Ford Positions 2021 Bronco SPORT as an Actually-Rugged Ford Escape

By Michael S. Palmer - July 13, 2020

GOAT Modes, mountain bike anchors, standard 4×4, and a tent-holding roof rack make the 2021 Bronco Sport a rugged option for small SUV buyers.

While Ford is positioning the 2021 Ford Bronco to outclass the Jeep Wrangler, it also wants the 2021 Bronco SPORT to take on the Jeep Compass Trailhawk in the rugged, small SUV segment. (Not for nothing, the Sport would also makes a great replacement for the Escape should Ford succeed at expanding the Bronco brand.) That being said, Mustang owners were furious when Ford slapped a pony on a crossover; so, will the Bronco faithful tolerate a small SUV Bronco?

Ford certainly hopes so and, while I’m less excited about this model’s drivetrain options, Ford seems to be aiming to make this little unibody SUV as rugged as it can, which should prove fun for families and weekend adventurers who don’t need the full Bronco experience. Lively styling and a few unique features certainly do make the Sport more appealing than the typical mainstream small SUV.

(For full details on the 2021 Ford Bronco, click HERE.)

Engines & Transmissions

The Bronco Sport’s standard engine is the 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder with direct injection and Auto Start-Stop Technology. Ford says the base Sport should make 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, and 190 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,000 rpm. The standard transmission is an 8-speed automatic.

The Sport’s optional engine is the 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder, which bumps power ratings to 245 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 275 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,000 rpm. The optional transmission is also an 8-speed, but adds SelectShift manual shifting mode and an oil cooler.

Click HERE to read
Top 5 Things We LOVE About the New Ford Bronco.

And click HERE to read
Top 5 Things We HATE About the New Ford Bronco.

Trims & Packages

Much like the Bronco, the Sport offers several outdoor-themed trim levels.

Base 1.5L Ecoboost engine, 17″ wheels, 5 GOAT Modes, Sync 3 & 8″ infotainment screen, standard roof racks, lift glass in the lift gate, a safari-style roof, room for 2 bikes, a bottle opener in the back, and optional Ford Co-Pilot 360.
Big Bend Rubberized cargo floor, clean cloth, fog lamps, SecuriCode, Zipper map pockets, Molistrap system on the back of seats. Optional cargo management system with a slide-out table.
Outer Banks 18″ wheels, black roof & grille, body-color door handle, leather-trimmed heated seats, 8-way power driver’s seat, and a 110V power inverter.
Badlands 2.0L Ecoboost, Advanced 4×4 with twin-clutch rear-drive, 1″ suspension upgrade, 17″ wheels standard, 7 G.O.A.T. Modes
First Edition 2,000 units. Badlands capabilities with OuterBanks styling & B&O System. Black accents, 17″ wheels.

With a standard Terrain Management System™ featuring up to seven available G.O.A.T. Modes™, the all-new Bronco Sport small SUV is equipped to help adventurers take on any type of terrain. (Pre-production model pictured.)

The Bronco Sport First Edition series offers leather-trimmed seats with mini perforation, as well as washable rubber flooring throughout. (Pre-production model pictured.)

The all-new Bronco Sport small SUV comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, which gives the driver a close look at the trail ahead courtesy of an available class-exclusive front off-road camera. (Pre-production model pictured.)

Bronco Sport features an available storage area below the second-row, passenger-side seat to store dirty or wet gear. (Pre-production model pictured.)

Human-centered design led to special Bronco Sport features, such as seatback MOLLE strap system to help users safely and easily transport gear. (Pre-production model pictured.)

The all-new Bronco Sport is an available interior bike rack that lets adventurers transport two 27.5-inch bikes inside the vehicle. (Pre-production model pictured.)

4×4 Capability & G.O.A.T. Modes

While the Bronco tops out with 35″ tires and up to 11.6″ of ground clearance, the Bronco Sport offers up to 8.8″ of ground clearance with optional 29″ tires. Still, it boasts standard 4×4 along with a central differential cooler, high-angle half-shafts, four steel skid plates, accessible tow hooks, and up to 2,200 lbs of towing.

Badlands and First Edition Bronco Sports also include a twin-clutch rear differential to help out in high-speed and/or sand driving.

The standard suspension includes an independent MacPherson strut-type with coil springs, stabilizer bar, twin-tube hydraulic gas-pressurized shocks up front. And, out back, you’ll find independent double lateral link semi-trailing arms with coil springs, stabilizer bar, and monotube hydraulic gas-pressurized shocks. Or you can upgrade, via the above packages, to unique coil springs, stabilizer bar, and monotube hydraulic gas-pressurized shocks.

Like its bigger Bronco brother, the Sport features several driving modes engineered to help the Sport perform under various conditions. These include Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, and Sand for every Bronco Sport. The Badlands and First Edition models add Mud/Ruts and Rock Crawl. For example, in Rock Crawl mode, “the electronic power steering assist system is uniquely calibrated to provide more precise control and help reduce steering wheel disturbance during low-speed maneuvers over rocky terrain.”

Lastly, the more aggressively-equipped trims will feature Trail Control that “enables a cruise control-like setting up to 20 mph forward and 6 mph in reverse for vehicle-controlled throttle and braking, letting the driver stay focused on navigating the trail.”

Features & Accessories

All Ford Bronco Sports feature standard Co-Pilot 360, for optimal viewing of potential hazards as well as LED headlights for driving home after a long adventure. Ford also designed the rear cargo area to hold two plus-sized mountain bikes and will offer a bracket system to secure them safely.

Ford designed the rear liftgate area to be a pre- or post-adventure hangout space. The liftgate, which includes an integrated glass hatch that opens independently, is tall enough to stand under and includes bright floodlighting to illuminate just under 200 square feet.

The liftgate’s grab handles also work well as a temporary towel rack for drying wet gear. Small details, for sure, but these are the little bits of ergonomic genius that make a good car great.

Lastly, Ford plans to offer 100 accessories when the Ford Bronco Sport launches, including items like a roof tent, rubberized flooring that affixes to the back of the second-row seating so the rear cargo area is easier to clean, and a table that slides out of the cargo area.

Bronco Sport Badlands comes standard with 17-inch Carbonized Gray-painted aluminum wheels.

17-inch Sparkle Silver wheels come standard on base Bronco Sport.

Bronco Sport Outer Banks comes standard with 18-inch machined-face aluminum Ebony Black-painted wheels.

Wheels & Tires

Pricing & Availability

The 2021 Bronco Sport officially launches next spring in 2021 at the estimated base prices (that do NOT include ~$1,500 for delivery & destination)

Base. $26,660
Big Bend. $28,160
Outer Banks. (Not listed yet, but probably around $30K)
Badlands. $32,660
First Edition. $38,500

FYI, you can reserve a 2021 Bronco Sport RIGHT NOW over at Ford.com for just $100.

Lastly, as previously reported, every person who purchases a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands Edition (and presumably First Edition) will receive complimentary access to one of Ford’s give Off-Roadeo training centers where you can learn to drive your Bronco Sport to the fullest!