2021 Ford Bronco vs Bronco Sport
Last Updated June 12, 2023 | C.J. TragakisThe Bronco and Bronco Sport are both part of Ford’s new Bronco brand. Though they’re in the same family, these two models have little in common apart from the name.
As with many modern brands, Ford is using the word “Sport” to mean “smaller and less expensive.” Though it comes in 4WD, the Bronco Sport isn’t quite as off-road-ready as the Bronco. It has a rugged-looking exterior, but underneath, the Bronco Sport is on the same unibody platform as the Ford Escape. Though the “Baby Bronco” was expected to be more at home in the suburbs, Ford actually gave it lots of off-road capability. That means it’s more comparable to a Jeep Compass Trailhawk than the Escape.
The full-size Bronco is designed to compete directly with the Jeep Wrangler. With locking differentials, available manual transmission, and removable doors/roof, the Bronco is a more competent off-roader.
Specs
It’s easy to see how different the Bronco and Bronco Sport are when you compare their specs. In addition to being more focused on off-roading, the Bronco is more powerful than the Bronco Sport. The 4-door Bronco is noticeably larger than the Sport, while the 2-door Bronco is similar in size. Ford has not released the official MPG numbers, so we’ve included an estimate based on existing Ford models with similar engines. The specifications are subject to change with the actual production model.
| Specs | 2021 Ford Bronco | 2021 Ford Bronco Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $28,500-$59,305+ | $26,660-$32,660+ |
| Shares Platform With | Ford Ranger | Ford Escape |
| Body Type | Body-on-Frame | Unibody |
| Seating Capacity | 4, 5 | 5 |
| Engines | 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbo 4-cyl or 2.7-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 | 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbo 3-cyl or 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbo 4-cyl |
| Horsepower | 270 hp, 310 hp | 181 hp, 245 hp |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft, 400 lb-ft | 190 lb-ft, 275 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 7-speed manual or 10-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Length | 173.7 inches, 189.4 inches | 172.7 inches |
| Width (Base, Mirrors Folded) | 75.9 inches | 76.3 inches |
| Height (Base) | 71.9 inches, 73.0 inches | 70.3 inches, 71.4 inches |
| Wheelbase | 100.4 inches, 116.1 inches | 105.1 inches |
| Max Ground Clearance | 11.6 inches | 8.8 inches |
| Approach Angle (4-Door Bronco vs Bronco Sport) | 35.5 degrees / 43.2 degrees (35-inch tires) | 21.7 degrees / 30.4 degrees (29-inch tires) |
| Breakover Angle (4-Door Bronco vs Bronco Sport) | 21.1 degrees / 29.0 degrees (35-inch tires) | 18.2 degrees / 20.4 degrees (29-inch tires) |
| Departure Angle (4-Door Bronco vs Bronco Sport) | 29.8 degrees / 37.2 degrees (35-inch tires) | 30.4 degrees / 33.1 degrees (29-inch tires) |
| Suspension Travel (Front/Rear, mm) | 200 / 215 (Base), 240 / 261 (Badlands) | 188 / 206 |
| Curb Weight | TBD | 3,467 lbs, 3,707 lbs |
| Max Towing Capacity | 3,500 lbs | 2,200 lbs |
| Max Payload Capacity | 1,370 lbs | 1,000 lbs |
| Cargo Space (Seats Up) | 23.6 - 35.6 cubic feet | 29.4-32.5 cubic feet |
| Cargo Space (Seats Folded) | 52.3 - 77.6 cubic feet | 60.1 - 65.2 cubic feet |
| MPG (Est.) | 20 city/ 24 hwy/ 22 comb (2.3 L) 18 city/ 23 hwy/ 20 comb (2.7 L) | 25 city/ 28 hwy/ 26 comb (1.5 L) 21 city/ 26 hwy/ 23 comb (2.0 L) |
Trims
Though the features are different, the Bronco Sport borrows its trim levels from it’s bigger sibling. The Base model sits at the bottom, while the First Edition is a limited-run offering that combines the best options of the other trims.
The Big Bend trim offers a solid set of off-road features, while the Badlands takes that to the next level. The Outer Banks trim is more focused on luxury, while still maintaining off-road capability.
The Bronco adds two trims that the Bronco Sport doesn’t have. The first is the Black Diamond, which serves as a middle ground between the Big Bend and Badlands. There’s also the Wildtrak, which is a range-topping model focused on the toughest off-roading. It comes standard with the Sasquatch Package, which includes large 35-inch tires.
Exterior and Styling
The Bronco and Bronco Sport have the same off-road-ready style, but each wear it differently.
The Bronco Sport gives buyers a taste of the rugged style of the Bronco. However, it’s a bit more rounded-off and streamlined. It will look just as at-home in the city or suburbs as it will in the wild. A cool unique feature is its flip-up rear glass. This is great for transporting long items or to get more air in. The hatch also comes with a bottle opener (just like the Bronco). Small details like that really bring the personality of the Bronco family together.
The Bronco has a removable roof and doors, while the Bronco Sport does not. The Bronco’s exterior is more off-road-focused. You’ll notice larger tires and a locking rear differential if you get underneath. The Bronco Sport looks similar to a Land Rover Defender: robust, but with a sleek and refined profile. If you were going to buy an AWD Escape, the more rugged look of the Bronco Sport might be enough to swing your vote.
| Color | Bronco | Bronco Sport | Sample |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alto Blue Metallic | X | ||
| Antimatter Blue | X | ||
| Area 51 | X | X | |
| Cactus Gray | X | X | |
| Carbonized Gray | X | X | |
| Cyber Orange Pearl Metallic | X | X | |
| Iconic Silver | X | X | |
| Kodiak Brown | X | ||
| Oxford White | X | X | |
| Race Red | X | ||
| Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat | X | X | |
| Shadow Black | X | X | |
| Velocity Blue | X |
Sample colors are for representative purposes and may not accurately portray actual paint color due to screen settings, metallic finish, etc.
Interior
There isn’t much to separate the interior of the Bronco from the Bronco Sport. The Bronco Sport is attractive, but the material quality doesn’t look to be at the same level as the Bronco’s. This makes sense based on the pricing.
The Bronco Sport has a traditional Ford global interior, whereas the Bronco’s looks more rugged. And that’s not just because of rubberized toggle switches and installed grab handle, which the Bronco Sport lacks. The Bronco Sport also uses a rotary-dial shifter, while the Bronco keeps a beefy, traditional shift lever.
Technology
Ford's new SYNC 4 system is standard on all Broncos, but not on the Bronco Sport. Instead, the Sport comes standard with SYNC 3, and upgrading to SYNC 4 isn't even an option for Sport buyers. Ford Co-Pilot360, with blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and emergency autonomous braking, is standard on both. However, the Bronco Sport only has a 180-degree camera option, while the Bronco has a 360-degree camera option.
Storage
The Bronco Sport gives you hidden storage under the rear seat. When the Bronco Sport gets the larger engine, it gets a tiny bit less cargo space. This is likely due to the larger twin-clutch differential unit in the rear that takes up more space. Still the Bronco Sport offers more cargo capacity than the 2-door Bronco. The 4-door Bronco offers the most space.
Under the Hood
The Bronco Sport offers the 1.5 EcoBoost Dragon three-cylinder and 2.0 EcoBoost four-cylinder engines. The Bronco gives you the choice of the larger 2.3 L EcoBoost four-cylinder (seen in the Ranger) and 2.7 L EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 (seen in the F-150).
The Bronco Sport doesn’t have the option of a manual transmission. The Bronco offers a 7-speed manual gearbox with a low-speed crawler gear. Also, the Bronco’s automatic is a 10-speed, versus the 8-speed of the Bronco Sport.
| Specs | 2021 Ford Bronco | 2021 Ford Bronco Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Engines | 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbo 4-cyl or 2.7-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 | 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbo 3-cyl or 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbo 4-cyl |
| Horsepower | 270 hp, 310 hp (est) | 270 hp, 310 hp (est) |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft, 400 lb-ft (est) | 181 hp, 245 hp (est) |
| Transmission | 7-speed manual or 10-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| MPG (Est.) | 20 city/ 24 hwy/ 22 comb (2.3 L) 18 city/ 23 hwy/ 20 comb (2.7 L) | 26 city/ 31 hwy/ 28 comb (1.5 L) 23 city/ 31 hwy/ 26 comb (2.0 L) |
Off-Road Capability
The Bronco comes with off-road shocks and optional locking diffs. While the Bronco is more capable, the Bronco Sport brings more to the table than initially expected. It’s way more off-road-ready than the Escape on which it’s based.
The Bronco Sport does come with 4x4 standard. However, only the larger 2.0 EcoBoost gets advanced 4x4 with a twin-clutch rear-drive unit. This isn’t a true locking rear differential but should mimic one well. While some might consider this AWD instead of actual 4WD, Ford is marketing the Bronco Sport as a 4x4.
The Bronco and Bronco Sport will offer up to seven different G.O.A.T. (Go Over Any type of Terrain) modes, including sand, mud/rut, and slippery. There's a range-topping Bronco Raptor trim on the way for the larger Bronco. It will feature 37-inch tires and other off-road upgrades that will make it one of the most capable factory vehicles.
| Specs | 2021 Ford Bronco | 2021 Ford Bronco Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 173.7 inches, 189.4 inches | 172.7 inches |
| Width (Base, Mirrors Folded) | 75.9 inches | 76.3 inches |
| Height (Base) | 71.9 inches, 73.0 inches | 70.3 inches, 71.4 inches |
| Wheelbase | 100.4 inches, 116.1 inches | 105.1 inches |
| Max Ground Clearance | 11.6 inches | 8.8 inches |
| Approach Angle (4-Door Bronco vs Bronco Sport) | 35.5 degrees / 43.2 degrees (35-inch tires) | 21.7 degrees / 30.4 degrees (29-inch tires) |
| Breakover Angle (4-Door Bronco vs Bronco Sport) | 21.1 degrees / 29.0 degrees (35-inch tires) | 18.2 degrees / 20.4 degrees (29-inch tires) |
| Departure Angle (4-Door Bronco vs Bronco Sport) | 29.8 degrees / 37.2 degrees (35-inch tires) | 30.4 degrees / 33.1 degrees (29-inch tires) |
| Suspension Travel (Front/Rear, mm) | 200 / 215 (Base), 240 / 261 (Badlands) | 188 / 206 |
| Curb Weight | TBD | 3,467 lbs, 3,707 lbs |
| Max Towing Capacity | 3,500 lbs | 2,200 lbs |
| Max Payload Capacity | 1,370 lbs | 1,000 lbs |
Price
The Bronco starts at $28,500, while the Bronco Sport begins at $26,660. The Badlands trim of the Bronco starts at $42,095, compared to the Bronco Sport Badlands which is available from $32,660. While the Bronco Sport will top out at a bit over $40,000 fully-loaded, the Bronco will easily surpass $60,000.
The Bronco is typically going to be more expensive. However, this is also highly dependent on the packages and accessories the buyer chooses to get. With over 200 dealership accessories for the Bronco and over 100 for the Bronco Sport, it’s going to be hard to keep the price down with so many cool pieces of gear available.
Which One Should You Buy?
The Bronco and Bronco Sport both offer retro-modern style that appeals to a wide range of people. However, if you’ll mostly be driving on-road, the Bronco Sport is the way to go. It offers classic design, a more compact size, and a lower price point.
If off-roading is your main goal, the Bronco has more capability, hands down. It’s a true competitor to the impressive Jeep Wrangler. It will also make an excellent on-road car. If you want a daily driver SUV that has the ability to take you well off the beaten path on weekends, the Bronco will fill that role perfectly.
The Bronco isn’t likely to arrive until spring 2021, while the Bronco Sport should be on lots in late 2020. If you can’t wait to get behind the wheel of a Bronco, the Sport will be the one to get.
Sources: 2021 Bronco Sport Models | 2021 Bronco Models | The Bronco and Bronco Sport Configurators Are Here, The Drive
