- Good on- and off-road dynamics
- Boxy throwback design
- Stylish interior
- Mediocre fuel economy
- Tight second row
- Cool factor comes with matching price
2025 Ford Bronco Sport – Overview
If you want a small SUV that excels at off-roading, the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport stands out as one of the best choices. Sharing its name—and adventurous heritage—with the larger mid-size Bronco, this model offers much more than just a rugged look. The base Bronco Sport comes equipped with an 180-horsepower turbocharged three-cylinder engine borrowed from the Ford Escape. Unlike the Escape, however, the Bronco Sport includes standard all-wheel drive and higher ground clearance, making it better suited for trail adventures.
While every Bronco Sport model can tackle some off-road terrain, the Outer Banks and Badlands trims equipped with the Sasquatch package significantly boost its capability. Beyond the rough stuff, the Bronco Sport is a practical and easy-to-live-with SUV for everyday use. Its interior focuses on functionality, although competitors like the Honda CR-V and Volkswagen Tiguan provide more rear-seat room.
In summary, the Bronco Sport balances everyday usability with genuine off-road chops, making it a top pick in its segment for those seeking versatility without many compromises.
When Is the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport Coming Out?
Ford has announced that the 2025 Bronco Sport will hit showrooms in the late summer to early fall of 2024. Typically, Ford schedules its new model year launches around August or September, giving customers a chance to buy fresh off the production line before the peak fall and winter seasons—ideal timing for an SUV designed to tackle rough terrain and inclement weather.
Early previews and dealer orders are expected to start mid-2024, so potential buyers can anticipate promotions and test drive opportunities starting then.
What’s New for 2025 Ford Bronco Sport?
For 2025, Ford has enhanced the Bronco Sport lineup by adding the Sasquatch package, available on the Outer Banks and Badlands trims. Notably, the Outer Banks trim now features a twin-clutch rear differential as part of this upgrade. The Sasquatch package also brings rugged steel bumpers—complete with a bull bar upfront and two recovery hooks at the rear—along with reinforced steel skid plates and a slight increase in ground clearance. Off-road capability is further boosted by a set of aggressive 29-inch all-terrain tires, while the Badlands trim uniquely benefits from Bilstein rear dampers for improved suspension performance.
Inside, Ford has upgraded the Bronco Sport’s tech with a larger 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, replacing the previous 8.0-inch display, and upgraded the system from Sync 3 to the more advanced Sync 4 interface. A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster now comes standard across all models. Visually, subtle changes to the front and rear bumpers help distinguish the 2025 model year, and Ford has expanded its suite of standard driver-assistance features to include adaptive cruise control and more safety technologies.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport’s starting price is $32,990, with higher trims and added options pushing the cost up to around $42,110.
| Trim | Starting MSRP (est.) |
|---|---|
| Big Bend |
$32,990
|
| Free Wheeling |
$35,130
|
| Heritage |
$35,990
|
| Outer Banks |
$38,490
|
| Badlands |
$42,110
|
Among the lineup, the Badlands trim stands out as the most off-road ready—and also one of the priciest options. It’s equipped with the more powerful 250-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, paired with an advanced all-wheel-drive system. The Badlands also features a lifted suspension and upgraded dampers, making it the best choice for those who plan to tackle tougher trails and more challenging terrain.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Bronco Sport shares its platform with the compact Ford Escape, and all trims come standard with all-wheel drive. The base engine is a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder producing 180 horsepower, while an optional turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder delivers a more robust 250 horsepower. Both engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, but the more powerful 2.0-liter option adds steering-wheel paddle shifters and enhanced cooling systems for better performance.
The top-tier Badlands trim is loaded with exclusive features, including a twin-clutch rear-drive unit with a differential lock—also available on the Outer Banks with the Sasquatch package. Both the Badlands and Sasquatch-equipped models ride on 17-inch wheels fitted with all-terrain tires, get a 1-inch suspension lift for extra ground clearance, and come equipped with beefier dampers.
During our on- and off-road testing of the 2025 Bronco Sport Badlands Sasquatch, we found it to be a very capable trail vehicle. The aggressive tires do make highway driving a bit noisier compared to standard models, but the SUV remains just as agile. The 2.0-liter engine provides quick acceleration and confident power delivery, whereas the base 1.5-liter engine feels somewhat strained at higher speeds.
0–60-MPH Times
In our testing, the Outer Banks trim equipped with the turbocharged three-cylinder engine accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 8.2 seconds. For those seeking quicker performance, the turbocharged four-cylinder option is a noticeable upgrade—the Badlands model with this engine completed the sprint in a brisk 5.9 seconds.
Towing and Payload Capacity
The Bronco Sport is capable of towing up to 2,700 pounds when equipped with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Models with the standard 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine have a slightly lower towing capacity, rated at 2,200 pounds.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The Bronco Sport with the three-cylinder engine is rated at 25 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. Opting for the more powerful four-cylinder model lowers those numbers to 21 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. During our 75-mph highway fuel economy test, a Bronco Sport with the smaller engine achieved an impressive 33 mpg, showcasing its efficiency on open roads. For official ratings and more details, you can check the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Inside, the Bronco Sport offers a stylish and functional cabin loaded with popular features. Despite having a shorter wheelbase than the Escape, it delivers a comfortable, upright seating position and respectable rear-seat legroom. The rising rear roofline enhances headroom and creates a spacious cargo area capable of fitting two mountain bikes.
The cargo space is versatile, with optional accessories like a slide-out table that doubles as a workspace, a 400-watt power inverter, and LED lights integrated into the inside of the rear gate for added illumination. The rear gate itself includes a glass hatch and a handy built-in bottle opener.
The Badlands trim focuses on durability with washable, rubberized flooring and easy-to-clean upholstery—though the floor’s appearance may not appeal to everyone. Additionally, a clever storage bin beneath the rear seats provides extra space for smaller items.
Infotainment and Connectivity
All Bronco Sport models come equipped with a large 13.2-inch touchscreen running Ford’s latest Sync 4 software, complemented by a standard 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Sync 4 system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, built-in navigation, and SiriusXM satellite radio. While a six-speaker audio setup is standard, the Outer Banks and Badlands trims offer an optional upgrade to a premium 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The Bronco Sport comes well-equipped with a range of driver-assistance technologies. Standard safety systems include forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking to help prevent collisions. Other key features are blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability is also standard, enhancing both safety and convenience during highway driving.
For more detailed crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.
Key Safety Features Include:
-
Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, both standard
-
Lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist as standard equipment
-
Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality included on all models
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Ford offers a competitive limited and powertrain warranty comparable to many rivals. However, it does not include complimentary scheduled maintenance, which some competitors provide.
-
Limited warranty: 3 years or 36,000 miles
-
Powertrain warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles
-
Complimentary scheduled maintenance: Not included
2025 Ford Bronco Sport Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine Options | 1.5L EcoBoost I3 / 2.0L EcoBoost I4 |
| Horsepower | 181 hp (1.5L) / 245 hp (2.0L) |
| Torque | 190 lb-ft (1.5L) / 275 lb-ft (2.0L) |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Options | FWD standard, AWD available; 4×4 on select trims |
| Fuel Economy (Combined) | 25-30 MPG |
| 0-60 MPH | 7.1 – 8.8 seconds |
| Ground Clearance | 8.8 inches (Badlands trim) |
| Towing Capacity | Up to 2,200 lbs |
| Cargo Capacity (rear seats up) | ~28 cubic feet |
| Cargo Capacity (rear seats folded) | ~54 cubic feet |
| Infotainment Screen Size | 8-inch standard / 10.1-inch optional |
| Apple CarPlay/Android Auto | Wireless standard |
| Safety Features | Standard advanced driver assists |
| Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles basic; 5 years / 60,000 powertrain |
Final Verdict
The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport remains a compelling choice for those looking for a compact SUV that combines rugged styling, genuine off-road capability, and everyday practicality. It stands out in its class by offering a comprehensive off-road system that few competitors can match without moving into larger or more expensive territory.
2025 Ford Bronco Sport Videos
