2023 Ford Bronco Sport

Pros:

• An off-road capability that is better than most other SUVs.
• Easy-to-use buttons and knobs
• A lot of ways to change it

Cons:

• Slow braking and steering
• Most small crossovers need more legroom in the back.

How does it feel to drive a Bronco Sport? Off-roading is essential to the Bronco Sport, especially in the Badlands version we tested. The fact that the Bronco Sport is fun to drive in the dirt is excellent news. The bad news is that having fun on the street is less fun than it used to be.

The optional 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine has good power for its class and can go from 0 to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. The Bronco Sport is a quick off-road vehicle with a lot of energy that can make good use of advanced traction modes. But when driving, the brakes and steering aren’t good enough. Because the brake pedal doesn’t feel or respond like it should, it takes 127 feet long for a small SUV to stop from 60 mph. Shifts at low speeds are also hard to do.

It is very comfortable to ride in the Bronco Sport. If you buy the Bronco Sport, you’re saying that you value off-road capability more than the comfort of a regular crossover. So, it has a different smooth ride than competitors like the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5. For example, the Badlands’ suspension is made of dirt and rocks, so it often has a rough ride on different types of roads. Also, the Bronco Sport’s upright shape makes noise from the wind at most speeds.

The front seats also gave us trouble. They can be adjusted to fit drivers of different heights, but they don’t have side support, which makes your shoulders move around. Buyers would also expect this car to have climate control for two different areas, which it did not. Some things are apparent, even if they don’t make or break the deal.

How does the inside look? On the inside, the Bronco Sport has the edge over several competitors because it is easy to use. The front seats can be moved in many ways, which makes it easy to get in. The front has a lot of space, especially in the head area. Another great thing about this car is the way the dials for the transmission and the different drive modes are set up.

Most of the Bronco Sports competitors have more legroom in the back than the Bronco Sport. Taller people might not be able to fit behind taller people in the front seats, but the back seats are supportive and comfortable, especially when going off-road. But it’s hard to get in because the back doors are short, and there’s little space under the back seats. Another problem is the flat, wide hood, making it hard to see ahead. But some trim levels come with a helpful front-facing camera that can help with parking and driving off-road.

How good is the tech? The electronics in the Bronco Sport are great for a vehicle made for off-road fun. The Sync 3 infotainment system and the 8-inch touchscreen that come standard on all Bronco Sports work well together. It is common and easy to connect Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The sound quality is also excellent, which is nice because it blocks out any wind noise that would otherwise be there.

Some powerful extra features can be added. Even though adaptive cruise control needs the Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 package, it is a plus because it works well, especially in traffic that stops and starts. No trim comes standard with navigation, but when it does, the instructions are easy to understand and work well with voice controls.

What about putting things away? The Bronco Sport makes excellent use of the space it has for storage. Whether the second row of seats is folded down, it has some of the most cargo space in its class. The Bronco Sport’s low-load floor is rubber and can be removed and cleaned thoroughly. It also has a high ceiling. There are hooks, outlets, and lights in the cargo area that will come in handy while traveling. In the back of the Badlands and First, Edition models are storage cubbies under the seats.

The Bronco Sport can easily fit child seats in the back, but it may be hard to load large rear-facing centers because the doors open very little. Even with the optional towing package, it can only pull up to 2,200 pounds, less than the Toyota RAV4 or Ford Escape.

How well does it use gasoline? It could be better for a vehicle in this class since the 2.0-liter engine in the Badlands level only delivers 21 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. The Bronco Sport only got an average of 26.6 mpg on our 115-mile test route, which was full of different types of driving. Based on what the EPA says, this is a good result, even though it could be better in the class.

What is the Bronco Sport worth? Regarding price, the Bronco Sport has a lot going for it, like an all-wheel drive that comes standard, great tech features, and many styles. Even before you add more options, the price of our Badlands test model is less than that of its closest competitor, the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk, which is $35,745. If you expect to be able to go off-road for that price, you won’t be let down. Others, on the other hand, might prefer that the materials feel more high-end.

Ford covers the Bronco Sport with a basic warranty for three years and 36,000 miles and a drivetrain warranty for five years and 60,000 miles. It also includes roadside assistance for five years and 60,000 miles and coverage for rust for five years and unlimited miles. Even though this is fine, some of our competitors are much nicer.

The Bronco Sport has a good name as an off-road vehicle because it has several excellent, rugged features. Also, it looks like the right size, which helps. This crossover makes people look, ask questions, and smile, which is something that many of its competitors can’t do. And once the pavement is done, it’s fun to drive.

These qualities are enough to make up for several major problems. Please pay attention because the Bronco Sport is not suitable for regular driving on the road. This car is one of a kind and has a strong personality. Good for you if your new Bronco Sport is enough to make you feel better!

If you don’t need the Badlands, the most capable off-road Bronco Sport, the Big Bend is a good compromise between features and price. It is below the Base trim and above the Outer Banks trim. We suggest getting the Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package, which includes adaptive cruise control.

Models of the Ford Bronco Sport include

There are four trim levels for the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport: Base, Big Bend, Outer Banks, and Badlands. The Badlands is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, while the first three are powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque (250 hp, 277 lb-ft). Both engines come with all-wheel drive and an automatic transmission with eight speeds. Two-wheeling is the only method.