2023 Ford Bronco Sport

For 2023, the Ford Bronco Sport adds two new trims, the Heritage and Heritage Limited. These include white trim, white wheels and pastel exterior colours that hearken back to the look of the original Bronco of the 1960s – yes, even though this is the new Bronco Sport and not the new Bronco.

The Heritage is based on the Big Bend trim and uses its 1.5L engine, while the Heritage Limited tops the Badlands and carries its 2.0L engine. Another new option, the Black Diamond Off-Road package, includes 17-inch painted aluminum wheels, underbody protection and exterior graphics. It can be added to the Big Bend and Outer Banks trims for $1,695.

While it’s part of Ford’s Bronco sub-brand, the Bronco Sport is a different vehicle from the Bronco, which is a body-on-frame vehicle. The Bronco Sport is a unibody and is based on the same platform used for the Ford Escape SUV and Maverick compact pickup truck.

Performance

The Bronco Sport’s Base, Big Bend, Heritage and Outer Banks trims use a turbocharged 1.5L three-cylinder “EcoBoost” engine that makes 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque. The Badlands and Heritage Limited trims use a turbocharged 20L four-cylinder EcoBoost engine that makes 250 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. Both engines use an eight-speed automatic transmission. On the 2.0L, the transmission includes manual shift mode with paddle shifters.

All Bronco Sport models are 4x4, and the 2.0L-equipped models add a differential lock. All have selectable drive modes of normal, eco, sport, slippery and sand, while the 2.0L models add mud/ruts, sand, and rock crawl. While it can’t take you as far out as a Bronco can, the Bronco Sport is surprisingly good at off-road driving.

Practicality

The Bronco Sport seats five occupants in its roomy cabin, with good headroom and rear-seat legroom. Cargo volume behind the second row is from 832 to 920 litres, depending on trim, and the rear seats fold down to carry longer items. Also based on trim, the maximum towing capacity ranges from 2,000 to 2,200 lbs. All come with roof rails and can be optioned with crossbars for carrying items up top.

Depending on the trim, available options include fender flares, mud flaps, centre console storage safe, power sunroof, off-road assistance kit, and for going into the great outdoors, a cargo compartment divider that doubles as a shelf or table, and a privacy curtain that attaches to the open liftgate.

Canadian Pricing

The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport comes in six trim levels, starting with the Base at $35,999. It then goes through the Big Bend at $38,899; the Heritage at $41,899; and Outer Banks at $42,899.

The 2.0L-equipped trims are the Badlands at $46,149 and the Heritage Limited at $56,649. In addition to the white trim, that considerable price jump from the Badlands to the Heritage Limited also adds dual-zone automatic climate control, garage door opener, auto-dimming mirror, sunroof, wireless charger, premium sound system and more.