2024 Ford Bronco Sport – ford.com | Shop 2024 Ford Bronco Sport on Carsforsale.com
Three years after the first-gen Bronco Sport debuted, the 2024 Ford Bronco Sport continues its mission of delivering a healthy dose of off-road abilities in a compact crossover package. Though it shares a platform with Ford’s Escape, the baby Bronco has a shorter wheelbase and a far more butch look that leans on the full-size Bronco SUV for a bit of extra cred.
New this year, the Free Wheeling leans even harder on the big Bronco vibe with a multi-colored sunset vibe that pays homage to a same-named Bronco of the past. An appropriately named Black Appearance package debuts along with a pair of new paint colors – Azure Gray and Desert Sand.
Sweet Free Wheeling graphics
AWD is standard
Big standard infotainment display
Light on rear legroom
Best engine only on top model
Unimpressive towing
A crossover for the adventurous
Most of the 2024 Ford Bronco lineup features a turbocharged 1.5L three-cylinder engine good for 181 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque. There is a turbocharged 2.0L inline-4 cranked up to 250 horses and 277 torques, but it is only available with the top-line Badlands model. Across the board, AWD is standard as is an 8-speed automatic.
That AWD system is bolstered by a twin-clutch rear differential on the Badlands that can send all available torque to a single rear wheel. It’s part of the more robust off-road gear on these models that includes an extra inch of ground clearance for a total of 8.8, all-terrain tires, beefier dampers, and two more off-road-focused drive modes. The Badlands can also tow 2,200 pounds, which is 200 more than the rest of the lineup.
Fuel economy for models with the 3-cylinder powertrain measures 25 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. Opting for the more potent 4-cylinder setup results in an efficiency decline to 21/26 mpg in city/highway driving.
Nifty features abound on the 2024 Bronco Sport like flip-up rear tailgate glass, a bottle opener integrated in the hatch for, uh, soda, an easy-to-clean rubberized cargo floor, and a safari-style roofline that allows for two upright bikes inside the vehicle with an available rack.
Rear legroom is on the tight side at 37 inches, but the overall cargo space of 61 cubic feet is reasonable. That figure drops to 29 when the back seat is upright. Capable of seating 5 passengers, the Bronco Sport offers cloth and leatherette, heated seats and leather, and dual-zone automatic climate depending on configuration.
An 8-inch infotainment touchscreen is lineup standard on the Bronco Sport along with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. An available 10-speaker audio system by Bang & Olufsen is available to replace the base 6-speaker system, but it requires a package regardless of trim line as does a wireless phone charging pad and connected navigation.
Ford’s Co-Pilot360 bundle of advanced driver aids brings forward collision mitigation, a lane-keeping system, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams to every 2024 Ford Bronco Sport. The NHTSA rated the 2024 model 5 stars overall for crash testing and though the IIHS has yet to test a recent model, it named the 2022 Bronco Sport a Top Safety Pick+.
In Big Bend trim, the 2024 Bronco Sport comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, and roof rails. Cabin amenities include automatic climate control, and cloth upholstery in black or two-tone black and gray. For $1,750, the Black Appearance package applies a darkened treatment inside and out while the $895 Co-Pilot Assist+ package includes adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assistance.
Harkening back to 1966, the Heritage model has a white roof and white wheels, all-terrain tires, and a white roof with red Bronco lettering. A handsome navy blue plaid fabric wraps the seats, while an $1,145 Convenience package offers heated front seats, rear parking sensors, and a wireless phone charging pad.
The new Free Wheeling Bronco Sport is in-your-face with reflective exterior multicolor graphics, red-accented rims, and a “Sunset Weave” upholstery theme all of which is a nod to the same-named Ford series from the late ‘70s.
As the fanciest Bronco Sport, Outer Banks trim boasts 18-inch wheels, signature exterior lighting, and LED fog lamps. The cabin is wrapped in two-tone leather, features dual-zone automatic climate control, ambient lighting, a 6.5-inch color gauge cluster screen, and a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel.
The most off-road-ready of all 2024 Bronco Sports, Badlands models boast the big motor, more ground clearance, skid plates, and front tow hooks. Other special features include unique cloth seats, rubberized flooring, and a 180° front-facing camera. But if you’re planning to hit serious off-roading trails, you may want to step up to the full-size Bronco.
Unless you plan to get fairly far off the grid, a 2024 Ford Bronco in Big Bend trim is the way to go. It has the same infotainment system as every other model and can be outfitted to your liking thanks to a host of option packages. Of course, if being the center of attention is your thing, the borderline garish Free Wheeling version is for you.
An interesting counterpoint is the Subaru Forester. It meets Ford with an average warranty of 3 years or 36,000 miles of basic coverage and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain term without any complimentary maintenance. But the Subaru offers more ground clearance with its Wilderness model and lower prices across the board.
2024 Ford Bronco Sport – ford.com | Shop 2024 Ford Bronco Sport on Carsforsale.com
A little bit smaller than an Escape, the 2024 Ford Bronco Sport trades the passenger space afforded by its platform-mate for a heavier dose of off-road abilities. It makes the Bronco Sport something of a niche vehicle, but Ford has done a good job pulling hard on the big boy Bronco brand vibes to imbue its baby version with enough toughness to make it cool.
It’s too bad the more powerful motor is reserved for the top-spec model, which can hit an eye-watering $46,000 with options. But with a solid roster of technology and the funky Free Wheeling model, the 2024 Ford Bronco Sport brings a lot to the table. Be sure to check out the latest new car incentives before you hit the dealership.
No, it has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but both systems require a wired connection.
Yes, a sunroof is a $920 option on most models.
Technically, yes, you can take the doors off a Bronco Sport, but it would require quite a bit of hassle as the doors were not designed to be taken off like they are on the full-size Bronco.