When Ford launched the fourth-generation Escape last year, they took the opposite approach that Toyota had done with the latest Rav4, instead of toughening up the design, they softened it up, making it more of a street-oriented urban commuter. The Rav4 in contrast adopted a tougher, chunkier design and even added a TRD Off-Road model. Ford wasn’t giving up the small off-road utility segment, they just had something even more focused in mind, the new Bronco Sport. 

Gallery: 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

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While the Bronco Sport shares its fundamental transverse engine, unibody architecture with the Escape as well as the latest Focus and Fiesta that are no longer sold here, it’s quite a different beast. It shares no bodywork with the Escape or any other Ford vehicle. It shares the same blocky design language with its larger two-door and four-door Bronco siblings and it’s hardware is tuned up for adventures that begin where the pavement ends, even if it can’t quite go as extreme as the big Broncos. 

With a wheelbase and length of 105.1-inches and 172.7-inches, the Bronco Sport is 1.6 and 7.8-inches shorter than the corresponding dimensions of the Escape. In fact, its closest counterpart is the Jeep Compass Trailhawk. However, unlike the Compass, Ford isn’t bothering to offer a more pedestrian front-wheel-drive on the Bronco Sport. 

It debuts with the same two Ecoboost gas engines found in the Escape, the 1.5-liter three-cylinder and the 2.0-liter four-cylinder, both an eight-speed automatic transmission. The bigger engine adds an oil-cooler and manual paddle shifters. Like the professional grade Broncos, the Sport also features the terrain management system with go over any terrain (G.O.A.T.) modes. The tuned modes on the Sport are Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, Sand; Mud/Ruts and Rock Crawl with the latter two only on the top-end Badlands model. 

Unlike the Trailhawk variants of the smaller Jeeps, the Bronco Sport doesn’t offer a two-speed transfer case with a four-wheel-drive low mode. This limits the lowest rock crawl mode to a mere 18:1, slightly shy of the 20:1 ratio offered by the Compass, but still impressive for a vehicle of this type. 

The Bronco Sport does get a version of the Trail Control system that enables single pedal driving as speeds up to 20 mph forward and 6 mph in reverse. Like the big Broncos, the system manages speed based on just the position of the accelerator pedal much like regenerative braking does on electric vehicles. The electronic magic also extends to the twin-clutch drive system on the rear axle that can send up to 100% of the torque to whichever wheel has more traction. 

The basic architecture of the suspension is carried over from the Escape with struts up front and a multi-link layout at the rear. Ground clearance ranges from 7.8-inches on the base to 8.8-inches with the optional 29-inch all-terrain tires, edging past the 8.5-inches available from the Jeep. At 21.7 and 30.4 degrees, the approach and departure angles of the Bronco Sport virtually match the Compass although the Jeep’s two-inch shorter wheelbase gives its 6.2 degree advantage over the 18.2 degree breakover angle of the Ford. 

The Badlands and First Edition models get uniquely tuned front struts, hydraulic rebound stops and 46 mm monotube rear dampers. These top two models can traverse through 23.6 inches of water exceeding the 19-inch capability of the Compass. All models get four steel skid plates underneath to protect the vulnerable parts. 

The visual DNA is strong

Like the big Broncos the sport features visual cues that hearken back to 1966 but it’s not a retro look. The headlamps are round and the Bronco name is prominent in the center of the upright grille. The hood is horizontal with the same raised edges that let the driver see where the corners are when maneuvering on the trail. However, the Sport lacks the trail sight tie downs on the front corners of the larger SUVs.

The windshield isn’t flat like a Wrangler but has far less curvature than the Escape is significantly more vertical. The sides are comparatively flat with a horizontal character line. The roof is up to three-inches taller than Escape and nearly seven-inches higher than the Compass. This is in part due to the step up in the middle of the roof, giving the Bronco Sport a bit of the classic Land Rover Discovery look. 

That extra height behind the B-pillar provides extra headroom for rear passengers but also allows the Sport to accommodate two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes inside with the optional Yakima rack. The standard roof rails can also accommodate a rooftop tent that is one of the more than 100 accessories that Ford plans to have available at launch. 

Not hose-ready, but definitely thoughtful design

Unlike the other Broncos, the Sport isn’t designed to be hosed down inside, but the Badlands and First Edition models do have washable rubberized flooring and easy clean cloth seats. The Sport also has a lot of thoughtful touches that make it more useful for the adventurous lifestyle. The liftgate brings back separate flip-up glass, allowing longer objects to hang while the bottom stays closed as well as easy access to items in the cargo area. 

With the liftgate open, there is a dual flood lamp option on the inside that lights up 127 square feet after the sun goes down. A slide out table is part of the optional cargo management system to provide a place to get gear ready or prepare a meal. There’s even a bottle opener built into the right hand side of the cargo opening when the liftgate is up. 

Since the Bronco Sport is based on the Escape’s platform, it also has the older electrical architecture which means it doesn’t yet get over-the-air software updates or the new SYNC 4 infotainment. SYNC 3 is better than many OEM systems, but it’s not the latest and greatest. 

Like all new Fords, the Bronco Sport does get the CoPilot 360 driver assist suite standard including lane keeping assist, blindspot monitors, auto high beams, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking. Optional upgrades include adaptive cruise control and lane centering capability. 

In addition to the base, Badlands and First Edition of which only 2,000 will be made, there are also Big Bend and Outer Banks variants. Bronco Sport buyers can also choose from four themed accessory bundles dubbed Bike, Snow, Water and Camping. Deliveries of the Bronco Sport are due to begin before the end of the year.