Shopping for a Ford Bronco Sport? Consider These 3 Alternatives

Jeep, Subaru and Nissan also offer rugged versions of their small SUVs

written by Bradley Iger
edited by Greg Migliore
9/8/2026
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What's new: Ford has made some minor tweaks to feature availability and added a Bronze appearance package to the options list.
Why it matters: The Bronco Sport is one of the more capable small SUVs for off-roading, but it lags behind some of its competitors when it comes to efficiency, space and comfort.
Edmunds says: Subaru, Nissan and Jeep also offer off-road-tuned small SUVs that should be on your short list.

The past few years have seen automakers increasingly embrace the idea that just about every SUV needs a rugged alter ego, outfitting increasingly mainstream crossovers with all-terrain tires, off-road drive modes, and names that evoke the great outdoors.

Ford's Bronco Sport is one of the more convincing examples. Although it shares its basic architecture and powertrain hardware with the more conventional Ford Escape, the Bronco Sport's upright, adventure-ready styling and its wide range of available off-road equipment can make it surprisingly capable where the pavement ends. That ability comes with some compromises, though, including a firm ride, middling fuel economy, and less interior space than some of its rivals. If you're shopping for a small SUV that can handle daily duties while offering respectable off-road chops, there are several alternatives worth considering.

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Jeep Cherokee

Price range (with destination): $36,995-$44,995
Edmunds Rating: 6.4 (out of 10)

Arguably the Bronco Sport's most direct rival, the Cherokee has long been a staple of Jeep's lineup, a brand known for designing vehicles with serious off-road ability.

The latest Cherokee boasts a full redesign for 2026, and although the latest model isn't as hardcore as beloved icons like the XJ-generation Cherokee, it can hold its own both on and off the pavement. A fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain and all-wheel drive are now standard across the Cherokee lineup, while its roomy interior is admirably isolated from outside noise.

During testing, we noted that the standard hybrid powertrain is smooth, quiet and powerful enough to keep up with city traffic, but its 8.7-second 0-60 mph time is a bit pokey compared to the quickest models in this class. The Cherokee's EPA-estimated combined fuel economy figure of 37 mpg is a big improvement over the outgoing model and bests all iterations of the Bronco Sport. The current lineup isn't as off-road-focused as some Cherokees of yore, but the upcoming Cherokee Trailhawk should have the hardware needed to go toe-to-toe with the Bronco Sport Badlands in more demanding terrain.

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2026 Ford Bronco Sport pricing in Ashburn, VA

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Nissan Rogue

Price range (with destination): $30,880-$40,780
Edmunds Rating: 6.4 (out of 10)

Comfortable, spacious, and outfitted with upscale interior appointments, the Rogue looks and feels more premium than you might expect from an entry-level compact SUV. The Rogue earns additional praise for its refined and intuitive driver aids, while the available Rock Creek trim is more earnestly tuned for off-road adventures than many of its competitors' terrain-oriented offerings.

The Rogue doesn't have as supple a ride quality as some other entries in this class, and its transmission can be slow to respond during urgent acceleration. Still, its shortcomings are largely offset by an impressive array of driver assistance tech that includes an optional hands-free highway driving feature. The Rogue also returns EPA-estimated combined fuel economy figures of between 29 mpg and 32 mpg, depending on options, which exceeds the efficiency of all available Bronco Sport trims.

Subaru Forester

Price range (with destination): $31,445-$41,445
Edmunds Rating: 5.8 (out of 10)

The Forester isn't as sophisticated as some of its rivals, but its standard all-wheel drive and reputation for sure-footed off-pavement manners have earned it a loyal following among outdoorsy folks and weekend adventurers alike.

2026 sees Subaru sweetening the deal with more standard driver aids and better interior storage designs. It also marks the return of the Wilderness trim, which enhances the Forester's off-road capability with a raised ride height, a more advanced all-wheel-drive system, unique 17-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires, and front underbody protection.

In testing, we noted that the standard Forester isn't especially engaging to drive; its 9.2-second 0-to-60 mph time is sluggish, and its ride quality can get a bit harsh at times. Subaru recently introduced a hybrid version, which addresses the slow acceleration of the standard model while significantly improving fuel efficiency to an EPA-estimated 35 mpg combined. While the Wilderness trim can't be paired with this powertrain, we think most will find the Forester Hybrid's all-wheel-drive traction and above-average ride height sufficient for occasional excursions off the beaten path.

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by Bradley Iger

A lover of noisy music, noisy bulldogs, and noisy cars, Bradley completed his undergraduate degree in rhetorical studies at the University of California, Berkeley, and relocated to Los Angeles shortly thereafter, where he used his obsession with cars and background in information technology to create a unique journalistic voice in the automotive realm. His work has appeared in MotorTrend, Car & Driver, Popular Science, Hemmings Motor News, Autoweek and numerous online publications. When not behind the wheel, Bradley can often be found standing too close to a dimed guitar amp, out on a cycling trail, or breaking something just so he can put it back together.

edited by Greg Migliore

Greg Migliore is an accomplished journalist with more than two decades covering the auto industry. He was the editor-in-chief of Autoblog for more than seven years and also served as the editorial director of AutoGuide. He's also been an editor at Automobile and Autoweek magazines. A widely quoted industry expert, he has contributed commentary to Autoline After Hours, NPR, Yahoo Finance and America on the Road. He's a graduate of Eastern Michigan University, Michigan State University and the Yale Publishing Course. He is a member of the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards jury. When not writing, editing or driving the latest new vehicles, Greg can be seen driving around in his extremely low-mileage 2006 Dodge Charger.

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