The 2021 Bronco Sport.

There are 4 versions of Ford’s new off-highway(ish) Bronco Sport crossover, however only the top Badlands trim has the 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. That’s the one I drove for this preview, and I’m placing it on the market, right up front, as a result of the 2.0-litre engine is a big half (although not the only half) of why I appreciated the Bronco Sport a lot.

Three different variations are powered by a turbocharged, 180-horsepower 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine - the identical one present in most versions of the Escape, with which the baby Bronco shares its engineering genes. The 1.5 is a stable enough performer as base engines go, however it’s not a standout.

The Escape, after all, is a automobile-like crossover primarily based on a front-wheel-drive structure, so the Bronco Sport is not quite the excessive bush-basher like its step-sibling, the Bronco. The latter is said in identify solely, built on a special physique-on-body, rear-wheel-drive truck architecture. The three lower trims with the 1.5 engine (Base, Massive Bend and Outer Banks) declare unexceptional ground clearance, roll on street-oriented all-season rubber, and although “4x4” drive is standard, it’s really an all-wheel-drive system for dangerous roads, not no roads. The closest it gets to any no-highway readiness is the Terrain Administration System (TMS) with modes for Slippery and Sand along with the same old Normal, Eco and Sport.

If you’re critical about getting down-and-dirty in the wild, you need the Badlands model. Its off-highway-tuned suspension supplies an extra inch of trip height (up to 8.Eight inches), plus it has bash plates, all-terrain tires (full off-road rubber optional), phase-finest method and departure angles and a twin-clutch rear drive unit that acts like a locking differential. As well, its version of TMS adds Rock Crawl and Mud/Ruts modes, and its wading depth is 23.6 inches.

The Bronco Sport remains nearer to its car-based mostly crossover roots than any form of hardcore all-terrain 4x4.

All of which ought to give the Badlands way more off-highway chops than most CUVs. That mentioned, it lacks the Low vary of the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk, which additionally has a greater breakover angle.

While sharing the genes of the compact-class Escape, the Bronco Sport has a stubbier wheelbase and shorter overhangs, so it’s actually a subcompact, nearer in length to the Chevrolet Trailblazer and Jeep Compass. Pricing from $32,199, however, positions it in the next dimension class up. The Badlands starts at $40,199 and could be optioned past $46,000 … even earlier than you add accessories such as a rooftop tent.

We haven’t driven a Bronco Sport with the 1.5-litre base engine, nor did our two-hour spin around the GTA permit us to take the Badlands off-highway. However let’s face it, most individuals these days purchase “off-road” autos for the look, not for the mud-plugging, rock-crawling reality. Any Bronco Sport has that look in spades, and the 1.5s ought to still be a fun-yet-useful device in the ‘burbs where most will spend their lives. The Badlands doubles down on the enjoyable with its terrific 2.0-litre engine, and if it’s not the final word 4x4, we’re confident it may well nonetheless go further off pavement than most house owners could have the need or the nerve to do.

Tech specs

Ford Bronco has clear off-highway styling cues corresponding to its boxy physique and blunt snout.

- Price: $40,199 base, $45,399 as tested
- Engine: 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder
- Transmission/drive: 8-velocity automated/AWD
- Gas consumption (L/100 km): 11.1 city/8.9 hwy
- Alternatives: Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Terrain, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Compass, Jeep Cherokee, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, Nissan Qashqai, Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4, VW Tiguan

Appears to be like

The boxy shape, blunt snout, abrupt overhangs and elevated rear roof line are traditional off-roader styling cues. Depending on trim, wheel sizes go as much as 18 inches, but only 17 on the Badlands, together with an additional-price “carbonized gray-painted low-gloss” wheel possibility that looks like plain-Jane steel. Unusual.

The official interior volume of 105.7 cu. ft. isn’t simply generous for a subcompact CUV - it’s well up there among compacts as nicely. I think that’s largely a perform of expansive headroom, since legroom seems much less distinctive, although it’s still not cramped, and the rear-seat consolation is okay. Ditto the driver’s seat, though for some, achieving an off-highway-applicable lofty posture could entail losing thigh assist (the seat-bottom adjusts for top however not tilt). Visibility is mostly superb, however whereas the lofty, blocky hood is straightforward to see and purpose, it additionally limits what you'll be able to see up-shut in front. That’s not as issue on the Badlands, nevertheless; it has a ahead-facing “spotter” digicam up entrance. A semi-built-in eight-inch LCD touch screen is standard on all trims (which, happily, you don’t should rely on too much, as there’s loads of hard-button redundancy). The shifter is a rotary knob on the centre console.

Performance

For all its off-highway intent, the Badlands is a treat to drive on pavement. Ford’s 250-hp two-litre turbo engine is among the industry’s unsung heroes - refined, punchy, responsive and with no noticeable turbo lag. That combines with a seamlessly intuitive transmission, plus lively, pure-feeling steering and agile, balanced cornering, to deliver an unexpectedly participating expertise. All this with a relaxed freeway stride (just over 2,000 rpm at 120) and a agency but solely fulfilling experience quality.

Standard detect-and-protect tech contains (among others) automated emergency braking, lane-keeping help, blind-spot warning and cross-site visitors alert, while an out there package deal additional provides adaptive cruise with cease-and-go, lane-centering and evasive-steering assist, plus navigation with Sirius XM Visitors and Travel Hyperlink, and speed-sign recognition. SYNC three (not the latest SYNC 4) consists of CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a WiFi hot-spot. HD Radio, wireless charging and a B&O 10-speaker-plus-subwoofer audio system are a part of a $3,000 package deal that also features a moonroof, heated steering wheel and extra.

Cargo

The lower trims have cargo volumes near common for a compact CUV.

By the numbers, the lesser trims’ cargo volumes (32.5 cu. ft. seats-up, 65.2 seats-down) are close to common for compact CUVs, although they shrink to 29.Four and 60.6 cubes respectively on Badlands, which has a full-size spare tire. Maybe some area can also be misplaced to the Badlands’s thick rubber floor protectors. Given the body’s tight rear overhang, the cargo deck doesn’t have a lot of sq.-footage but makes it up with top. Other notable utility assets embody a flip-up tailgate window, hidden storage underneath the rear passenger-aspect seat cushion and a slide-out table that’s a part of a configurable cargo-administration system.

Courtesy of producer

The author was a guest of the automaker. Content material was not topic to approval.

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