Badlands vs. Outer Banks w/Sasquatch

[Farmundeh]

Hi everyone:

I’m close to pulling the trigger on a 2026 Bronco and stuck between ordering an Outer Banks w/ the Sasquatch package built exactly as my wife and I want and a Badlands off the lot (possibly with or without the Sasquatch). I was ready to get the Badlands with the stock wheels but the road noise and ride threw me off a bit. I had previously driven one months ago with the Sasquatch package and am convinced it’s a smoother ride. I test drove an Outer Banks with the Sasquatch earlier this week and it confirmed my belief that they provide a better ride than the stock badlands wheels. A few questions:

- Has anyone recently made a decision between the two trims? What swayed you, apart from the obvious off-roading capabilities of the badlands? As background, this will be a commuter vehicle to and from the train station about 80% of the time. It’s unlikely we will ever take it off roading. I also don’t care much about the power seats and the leather trimmed seats coming standard in the Outer Banks. Pricing works out to be cheaper on the outer banks if I spec them both out similarly, but I could be willing to forego certain options in order to have a badlands immediately.

- Am I crazy in thinking the Sasquatch wheels provide a better ride than the stock badlands wheels? Anyone have experience with the two?

- what are some of the differences between the badlands and outer banks? Bash plates, front bumper, standard gear ratios, option for the manual transmission, anything else in the standard equipment that I’m missing?

- anyone with the 2.3 engine that regrets not going with the 2.7?

All feedback would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

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[Montana Bronco]

Get the 7MT.

Best part of the Bronco experience.

 

[Thor_1]

Get the 7MT.

Best part of the Bronco experience.

Only if it came with the 2.7. A 4 cylinder does NOT belong in a Bronco.

 

[Tfinley]

If you are not going off roading why would you want the Badlands? You will be paying for equipment you won't use. I have a '25 OBX SAS with the V6 and Lux package. I dont need a disconnecting front sway bar or winch capable numbers and all that. And if I do need them I can add later. What I have is more than I need. My son has a 26 OBX with the 2.3. Non Sas. He is going to swap wheels and put on 285s and call it a day. Said it has plenty of power (more than a Wrangler does)He doesn't need lockers and if you are not going off roading, you won't need them either. Get the OBX and if you want a better off road look, find some badlands tire/wheels on marketplace.

 

[Thor_1]

It might have been the air pressure in the tires. When I got my Heritage the tires were at 44 pounds. I have since lowered them to 35 cold and it rides really nice.

The badlands comes stock with 4A and better gears unless you get the MT. I would recommend the 2.7L. Much better engine.

 

[Brian_B]

7MT is nice - the 2.3 hate is not justified

Badlands can also be optioned with the electric swaybar disconnect

But apart from some internal convenience items on the various trims - a SAS is a SAS and there really isn’t any difference in their off road capability.

I’m of the opinion that a Badlands with SAS is just an expensive way to buy 35” tires.

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