Ford Bronco Sport

Bronco Sport at a glance

Why Ford built a small Bronco

Ford revealed the Bronco Sport in July 2020 next to the sixth-generation Ford Bronco, and production began in October 2020. The two share a name and a styling theme, but the engineering is different: the Bronco Sport is a monocoque crossover, with Paul Wraith credited as designer.

Its C2 architecture also carries the fourth-generation Ford Escape, the Ford Maverick pickup, the Focus Mk4 and the Lincoln Corsair. In Europe the same platform sits under the Ford Kuga, but the Bronco Sport itself is not sold there. Its markets are the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil and, in small numbers, China.

In North America the model found buyers quickly. US registrations rose from 108,169 in 2021 to 134,493 in 2025, the best year so far, while Canada took 21,839 cars in 2025.

G.O.A.T. modes, the Badlands axle and Sasquatch

All versions have four-wheel independent suspension and the G.O.A.T. drive modes (Goes Over Any Terrain) for different surfaces. There is no low-range gearbox, so the Bronco Sport relies on gearing and electronics rather than a transfer case.

The Badlands trim adds two further G.O.A.T. modes, all-terrain tyres, hydraulic front bump stops and a twin-clutch rear drive unit with torque vectoring and a locking function. Ford quotes 206 mm (8.1 in) of ground clearance for the Badlands and up to 224 mm (8.8 in) on optional all-terrain tyres.

The 2025 update added the Sasquatch package for the Outer Banks and Badlands. It brings 29-inch Goodyear Territory All-Terrain tyres in 235/65 R17, Bilstein rear dampers with piggyback reservoirs, steel bumpers with bash plates, underbody skid plates and auxiliary switches in the roof console. Rear wheel travel grows by 15 mm to 221 mm (8.7 in). With Sasquatch, the 1.5-litre Outer Banks also gets the twin-clutch rear unit that was earlier reserved for the Badlands, and a new Rally mode holds gears longer on loose surfaces.

Engines, economy and towing

Both engines are turbocharged EcoBoost units with an 8-speed 8F35 automatic. The three-cylinder lost about 1 kW (1 hp) in the 2025 update but gained torque.

The EPA rates the 2026 1.5 at 9.4 L/100 km in town and 7.8 L/100 km on the highway (25 and 30 mpg US). The Badlands 2.0 is rated at 11.2 and 8.7 L/100 km (21 and 27 mpg US). Ford does not publish an official 0-100 km/h time for either engine. Tow ratings assume the optional Class II Trailer Tow Package.

Cabin, screens and load space

Since the 2025 model year every Bronco Sport has a 13.2-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument display whose graphics change with the G.O.A.T. mode. Early base cars had a 4.2-inch LCD instrument screen. Six USB-C sockets, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane centring, and the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package (blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert, lane keeping and evasive steering assist) are now standard.

Behind the rear seats there are 920 litres by the US SAE method, and 1,846 litres with the seats folded. The Badlands has 1,716 litres (60.6 cu ft) maximum. Kerb weights run from 1,573 to 1,681 kg (3,467 to 3,707 lb). Ford lists about 200 factory-backed accessories, from roof tents to recovery gear, which bolt to marked mounting points.

Trims, special editions and 2026 prices

The launch year had a 2,000-unit First Edition based on the Badlands, with heated leather seats and Bang & Olufsen audio. For 2023 Ford built a Heritage Edition and a Heritage Limited Edition, each limited to 1,966 cars in a nod to the first Bronco's launch year. The 2026 model year added a Bronze Package for the Big Bend and Badlands, and Ford's US website already shows the 2027 model with the same four trims.

Bronco Sport against the Bronco and other compact SUVs

The full-size Bronco is the obvious comparison inside Ford. It has a separate ladder frame, a low-range transfer case and removable doors and roof, and is built at Michigan Assembly. Its base 2.3-litre engine gives 224 kW (300 hp) and 441 Nm, against 186 kW for the strongest Bronco Sport. The two-door Bronco is 4,440 mm (174.8 in) long, only 53 mm more than the Bronco Sport, while the four-door measures about 4,810 mm (189.4 in).

Outside Ford, the closest match in concept is the Jeep Compass, another compact unibody SUV with an off-road trim. The Bronco Sport's case rests on its standard four-wheel drive, the locking rear unit of the Badlands and Sasquatch versions, and the 1,225 kg tow rating of the 2.0. All versions are listed in the Ford catalogue.

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