Car Buyer Labs

Car Buying Advice, Tips, and Reviews

A yellow 2023 Ford Bronco Sport Heritage Limited Edition is shown parked off-road.

From the City to the Trails, the Bronco Sport Rises to Every Occasion

You may think the Bronco Sport is just a shrunken Bronco and nothing else, but this is a massive misconception. The baby Bronco, if you will, isn’t just a model all its own—it’s geared toward a totally different demographic of drivers. The subcompact Bronco Sport debuted when Ford brought back the Bronco nameplate in 2021; since then, it has provided plenty of drivers nationwide with a solution to their driving woes.

Catered to those who require a vehicle that can get them around the city easily and safely but is able to transition to a ferocious off-roader in an instant, the Bronco Sport appeals to drivers who have a set of demands in their ride and compromise is not an option. So, the next time you pass by a Ford Bronco Sport for sale, you’ll want to consider how this particular model has changed the way drivers view the Bronco lineup and its impact on the industry.

A red 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor is shown off-roading on rocks.

Secret City Dweller

At first glance, the Bronco Sport may look like your typical adventurer with its durable build and Bronco-esque features; however, it’s more than that. This subcompact SUV is built for those who require versatility in their everyday travel, especially when navigating packed city streets and traffic-laden highways. Its small size allows it to effortlessly drift in and out of traffic, with responsive steering, firm braking, and a controlled experience behind the wheel. Sharing its platform with the compact Escape SUV, the Bronco Sport drives much like a car, but its truck-inspired build delivers the durability needed to enhance safety on board.

The Bronco Sport can be armed with your choice of a 1.5L EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder or a 2.0L EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, giving drivers the option to craft the ride they desire during their daily commutes. For maximum excitement during those mundane drives to work, its 2.0L four-cylinder will deliver, with 250 hp driving it forward, making for ample acceleration and an all-around more energetic ride. Of course, many city travelers and daily commuters seek efficiency in their travel companions, especially if their journeys frequently consist of stop-and-go traffic that can drain their gas tank. Fortunately, the Bronco Sport’s 1.5L three-cylinder showcases unmatched efficiency, getting up to 28 MPG on the highway and 25 MPG on city streets.

From an exciting ride to exceptional efficiency, the Bronco Sport appeals to city drivers and frequent commuters. Another aspect that appeals to this demographic is the comfortable and spacious cabin they get to enjoy. After all, who wants to be stuck in a cramped and uncomfortable vehicle while stuck in rush hour traffic on the way home after a stressful day? The Bronco Sport ensures maximum comfort on board, with plenty of room for five, ample headroom, up to 65.2 cu.ft. of cargo space for work materials, and cozy appointments, allowing you to sit back and relax amid the bustling city streets. Put all of this together, and you’ve got a recipe for success when navigating city and highway traffic.

The black and brown leather interior is shown inside of a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport Badland Edition.

Fearless Explorer

Once the weekend comes around, many drivers ditch the highway in favor of the trails—and when the Bronco Sport is in the picture, achieving this is a breeze. Imagine loading up your vehicle with all your gear, clocking out at work, and embarking on a weekend in the great outdoors. Of course, this requires a vehicle that can effortlessly transition from city traveler to capable off-roader, which is exactly what you can expect from the Bronco Sport. The Bronco Sport doesn’t just look the part of an experienced off-roader; it plays the part of a true expert, with 4×4 capabilities that can’t be replicated.

With exceptional water fording abilities, thanks to its high ground clearance, plus a High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension (HOSS), the Bronco Sport can take on the elements like a seasoned veteran, no matter what environment it’s traversing next. Its superior Terrain Management System with an available selection of GOAT modes, which stands for “Goes Over Any [type of] Terrain,” allows drivers to harness incredible capabilities in some of nature’s most unforgiving landscapes. From sandy to slippery, muddy to rocky, the Bronco Sport can take on any challenge tossed its way. Plus, with the available Trail Control feature, this off-roader can crawl over rocks with agility, equipped with a 180-degree camera to ensure maximum awareness in these challenging environments.

Durability features accentuate this accomplished adventurer inside and out, with reinforced skid plates protecting its underbody, available front tow hooks, all-terrain tires, metal bash plates, and more rugged elements. Inside, its durable materials and low-maintenance cabin make it easy to transition from a weekend bounding down the trails back to the office in a matter of minutes. Opting for the available power moonroof will add an open experience to the ride, allowing your occupants to enjoy natural vistas like never before, and with a roomy cargo hold, accommodating more gear is no sweat for this Ford favorite.

A popular Ford Bronco Sport for sale, a silver 2023 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks Edition, is shown.

Bronco Sport vs Bronco

You may wonder if the Bronco Sport is even worth it. After all, isn’t the Bronco pretty much the same thing, only better? Well, not exactly. Although the Bronco is an exceptional model, it also has its own demographic that it appeals to, which differs from the Bronco Sport.

Remember, the Bronco Sport is smaller and more versatile than the Bronco, allowing it to transition from highway commuter to fierce off-roader with ease. The Bronco is larger, a little less efficient, and of course, more expensive than the Bronco Sport, which means that unless you’re frequently taking trips to the trails, the Bronco may not be right for your ride.

The Bronco is an off-road SUV. This means that its priority is exploring—and when it comes to everyday driving, you’ll find that the Bronco Sport is more in-tune with these needs. The Bronco is known to be a little louder on the highway, and with its larger build, you may find it’s a bit more difficult to maneuver through tight city streets. Although both Bronco options are some of the most impressive in the industry, there’s a time and place for each; when the journey consists of commuting AND adventuring, the Bronco Sport is a surefire winner.

The Best of Both Worlds in the Bronco Sport

If you’re one of the many who desire a vehicle that can switch from the pavement to the dirt in an instant, the Bronco Sport may be right for you. It’s an ideal blend of efficiency, comfort, off-road credibility, and durability, making it one of the most versatile models in Ford’s lineup. The Bronco Sport isn’t just a scaled-down Bronco; it exhibits its own attitude, its own features, and its own unique take on the daily drive and adventures yet undecided.

Commuters love the Bronco Sport due to its small size, efficient nature, and comfortable cabin space, while adventurers gravitate toward it because of its off-road-ready design and legendary 4×4 capabilities. When you want the best of both worlds in your vehicle, the Bronco Sport won’t disappoint; the next time you spot one for sale, you may want to stop and take a test drive of this versatile model. One thing is certain: no better vehicle out there will offer the ideal experience for city travels and off-road adventures quite like the Bronco Sport.