2024 Ford Bronco Sport Review

Broadening its appeal with shoppers and critics alike, the 2023 Bronco Sport moved further out of the shadow of its bigger sibling, the Bronco. For 2024, the Ford compact crossover is pushing its independent image even further with two new packages.

The Free Wheeling Special Edition is all about color while the black appearance package adds mystery and intrigue to the look. Given the sporty looks of this crossover, both packages are logical extensions of its personality. Compact SUV shoppers will enjoy having more ways to personalize their ride.

Both of the new packages are built on the Big Bend model. This is a popular choice among shoppers because it provides so much technology, off-roading ability, and amenities at an affordable price point. Bronco Sport pricing starts at $31,230 MSRP for the new entry level Big Bend trim.

For the 2024 model year, contrast roofs are offered in white, black or gray. New exterior colors join the lineup in shades of Desert Sand and Azure Gray.

Every Bronco Sport strikes an athletic pose. There’s lots of personality in the upright, high-clearance build and the Safari-style roof. Motor Trend calls it stylish retro bodywork, adding that this look makes it stand out in its crowded segment.

Off-roading details include the short overhangs and important skid plates. The most unique trim element may be the unpainted contact points. This rugged choice is specially treated to resist wear and tear. Clearly Ford doesn’t want you to mistake this compact SUV for its sibling, the Ford Escape.

Bronco Sport Free Wheeling Special Editions have a throwback 1970s vibe. A silver-painted grille softens the front end. Graphics, especially a rainbow of red-orange-yellow, dress up the sides and add interest to the hood and liftgate. Red-accented wheels match their black to the Shadow Black Roof.

The Bronco Sport Black Appearance Package is more extensive than the blacked-out packages found on many SUVs today. With its Carbon black grille and additional black front-end elements, it takes on a menacing look. A Shadow Black roof and Matte Black wheels add weight to the transformation..

Detailing ranges from the Matte Black hood graphics to the black-accent badges. Even the Ford Oval receives a smoked chrome makeover.

The Free Wheeling Special Edition cabins wear Black Onyx with sunset-colored seat inserts. Detailing ranges from a Dark Space Grey finish to ombre stitching. There’s a Race Red C Channel on the door trim.

Meanwhile the Bronco Sport Black Appearance Package adds special Sport Contour seating for the driver and front seat passenger. Shoppers can add more goodies like an 8-way power chair and a SecuriCode keypad.

2023 Heritage models have popularized a special dark blue plaid. Rendered in heathered microsuede or paired with real leather, the Navy Pier design is dressed up with blue and red stitching. MOLLE storage wears red and navy accents while the doors wear Oxford White contrast.

One thing that isn’t changing for the 2024 model year is the size and spaciousness of the Bronco Sport cabin. While it can’t match big brother Bronco, the Bronco Sport definitely has plenty of space for people and cargo.

Keeping things clean and comfortable, standard sports cloth is made to be wiped clean. A rubberized cargo floor can be rinsed clean as well. A built-in bottle opener is on the rear gate. The backseat passengers enjoy a center armrest and dedicated air conditioning vents.

Excellent cargo space is a major facet of Bronco Sport ownership. The compact crossover has a 32.5-cubic foot cargo hold. That’s 12.4 cubes bigger than the hold on the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek. It beats the 2023 Jeep Compass cargo area by about 5 cubic feet.

Plus it has efficient space management standards and options not found elsewhere. Often colorful, the MOLLE straps hold down gear while you are off-roading. Likewise, zippered seatback pockets can keep important items secure. Numerous cubbies, a clever center console, and underseat storage bins add more ways to organize your travel gear.

The rear gate has a flip-up hatch window to make it easy to grab an item and go. A dual-level floor lets you adjust the height in the cargo hold. A slide-out table can be added for working or picnicking.

For camping and other uses, you can use a 400-watt power inverter to power appliances. A useful spotlight is available with a unique gate-mounted LED-light system.

The cockpit surrounds the driver with the latest innovations, including a rotary shift gear dial, push button start, and automatic climate control. Dash tech includes a Sync3 touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Passengers will appreciate the available WiFi hotspot, especially since it can be used for ten smart devices. The rearview camera is paired with a rear cross-traffic alert for safer parking maneuvers. Badlands and Heritage Limited trim levels have a 6.5-inch digital display in their cockpits.

In fact, every Bronco Sport has the most important driver aids. This includes a feature still rare on vehicles today. It is a crash sensor that can recognize impact and start slowing the vehicle to prevent secondary crashes.

The forward collision warning and related autobrake work with the driver to keep the Bronco Sport out of harm’s way. Other Ford CoPilot360 standards include a blind spot monitor, a lane keeping assist, and pedestrian detection.

If you are considering the Bronco Sport, you probably want to know for sure that it can handle trail challenges. In fact, from the Big Bend trim level through the Heritage Limited edition, every one of these Ford compact crossovers has the build, suspension, four wheel drive system, and terrain management to handle tough stuff.

Your engine choices are guaranteed to assist on the trail. For the main engine, Ford chose an Ecoboost with 181 horsepower. This turbo three unit delivers 190 lb-ft of torque that can be harnessed at slow speeds for crawling. Yet it manages good fuel economy for daily driving.

With the Badlands trim level, the Ecoboost is a four-cylinder turbo. Output is 250 horsepower and 227 lb-ft of torque. Recognizing the heat generated on the trail during big pushes, there’s a rear drive cooler and a transmission cooler.

Your current ride may be worth enough to be a down payment on a new vehicle. You can find out with the Kelley Blue Book trade valuation tool.

Big Bend models have 7.8 or 7.9 inches of ground clearance. This model can drive safely through water up to 17.7 inches. Bronco Sport Badlands models increase ground clearance to 8.6 inches and water fording capability to 23.6 inches. With the available 29-inch rugged tires, ground clearance rises to 8.8 inches.

The four-wheel drive has GOAT terrain management. There are five go-over-any-terrain standard modes. Phoenix AZ drivers will appreciate the standard sand mode as much as the slippery mode on Big Bend, Free Wheeling Special Edition, and related models.

With an even more advanced terrain management system, the GOAT modes increase to seven with the Badlands trim. Rock Crawl mode and mud-ruts mode will adjust the parameters of every critical system to make it easier to move over rough surfaces.

A special performance suspension, known as HOSS, has been tested for the most extreme conditions. Trail Control regulates the speed up to 20 mph while the driver steers. It can even do it in reverse at speeds up to 6 miles per hour.

For 2024, the Bronco Sport Big Bend is the base trim. The Free Wheeling Special Edition has the same off-roading equipment and technology. However, It has that retro look inside and out that makes it so different.

The Black Appearance Package builds on the Big Bend. Again, it changes the look while retaining the long list of technologies and features that the Big Bend is known for. A convenience package can add an 8-way power chair and other amenities.

Bronco Sport Heritage editions have a white roof and other special exterior details. The interior is dressed in a throwback plaid style with navy and red themes.

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Although it is slotted in the middle, the Outer Banks trim level is an extremely refined member of the lineup. Cabins are rich with leather upholstery, dual power chairs, dual-zone climate controls, and an ambient light system. Still it has helpful utility features, including Molle straps, rain-sensing wipers and roof-rack side rails.

The Bronco Sport Badlands trim has the most off-roading equipment, including four steel bash plates. Cabins start with an easy-clean cloth and rubber seatbacks, ready for your messy adventures.

With a Premium package, the Badlands cabin wears mini-perforated leather upholstery on seats with a special two-tone look. Music sounds amazing on the Bang & Olufsen audio system.

The Heritage Limited trim level combines all the amenities, technologies, and capabilities of other models. It has a special Navy Pier interior with top quality leather and other soft touches.

Schedule a test drive to learn more at your Earnhardt Ford dealer Phoenix Az.