2023 Ford Bronco Sport

by Car and Driver.com

Overview

If your lifestyle includes city commutes during the week and off-the-grid activities during the weekend there are few SUVs as capable of satisfying both roles as the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport. Its compact body makes it more maneuverable than the larger Bronco off-roader and its thoughtfully designed cabin provides ample space for hauling coolers, tents, hiking boots, and fishing poles for your outdoor adventures. Those adventures don’t have to end at the trailhead, as Ford has given the Bronco Sport legitimate all-terrain capability. A turbocharged three-cylinder engine is standard, as is all-wheel drive. Opt for the Badlands trim and the Bronco Sport gets more aggressive all-terrain tires, a more powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a lifted suspension, and an enhanced all-wheel drive system. With those items, the Bronco Sport can navigate trails and obstacles alongside its cross-town rival, the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk.

What’s New for 2023?

Ford has added two special edition trims to the Bronco Sport lineup for 2023: The Heritage Edition and the Heritage Limited Edition. Both offer vintage Bronco styling cues such as pastel exterior colors and white-painted trim pieces to give it a 1960s vibe. The Heritage Edition is based on the mid-range Big Bend trim level while the Heritage Limited uses the loaded Badlands model as its basis. The latter comes with more off-roading gear than the former, including 29-inch all-terrain tires and a more robust all-wheel drive system. Ford has also added a Black Diamond Off-Road package, available for Bronco Sport Big Bend and Outer Banks, that adds steel bash plates, exclusive 17-inch gray wheels, and hood and bodyside graphics.

Although the Badlands is one of the most expensive models, it’s also the most capable off-road. Along with a 245-hp turbo-four engine—the more potent of the two available powerplants— and an enhanced all-wheel-drive system, the Badlands has a lifted suspension and upgraded dampers for tackling rugged terrain.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Bronco Sport rides on the same platform that underpins the compact Escape crossover, and every model has all-wheel drive. A 181-hp, turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder is the base engine, but a 245-hp turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder is also available. Both pair with an eight-speed automatic transmission, but the more powerful engine brings steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and upgraded cooling components. The Bronco Sport can also tow between 2000 and 2200 pounds. The top-tier Badlands trim level packs an assortment of exclusive equipment, including a twin-clutch rear-drive unit with a differential lock. It also has all-terrain tires mounted on 17-inch wheels, a 1.0-inch suspension lift for added ground clearance, and stouter shock absorbers. We’ve driven a Bronco Sport Badlands and noted its hefty steering and firm ride that made it feel truck-like, but not particularly smooth and steady on the highway. Its off-road abilities also exceeded expectations, but just remember that it still has limitations before you try to tackle the Rubicon Trail.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The three-cylinder Bronco Sport is rated at 25 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. Stepping up to the more powerful four-cylinder version drops those figures to 21 mpg city and 26 highway. We ran one with the smaller engine on our 75-mph fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, and it returned an impressive 33 mpg highway. For more information about the Bronco Sport’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Inside, the Bronco Sport boasts an attractive design and a plethora of popular features. The little ute also has an impressive amount of space and several neat innovations. While its wheelbase is shorter than the Escape, the baby Bronco has an upright seating position and a decent amount of rear-seat legroom. Likewise, its roofline rises in the rear, providing additional headroom and enough cargo volume to fit two mountain bikes. The cargo hold can also be outfitted with a slide-out table that doubles as a workspace, a 400-watt power inverter, and LED lights built into the inside of the rear gate that provides overhead lighting. The rear gate features a glass hatch and a built-in bottle opener. The Badlands model comes with washable, rubberized flooring and upholstery that is easy to clean, but the floor material looks unsightly. Another neat trick is the storage bin that’s located under their back seats.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Every Bronco Sport features an 8.0-inch touchscreen that supports Ford’s Sync 3 software. It comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but it can be upgraded with SiriusXM satellite radio and a B&O audio system. In addition to touch-sensitive controls and voice commands, the infotainment interface can be operated with hard buttons as well as a volume and tuning knob.