comfort. And the Bronco Sport needs that. With a short wheelbase, the ride could tend to get a bit choppy and bouncy, but the nice cushy tires help mitigate some of that. The 2.0-liter 250 horsepower engine is also a rocket in something this small. The Bronco Sport feels light and nimble, while the high roof helps keep things feeling comfortable, at least up front. Fun city-ute that should also be able to hold itself on most weekend needs.
Improvement Points
Would almost wish for the Bronco Sport to be slightly bigger. Yes its subcompact footprint (172″ long, 8 to 9″ shorter than the Escape) make it attractive for younger (childless) couples, but those couples have friends! The rear seats, while generous with headroom, severely lack leg room, or perhaps rear facing child seat room.
Despite pricing that can crest $40,000, there’s also not a power lift gate anywhere on the standard or option sheet. Yes, one can argue that the lift gate is fine and less to go wrong, etc., but a power lift gate is available on many competitors, even those priced well below the top rungs of the Bronco Sport.
Driver Seat comfort. While a power seat is available, the movement is a bit limited relative to most. Height is only controlled in one vertical motion, where many power seats offer height adjustment for the front and rear of the bottom cushion independently.
Heritage Editions
Ford added new Heritage editions for the 2023 model year with more fun new colors. Curious to see what they’ll continue to iterate with next!
