Together with the Ford Bronco, its ‘younger brother’, a small car-based Bronco Sport crossover, has been unveiled yesterday.
Unlike the rugged body-on-frame Bronco, this model rides on a car platform. While the Ford Bronco is targeted at the Jeep Wrangler, the Bronco Sport is a rival for the Compass or Renegade, and shares more with the Ford Escape, even got the Escape’s engines.
This is about a base 1.5-liter 3-cylinder 181-hp (190 lb-ft) engine and an optional 2.0-liter 4-cylinder making 245 hp and 275 lb-ft. Both are turbocharged, mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox, and all-wheel drive.
The Ford Bronco Sport is smaller than the Escape but larger than the Ford EcoSport. Externally it is similar to the bigger Bronco, meaning, light designs, a boxy body shape.
It got two hooks, steel wheels, a lot of accessories to maintain the image of an off-roader, though we understand the Bronco Sport is not a true off-road SUV.
Trim levels include a base one, Big Bend, Outer Banks, and Badlands (the equivalent of Jeep’s Trailhawk or Rubicon). The First Edition model is offered at launch in a limited quantity of 2000 units.
The off-road kit is available with all-terrain tires, an improved all-wheel-drive system, a specific suspension with a 1.0-inch lift, softer springs, revised struts, and shocks.
The Bronco Sport’s ground clearance is 7.8 inches for the base vehicle and 8.8 inches for the range-topping one. The model can tow 2000-2200 lbs.
The drive mode choices include Normal, Sport, Eco, Slippery, Sand. The Badlands trim adds Mud/Ruts and Rock Crawl modes.
Inside you’ll meet cloth or leather upholstery, a rubberized floor, separately-opening tailgate’s rear glass, amount to secure two bicycles in the cargo area, when the rear seats are folded, an 8.0-inch touchscreen for Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system.
The standard safety features include AEB, Lane Keep Assist, blind-spot warning. The adaptive cruise control comes optional.
The 2021 Bronco Sport goes on sale by the end of 2020 starting at $28,155, order books are open now. The regular Bronco, we remind, cost from $29,995.
The Bronco Sport’s Big Bend trim costs from $28,160, Outer Banks – $33,655, Badlands – $34,155, the special First Edition – $39,995.
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