2021 Ford Bronco Sport Review

Name: 2021 Ford Bronco Sport Review
Brand: Ford
Price: 19700 USD

Ford Bronco Sport Badlands 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

+290

The newly introduced 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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Ford Bronco Sport model years

Ford Bronco Sport for Sale

2022
2021

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2021 Ford Bronco Sport Review

byMark Takahashi^{Correspondent
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.}

Pros

More all-terrain capabilities than your typical SUV
Smart features for both adventures and everyday use
Lots of customization options
Rugged styling

Cons

Last-generation infotainment system
Overly light and vague steering feel

What's new

A new off-road capable SUV based on the Ford Escape
Kicks off the first Bronco Sport generation introduced for 2021

Overview

The redesigned Ford Bronco is a significant addition to the Blue Oval's lineup — after more than two decades, Ford aficionados finally see the return of a body-on-frame off-roader intent on beating the Jeep Wrangler at its own game. But what if you want Bronco styling and abilities in a more road-friendly — and affordable — package?

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$166/mo

$184/mo

Avg. Compact SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

Enter the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. Based on the Ford Escape small SUV, the Bronco Sport aims to marry the look and feel of the Bronco with traditional crossover SUV strengths such as improved road manners and better fuel economy. The Bronco Sport holds its own when venturing off the beaten path thanks to standard all-wheel drive, plenty of ground clearance, multiple traction settings, and a wealth of optional off-road upgrades.

This is a genuinely fun and well-executed small SUV that's bursting with charm. Unfortunately, the Bronco Sport's enhanced off-roading capability comes at the expense of some on-road refinement. How big of a deal is it? Read the categories of our Expert Rating below to learn more.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Average

7.6

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

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 more 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

7.0/10

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 found issue with the front seats. Although they feature a wide range of adjustability to accommodate drivers of various heights, they also 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

8.0/10

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, with dials for both the transmission and selectable drive modes that fall right to your hand.

On paper, the Bronco Sport trails most of its rivals on 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

8.0/10

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

7.0/10

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? There are a number of factors working 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

9.0/10

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.

Which Bronco Sport does Edmunds recommend?

The Bronco Sport's core strength is in its off-road ability, so we recommend capitalizing on that with the Badlands trim. Besides a more powerful engine, you get plenty of off-road features to conquer challenging terrain. We would also upgrade to all-terrain tires.

2021 Ford Bronco Sport models

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport is offered in five trim levels: Base, Big Bend, Outer Banks, Badlands and First Edition. Feature highlights include:

Bronco Sport Base
The Base model gets you the basics plus some decent tech features, such as:

Turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder (181 horsepower, 190 lb-ft of torque)
Eight-speed automatic transmission
Four-wheel drive
17-inch wheels
Roof rails
LED headlights
Rear liftgate with flip-up rear window and lighting
Adjustable drive modes
8-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
Remote monitoring and control via a smartphone app
Six-speaker audio system

Every Bronco Sport also comes with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced safety features that includes:

Frontal collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Lane keeping assist (steers the vehicle back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)

Big Bend
The Big Bend trim adds several convenience and comfort features that include:

Foglights
Heated mirrors
Tinted rear passenger and cargo windows
Keyless ignition and entry
Automatic climate control
Stain-resistant cloth upholstery and rubberized cargo floor
Cargo pockets on the front seatbacks with Molle cargo straps

Outer Banks
The midrange Outer Banks trim is a good pick for rugged shoppers who also want some of the niceties that are available in less off-road-specific SUVs. These include:

Rain-sensing and heated wipers
Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)
Remote ignition
Leather upholstery
Heated front seats
Power-adjustable front seats
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Digital instrument panel
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Interior ambient lighting
Heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel
Household power outlet

Badlands
The Badlands model comes with the most off-roading features. Compared to the Big Bend trim, it adds:

Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (250 hp, 277 lb-ft)
Specific off-road suspension and all-terrain tires
Underbody skid plates
Front tow hooks
Upgraded 4WD system with special rear differential
Trail control (cruise control for off-roading)
Forward-looking 180-degree camera system
Rubberized flooring
Household power outlet
Digital instrument panel
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Heated front seats
Passenger-side rear-seat underfloor storage

First Edition
The First Edition is essentially a nearly fully loaded version of the Bronco Sport. It includes the items that were deleted from the Badlands trim as well as:

Slightly taller all-terrain tires
Roof rack crossbars
Sunroof
Class II tow hitch receiver
Trailer sway control (adjusts vehicle brakes to help control trailer movement if a trailer begins to sway)
Wireless charging pad
10-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system

Many features are available on supporting trims as options. A navigation system can be added to any trim level. Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front) is also available.

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Ford Bronco Sport.

5 (52%)

4 (10%)

3 (9%)

2 (13%)

1 (16%)

3.7

80 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

beautiful car, drive train problems like no other

Zerk, 06/07/2021

2021 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands 4dr SUV AWD w/Prod. End 07/21 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

2 days off the lot, torque converter locks up. Takes a month for Ford to decide what to do. Another 22 days for the transmission to be replaced. Engine does not sound the same. there is a light rattle and some oil or fluid may be leaking from the engine/transmission area. In an independant shop today. About two months out now.

Happy to Disappointed

Erick, 07/13/2021

2021 Ford Bronco Sport First Edition 4dr SUV AWD w/Prod. End 07/21 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

Picked up Bronco Sport First Edition in May. Currently at 4700 miles after completing a 3000 mile road trip. Bronco performed wonderfully during the road trip, which included driving through down pour. During an errand, my wife was unable to start the Bronco warning lights flashing and alerts being generated and the parking light was flashing on the shift knob. The Bronco started …

Great looking SUV

JH, 07/09/2021

2021 Ford Bronco Sport First Edition 4dr SUV AWD w/Prod. End 07/21 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

Bronco sport looks great and is fun to drive, when it is running. We have 2400miles on a 2021 First Edition ad the engine failed. It has been in the shop(about 2 months) at the dealer longer than it has been in the garage at my house. Take my advice and wait a couple of years until they get the bus worked out

1 month in and already engine problems

CM1986, 07/21/2021

2021 Ford Bronco Sport First Edition 4dr SUV AWD w/Prod. End 07/21 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

I’ve had my Bronco Sport for a little over a month and the AC compressor already has gone out. Ford said there’s no parts in stock and I have to wait months until they are available. On top of that, they said there’s no loaner cars available. I paid over MSRP with extended full comprehensive warranty and this is what happens. I would think twice before buying this car. Extremely …

See all 80 reviews of the Ford Bronco Sport

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2021 Ford Bronco Sport videos

2021 Ford Bronco Sport vs. 2021 Subaru Forester | Off-Road Crossover Comparison

It's the Ford Bronco Sport vs. Subaru Forester in a battle of off-road crossovers. The Bronco Sport is the smaller sibling of the new Ford Bronco, which was revived last year. Though not as potent as the bigger Bronco, the Bronco Sport promises strong off-road capabilities for the…

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2021 New Ford Bronco Reveal

2021 Bronco Sport Highlights

Trim:

Base

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$27,215
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	26 MPG
Cost to Drive	$166/month
Seating	5 seats
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

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 to approaching vehicles when backing out into traffic.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover17.4%

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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2021 Ford Bronco Sport Review

2021 Ford Bronco Sport Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Bronco Sport does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Ford Bronco Sport models

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Ford Bronco Sport.

Trending topics in reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

beautiful car, drive train problems like no other

Happy to Disappointed

Great looking SUV

1 month in and already engine problems

2021 Ford Bronco Sport videos

2021 Ford Bronco Sport vs. 2021 Subaru Forester | Off-Road Crossover Comparison

2021 Bronco Sport Highlights

Safety

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2021 Ford Bronco Sport Review

2021 Ford Bronco Sport Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Bronco Sport does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Ford Bronco Sport models

Most helpful consumer reviews

beautiful car, drive train problems like no other

Happy to Disappointed

Great looking SUV

1 month in and already engine problems

2021 Ford Bronco Sport videos

2021 Ford Bronco Sport vs. 2021 Subaru Forester | Off-Road Crossover Comparison

2021 Bronco Sport Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2021 Ford Bronco Sport info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Ford

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}