2023 Ford Bronco Sport Review

The Bronco Sport lineup offers capable engine optins that take you through rough terrains and make the drive feel adventurous. Its fuel economy is adequate, the safety and driver-assist features are numerous, and it performs exceptionally well off-road.

Engine

The lineup comes with a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder turbo engine as the base offering. If you’re looking for more power, there is a 2-liter 4-cylinder turbo engine available with an output of 245 hp.

Transmission

The engines are paired with eight-speed automatic transmission. For the 4-cylinder engine, there is an additional cooling system available, along with paddle shifters.

Suspension

The vehicle gets front struts and short and long arm rear suspension. If you opt for the Badlands trim, you will have elevated suspension for a seamless driving experience on uneven terrains.

Steering

The rack-pinion steering is somewhat firm and heavy, making you feel like you’re driving a truck. While it’s excellent for your off-road adventures, it’s not as agile on highways as you’d expect.

The lineup has a long list of safety features to give buyers peace of mind. JD Power gave it a reliability score of 80/100. IIHS named the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport as a Top Safety Pick+. The latest lineup is yet to receive a safety rating from NHTSA but its track record is impressive—the 2022 lineup was awarded a 5-star safety rating from NHTSA.

Brakes

Ford Bronco Sport is equipped with 4-wheel disc brakes, along with 4-wheel Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS).

Airbags

Keeping in mind the safety of the driver and the passengers, Bronco Sport has loads of airbags hidden away in the cabin. It comes with dual stage driver and passenger front airbags, driver knee airbag, airbag occupancy sensor, and safety canopy system curtain (available for the first 2 rows). In case the vehicle gets involved in a collision, these airbags keep the occupants protected from injury.

Electronics

Some of the features include blind spot information system, pre-collision assist, lane keping assist, collision mitigation front, driver monitoring alert, low tire pressure warning, and rear child safety locks.

Lights

Lighting options are wide in this lineup. There are LED brakelights, daytime running lights, front and rear map lights, fade-to-off interior lighting, and cargo area lights, to mention a few.

Traction control

When you’re out off-roading and your vehicle wheels get stuck in snow or muddy conditions, traction control comes to your rescue. This lineup comes with Driveline Traction Control, ensuring you can drive through adverse road conditions with effortless ease.

Off-roading and good fuel economy rarely go hand in hand, but this lineup’s economy numbers aren’t that bad. There are 2 engines available, and quite naturally, the more powerful the engine, the less fuel efficient it is.

Engine size

The vehicle runs on a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder turbo engine. It also has a more powerful variant available, a 2-liter 4-cylinder engine.

Gas per mileage consumption

If you go with the base engine, the fuel economy is 25 mpg for city and 28 mpg for highway. However, the other available engine (4-cylinder) brings down the fuel economy—21 mpg and 26 mpg for city and highway respectively.

The interior is well-equipped with latest features, a roomy cabin and an adequate cargo area. Things like front and rear cupholders, remote keyless entry, cargo lights, seatback storage pockets, and voice-activated automatic air conditioning make the cabin comfortable for long rides. However, the cabin has plastic materials at a few places, which can look somewhat tacky.

Seats

The vehicle comes with a seating capacity of 5 and the interior is surprisingly spacious. The rear headroom of 41.7 inches and rear legroom of 36.9 inches promise a comfortable ride. While the flooring of the vehicle is not so impressive, the other materials used in the cabin are high-quality and exude a premium appeal. If you go with the Badlands trim, you’ll have washable rubber upholstery. The back seats have storage bins located under them, which is definitely a thoughtful addition.

Design

Ford Bronco’s design language makes it evident that this is a lineup that has off-roaders in mind. The styling is remarkably distinctive, something capable of turning heads. Despite being attractive, not everyone is a fan of the boxy design. So ultimately, it boils down to personal preference—if you’re cool with its rugged image, then you’re in for a treat.

Infotainment

The infotainment system comes with an 8-inch touchscreen and you get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. Other features include Bluetooth, audio streaming, and radio.

Overall height and space

The vehicle is 172.7 inches long, 82.2 inches wide, and 70.2 inches high. It has a curb weight of 3467 lbs.

Trunk space

When all the seats are in place, it has a cargo space of 32.5 cubic feet. If you fold down the second row, the available space is 65.2 cubic feet.

While most off-road focused SUVs come with a hefty price tag, the Ford Bronco Sport starts from $30k onwards. This is still a bit high for compact vehicles, but Bronco leaves very little room for complaint. The lineup has got two new additions for the year, the mid-range Heritage Edition and the top-trim Heritage Limited Edition. If you prefer vintage styles over modern designs, these new models are sure to impress you.

While you could very well be content with the Base or Big Bend trim, Badlands is the real deal for hardcore off-roaders. It’s expensive, for sure, but it also justifies the price tag with its lifted suspension and overall performance.

Trim Level	Price
Base	$30,810
Big Bend	$32,825
Heritage Edition	$34,245
Outer Banks	$37,210
Badlands	$38,935
Heritage Limited Edition	$46,250

AWD/FWD

The vehicle gets standard all-wheel drive across all trim levels. The all-wheel drive system is equipped with G.O.A.T. mode, which helps you select the type of terrain you’ll be driving through. It also comes with four-wheel independent suspension. The Badlands trim gets hydraulic bump stops to lessen the impact of harsh suspension.

Warranty

Ford Bronco Sport’s warranty front is more or less similar to its competitors. You get limited warranty coverage for 3 years or up to 36,000 miles, along with a powertrain warranty coverage for 5 years or 60,000 miles. However, there is no complimentary maintenance available.

Extras

The automakers did not disappoint in regard to towing ability— the Ford Bronco Sport can tow up to 2200 pounds.