Pros

• Off-road ability that is better than most other S.U.V.s in its class.
• Instruments that are simple in both their operation and their explanation.
• Several ways to customize.

Cons

• Stopping and turning slowly.
• Most small crossovers have less space in the back.

How would you describe the driving experience of a Bronco Sport? Off-roading is essential to the Bronco Sport, especially in the Badlands version we tried. The fact that the Bronco Sport is fun to drive in the dirt is good news. The unfortunate truth is that having fun in public places is not nearly as entertaining as it once was.

The optional 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine has good speed for its class and can go from 0 to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. The Bronco Sport is a quick off-road car that can use its many different traction modes because of its power. But when moving, the brakes and steering aren’t good enough. Because the brake pedal doesn’t feel or respond like it should, it takes 127 feet longer than usual for a small S.U.V. to stop from 60 mph. Shifts at low speeds are also hard to do.

The Bronco Sport is a great place to sit. If you buy the Bronco Sport, you’re saying that you value off-road capability more than the comfort of a typical crossover. So, it has a different smooth ride than rivals like the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5. For example, the Badlands’ suspension, made for dirt and rocks, often makes the ride rough on different types of roads. Also, the Bronco Sport’s tall shape makes noise from the wind at most speeds.

The front seats also gave us trouble. They have a wide range of adjustments to fit drivers of different heights, but they don’t have side support, so your shoulders move around. Buyers would also expect this car to have temperature control for two other areas, which it did not. Some things are clear, even if they don’t make or break the deal.

How does the inside look? On the inside, the Bronco Sport has an edge over several rivals because it is so helpful. Because the front seats can be adjusted in a variety of ways, getting in and out of the vehicle is a breeze. The front has a lot of space, especially in the head area. The placement of the controls is another excellent feature. The dials for the transmission and the different drive modes are easy to reach.

Most of the Bronco Sport’s competitors have more width in the back than the Bronco Sport. Taller people might be unable to fit behind taller people in the front seats, but the back seats are supportive and comfy, especially when driving off-road. But it’s hard to get in because the rear doors are small, and there needs to be more room for your feet under the back seats. Another problem is the oversized, flat hood, which might make 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 car made for off-road fun. The Sync 3 infotainment system and the 8-inch tablet with all Bronco Sports work well together. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are popular and easy to use together. The sound clarity is also excellent; people like it because it makes the wind noise in the background less noticeable.

Other useful features can be added on. Even though adaptive speed control needs the Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 package, it is a plus because it works perfectly, especially in traffic that stops and starts. No trim comes with navigation by default, but when it does, the directions are easy to understand and work well with voice controls.

What about putting things away? The Bronco Sport makes excellent use of the room it has for storage. Whether the second row of seats is folded down, it has some of the most cargo room in its class. Rubberized and detachable, the low-load floor of the Bronco Sport may be meticulously disinfected whenever it needs to be. It also has a high roof. Hooks, plugs, and lights in the cargo area will be helpful while traveling. For Badlands models, there are storage spaces under the back seats.

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

How well does it use gasoline? The 2.0-liter engine in the Badlands trim gets 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway, which is not great for this class. On our mixed-driving test route of 115 miles, the Bronco Sport got an average of only 26.6 mpg. Even though this is low for the course, it’s a good result based on what the E.P.A. said would happen.

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 a lot of style. Even before you add any more choices, the price of our Badlands test model is less than that of its closest competitor, the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk, which is $35,745. You will be suitable if you think that money will get you off-road skills. On the other hand, there are many who might like it more if the materials had a higher-end feel to them.

Ford covers the Bronco Sport with a basic warranty that lasts for three years and 36,000 miles and a drivetrain guarantee that lasts for five years and 60,000 miles. It also includes roadside help 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 rivals are much nicer.

The Bronco Sport has a good image as an off-road vehicle because of several significant improvements that make it stronger. It also appears to be the proper size, which is beneficial. This crossover gets looks, questions, and smiles, which many rivals can’t do. Once the pavement is done, it’s also nice to drive.

These qualities are enough to make up for several significant problems. Please pay attention because the Bronco Sport is unsafe to drive on the road. This automobile is one of a kind and with a bold persona all its own. If your brand-new Bronco Sport is all it takes to get you feeling better, then more power to you!

We’d go with the Badlands, the most Bronco-like of the Sports because the Bronco Sport is only there to give more off-road potential than most small crossovers. It has an upgraded all-wheel-drive system, an off-road-tuned suspension, skid plates, all-terrain tires, and many of the comfort and efficiency features found on other trims. Also, this Bronco Sport is the only one with a 250-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

Models of the Ford Bronco Sport

Five trim options are available for the 2024 Ford Bronco Sport: Big Bend, Heritage, Free Wheeling, Outer Banks, and Badlands. The Badlands has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 250 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, while the first four have a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine that makes 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. Both machines come with all-wheel drive and an automatic gear with eight speeds.