2023 Ford Bronco Sport Review

Name: 2023 Ford Bronco Sport
Brand: Ford

Price Range: $22,503 - $34,995

2023 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands 4dr SUV Exterior

The newly introduced 2023 Ford Bronco Sport promised off-road capability, and it delivers. This is one small crossover that can tackle terrain and look good doing it. Technology and usable space are also strong points. However, the Bronco Sport struggles to meet expectations in several areas that rivals have long mastered such as ride comfort, rear passenger space, and confident steering and braking.

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2023 Ford Bronco Sport Review

Pros

More capable off-road than most rival SUVs
Easy-to-use controls
Plenty of customization options

Cons

Dull steering and braking feel
Less rear legroom than most compact crossovers

What's new

Black Diamond Off-Road package adds trail-ready features
New Heritage and Heritage Limited models debut
Minor changes to optional equipment
Several new colors
Part of the first Bronco Sport generation introduced for 2021

Overview

Written by automotive expert Dan Frio

7/26/2023

Enthusiasts waited decades for Ford to reintroduce the Bronco SUV and got not one but two models to choose from when both debuted in 2021: the larger, truck-like Bronco and the smaller Bronco Sport. The former is truer to the model's rugged adventure roots from the 1960s through the 1990s, while the Bronco Sport distills some of that formula into a smaller crossover package.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Gresham, OR

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2023 Ford Bronco Sport
Heritage 4dr SUV
$27,888
fair price
$374 above market
- 14,386 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use
- 5 Seats, 25 City / 28 Hwy MPG
- Sound Ford (138 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Upgraded Headlights
Close
Located in Renton, WA
2023 Ford Bronco Sport Heritage 250A4 4X4 HEATED CONVENIENCE PKG Shadow BlackAlloy Wheels, Backup Camera, Bluetooth, Heat Package, Power Mirror Pac...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
26 Combined MPG (25 City/28 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 3FMCR9G65PRD66236
Stock: L1829
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 08-05-2025
Price Drop
2023 Ford Bronco Sport
Heritage 4dr SUV
$28,982
fair price
$1,042 above market
- 4,192 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 5 Seats, 25 City / 28 Hwy MPG
- Kendall Ford (103 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Upgraded Headlights
Close
Located in Eugene, OR
Hot Pepper Red Tinted Clearcoat 2023 Ford Bronco Sport Heritage 4WD 8-Speed Automatic 1.5L EcoBoost CARFAX One-Owner. 3.80 Axle Ratio, 4-Wheel Disc Br...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
26 Combined MPG (25 City/28 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 3FMCR9G60PRE01443
Stock: F43613A
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 08-09-2025

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The Bronco Sport is based on the Ford Escape, which means it lacks the formidable off-road chops of its larger counterpart, but it makes more sense if you want an everyday compact SUV with just a bit of trail attitude. Standard all-wheel drive, an above-average amount of ground clearance, and optimized traction settings are all here to help you get you out into nature. A roomy interior and expansive (and easily cleaned) cargo area boost the Bronco Sport's practicality too.

On the road, the Bronco Sport can't match the smoothness or refinement of purely pavement-oriented rivals like the Mazda CX-5 or Honda CR-V, but it matches up well against other all-terrain alternatives like the Subaru Outback and Jeep Cherokee. Be sure to read our Expert Rating for our test team's deep dive into the Bronco Sport's pros and cons.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

Driven, tested, rated by automotive expert Ryan ZumMallen

Average

7.6

out of 10

We drove the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

6.5/10

How does the Bronco Sport drive? It's clear that the Bronco Sport has off-roading on the brain, especially in the Badlands guise we tested. The good news is the Bronco Sport is a blast to drive in the dirt. The bad news is that it's much less enjoyable on the street.

The optional 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine provides admirable power, covering 0-60 mph in 7.2 seconds, which is good for the class. The power makes the Bronco Sport an eager off-roader and allows good use of intelligent traction modes. On the road, however, the braking and steering are not up to par. Stopping from 60 mph took 127 feet, which is longer than average for a small SUV, but worse is the lack of feel and response from the brake pedal. Transmission shifts are also jerky at low speed.

Comfort

7/10

How comfortable is the Bronco Sport? The Bronco Sport comes with the tacit acknowledgment that you are prioritizing off-road capability over traditional crossover comfort. So it inherently lacks the smooth ride you get from rivals such as Honda CR-V or Mazda CX-5. For instance, the Badlands suspension that's been tuned for dirt and rocks often gives a bumpy ride over various road surfaces. And since the Bronco Sport has an upright design, there is wind noise at most speeds.

We also took issue with the front seats. Although they feature a wide range of adjustability to accommodate drivers of various heights, they lack lateral support and cause your shoulders to jostle. Buyers may also expect dual-zone climate control, which is an option this vehicle did not have equipped. These are not deal-breakers, but they are noticeable.

Interior

8/10

How’s the interior? Inside, the usefulness of the Bronco Sport is an advantage over many rivals. There is a lot of space in the front, particularly headroom, and it's easy to slide inside thanks to the wide range of adjustability in the front seats. Another strong point is the control placement, and dials for both the transmission and selectable drive modes fall right to your hand.

On paper, the Bronco Sport trails most of its rivals in rear legroom. And while taller occupants might have difficulty squeezing in behind taller front passengers, the rear seats prove comfortable and supportive, especially during off-road endeavors. But the small rear doors, and narrow access to the rear seat footwell, make it difficult to climb inside. Another concern is the wide and flat hood, which can impede forward visibility, but some trim levels include a handy front-facing camera to aid in off-roading and parking situations.

Technology

8/10

How’s the tech? For a vehicle focused on playing in the dirt, the Bronco Sport's tech game is on point. All Bronco Sports come with the Sync 3 infotainment system and an 8-inch touchscreen, which prove to be a potent combination. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration is standard and simple to use. Audio quality is also very good, and appreciated because it effectively blocks the otherwise prevalent wind noise.

Some optional features are also strong. Adaptive cruise control is a bright spot due to smooth operation, especially in stop-and-go traffic, though you need the Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 package to include it. Navigation is not standard on any trim, but when equipped, the directions are clear and work in concert with voice recognition controls.

Storage

7.5/10

How’s the storage? Available storage space is well utilized in the Bronco Sport to an impressive degree. It's among the class leaders in maximum cargo space, whether the second row of seats is folded down or left up. The Bronco Sport has a high ceiling and low load floor, which, by the way, is rubberized and can be removed completely to clean. The cargo area has a number of hooks, plugs and lights available that are sure to come in handy on trips. Badlands and First Edition models have rear underseat storage cubbies.

The Bronco Sport can accommodate child seats in the rear easily, but it may be difficult to load bulky rear-facing seats due to doors that don't open very wide. And be aware that the maximum towing capacity of 2,200 pounds, even with the optional towing package, is not very impressive compared to the Toyota RAV4 or even the Ford Escape.

Fuel Economy

7/10

How’s the fuel economy? The Badlands trim and its 2.0-liter engine are rated at 23 mpg (21 city/26 highway), which is unimpressive for the class. However, on our 115-mile mixed-driving test route, the Bronco Sport returned an average of 26.6 mpg. That's good considering the EPA's estimate but not very high for the class.

Value

7.5/10

Is the Bronco Sport a good value? A number of factors work in the Bronco Sport's favor when it comes to price — standard all-wheel drive, excellent tech features and a lot of style, just to name a few. Our Badlands test model came to $35,745 including options and destination fees, which undercuts its closest rival in the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk before you add extra equipment. If you expect off-road ability for that price, you likely won't be disappointed. For others, however, the lack of premium-feeling materials could be of more concern.

Ford offers fairly standard coverage on the Bronco Sport, with three-year/36,000-mile basic and five-year/60,000-mile drivetrain warranties. It also offers coverage of five years/unlimited mileage for rust and five years/60,000 miles for roadside assistance. We find this acceptable, but some rivals are much more generous.

Wildcard

9/10

The Bronco Sport deserves its off-road credentials thanks to a host of impressive rugged technologies, and it doesn't hurt that it looks the part too. This crossover turns heads, prompts questions and inspires smiles — something that a lot of competitors simply can't say. And it is genuinely fun to drive when the pavement ends.

In fact, these attributes are enough to cover some significant shortcomings. The Bronco Sport is far from perfect in everyday driving on the road, and we advise you to take heed. This is a unique vehicle with a lot of charisma. If that's enough for you to forget some frustrations, then congratulations on your new Bronco Sport.

2023 Ford Bronco Sport trim level differences

The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport is offered in six trim levels: Base, Big Bend, Heritage, Outer Banks, Badlands and Heritage Limited. The first four come with a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine (181 horsepower, 190 lb-ft of torque), while the Badlands and Heritage Limited pack a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (250 hp, 277 lb-ft). Both engines pair with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel-drive system. Two-wheel drive is not offered. Notable features in each trim level includes:

Which Bronco Sport trim does Edmunds recommend?

Assuming you don't need the most off-road-capable Bronco Sport — the Badlands trim — we recommend the Big Bend for a pleasing mix of features and value. It slots above the Base trim and below the pricier Outer Banks trim. We'd suggest adding the Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package for more advanced driver aids, including adaptive cruise control.

Compare 2023 Ford Bronco Sport trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Oregon

$204/mo

$207/mo

Avg. Compact SUV

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Ford Bronco Sport Owner Reviews

4.1

36 reviews

5(61%)

4(13%)

3(11%)

2(0%)

1(15%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Kickin' Lil' Colt

NYS westerner, 05/28/2023

2023 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

Initially when the "baby" Bronco came out, I was not sure about the looks or the stance, as time went by and more of them appeared on the road, I became enamored albeit skeptical about owning one. After a couple of weeks and 300 miles, I must say I am impressed by its ride quality, even with the Badlands pkg., the ride is smooth and quiet. The power of the 2.0 L 4 is sufficient to … propel this little colt up the hills and the eight-speed transmission is seamless., That is until you opt for the ECO mode, then the shifting is more noticeable, and it seems to hunt for gears on takeoff. I do not notice this in NORM or SPORT mode, and with no inclement weather to test the SLIPPERY mode on, I cannot speak to how it performs in that mode. The other G.O.A.T modes I have not tried, and probably never try the "rock crawl" mode voluntarily. The interior is perhaps a little plastic, and I am not a fan of the screen standing above the dash, it will grow on me I imagine as time passes. Unlike other reviews, I do not think it looks cheap, no it is not the quality of the Lariat pick-up I traded in on it, nor was it close to the 80K I paid for the truck. Ford's attempt to balance between the weekend outdoor enthusiast and the daily driver like me is well executed in my opinion. The easily cleaned materials are appreciated as I have aged and less able to spend hours cleaning my vehicles. If you want all the upscale interior treatments, the Outer Banks version will be the better option, otherwise the Premium Pkg. added to the Badlands will come with most of the treatments. Beware it adds 10K to the price tag when all is said and done. I balanced what I really care about, the larger engine and more capable AWD system, along with an intent to stay as close to 40K as possible. I think it does well in meeting my needs in those regards. What are the things I like the most: Build quality is impressive. Little to no squeaking plastic parts driving down the road. Engine performance is awesome for a four cyl. This from a diesel engine guy who always opts for 8 cylinders. Looks are pretty spot on, enough of the original Bronco cues to take me back to 1966, and yes, I remember the original Bronco quite well. The interior layout is done well, everything is easy to reach and the knobs for the radio and the HVAC are appreciated. Trying to work on a touchscreen alone, is not my thing to be certain. What do I not like: The rotary gear selector! I would much prefer a lever. I am forever trying to rotate the wrong way when going from D to R and the fact that I have to confirm N every time I am at a drive-thru line is irritating. WHY does it not stay in the mode I select from the G.O.A.T menu or keep the Start/Stop function turned off? You must reselect every time you re-start the car. I have read the manual front to back and can find no way to make it do these things. Ford, it is just programming, write an extra couple of lines of code so these items will stay engaged till the driver opts otherwise. Overall, vehicles are always subjective. What I dislike or like, you may or may not. What is comfortable for me, may or may not be for you. One should always evaluate from the drivers' seat before signing. I was not originally thinking about the 'baby" Bronco when the time came to move from my F-250 to something more manage and practical to my old age self, the full-size version was more what I had in mind. How did I end up with the mini size? The added cost of the full-size version is due to the nature of its core market, those who take them off-road and are serious about their outdoor activities. This was never my intention, nor is it my lifestyle these days. No need to remove the tops, or doors. Nor do I feel the need to impress the neighbors with a vehicle that will never do what it was designed, and I paid for it to do. How many people own big trucks and pull nothing but their butts around? When all is needed is a comfortable, capable AWD SUV, that is not too much SUV or mini-van, this little colt fits the corral neatly and without too much pain either at the dealership of the pump. Easy to tie to the hitching post as well, much easier than 26' of 3/4 ton truck!

So far so good

S Harris, 10/19/2023

2023 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

So far it is all we expected and then some. Bought it for my wife’s daily driver. She loves the compact size but larger feel. There is much more interior room than it seems from the outside and the premium package adds some great features. The stereo really sounds high end. We love the seat material and the comfortable feel on the highway. Gas mileage is great too. Drove about 80 miles …

Versatile vehicle...make sure seats work for you

milwdriver, 04/27/2023

2023 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A)

Very good utility for small SUV that fits in my tight garage space. Getting 28mpg on mostly highway. Runs more smoothly on mid than regular. Good for hauling mulch and compost to the garden in containers...rubberized cargo area is nice for this. Excellent on the muddy and rutted trail...easily went through where old SUV got stuck. Excellent on snow and ice. Interior is nice...some …

My 2023 Bronco Sport is great!

2023 BroncoSportMOGF, 01/23/2023

2023 Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A)

After ordering at the end of October 2022, it arrived at the dealership Jan 6, 2023. Good build quality and so far quite satisfied. The paint quality on it is better than the 2022 premium cost rapid red on my mustang.

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2023 Bronco Sport Highlights

Trim:

Base

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$29,215
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	26 MPG
Cost to Drive	$204/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	32.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the Bronco Sport models:

Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking: Warns if a front collision is imminent and applies the brakes if the driver doesn't respond in time.
Lane Keeping System: Warns if the vehicle drifts out of its lane and steers it back automatically.
BLIS with Cross-Traffic Alert: Alerts the driver to vehicles in its blind spots or of approaching vehicles when backing out into traffic.

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2023 Ford Bronco Sport Review

Price & Payment

2023 Ford Bronco Sport Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

For sale near Gresham, OR

2023 Ford Bronco SportHeritage 4dr SUV

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

2023 Ford Bronco SportHeritage 4dr SUV

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

2023 Ford Bronco Sport trim level differences

Which Bronco Sport trim does Edmunds recommend?

Cost to Drive

Ford Bronco Sport Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Kickin' Lil' Colt

So far so good

Versatile vehicle...make sure seats work for you

My 2023 Bronco Sport is great!

2023 Bronco Sport Highlights

Safety

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2023 Ford Bronco Sport
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2023 Ford Bronco Sport
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