2024 Ford Bronco Sport SUV

　　

2024 Ford Bronco Sport Review

byJared GallCorrespondent

　　Jared Gall started his career in the auto industry in 2001 with an internship at Car and Driver. He has written and edited many thousands of car reviews, technological deep-dives, industry analyses, and personality profiles. He is a correspondent at zzdcar and still has the 1969 Chevrolet C20 he dragged out of his parents' barn and drove until Car and Driver started giving him cars to evaluate.

　　, rating written byJared GallContributor

　　Ryan ZumMallen has worked in the automotive industry since 2012. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Ryan has also contributed to Road & Track, Autoweek, Trucks.com and more. In 2019, Ryan published his first book, Slow Car Fast, on the millennial generation and its unique take on modern car culture.

　　Cashing in on the excitement around the resurrected Bronco, Ford released two Broncos in 2021: the big one that goes toe-to-toe with the Jeep Wrangler, and the smaller Bronco Sport. The Sport is a Bronco in name only; underneath the retro bodywork are the same mechanical pieces that make up a Ford Escape. But the Bronco Sport is more than just an Escape playing dress-up. Available exclusively with all-wheel drive, it also boasts some genuine off-road tech and capability, making it one of the most capable compact SUVs when the pavement ends.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend 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 Big Bend

　　Bronco Sport Big Bend

　　Big Bend 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $31,230 MSRPHeritage 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) - $33,700 MSRPFree Wheeling 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) - $33,730 MSRPOuter Banks 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) - $35,915 MSRPBadlands 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $38,390 MSRP

　　vs

　　$167/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　

zzdcar spotlight: G.O.A.T. modes

Ford's Terrain Management System is standard equipment on all Bronco Sports. It offers multiple so-called G.O.A.T. modes, which might be a cheeky reference to off-road ability, or might be a bold proclamation that the original Bronco was the Greatest Of All Time, but officially stands for "goes over any type of terrain." Each mode is a different combination of calibrations for throttle response, transmission shift points, the all-wheel-drive system, traction/stability control, and the antilock braking system intended to make the most of available traction. It's the sort of thing that makes no difference most of the time but makes all the difference when it matters.

　　

Competitors to consider

The small SUV class is brimming with hugely popular competitors that annually combine for more than a million sales in the U.S.: Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4 and more. The Bronco Sport distinguishes itself from the crowd with genuine off-road capability, but it sacrifices some on-road manners in the pursuit. Read our Expert Rating for a comprehensive analysis of the Bronco Sport's strengths and weaknesses.

　　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