2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The Bronco Sport, formerly known as the Baby Bronco (or Bronco Scout) during its development, joins the Bronco family along with the new 2021 Bronco.

If you compare the Bronco and Bronco Sport, you’ll see that the Sport is not as powerful or capable as its older sibling. The Sport is unibody, not body-on-frame. However, those who simply expected a dressed-up Ford Escape will be surprised by the Bronco Sport’s capability. It has good ground clearance and off-road angles. The suspension is tuned to handle rough terrain. The interior is a practical place with lots of nifty features. And you can still remove the doors!

Ford is marketing the Bronco Sport as a 4x4. Many will argue that it should be called AWD instead of 4WD. Though there’s an optional twin-clutch rear differential unit, it lacks a locking center differential and low range transfer case. Still, the AWD system is much more advanced and off-road-focused than the Escape’s.

The Bronco Sport is a viable option for those that want an affordable crossover that can take them off the beaten path.

Bronco Sport Specs

Below are the specs for the Bronco Sport. The specifications are subject to change with the actual production model.

Bronco Sport Trim Levels

Below are the trim levels for the 2021 Bronco Sport. There are five total trims. However, all First Edition models have already been reserved. No matter which trim you choose, over 100 Ford dealership accessories will be available.

Adding custom accessories will be a fun part of owning a Bronco Sport.

Base

The Base Bronco trim gets you the basics, but you’ll lose the option to add many of the higher-level features. Exterior paint colors are only monochromatic and the interior can only be had in black. You only get six speakers, but SYNC 3 and Ford Co-Pilot360 are standard. This trim leaves you more cash for accessories, but we think it’s worth spending a bit more to get the Big Bend.

The Base trim starts at $26,660.

Standard

• 4x4
• 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine
• 8-speed automatic transmission
• Terrain Management System with five G.O.A.T. Modes
• 17-inch Sparkle Silver wheels
• First- and second-row grab handles
• Safari-style roof
• Flip-up liftgate glass
• Liftgate adjustable flood lights
• SYNC 3 with 8-inch LCD touchscreen
• Ford Co-Pilot360
• FordPass Connect with 4G LTE
• Wi-Fi hotspot
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility

Big Bend

The Big Bend trim adds lots of features to the Base, though it still only comes with the 1.5-liter engine. This trim might be the best balance between features and price if you won’t be doing serious off-roading. It comes in way more colors, and the more advanced Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist can be added as an option. The additional Big Bend Package costs $1,595 on top of the trim price, and adds luxury features like heated front seats, a moonroof, and wireless charging.

The Big Bend trim starts at $28,160.

Standard

Includes Base features plus:

• 17-inch Carbonized Gray-painted high-gloss aluminum wheels
• Rubberized cargo floor and second-row seatback protector
• Easy-to-clean cloth bucket seats
• Rear center armrest
• Zippered pockets with MOLLE straps on front-row seatbacks
• Two-way manually folding second-row seats
• Intelligent Access with push-button start
• Carbonized Gray grille with "BRONCO" molded in white
• Second-row side and cargo area privacy glass
• Heated sideview mirrors
• SiriusXM satellite radio
• And more

Big Bend Package ($1,595)

• 8-way power driver’s seat (fore/aft, up/down, recline, lumbar)
• Heated front seats
• Power moonroof
• Reverse sensing system
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Wireless charging pad

Outer Banks

Although it still has a solid off-road foundation, the Bronco Sport Outer Banks goes in a more luxurious direction. Seats are leather-trimmed and include a unique Navy Pier (blue) color. Power seats and heated steering wheel are included. The engine is the 1.5-liter 3-cylinder and you still get five G.O.A.T. modes. You can immediately tell the Outer Banks Bronco Sport trim apart from the two lower trims by its black roof. The additional $1,595 Outer Banks Package adds even more features, like a Bang & Olufsen sound system.

The Outer Banks trim starts at $32,160.

Standard

Includes Big Bend features plus:

• Shadow Black roof
• 18-inch machined-face aluminum Ebony Black-painted wheels
• 225/60R18 all-season tires
• Ambient lighting
• Front and rear carpeted floor mats
• 6.5-inch digital instrument panel
• Sport contour, leather-trimmed, heated front bucket seats
• 8-way power driver’s seat
• 6-way power front passenger’s seat
• Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• Windshield wiper de-icer
• Remote start system
• Reverse sensing system
• And more

Outer Banks Package ($1,595)

• B&O sound system by Bang & Olufsen, 10 speakers and subwoofer
• HD radio
• Power moonroof
• Wireless charging pad

Badlands

This is where the Bronco Sport shines. This range-topping trim is the best off-roader in the bunch, along with the First Edition that shares many specs. You get the 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine. All-terrain tires are standard, 29-inch off-road tires are optional. The more advanced 4x4 system has a twin-clutch rear drive unit for improved control. Ford’s Trail Control is also standard. The interior has unique cloth seats that are easy to clean, with available Active Orange trim. The additional $2,595 Badlands Package adds a ton of features, like power seats, the B&O sound system, and a heated steering wheel. If price were no object, this would definitely be the Bronco Sport trim we’d pick.

The Badlands trim starts at $32,660.

Standard

Includes Big Bend features plus:

• 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine
• Off-road suspension
• Advanced 4x4 with twin-clutch rear-drive unit
• 28.5-inch all-terrain tires
• Terrain Management System with seven G.O.A.T. Modes
• 8-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters
• Metal bash plates
• Trail Control
• Front 180-degree camera with split-view and washer
• Front tow hooks
• 17-inch Carbonized Gray-painted aluminum wheels with full-size spare
• Rubberized flooring
• And more

Badlands Package ($2,595)

• 8-way power driver’s leather seat (fore/aft, up/down, recline, lumbar)
• 6-way power passenger’s leather seat (fore/aft, up/down, recline)
• 4-way manually-adjustable head restraint, driver and front passenger
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• B&O sound system by Bang & Olufsen, 10 speakers and subwoofer
• Body-color door handles
• Dual zone electronic climate control
• HD radio
• Heated front seats
• Power moonroof
• Remote start system
• Reverse sensing system
• Leather-wrapped heated steering wheel
• Wireless charging pad

First Edition

Like its bigger sibling, the Bronco Sport First Edition offers devoted fans the best features of all the trims. This means the interior of the Outer Banks (in Navy Pier only) and the capability of the Badlands. You even get the 29-inch off-road tires standard. It’s fully-loaded, so the B&O system is included as well. You get special badges and stitching, too.

The First Edition trim retails for $38,500 and only 2,000 will be built. Sadly, they’ve all been reserved.

Standard

Includes Badlands features plus:

• 17-inch Ebony Black-painted aluminum wheels
• Grille with "BRONCO" molded in black
• Shadow Black hood and side door decals
• Body-color door handles
• 29-inch all-terrain tires
• Class II Trailer Tow Package
• Navy Pier leather 8-way power driver’s seat
• Navy Pier leather 6-way power front passenger’s seat
• Heated, leather steering wheel
• Power moonroof
• 10-speaker B&O Sound System
• Available in Area 51, Cactus Gray, Cyber Orange Tri-Coat, and Rapid Red Tinted Clearcoat paint
• And more

Exterior

The boxy exterior and rugged style of the Bronco Sport is inherited from both the classic Bronco and the new full-size model. The stance is upright, with bold, handsome features. Still, there’s a sleekness to the Sport that gives it a slightly more suburban feel. It has a roof rack but lacks the exterior spare tire of the Bronco.

The boxy proportions of the Bronco Sport give it good clearance in addition to style. With the larger 29-inch tires, it’s especially off-road-ready. The “safari-style” roof raises up a bit after the front row, which offers even more space in the rear, as well as a unique look.

Like the Bronco, the Sport features the Bronco name heavily, instead of the Ford badge. This further cements its design and establishes the Bronco sub-brand.

A great feature of the Bronco Sport is its flip-up glass on the rear tailgate. This is a more old-school feature that allows for greater cargo flexibility and fresh air into the cabin.

Bronco Sport Colors

The Bronco Sport is available in 10 colors, many of which are shared with the Bronco. However, Alto Blue Metallic and Kodiak Brown are unique to the Sport model.

Sample colors are for representative purposes and may not accurately portray actual paint color due to screen settings, metallic finish, etc.

Interior

The interior of the Bronco Sport maintains a lot of Ford’s global design features but adds plenty of rugged flair. A variety of accent colors and some chunky sculpting give the Sport its own unique, robust character.

The cloth seat fabric is designed to be easily washed after a muddy expedition. But there are plenty of modern convenience features and optional luxuries.

Technology

Ford’s Co-Pilot360 safety suite comes standard. An 8-inch touchscreen is included on every Bronco Sport model. SYNC 3 is standard, but unfortunately the new SYNC 4 is not available.

Also standard are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a bottle opener integrated into the rear hatch, and five G.O.A.T. (Go Over Any type of Terrain) modes. Higher trims come with all seven modes.

Storage

Options include hidden underseat storage and a washable rubber cargo mat. The back section of the front seats can be equipped with class-exclusive MOLLE straps and zipping pockets. Another accessory is a cargo area mount for two mountain bikes, up to 27.5-inch size.

Under the Hood

Power is not the main focus of the Bronco Sport. It won’t be very quick, but the emphasis on torque will give it enough off-road oomph. It should also return solid fuel economy in regular driving.

Engine

The base engine for the Bronco Sport is the 1.5-liter "Dragon" EcoBoost engine, which is a turbocharged 3-cylinder. Though small, it puts out an adequate 181 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque. That’s a decent amount for a crossover. It’s also the engine choice if you want maximum MPG.

However, it might be worth springing for the larger 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged 4-cylinder. This motor comes only on the Badlands and First Edition trims. Ford estimates output at 245 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque. We expect (and hope) that a hybrid powertrain will be available later on. Maximum towing capacity is up to 2,200 lbs.

Transmission

Unfortunately, the Bronco Sport does not offer a manual transmission as the Bronco does. It doesn’t use Ford’s favored 10-speed automatic either. Instead, it uses the 8-speed unit seen in the Edge and Escape (not surprising since the Bronco Sport is based on the latter).

Off-Roading Capability

All Bronco Sports have off-road-focused suspension. It’s designed to provide comfort and capability off-road, with good articulation. You can get a max ground clearance of 8.8 inches. Water-fording depth is up to 23.6 inches. The Badlands trim comes with standard 28.5-inch and optional 29-inch tires, each with a full-size spare.

You also get the five standard G.O.A.T. modes on all models. These are Sand, Slippery, Normal, Sport, and ECO. The Badlands adds Mud/Ruts and Rock Crawl. Class-exclusive optional Trail Control (cruise control for off-roading) and 180-degree camera help drivers even more off-road.

Price

The Bronco Sport starts at just $26,660 (excluding destination fee), putting it in a very competitive spot within the subcompact crossover market. Very few competitors can match its off-road potential. It may even steal quite a few sales from Ford’s own Escape.

Fully-loaded, the Bronco Sport will be about $40,000, but a very well-equipped Badlands trim can be had for right around $38,000.

Release Date

Ford says the Bronco Sport will be available in late 2020. This is assuming there aren’t any serious interruptions to production. You’ll have to wait until spring 2021 if you want the full-size Bronco. The Bronco Sport configurator is already live on Ford’s site, so you can start building your custom model and see what the price will be.

Sources: 2021 Bronco Sport Tech Specs, Ford | 2021 Ford Bronco Sport Review, CNet