The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport confounds automotive journalists for its at-times perplexing cross-segment appeal and high-end Land Rover-like curb profile. Though Ford positions the Bronco Sport as an affordable family-oriented ute, this little SUV shares enough DNA with its more rugged sibling, the Bronco, to earn bragging rights for off-road performance. Heritage Edition aside, the Bronco Sport also owns the valet line and turns heads at the Ford dealership with its boxy-yet-sleek exterior lines that feel retro without completely abandoning a modern vibe.
Confounding, indeed. The Bronco Sport’s chameleon-like personality is what makes it such an intriguing option for an assortment of buyers. Off-roading aficionados can opt for the well-equipped Badlands trim, while suburban soccer parents might choose the premium Outer Banks version for its plethora of high-end luxury comforts. New for 2023, the Heritage Edition and Heritage Limited Edition will give diehard old-school Bronco fans an intriguing way to hang on to the past without abandoning practicality.
Overall, the 2023 Bronco Sport lineup hints at Ford’s desire to achieve mass-market appeal across the entire SUV lineup and the company’s efforts to infuse a unique style and personality into every vehicle. The Bronco Sport’s versatility is its calling card. In a world of vanilla SUVs, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more richly varied trim lineup anywhere else, let alone within a model that starts in the low $30,000 MSRP range. Here are a few of the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport’s standout trims.
The Heritage Edition and Heritage Limited Edition
The first difference you’ll notice between the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport Heritage Edition and Heritage Limited Edition is the two-toned exterior color scheme. Featuring an Oxford White roof, a matching white grille, and a set of white wheels, the special edition trim evokes a 1960s-era aesthetic. The Bronco name is spelled out in block script across the grille, and the available exterior colors include a palette of art deco-inspired hues that include Robin’s Egg Blue and Yellowstone Metallic.
Inside, the Heritage Edition models feature fun, retro plaid cloth seating and dark blue instrument panels with bright Oxford white accenting that matches the quirky roof and grille. Available in two and four-door configurations, the Heritage models feature 17-inch wheels, wide, squared fenders with dramatic fender flares, and a utilitarian, powder-coated steel bumper. Two-door versions most closely resemble early Bronco models, while their four-door counterparts maintain an undercurrent of modern architecture.
The Heritage Limited Edition includes all the features found on the Bronco Sport Badlands, making it the more off-road-ready of the two, while the Heritage Edition features the premium equipment found on the Outer Banks trim. The Limited Edition includes 29-inch all-terrain tires. Heritage Edition buyers can choose from seven exterior paint colors, and all Heritage trims include standard four-wheel drive.
The Base Model
As the only Bronco Sport priced at under $30,000, the value-oriented Base offers an impressive list of standard features, including a fuel-efficient 1.5-liter engine that produces 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque and offers 25 MPG city and 28 MPG highway. Four-wheel drive is standard on the Base trim, along with electronic traction control, both of which contribute to the Bronco Sport Base’s well-rounded off-road capability without sacrificing fuel economy.
The Base model also includes Ford Co-Pilot360, a suite of advanced driver-assist systems that rely on radar, sensors, and cameras to detect potential hazards and, in some cases, provide emergency intervention to help you avoid or minimize the severity of a collision. Standard systems include Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, a Blind Spot Monitor, and a Lane-Keeping System that alerts you when you drift out of your intended lane of travel. These systems work together as an extra pair of eyes right when you need them.
Standard exterior features include a manual liftgate with integrated flood lights and convenient flip-up rear glass that allows easy access to the oversized cargo area, along with a safari-style roof capable of handling up to 150 pounds of gear. A six-speaker audio system combines with the eight-inch infotainment touchscreen to provide easy streaming via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Also included are cloth seating surfaces and a 60/40 split folding rear seat that folds completely flat for additional cargo capacity.
The Badlands Model
Opting for the Bronco Sport Badlands equips your SUV with optimal off-road capability. This trim includes a powerful 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine capable of producing 250 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. Choose Ford Trail Control, and you can lock in a set speed during off-roading activities, which allows you to focus on what’s ahead. The Trail Control system includes a 180-degree camera with split-screen capabilities for enhanced visibility.
The Badlands features an advanced 4×4 system with a twin-clutch rear drive for added traction. The system works by isolating power to a single rear wheel when necessary, getting you out of tricky backcountry trails with uneven, muddy conditions. The standard Terrain Management System features Ford’s exclusive selectable Goes Over Any Type of Terrain (G.O.A.T.) Modes. Choose from sand, slippery, sport, eco, and normal, as well as mud/ruts and rock crawl to meet any on or off-road weather conditions. The Badlands also features a one-inch factory lift for extra ground clearance in the backcountry.
In the cabin, Badlands models feature a push-button start, durable rubberized flooring, and rear under-seat storage bins. The cargo area and second-row seat backs are coated in the same rubberized coating, which makes cleanup easy after a weekend of trail riding. Multiple USB and USB-C ports are scattered throughout the cabin, along with a 110-volt/400-watt AC power outlet. An optional power moonroof is available, along with a wireless charging pad and a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel.
The Ford Bronco Sport Suits Every Lifestyle
The versatile Ford Bronco Sport morphs into an ideal SUV for a range of buyers. Multiple trims and configurations, including the new retro Heritage and Heritage Limited Edition, offer an escape from boring, vanilla styling. The Bronco Sport’s standard four-wheel drive system sets you up to effortlessly tackle four seasons of weather, no matter if your day involves carpools and grocery shopping or long trail rides in the mountains.
Additional comfort and convenience features, available in a variety of add-on packages, allow buyers to further customize their Bronco Sport. Choose the Bang & Olufsen ten-speaker sound system if you crave concert-grade sound on your commute, or upgrade to the connected navigation system with real-time traffic updates to get you to the campsite or weekend cottage faster. The system is also voice-activated, which means you can pay attention to the road while you’re inputting directions.
A fun standard color palette includes unique hues like Eruption Green Metallic and Cyber Orange, or you can opt for the more sedate Iconic Silver for a more sophisticated curb appeal. Small touches, like the liftgate’s built-in bottle opener, remind buyers that, above all else, Ford designed the Bronco Sport for enjoyment. Getting your hands on a Heritage Edition won’t be easy, but if you have time and love the idea of driving a Bronco with throwback features, you can’t beat these two trims.
