- Compare the specs of similar SUVs: Ford Bronco Sport, Jeep Cherokee, Subaru Forester, Ford Escape
- I’ll go for a real-deal Jeep, thank you very much
- You want something more down to earth
- You’re determined to stick with Ford
Ford’s rejuvenation of its iconic Bronco is an unqualified hit. For one thing, sales are up an incredible, where-did-they-find-the-semi-conductors 188.6 per cent in the third quarter. That’s because, well, it’s ruggedly appealing, surprisingly competent off-road, and easily accessorized. Unfortunately, it’s also heavy, thirsty, and expensive, all of which puts it out of the reach of many a consumer eager for its Badlands appeal.
Enter the Ford Bronco Sport. Smaller, cheaper, and promising superior fuel consumption, the Sport is the accessible Bronco. And, indeed, you can park a baby Bronc in your driveway for just $35,999, if you’re willing to forgo most luxuries and/or off-road bona fides. If you want both, that’s going to cost you $46,149 for the fully-equipped Badlands version. My tester, an Outer Banks model, was the next step down, priced at a still substantial $42,899. The question, then, is how does this lineup measure up against all the other sport-cutes that play in its class?
2022 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks Photo by Chris Balcerack
2022 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks Photo by Chris Balcerack
2022 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks Photo by Chris Balcerack
2022 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks Photo by Chris Balcerack
2022 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks Photo by Chris Balcerack
2022 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks Photo by Chris Balcerack
2022 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks Photo by Chris Balcerack
2022 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks Photo by Chris Balcerack
2022 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks Photo by Chris Balcerack
2022 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks Photo by Chris Balcerack
2022 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks Photo by Chris Balcerack
2022 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks Photo by Chris Balcerack
The first thing that must be said is that the Sport is genuinely gorgeous. Dismiss it as Bronco Lite all you will, but, to the casual passer-by, it looks genuinely rugged, all square lines, hood bulges, and flared fenders. Compared with the small crossovers Jeep peddles — the Renegade and Compass — the little(r) Bronco looks distinctly more authentic. I’m guessing that more than a few Sports have been sold on looks alone.
The same could be said for the interior, as well. In fact, the one comment consistent to everyone who got a ride in the Sport is how upscale the cabin felt. From the monochromatic black dashboard to the bright and colourful infotainment screen to the truly attractive Alcantara and leather — all fake, of course — two-tone seats, this is an interior beyond its segment. Throw in heated seats and steering wheel, a B&O audio system, and 110V AC power outlets, and you have a convincing alternative to some luxury sport-cutes.
Compare the specs of similar SUVs: Ford Bronco Sport, Jeep Cherokee, Subaru Forester, Ford Escape
Ford has also blessed the Bronco Sport’s interior with the utility that the term “SUV” is supposed to engender. Despite its relatively diminutive size, for instance, you can fit two full-sized mountain bikes in the rear trunk area (rear seats folded, of course) as long as you have the optional Yakima bike rack. Ford boasts there are more than 100 accessories available for the Sport, giving it an unprecedented — at least in this segment — ability to carry camping gear, kayaks, and even surfboards. Those looking for a justification for buying the baby Bronc, besides its fetching good looks, need look no further.
2022 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks Photo by Chris Balcerack
2022 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks Photo by Chris Balcerack
2022 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks Photo by Chris Balcerack
2022 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks Photo by Chris Balcerack
2022 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks Photo by Chris Balcerack
2022 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks Photo by Chris Balcerack
2022 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks Photo by Chris Balcerack
2022 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks Photo by Chris Balcerack
2022 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks Photo by Chris Balcerack
2022 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks Photo by Chris Balcerack
2022 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks Photo by Chris Balcerack
2022 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks Photo by Chris Balcerack
2022 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks Photo by Chris Balcerack
2022 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks Photo by Chris Balcerack
2022 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks Photo by Chris Balcerack
2022 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks Photo by Chris Balcerack
2022 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks Photo by Chris Balcerack
In less-visual departments, the Outer Banks isn’t quite as exemplary. Adequate, yes, but not a shining beacon of crossover comportment. For instance, the engine in the three lower trims — Base, Big Bend, and the Outer Banks — is Ford’s (becoming) ubiquitous 1.5-litre EcoBoost three-cylinder. In lesser cars — the European Fiesta, for example — its more than adequate. In the 1,560-kilogram Bronco (not so) Lite, it strains. Oh, being turbocharged, there’s a fair bit of punch off the line, but calling on pedal-to-the-metal Warp-Drive-Mr.-Sulu grunt doesn’t actually speed things up much more, there being a distinct paucity of top-end power.
Ford’s 2.0L EcoBoost four also powers the Bronco Sport, but is only available in the top-of-the-line Badlands trim. I’d suggest that its 245 hp and 275 pound-feet of torque are a greater incentive to spend the extra $3,260 Ford demands than any perceived off-road superiority. Not unexpectedly, since I always had my foot well into it, my tester averaged 10.2 L/100 km compared with its official rating of 9.3L and 8.4 L/100 km, city and highway, respectively.
In the end, performance, at least in the lesser three models, is the biggest compromise to the Bronco Sport. In most other regards — looks, cabin quality, and utility — it’s an excellent effort. Just don’t expect to win any drag races.
I’ll go for a real-deal Jeep, thank you very much
The Bronco Sport’s direct competitor in the Jeep lineup is the Cherokee. Interestingly, even though the Cherokee is both (slightly) more powerful in base and upscale trims and significantly longer — as in almost 250 millimetres longer — the Bronco Sport feels faster and is larger inside.
The first contention may be the result of Ford’s two EcoBoost engines being a little quieter than the Cherokee powerplants, especially the base 2.4L normally-aspirated four, but there is an edge there even if neither feels particularly speedy. And, even though the Ford gives up one gear to the Jeep — Bronco has an eight-speed autobox while the Jeep boasts nine — the Sport’s gear changes are more fluid.
As for roominess, the only criteria in which the Jeep offers more space than the Ford is in rear legroom. In all other cases — headroom front and rear, as well as front legroom — the Ford is more accommodating. Additionally, the Ford’s interior is much more upscale. One could argue that the most off-road-worthy Cherokee — the $46,340 Trailhawk — busts better berms than the top-of-the-line Bronco Sport, but I don’t think many people buy compact crossovers to traipse over the Rubicon. In this case, I think the smart money should be on the Ford.
2021 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk Photo by Elliot Alder
You want something more down to earth
As practicality goes, nothing in the compact crossover segment touches Subaru’s Forester. The very epitome of utilitarian, the little Subie has one of the best all-wheel-drive systems in the business, an excellent plethora of (EyeSight) advanced driver assistance systems, and a reputation for robust performance.
Not outright performance, mind you. The weak point for the Forester is that, like the base versions of the Bronco Sport, it doesn’t exactly boast an excess of horsepower. In fact, its 2.5-litre Boxer four has almost the same peak power — 182 hp — as Ford’s 1.5-litre turbo I3. And, at least in the Bronco Sport — and the Cherokee as well — you can, if you are willing to fork over the big bucks, opt for a larger, more powerful engine. Not the Forester; the 182-hp H4 is all that is on offer.
In most other regards, the Forester is more than competitive with the Bronco Sport, especially when you compare the lesser trims. For one thing, it’s all-wheel-drive system is a little more competent off-road; and there’s a smidgen more ground clearance in its base versions than there is in lesser Bronco Sports (though the Badlands does have more than the new Forester Wilderness). It’s also roomier inside with excellent cargo space as well (though the Bronco Sport has more stowage accessories). And though the interior is not nearly as stylish as the Ford’s, the materials are somewhat superior.
In other words, unless you go for the off-road nous of the Badlands — not to mention its 2.0-litre EcoBoost four — the Forester is probably a better everyday ride. On the other hand, in the looks department, they’re not playing the same game, let alone competing in the same league.
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You’re determined to stick with Ford
Now considering they share a name — and a look — you’d think the most obvious alternative is the (real) Bronco. On the other hand, they share but a visage, whereas the Bronco Sport and Escape share a platform and powertrains. They are truly brothers under very different skins.
So, not surprising since it is about 80 kilograms heavier, the Bronco Sport is a little slower on the uptake than the Escape. It’s only a fraction of second, which sounds trivial — and is trivial when comparing the top-of-the-line 245-hp 2.0L EcoBoost-powered versions of both — but in base trims, the Bronco Sport actually feels a little less responsive than the equivalent Escape.
The same applies for fuel economy. In this case, not only is the Sport heavier than the Escape, but it’s also less aerodynamic which means that, while NRCan rates the 1.5L Escape for 8.4 L/100 km, it says that the Bronco Sport will suck back 8.9 L/100 km. The gap is a full 1.0 L/100 km — 10.2 L/100 km versus 9.2 — for the 2.0L versions. Worse yet, Car and Driver says its real-world highway testing puts the gap even larger, closer to 2.5 L/100 km for the two cars powered by the larger engine. There is a price to be paid for the privilege of boxy good looks.
2022 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks Photo by Chris Balcerack
The Escape is also roomier, especially when it comes to cargo, with 37.5 cubic feet available behind the rear seats (29.5 cu ft for the Bronco) and 65.4 cubes when the rear seats are folded (compared with 60.6 for the Sport). As for seating, the Bronco Sport has more headroom front and rear, they’re tied for front legroom, but there’s almost 100 millimetres more legroom in the rear of the Escape.
Perhaps the biggest differentiator, however, is price. AWD Escapes start at $31,749 — $4,250 less than the start Bronco — and an all-wheel-drive Titanium with the aforementioned 2.0L EcoBoost undercuts the Badlands by some $4,550. Hybrid-powered Escapes are also cheaper than the Bronco, and the PHEV version priced almost identically to the Sport, although, it must be said, the PHEV is only available as a front-driver.
So, the Bronco is a little bigger, more off-road-worthy, and a whole bunch sexier. The Escape, on the other hand, is lighter, a little quicker, and a bunch more frugal. In other words, though they’re built on the exact same platform and powered by the same engines, one is directed at the right side of the brain, and the other is decidedly left-brained. That’s quite the differentiation considering how much they really share.
Keyword: Want a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport? Consider these SUVs, too