We’re spending the next several days with the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport.
Our model is the range-topping Badlands trim coated in the striking Cactus Gray over Ebony Area 51 unique cloth and equipped with the standard 400A Equipment Group, with several standalone options to boot: Ford Co-Pilot360Assist+ ($795) and the 17-inch Carbonized Gray-painted low gloss aluminum wheels ($795). For those of you following our coverage of all things Bronco, these are the “steelie” style wheels that Ford Authority exclusively reported on back in September of last year.
The MSRP for a base 2021 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands is $32,820. Our unit has $1,590 in options, $795 for Ford Co-Pilot360Assist+ and another $795 for the optional wheels, which combined with the $1,495 destination fee, brings the total MSRP to $35,905.
The standard 2.0L EcoBoost I-4 engine, rated at 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Power is sent to all four wheels via a twin-clutch all-wheel drive system.
We’re spending a weekend with this off-road oriented crossover, so if you would like to know more about it, ask your questions in the comments section, and we’ll reply as soon as we can, as part of our interactive review.
Ready… set… go!
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Comments
Can you find any loose terrain (esp. uphill) and see if you can get the 4WD to go into limp mode due to overheating? If you can, can you report back on what exactly was the limit? I totally understand that these are different from the Bronco, but would love to know where that limit is.
I probably won’t be taking the Sport on anything that would remotely tax its 4WD system, but Matt Farah of The Smoking Tire recently put a Bronco Sport Badlands through the gauntlet and it performed admirably. Definitely worth a watch:
A 2,0 liter give me a break! A base has a 2,4 and that i question as far as power. Sounds like ford is cleaning out inventory and gearing for total electric!
The 2.0 is a turbo. It delivers 245 hp, 275 ft lbs torque in the Bronco Sport. I’m not sure what the 2.4 is, but the base has a 1.5L turbo that makes less power. Are you thinking of the 2.3 L on the Bronco (not Bronco Sport)?
There seems to be a debate wether the interior is rugged or cheap. I like the idea of something more utilitarian, but don’t won’t to spend 30k+ on something that feels cheap. Thoughts?
Personally, I think the Badlands with the standard 400A equipment group is perfectly fine for those that will regularly take it on off-road excursions. For everyone else, the Outer Banks trim would be the ideal choice. And based on how well-equipped that trim is, I think it’s most likely worthy of its $30+ MSRP.
Sharp looking Badlands, Here,s a few items I would like to know about……
1. Please open the hood and take pics, I saw a Badlands recently at a dealer and it had an unfinished engine compartment.
2. Mileage and performance of 2.0 liter engine and transmission.
3. Fit and finish of interior and cabin sounds from road and wind noise.
4. Seating in rear, is there space?
General comments from driver and passengers.
Hi Robert, here’s some answers for you…
1. There are 3 under hood pics in the gallery above. Just click on the banner where it says “2021 Ford Bronco Sport photos” and scroll down towards the bottom.
2. Mileage is hovering at about 23 mpg so far in about 90 percent stop and go traffic. Performance of the 2.0 EcoBoost is excellent. Power is abundant and immediate, and in Sport mode it’s even more potent. The 8-speed automatic is very smooth above 25 mph but can sometimes get confused if throttle application below that figure is inconsistent.
3. Fit and finish is fine in this configuration for drivers who are going to regularly take it on off-road excursions but others may want to stick with the Outer Banks trim. Road noise is a bit pronounced due to the all-terrain tires and wind noise is acceptable.
4. Second row head room is absolutely phenomenal and I feel comfortable sitting back there, although at 5′ 6″ I’m a relatively small dude, so most car interiors feel good to me.
I’d like to know if that antenna comes off? Or can be replaced.
I have a 10′ long raft that fills the full width of the roof on an 86 Jeep Cherokee that I routinely take to remote lakes for fishing. That antenna makes it impossible to load the raft on top of the Bronco Sport. That is a really poor design. And a deal breaker.
I was hoping Ford would put a lot of thought into the roof rack on their new Broncos. They are a very important component of an off road vehicle. One that appears to have been overlooked.
The Antenna mast unscrews and can be removed.
Can they flat tow behind an Rv? If yes what is the process
I just checked the owner’s manual, and Ford does not recommend any Bronco Sport for flat-towing.
I believe the Badlands package (under the Badlands model) gives you leather seats/steering wheel and a fancier interior finish. You can also get 29″ all-terrain tires from the factory for a little better off-road clearance and traction. It’s pretty impressive off-road for a small cross-over!
I like the outer banks but you don’t offer the 2.0 turbo as a option with 4×4 why×
I have read some reviewers complain that the front seats are not comfortable. What are your thoughts about their ergonomics? What’s the longest stretch of time you have spent in them?
Also, what kind of blindspots do you notice if any?
I took the Bronco Sport on a three hour round trip yesterday and was comfortable the whole time, but these seats feel like they were specifically designed for me, and I’m a small dude, at 5′ 6″ and about 150 pounds. I have a feeling that larger individuals may not like them.
There are some blind spots behind the rear doors but the blind spot monitoring system is very good at its job and the mirrors are pretty big, so they shouldn’t be much of an issue.
Good Questions about comfort on a long drive. My brother bought a 2020 Tacoma and hates it. Really wished he had taken a long drive in it before he bought it. Wishes he had bought a F-150.
I have a Badlands ordered ,now I’m hearing of some overheating PTU . I remember Ford Taurus SHO also having a overheating PTU problems . My question is what has Ford done to correct the problem ? I understand there is a cooler on the PTU on the Badlands model how many degrees of cooling does it provide over the non- cooler PTU ? Also is there any type of shielding to protect the PTU from the exhaust components?
I would like to know which winter tires are recommended for a Badlands for Idaho. Also heard that BF Goodrich has a larger tire for the Badlands, a 245/65-series KO2, R-17, LOAD RANGE D. Have you heard anything about this. AND if so, does it come in a winter tire?
How many color choices on bronco do you have to choose from
color choices how many
When will Ford offer the 2.0 in all levels of the Broncos sport