2025 Ford Bronco Sport: The Ultimate Off-Road SUV
Ford Bronco Sport 2025: If you’re looking for a small SUV with excellent off-road capabilities, the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport has the most to offer. Borrowing its name and adventurous spirit from the larger Bronco, this compact SUV is not just about style; it’s built for adventure.
Ford Bronco Sport 2025: Performance and Power: A Versatile Engine Lineup
The Ford Bronco Sport is powered by a 181-hp turbocharged three-cylinder engine, which it shares with the Ford Escape. However, unlike the Escape, the Bronco Sport features standard all-wheel drive and increased ground clearance, making it a more capable off-road vehicle. For those seeking even more capability, the Sasquatch package, available on the Outer Banks and Badlands models, enhances off-road performance with features like a twin-clutch rear axle, suspension lift, and skid plates.
Ford Bronco Sport 2025: Everyday Usability Meets Off-Road Prowess
While the Bronco Sport shines off the beaten path, it’s also a great daily driver. The interior is practical, although some competitors like the Honda CR-V and Volkswagen Tiguan offer more rear-seat space. Despite this, the Ford Bronco Sport strikes a balance between daily comfort and adventurous spirit, offering something most competitors can’t match.
Ford Bronco Sport 2025: What’s New for 2025?
For 2025, Ford has introduced the Sasquatch package for the Bronco Sport lineup. Available on the Outer Banks and Badlands trims, this package includes steel bumpers with a bull bar, recovery hooks, and a set of 29-inch all-terrain tires. Additionally, the Badlands trim now features Bilstein rear dampers for improved off-road handling. Interior tech upgrades include a 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster.
Pricing and Trim Levels for 2025 Ford Bronco Sport
- Big Bend: $31,590
- Heritage Edition: $34,730
- Free Wheeling: $34,730
- Outer Banks: $36,580
- Badlands: $41,590
Although the Badlands trim is among the most expensive, it’s also the most off-road capable with a 245-hp turbocharged engine and enhanced all-wheel-drive system. Its lifted suspension and upgraded dampers make it perfect for rugged terrain.
Engine Options and Transmission Details
The Ford Bronco Sport shares its platform with the compact Ford Escape, offering standard all-wheel drive across all models. The base engine is a 180-hp 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbo, while a more powerful 238-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo is available. Both engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the Badlands trim includes paddle shifters and upgraded cooling systems for improved performance.
Off-Road Performance: Badlands and Sasquatch Equipped Models
Models equipped with the Sasquatch package or the Badlands trim come with all-terrain tires on 17-inch wheels, a 1.0-inch suspension lift for better ground clearance, and enhanced dampers. These features make the Bronco Sport exceptionally capable off-road, though it still has limitations when tackling more extreme trails like the Rubicon.
Acceleration and Performance Testing
In testing, the Outer Banks model with the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine took 8.2 seconds to reach 60 mph. For those seeking faster acceleration, the Badlands model with the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine hits 60 mph in just 5.9 seconds.
Towing Capacity and Practicality
The Ford Bronco Sport can tow up to 2700 pounds when equipped with the 2.0-liter turbo engine. Models with the base three-cylinder engine are rated to tow up to 2200 pounds, making it a capable option for light towing needs.
Fuel Economy: Impressive Efficiency for a Capable SUV
The three-cylinder Ford Bronco Sport achieves an estimated 25 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. Opting for the more powerful four-cylinder engine lowers these figures to 21 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. During real-world testing, a Bronco Sport with the smaller engine achieved an impressive 33 mpg on the highway.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo: Spacious and Versatile
Inside the Ford Bronco Sport, you’ll find a stylish interior packed with popular features. Despite its shorter wheelbase compared to the Escape, the Bronco Sport offers ample rear-seat legroom and an upright seating position, making it comfortable for passengers. The raised roofline in the back provides additional headroom, and there’s enough cargo space to fit two mountain bikes. This versatile space can be equipped with a slide-out table that doubles as a workspace, along with a 400-watt power inverter and LED lights built into the rear gate, offering excellent overhead lighting.
The Bronco Sport Badlands trim adds some unique features such as washable, rubberized flooring and upholstery, though the material on the floor might not appeal aesthetically. There’s also clever storage under the rear seats, adding to the overall practicality of this off-road SUV.
Infotainment and Connectivity: High-Tech Features for Modern Drivers
Every Ford Bronco Sport is equipped with a large 13.2-inch touchscreen running Ford’s Sync 4 software. A 12.3-inch digital gauge display is also standard, providing modern, easy-to-read information. The Sync 4 system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, in-dash navigation, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A standard six-speaker stereo system offers good sound, but audiophiles can upgrade to the available 10-speaker B&O system on the Outer Banks and Badlands models.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features: Advanced Protection
The Ford Bronco Sport comes equipped with an array of driver-assistance technologies. Key safety features include:
- Standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
- Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
- Standard adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology
For more information on the Bronco Sport‘s crash-test performance, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage: Competitive Yet Limited
Ford offers a competitive warranty package for the Bronco Sport, similar to what most rivals provide. However, it lacks the complimentary scheduled maintenance that some competitors offer.
- Limited warranty: Covers three years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty: Covers five years or 60,000 miles
- No complimentary maintenance: Unlike some rivals, Ford doesn’t include free scheduled maintenance
Specifications and Test Results: Power and Performance
- Vehicle type: Front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
- Price as tested: $36,305 (base price: $33,815)
- Engine: Turbocharged 1.5L inline-3 with 181 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Fuel economy: EPA-rated 26 combined mpg (25 city, 28 highway)
C/D Test Results:
- 0-60 mph: 8.2 seconds (Outer Banks trim)
- 1/4 mile: 16.3 sec @ 84 mph
- Braking 70–0 mph: 172 ft
- Observed fuel economy: 23 mpg
In testing, the Bronco Sport Badlands trim with its more powerful 2.0-liter engine achieved a faster 0-60 mph time of 5.9 seconds, highlighting the model’s impressive performance credentials.
