Test Drove a Bronco Sport

[Elegance]

As someone who had a fully loaded Sport Badlands and a Sport Big Bend before that, I can honestly say the BL was a blast to drive. The 2.0L engine and upgraded suspension made the biggest difference from the other trims, plus the pretty roast leather interior, rubberized flooring, and front camera. As for the 1.5L 3 cyl, you couldn't pay me to have another as a daily driver. The Sport should have only come with the 2.0L in my opinion because the 1.5 was straight up anemic and had some really concerning quirks.

Now, don't get me wrong. The Sport and the Bronco are two entirely different vehicles with different purposes, but you'd be pleasantly surprised at the capability of the Sport BL. It handled the majority of what my Bronco does with the exception of situations that require true lockers and more clearance. Does the Sport deserve the Bronco branding? Debatable, but I am a sucker for theme and love the aesthetics of both vehicles. Much happier with my full size, but the Sport was fun while I had it.

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[BigFootie]

I think we can all agree, whether auto or manual the shifter belongs on the column.

My first time driving experience was a 55 Chevy with a three on the tree! Bronco’s were only available that way at the time as well. I hope this isn’t dating myself!

 

[Area51BS]

People say this, and I've never understood it. It's an automatic transmission. Pull a lever, push a button, spin a dial--what's the diff? You put it into D and move on with your life.

Dial doesn’t make a good hand rest. We’ve owned/own 4. I hate the dial. Always getting wrong selection/turning too far.

 

[adam1991]

Dial doesn’t make a good hand rest.

True. But then, I never felt the need to rest my hand on a lever in my van. Hmmmm. I have to ponder that. Is it a matter of good interior design?

Always getting wrong selection/turning too far.

I drove my Chrysler van with the dial; even though I didn't drive it every day, I had zero problem understanding the control and operating it properly every time. It's really no different than getting into a car with a different radio and a different HVAC panel.

 

[Aonarch]

It is a shame that we do not get the Ford Everest in the US, because I'd own one.

 

[BigMeatsBronco]

Great write up. I was wondering how the lane centering works tho. any chance you noticed?

 

[jdbabb4247]

Being that it’s a night/day different unibody platform designed to compete with the likes of the Grand Cherokee and Subaru Wilderness’ of the world but brilliantly marketed with the suspect “Bronco” name it’s no surprise you saw an apples to oranges result

I have a Bronco OBX, wife has a Bronco Sport OBX and she loves it. I must say I enjoy wheeling it around town.

 

[Flying Skunks]

we owned a Sport for just over a year as we waited for the Big Broncos to be built . I feel they are a Great little Vehicle for what they are . We put the lift and larger tires and it was Great . It was the Best SXS you could buy for the moneys . 30mpg and would go just about everywhere you asked of it . Granted , here in FL we do not have rock climbing or anything like that . But in the Sand and Mud it was Fantastic

 

[Arob_2]

I love my sport!

 

[Area51BS]

True. But then, I never felt the need to rest my hand on a lever in my van. Hmmmm. I have to ponder that. Is it a matter of good interior design?


I drove my Chrysler van with the dial; even though I didn't drive it every day, I had zero problem understanding the control and operating it properly every time. It's really no different than getting into a car with a different radio and a different HVAC panel.

I find the issue more common when making quick changes like 3 point turns. I don’t compare it to the radio or hvac.

 

[adam1991]

I find the issue more common when making quick changes like 3 point turns.

Sure, if you don't drive the car every day. That might be a problem. It's more of a problem if you're trying to make a 3 point turn quickly in traffic, instead of just going on to somewhere you can turn around. And are doing so in an unfamiliar car, like a rental.

But an owner who drives the car every day has no problem with it, including 3 point turns. Source: my wife.

 

[TrailDust]

Great write up. I was wondering how the lane centering works tho. any chance you noticed?

Bought my wife a fully loaded '23 OBX Sport as consolation prize when I got my Bronco. Lane centering in hers works really well, it took a sweeping 90 degree curve on our local highway with my hands completely off. It gets mad and flashes red and will kick off after a while though if you don't touch the wheel for a while. Only vehicle we've ever owned with active lane centering, makes driving it pretty effortless on highway cruises.

As far as the dial shifter she had that in her Fusion so was used to it. It averages over 30 mpg and with the AWD I definitely feel better about her driving in winters now in the Sport.

 

[Apple Blossom]

When I originally decided to replace my Mazda CX5 with a Bronco I had not considered the Bronco Sport Model.
My focus and interest was on a true truck like experience that closely matched the Jeep.
However, after ordering and then finally receiving the Bronco I wondered how the Bronco Sport compared to the Bronco and that maybe I over bought.
I finally decided to stop by my Ford dealership to test drive the Bronco Sport and put my mind to rest on the decision.
Here are my observations on the Bronco Sport
I test drove a 2024 Outerbanks model with the small 1.5L 3 cylinder engine.
The first thing I notice was NVH through the steering wheel from the 1.5L engine. It was weird, but for such a small engine you always knew it was there due to the vibration characteristics. I was surprised at how adequate it was for both city and hwy driving with enough power to get you up to speed. Adequate was the best word to describe it as it didn't blow me away with it's pickup. I think the option for a 2.3L 4 cylinder would have been killer.
The cabin interior was quiet on the hwy, but there was some wind and road noise from the tires. Definitely less so than the standard Bronco, but the more ergonomic lines play into that. I also noticed a buzz/rattle coming from the back portion of the interior which did not go away.
I liked the overall look of the exterior. It reminded me of the Ford Escape/Explorer with the traditional suv frame that replaced the Bronco back in 1996.
However the interior left much to be desired. The "fabric like" material bordering the leather felt thin and cheap with the Bronco embossed logo on the seats getting lost in the rough fabric.
An especially glaring problem for me was the design of the rear quarter windows with the molded plastic B pillar overlay blocking the majority of blind spot visibility. That area could have been narrower providing a much better view out the sides. The small screen size also seemed to really reduce the overall usability of the backup camera and other controls. The extra cubby just under the screen could have been eliminated providing area for a larger screen. I did appreciate all of the physical buttons for audio, climate, etc. Upgraded floor mats were a nice touch.
The overall feel inside the cabin while driving was almost "station wagonish" if that is a phrase I can use. It felt longer than its dimensions and outside exterior suggested. As i mentioned it felt zippy and nimble around town which was fun. The lower ride height reminded me a bit of the Subaru line which feels more like a sedan driving experience vs a truck/suv.
This is the first automatic transmission vehicle I've driven with the dial controls and I have to say I do not like it at all. I much prefer the physical lever for getting in and out of gear. I can't imaging having a modern muscle car (Shelby GT500) and having to twist a dial to get into drive or reverse. Just something so wrong about that.
I loved the manual rear lift gate with the option to open just the glass or the full hatch.
The rear storage space with back seats up is really nice. I just wish the 2 door bronco had about 3-6 more inches or depth with seats up; it was almost a deal breaker for me, but i've adjusted.
It was disappointing that many of the neat interior features I had heard about were not available on the lower trims, such as the rear seat storage cubbies and zippered pouches. This was not the Big Bend model, but the outerbanks, which is one step below the highest trim level. It all just seemed so scaled back and a bit cheap for a higher trim level sport at 38k msrp.
To really get the full feature set including the larger engine you would have to scale up to the top end Badlands trim which gets you in full Bronco territory price wise.
I am certainly not knocking the Bronco Sport as it has sold very well and I see a lot of them on the road, but for me it really did not live up to the image I had of it as a resurrection of the Ford Escape/Explorer from rugged days gone by. I'm glad I had a chance to test drive one and put my mind to rest.
.

Years ago I thought the Escape was cute. I was in the market for a new vehicle so I was at the dealer kicking tires. He had given my friend and I a license plate and access to the key cupboard. We got into an Escape And got back out in 2 minutes. Ended up with a Mandarin gold 2 door Explorer. Skip ahead to 2021. When I fell in love with the Bronco I did not even know there was a “Sport” and when I found out I was very upset. I almost cancelled my order. Ford doing that was horrific in my mind. When someone asks me what I drive I always answer…” a Bronco, a real one”. I know, I know it is a “Mall Bronco” but I love everything about her. (Except for maybe so much wind noise). When my lease runs out I will have a difficult choice. I will be 79 years old and really should downgrade but I will not drive a “Sport”. They have ruined the Explorers and the Mustang, but maybe I am just to old fashioned.

 

[adam1991]

When I fell in love with the Bronco I did not even know there was a “Sport” and when I found out I was very upset. I almost cancelled my order. Ford doing that was horrific in my mind.

To quote the movie, "Lighten up, Francis."

When someone asks me what I drive I always answer…” a Bronco, a real one”.

I believe, truly, that no one in the world knows or cares. What's important is what you know and care, not what they think they know (if they even give it any thought at all--and I'll go all out and say they don't give it a bit of thought).

We bought what I consider a "mall Bronco". OBX with leather. My wife wanted it, period, so we got it. She loves her convertible. She loves that it's something WAY outside anything we would ever have done earlier in our lives. She loves being able to see the end of the hood. She loves Hot Pepper Red. She says the seat heaters are amazingly good. It's more a fashion/lifestyle statement than anything, but she loves it. And we will probably use it at the Outer Banks when we go back next year. We just spent $45K so we can avoid spending a few hundred dollars for a 90 minute wild horse guided tour on the Hummer. Yes, it's crazy. But it's hers and she loves it. And we never give a single thought to what anyone else thinks about it.

She knows there's a Bronco Sport. As far as she's concerned it's just another car on the market, completely unrelated to anything she's doing. Invisible. Doesn't exist.

I remember when the Mustang Mach E came out, thinking that Ford was crazy to bastardize the Mustang name like that. I still hold that opinion, when I think about it--which is not often.

 

[lwilliams34]

To quote the movie, "Lighten up, Francis."


I believe, truly, that no one in the world knows or cares. What's important is what you know and care, not what they think they know (if they even give it any thought at all--and I'll go all out and say they don't give it a bit of thought).

We bought what I consider a "mall Bronco". OBX with leather. My wife wanted it, period, so we got it. She loves her convertible. She loves that it's something WAY outside anything we would ever have done earlier in our lives. She loves being able to see the end of the hood. She loves Hot Pepper Red. She says the seat heaters are amazingly good. It's more a fashion/lifestyle statement than anything, but she loves it. And we will probably use it at the Outer Banks when we go back next year. We just spent $45K so we can avoid spending a few hundred dollars for a 90 minute wild horse guided tour on the Hummer. Yes, it's crazy. But it's hers and she loves it. And we never give a single thought to what anyone else thinks about it.

She knows there's a Bronco Sport. As far as she's concerned it's just another car on the market, completely unrelated to anything she's doing. Invisible. Doesn't exist.

I remember when the Mustang Mach E came out, thinking that Ford was crazy to bastardize the Mustang name like that. I still hold that opinion, when I think about it--which is not often.

For me the Bronco was a lifestyle choice as well. For practical purposes the sport model would do everything I need it to do. At this point in my life with all the kids grown I wanted to drive something unique and have the ability to take the top and doors off. Before the Bronco the Jeep was the only choice for this. I would have most likely bought a jeep if the Bronco had not come out of hibernation. There is nothing inherently wrong with the Bronco Sport, it just paled in comparison with the full Bronco for the driving experience I wanted. I do think it fits better in the Explorer/Escape category though.

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