I’ve come to accept that dog hair is a permanent part of my life. But, ask any dog owner and they’ll tell you that the tumbleweeds, drool, and paw prints are entirely worth it. That’s why I think we’ve been shopping for vehicles selfishly, focusing more on human luxuries and less on how a vehicle can meet the needs of our four-legged friends. After all, there’s no one more loyal than your dog—and that loyalty deserves a reward far greater than a bite-sized treat, don’t you think? This shift in perspective brought me to the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport.
I’ve discovered that this is the perfect pet-friendly vehicle on the road today. The Bronco Sport takes everything you love about the legendary Bronco and puts it on a smaller platform, making it a versatile SUV that can match your sense of adventure—and that of your dog. Will that adventure take you to the local dog park? To the lake for the weekend? Maybe to the woods for a campout with friends and their own four-legged companions? Whatever the answer, the Bronco Sport is ready to give you and your dog an incredible, exciting experience on the road.
#1 Pet-Friendly Interior
Give a dog a bath, and what’s the first thing he’ll do? He’ll find the only mud in the yard and roll through it. Traveling with your dog is no different, especially when you’re chasing adventure.
Let’s be honest; mud happens. Ford recognizes this and outfits the Bronco Sport with a rugged, near-impenetrable interior that’s entirely pet friendly. The rubberized material can withstand your dog’s claws, drool, muddy paws, and more. Then, once you get home, the interior is easy to clean—which means more time spent playing fetch with your muddy friend.
#2 Fresh Air, Guaranteed
What dog doesn’t love riding with the window down, sniffing the fresh air, and getting a blowout that no salon can match? Unfortunately, many vehicles make this pastime nearly impossible with rear windows that don’t roll all the way down. Luckily for your dog, this isn’t the case on the Bronco Sport; its full rear windows with flip glass opens up plenty of fresh air when the SUV is parked. And, depending on trim, you can give your dog a more immersive experience with the available power moonroof, which lets out hot air and delivers a stunning view of the sky.
#3 MOLLE for Everything
Functionality is at the heart of the Bronco Sport’s design, and it shows in trims like the Big Bend, which comes equipped with the MOLLE strap system. Designed to work with hook and loop accessories, the MOLLE system gives you more opportunities to store gear with compatible bags and pouches. Your dogs will especially love it if those bags are filled with treats. Beyond this type of storage, the system also gives you a functional place to secure your dog’s leash—so that you can open the doors or tailgate without worrying about your dog’s safety. This gives you peace of mind as you set up camp, start the campfire, tailgate with friends, and more.
#4 Safety Always Comes First
Your safety is always a top priority for Ford, but the automaker makes your pet’s safety a priority as well. For example, the Bronco Sport is compatible with a seatbelt harness for your dog. This dog harness minimizes the risk of injury in a collision, keeping your dog safe in its seat. Additionally, Ford also offers a safety net that you can secure between the driver and front passenger seat, which ensures your dog stays in the backseat—so that you can focus entirely on the road, without a drooling distraction on your shoulder.
#5 Comfort Features
Whether your four-legged companion is a Blue Heeler, Boxer, Golden Retriever, Lab, or another breed, your dog loves comfort just as much (if not more) than you do. Think about how often he sneaks on the couch for an afternoon nap or how he hogs the fan in the summer heat. Fortunately, comfort comes standard for you and your dog on the Bronco Sport. The SUV’s dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control ensures your dog gets plenty of air from any seat, while luxuries like heated front row seats can help him stay warm in colder temperatures.
Trims like the Badlands take this comfort to the next level with optional upgrades like the Premium Package. This package equips the Bronco Sport with a Remote Start System that optimizes you and your dog’s comfort long before you ever get inside. You can remotely start the Bronco Sport’s engine from the comfort of your home and control the temperature inside the cabin. Then, when you and your dog are ready to leave, the SUV is at the perfect temperature when you climb inside!
#6 Flat-Folding Second Row
Dogs have a lot of energy, which means long journeys can be incredibly taxing. You can mitigate the stress of a long trip by giving your dog more room to spread out in the rear cargo area. For example, if you’re not traveling with additional passengers or cargo, you can fold down the 60/40 split-folding second row. This gives your dog a whole 65.2 cu.ft. of space to himself, which also makes for a great lounging or tailgating area after a long day of exploring new terrain.
#7 Cargo Accessories
While it may not seem like it at first, the Bronco Sport’s cargo accessories make the SUV more pet-friendly. For example, the rear cargo mat is rugged enough to withstand your dog’s muddy paws and makes cleanup more convenient. In addition, Ford’s available cargo management system outfits the Bronco Sport with a shelf, divider, and table. This table is a great place to fix a snack for your dog and gives you plenty of options for customization, such as outfitting it with a privacy curtain to give your dog a quiet place to snooze after a long day.
The Ultimate Adventurer for Your Pet
Perhaps the most important factor that makes the Bronco Sport the best pet-friendly vehicle is its capability. There’s nothing more disappointing than setting off for an adventure only to realize that your vehicle can’t navigate the terrain. Fortunately, this isn’t the case with the 2022 Bronco Sport and its beefy powertrains and Built Wild capability.
Trims like the Badlands come equipped with Ford’s respected 2.0-L EcoBoost engine, which delivers 250 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque—ensuring you have plenty of on-road or off-road power to take you and your dog anywhere. But, if your adventures don’t demand that much power, you’ll be more than happy with trims like the Big Bend and Outer Banks, which come with a 1.5-L EcoBoost under the hood that delivers a modest 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque.
These powertrains and the Bronco Sport’s functional design make it the ultimate adventurer for you and your pet. You know that it can safely get you to your destination and back home, optimizing your comfort (and your furry friend’s) mile after mile. After all your dog has done for you, don’t they deserve as much?
