Overview
The 2024 Ford Bronco Sport can’t go places the bigger Bronco can, but the baby version still has the capabilities and styling to give people a taste of the off-roader lifestyle. While it won’t be conquering the Rubicon Trail anytime soon, the Bronco Sport can venture farther off the beaten path than most other compact SUVs. When it comes to legit off-road chops, the range-topping Badlands alone has a punchy 245-hp turbo four and a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system that put it in exclusive company with the trail-rated Jeep Cherokee. Of course, the rest of the Bronco Sport lineup has lots to offer too, including a practical interior layout and myriad thoughtful features. Along with all-wheel drive, a 181-hp turbocharged three-cylinder engine is standard, and this setup returned an impressive 33 mpg highway in our real-world fuel-economy test. Our main gripes with the 2024 Bronco Sport include some cheap-looking cabin materials and a tight back seat. Otherwise, it’s a more accessible alternative to the bigger Bronco.
What’s New for 2024?
For 2024, the Bronco Sport lineup adds a new Free Wheeling model that’s based on Ford’s colorful appearance package that was previously offered in the ’70s. The modern-day Free Wheeling variant features 17-inch wheels with red accents, a silver-painted grille, and reflective sunset-like body graphics. The interior has a similar design on the seatbacks, redish trim pieces, and a unique plaque on the center console. Big Bend models are now available with a $1750 Black Appearance package that—as its name suggest—adds dark details, such as a blacked-out grille and matte-black body decals and 17-inch wheels. The ’24 Bronco Sport also adds two new paint colors: Azure Gray and Desert Sand.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Although the Badlands is one of the most expensive models, it’s also the most capable off-road. Along with a 245-hp turbo four—the more potent of the two available powerplants—and an enhanced all-wheel-drive system, the Badlands has a lifted suspension and upgraded dampers for tackling rugged terrain.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Bronco Sport rides on the same platform that underpins the compact Escape crossover, and every model has all-wheel drive. A 181-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder is the base engine, but a 245-hp turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder is also available. Both pair with an eight-speed automatic transmission, but the more powerful engine brings steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and upgraded cooling components. The top-tier Badlands trim level packs an assortment of exclusive equipment, including a twin-clutch rear-drive unit with a differential lock. It also has all-terrain tires mounted on 17-inch wheels, a 1.0-inch suspension lift for added ground clearance, and stouter dampers. We’ve driven a Bronco Sport Badlands and noted its hefty steering and firm ride that made it feel truck-like but not particularly smooth and steady on the highway. Its off-road abilities also exceeded expectations, but just remember that it still has limitations before you try to tackle the Rubicon Trail.
Towing Capacity
The Bronco Sport can tow up to 2200 pounds, however, that max capacity is for models with the 2.0-liter turbo four. With the standard three-cylinder powertrain, the compact SUV is only rated to pull 2000 pounds.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The three-cylinder Bronco Sport is rated at 25 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. Stepping up to the more powerful four-cylinder version drops those figures to 21 mpg city and 26 highway. We ran one with the smaller engine on our 75-mph fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, and it returned an impressive 33 mpg highway. For more information about the Bronco Sport’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Inside, the Bronco Sport boasts an attractive design and a plethora of popular features. The little ute also has an impressive amount of space and several neat innovations. While its wheelbase is shorter than the Escape, the baby Bronco has an upright seating position and a decent amount of rear-seat legroom. Its roofline rises in the rear, providing additional headroom and enough cargo volume to fit two mountain bikes. The cargo hold can also be outfitted with a slide-out table that doubles as a workspace, a 400-watt power inverter, and LED lights built into the inside of the rear gate that provides overhead lighting. The rear gate features a glass hatch and a built-in bottle opener. The Badlands model comes with washable, rubberized flooring and upholstery that is easy to clean, but the floor material looks unsightly. Another neat trick is the storage bin that’s located under their back seats.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Every Bronco Sport features an 8.0-inch touchscreen that supports Ford’s Sync 3 software. It comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but it can be upgraded with SiriusXM satellite radio and a B&O audio system. In addition to touch-sensitive controls and voice commands, the infotainment interface can be operated with hard buttons as well as a volume and tuning knob.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The Bronco Sport comes with a host of driver-assistance technology that includes standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking. For more information about the Bronco Sport’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
- Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
- Available adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Ford provides a competitive limited and powertrain warranty that aligns with most of its rivals. However, it lacks the complimentary maintenance that some competitors provide.
- Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
Specifications
Specifications
2021 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks 4X4
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE AS TESTED
$36,305 (base price: $33,815)
ENGINE TYPE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 12-valve inline-3, aluminum block and head, port and direct fuel injection
Displacement
91 in3, 1496 cm3
Power
181 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque
190 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): struts/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 12.1-in vented disc/11.9-in disc
Tires: Michelin Primacy A/S, 225/60R-18 100H M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 105.1 in
Length: 172.7 in
Width: 74.3 in
Height: 70.3 in
Passenger volume: 106 ft3
Cargo volume: 29 ft3
Curb weight: 3593 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 8.2 sec
1/4 mile: 16.3 sec @ 84 mph
100 mph: 26.8 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 8.7 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 4.2 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 5.6 sec
Top speed (C/D est): 125 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 172 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.79 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 23 mpg
75-mph highway driving: 33 mpg
Highway range: 520 miles
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 26/25/28 mpg
2021 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands 4X4
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE AS TESTED
$36,300 (base price: $34,315)
ENGINE TYPE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement
122 in3, 1999 cm3
Power
250 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque
277 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): struts/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 12.1-in vented disc/11.9-in disc
Tires: Falken WildPeak A/T AT3W, 235/65R-17 104H M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 105.1 in
Length: 172.7 in
Width: 76.3 in
Height: 71.4 in
Passenger volume: 106 ft3
Cargo volume: 29 ft3
Curb weight: 3733 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 5.9 sec
100 mph: 17.3 sec
1/4 mile: 14.5 sec @ 93 mph mph
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 6.5 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.3 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 4.3 sec
Top speed (governor limited): 125 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 163 ft
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 20 mpg
75-mph highway driving: 24 mpg
Highway range: 380 miles
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 23/21/26 mpg
