Not a baby Bronco — its own thing
The Bronco Sport borrows the big Bronco's boxy attitude on Escape-derived unibody bones — and that's not the insult it sounds like. The 2025 refresh (carried into 2026) sharpened the styling, upgraded the tech and, crucially, brought the Sasquatch off-road package down to the small truck. Pricing starts at $33,840 including destination, rising through Big Bend, Heritage and Outer Banks to the Badlands in the mid-$40,000s.
Two engines, two personalities
Most trims run a 180-hp 1.5-liter turbo three-cylinder — adequate in town, strained under full load. The Badlands gets the 250-hp 2.0-liter turbo four plus a twin-clutch rear drive unit, trail modes and real underbody protection: this is the trim that turns marketing into capability, handling genuine trails that would embarrass most subcompact crossovers. All-wheel drive is standard range-wide, economy runs roughly 25/28 mpg for the 1.5 and 21/26 for the 2.0.
The boxy body pays daily dividends: an upright cargo hold, flip-up rear glass and sightlines the sleek competition gave up years ago.
The honest assessment — and the recall file
The Bronco Sport's blemish is documented: about 273,000 2021–2023 Bronco Sports and Mavericks were recalled in January 2025 for failing 12-volt batteries that could cause loss of motive power — followed by a March 2025 re-recall of roughly 12,800 vehicles for faulty repairs, and class-action litigation. Any used example needs its recall completion verified by VIN, full stop. New 2025–26 builds use different supply.
Beyond that: the base three-cylinder is the range's weak point, and pricing sits above mainstream subcompact rivals — you're paying for the image and the AWD hardware.
The questions buyers actually ask
Bronco Sport or the real Bronco? Different missions. The Sport is a daily crossover with trail talent; the Bronco is a body-on-frame toy with daily compromises. Most families are better served here.
Is the Badlands worth it? If you'll touch dirt, yes — it's one of the few honest off-roaders under $45k. If you won't, an Outer Banks 1.5 does the look for less.
Used one — deal or trap? Deal, if the battery recall work is documented. Undocumented, walk.
- From $33,840; standard AWD across the range
- Badlands (250 hp, trail hardware) is the genuinely capable pick
- Base 1.5 three-cylinder is adequate but strained
- 2021–2023 used cars: verify the 12V battery recall (273k vehicles) and re-recall
- Rivals: Jeep Compass, Subaru Crosstrek, Mazda CX-30
Key takeaways
- From $33,840; standard AWD across the range
- Badlands (250 hp, trail hardware) is the genuinely capable pick
- Base 1.5 three-cylinder is adequate but strained
- 2021–2023 used cars: verify the 12V battery recall (273k vehicles) and re-recall
- Rivals: Jeep Compass, Subaru Crosstrek, Mazda CX-30
Sources & further reading
- Ford 2026 pricing
- NHTSA recall records (January and March 2025 campaigns)
- US subcompact-SUV comparisons, 2026
Figures, prices and policy details were current at the last-updated date above. Automotive pricing, incentives and regulations change frequently — verify time-sensitive details with the linked primary sources. Read our editorial policy and fact-checking standards.
