The Ford Bronco Sport is a tiny SUV with rough aesthetics and actual off-road capability that will be released in 2021. It has all of the features that customers expect in a modern SUV, making it a pleasant daily driver even if you don’t go off the main road.
Overview
The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport is a five-seat compact crossover that resurrects one of the brand’s most storied identities. Consider the Bronco Sport to be the Escape’s outdoorsy relative, as it is similar in size to the Ford Escape. The style of the Bronco Sport reflects this, since it is tall and boxy with sharp edges and a more upright windscreen. Four-wheel drive is standard on every Bronco Sport. A raised suspension and bigger tires are also included in the Badlands trim. The Bronco Sport has the same engines as the Escape, meaning it has a 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine as standard and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine as an option. The Bronco Sport’s boxy form doesn’t assist with fuel efficiency, but it does make the inside feel big. The back seat has plenty of legroom, and the cargo space, despite the Bronco’s modest overall length, is surprisingly practical. Although the Bronco Sport is 10 inches shorter than the Jeep Cherokee in length, it is nearly 5 inches taller. The new Bronco Sport is one of the most distinctive vehicles in the compact SUV market, offering a unique combination of rugged good looks, actual off-road performance, and modern amenities.
Trims and Costs
There are five trim levels available for the Ford Bronco Sport: base, Big Bend, Outer Banks, Badlands, and First Edition. All trims come equipped with four-wheel drive. The entry-level model costs $28,315 (plus a $1,495 destination fee). The Big Bend trim is the most popular, although we preferred the Badlands for its value.
A Terrain Management System with five modes, 17-inch alloys, adjustable flood lighting on the liftgate, and Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot are among the standard features. Four-wheel drive, automated LED headlights, motorized side mirrors, and roof rails are standard on the Ford Bronco base model. Seating for five people is provided in the passenger compartment, which is finished in fabric upholstery. For more cargo capacity, the back seats can be folded. On-road safety features such as automated emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring will be appreciated by drivers.
Big Bend is a state in the United States.
Alloy wheels, a keyless entry keypad, zipper front seatback pockets, a rubberized cargo floor, rear floodlights, heated mirrors, and automatic temperature control are included in the Big Bend trim, which costs $29,815.
The Outer Banks are a group of islands off the coast of
The Outer Banks trim is for those who want a bit more luxury on the trails. 18-inch black-painted aluminum wheels, 225/60R18 all-season tires, ambient lighting, a 6.5-inch digital instrument panel, and heated leather-trimmed front bucket seats are just a few of the features. The well-equipped Bronco Sport Outer Banks is less expensive than the top-of-the-line Jeep Cherokee Limited 4×4 and the Toyota RAV4 Limited with all-wheel drive, at $33,815.
Badlands
All Bronco Sport trims are trail-ready, but the Badlands trim is suitable for dedicated off-roaders. A more powerful 2.0-liter engine, off-road suspension, a more capable 4×4 system, more aggressive all-terrain tires, two additional terrain modes, and a front 180-degree video system are all part of the package. This is our suggested trim, with a starting price of $34,315, since it captures the essential spirit of the Bronco Sport. It also costs less than the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk ($37,580) and Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road ($37,155).
First Printing
A limited number of Bronco Sport First Edition versions are also available from Ford. The First Edition, which starts at $39,655, includes all of the features found in the Bronco Sport Badlands, as well as improved interior and exterior highlights from the Outer Banks variant.
Performance and Engine
The standard engine in the Bronco Sport is a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder mated to an eight-speed automated transmission. The engine is modest, but it produces a respectable 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque, which is sufficient for everyday driving. A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque is standard on the Badlands and First Edition levels. It comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission as well. According to independent testers, the Bronco Sport accelerates quickly with this engine, reaching 60 mph in around 6.0 seconds from a standstill. The Jeep Cherokee, on the other hand, has a 270-hp four-cylinder engine and even a 3.2-liter V6 engine, making it far from the most powerful in the class. The Bronco Sport’s quiet, comfortable on-pavement ride may surprise passengers. Excellent on- and off-road mobility is aided by good outward visibility, a front-facing video system, and a backup camera.
Interior
The Ford Bronco Sport is more small than many of its competitors, making it ideal for tight off-road paths. Despite its reduced outward proportions, the Bronco Sport’s high roofline provides its cabin a large feel that rivals the Toyota RAV4 and the Subaru Outback. Even adult adventurers will find comfortable seating in the second row. Washable rubber flooring across the cabin and cargo area, as well as easy-to-clean fabric seating surfaces and silicone-sealed control switches, are available on the Badlands and First Edition trims. Lower trim levels contain an unusual combination of interior materials, giving the cabin a less expensive appearance than its competitors. Behind the lockable liftgate, an inside bike rack holds two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. Front and rear camera systems are useful for off-road rock crawling as well as parking on city streets.
The Bronco Sport has less cargo room than the Subaru Outback and Toyota RAV4, but more than the Jeep Cherokee. The Bronco Sport has 10 cubic feet more space behind the rear seat than the Cherokee. When the back seats are folded, the cargo area expands to a massive 65.2 cubic feet. The Bronco Sport’s carrying capacity is enhanced by a flip-glass rear window, low load floor, and roof rack.
