2023 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport will be available in a comprehensive trim setup like before. However, a Heritage trim will make its debut with the upcoming iteration. While pricing for this variant has not yet been announced, the compact SUV is expected to fall in a price range that extends from just under $30,000 and adds another $8,000 for its top-tier option. As for features, the base trim comes with the usuals like power steering, remote engine start, and auto-off headlights. Additionally, a Black Diamond Off-road package has also been added to the mix.

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Among the available trims, we feel that the Outer Banks is the most enticing option. Even for budget-conscious buyers, the trim does not feel exorbitantly priced. Over the base trims, this trim adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel, fog lamps, and rear parking aid, which add convenience to the overall setup.

Release Date

The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport release date has not yet been finalized. However, it is expected that the vehicle will reach dealerships in the next couple of months.

The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport will not be the most efficient option, but its performance seems to be rather satisfactory. From its base three-cylinder engine, the SUV is slated to average a combined efficiency of 26 MPG. This combined with its 16-gallon fuel tank bestows an overall range of 416 miles, which is lower than most of its competitors. While the larger engine further witnesses a drop of a couple of notches, the possible introduction of the hybrid variant can be a game changer for the brand.

When compared to its direct rivals, the Toyota RAV4 emerges as the most efficient option. It averages 27 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway, which are the most sought-after figures in the class. However, it fails to match the Subaru Outback when the range is concerned. The Japanese wagon-cum-SUV gets equipped with an 18.5-gallon tank that grants a combined range of 537 miles, which is almost a 160-mile advantage over the segment loser, the 2022 Cherokee.

The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport carries forward the rugged styling even on the inside. The cabin seems straightforward in its design and looks rather convenience-based than flamboyant. The upright dash houses the central screen and is made out of decent materials, however, there is ample use of plastic. Nonetheless, most controls and features are placed in the vicinity of the front passengers and are easy to learn. A Bronco nametag is added to the dashboard and as for storage, the central armrest, door pockets, and front seatbacks ensure ample practicality.

In terms of the passenger space, the front seat occupants enjoy ample space. At the rear, however, the space feels constricted and taller passengers will have a hard time finding the ideal seating position. Though there is a high degree of adjustability, none of the seats provide the correct amount of support and on longer journeys, the seats can feel overwhelming. Even the cargo capacity feels inferior per class standards, with the SUV managing a maximum trunk volume of 62.5 cubic feet.

In the segment, all the SUVs can seat five passengers only. However, compared to Bronco Sport, all the adversaries follow a clever setup, which provides a generous amount of space upfront and at the rear. Statistically speaking, the Jeep Cherokee has the best space to offer, it grants 40.3 inches of legroom at the rear as well, which is potent for any class. However, it lurks at the bottom of the table when cargo capacity is concerned. On the other hand, we feel that the Subaru Outback sports the most enticing interiors with its top-notch materials, a logical setup, and the highest trunk volume of 75.6 cubic feet.

Some of the standout interior features include:

• Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel
• Single-zone air conditioning
• Interior Air Filtration
• Cloth/Premium Cloth Upholstery
• Manual/Powered adjustment for front seats
• Heated front seats

How intuitive is the infotainment system of the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport?

The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport will continue to make use of an intuitive infotainment system. From the base variant itself, the SUV comes equipped with an 8.0-inch touchscreen unit that is easy to control. It works on Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system that is quick to respond and does not have a steep learning curve. It sports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard and is connected to a 6-speaker sound system. As optional, it also offers a Bang and Olufsen system, which delivers supreme performance.

Some of the salient infotainment features include:

• AM/FM Stereo
• Bluetooth Connectivity
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Satellite Radio
• USB Connection
• Optional Bang and Olufsen Sound System

Continuing with a familiar design, the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport remains unchanged. It’s still the compact SUV that bears a rugged fascia and draws inspiration from the higher-placed Bronco model. The combination of the front lights and the bold grille is a visual spectacle and the BRONCO plating adds to the overall appeal. However, from every other angle, the vehicle is not as enticing. The taillamps feel subtle for a vehicle that is built specifically for the off-roads, and for us, even the overly boxy structure is a drawback.

In terms of dimensions, the Ford Bronco Sport is the smallest. It is 172.7 inches long and sports a width and height of 74.3 and 70.2 inches, respectively. It also has the shortest wheelbase in the class, which justifies the lesser amount of space it has on the inside. Despite being off-road specific as well, its ground clearance is shorter than all of its rivals, which is surprising.

Amongst the rivals, every SUV has been following a similar design language for more than a couple of years. However, the Jeep Cherokee looks specifically outdated. When dimensions are concerned, there is ample discrepancy within the segment. Nonetheless, the Subaru Outback is the largest SUV by a margin. It sports a total length of 191.1 inches and has a wheelbase of 108.1 inches. Even its ground clearance is ample at 8.7 inches and it is closely followed by its Japanese counterpart, the Toyota RAV4, at 8.4 inches.

Some of the salient exterior features of the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport include:

• Painted Alloy wheels
• Metallic Exterior Paint
• Roof Rails
• LED Headlights
• Running Boards
• Rear Spoiler

The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport is slated for release later this year and so it has not been safety tested yet. However, the 2022 iteration with which it shares its underpinnings has been impressively rated. It manages an overall 5-star rating from NHTSA and even gets cent-percent scores from IIHS. The feature is equally enticing and from the base variant itself, the SUV comes with features like an engine immobilizer, emergency braking preparation, and emergency braking assist.

Some of the salient safety features include:

• Lane Keeping Assist
• Blind-spot Monitor
• Automatic High Beams
• Frontal Collision Mitigation
• Rearview Camera
• Lane Departure Warning

2023 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The competition between the Subaru Outback and the Ford Bronco Sport is rather easy to adjudicate. While both the SUVs produce almost similar outputs and are closely matched when acceleration is concerned, the Japanese proposition takes the lead in all other departments. It is the more efficient option available in comparison, feels more astute in city driving conditions, and it can also manage the off-roads rather effectively. Its larger footprint bestows better passenger and cargo space and by being a consistent proposition, its reliability is highly proven. So, yes, we feel that the 2022 Outback has better value to provide and makes for a more sensible decision.

2023 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2022 Toyota RAV4

The comparison between the Toyota RAV4and the Ford Bronco Sport is a closely contested battle. Starting from the acceleration itself, both SUVs return almost similar 0-60 mph timings and are equally efficient, managing diminutively different ranges. They have the lowest amount of space on the inside and the cargo capacities of both options feel potent. Yet with minimal differences, we feel that the 2022 RAV4 is a more comprehensive choice as it provides better comfort on the inside, and even with its larger dimensions, ride quality remains superb on most driving surfaces.

2023 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2022 Jeep Cherokee

The 2022 Jeep Cherokeeand 2023 Ford Bronco Sport are based on a similar ideology. Yet they deliver distinct performances. While the Cherokee is the quickest option in the class managing a 0-60 mph time of 7.6 seconds and has the best interior space, it fails to gain ascendancy when fuel efficiency and cargo space are concerned. Though it still continues as a practical option, the Jeep Cherokee has been a part of a similar generation since 2014 and has started to show its age. So, among the two options listed here, we feel that the Ford Bronco Sport being a novel proposition delivers a better bang for the buck.

Whether or not the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport is an ideal option for you will depend on your requirements. While it is a cogent option for buyers who tread on adventures often, the practicality of the vehicle is not as pristine as its competitors. It lacks sophistication in its ride quality and city trips are rather overwhelming, both for the driver and the passengers. Even the interior and cargo space are on the lower end of the spectrum. Efficiency is not expected to be the greatest and at its best, the Bronco Sport is an average vehicle for everyday commutes. So, unless you fall in the niche category of buyers who like to challenge themselves, only then the American vehicle makes sense. Otherwise, the Subaru Outback is a great coalition of capabilities.