2022 Ford Bronco Sport

　　

2022 Ford Bronco Sport Review

byMichael CantuCorrespondent

　　Michael Cantu has worked in the automotive industry since 2014. He has written over 800 car-related articles and tested and reviewed over 100 vehicles over the course of his career. Michael is a contributor at zzdcar and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Digital Trends and InsideEVs. Michael was featured on a few InsideEVs YouTube channel videos on the topic of electric vehicles. Michael was a MotorTrend Car of the Year judge for 2019 and was a driver in MotorTrend's World's Greatest Drag Races 7 & 8.

　　Ford introduced the Bronco Sport for the 2021 model year along with the larger body-on-frame Bronco. The smaller Bronco Sport is based on the Escape SUV platform and is designed for those who don't need an all-out off-roader. Instead, the Sport offers a more affordable and practical package that still has lots of off-road chops and a unique rugged look.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$145/mo  for Bronco Sport Base

　　Bronco Sport Base

　　4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) - $28,815 MSRPBig Bend 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $30,530 MSRPOuter Banks 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) - $34,450 MSRPBadlands 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $36,590 MSRP

　　vs

　　$167/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　Owners who take it off-road will enjoy the Bronco Sport's capability thanks to a standard all-wheel-drive system, several traction settings, and a generous amount of ground clearance. But the little off-roader has more to offer. Standard and available tech is plentiful, as are advanced driver aids.

　　The Bronco Sport is a very distinctive SUV, but it doesn't have the best on-road manners and the rear seat has its flaws. The Ford is well matched against other off-roaders like the Jeep Cherokee, yet it also competes against popular SUV nameplates such as the Subaru Outback and Toyota RAV4. For a full analysis, check out what our test team thinks of the Bronco Sport in the Expert Rating below.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.6

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

6.5/10

　　How does the Bronco Sport drive? It's clear that the Bronco Sport has off-roading on the brain, especially in the Badlands guise we tested. The good news is the Bronco Sport is a blast to drive in the dirt. The bad news is that it's much less enjoyable on the street.

　　The optional 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine provides admirable power, covering 0-60 mph in 7.2 seconds, which is good for the class. The power makes the Bronco Sport an eager off-roader and allows good use of intelligent traction modes. On the road, however, the braking and steering are not up to par. Stopping from 60 mph took 127 feet, which is longer than average for a small SUV, but worse is the lack of feel and response from the brake pedal. Transmission shifts are also jerky at low speed.

　　

Comfort

7.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Bronco Sport? The Bronco Sport comes with the tacit acknowledgment that you are prioritizing off-road capability over traditional crossover comfort. So it inherently lacks the smooth ride you get from rivals such as Honda CR-V or Mazda CX-5. For instance, the Badlands suspension that's been tuned for dirt and rocks often gives a bumpy ride over various road surfaces. And since the Bronco Sport has an upright design, there is wind noise at most speeds.

　　We also took issue with the front seats. Although they feature a wide range of adjustability to accommodate drivers of various heights, they lack lateral support and cause your shoulders to jostle. Buyers may also expect dual-zone climate control, which is an option this vehicle did not have equipped. These are not deal-breakers, but they are noticeable.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below