Ford Bronco Sport 2022 Review

Ford introduced the Bronco Sport for the 2021 model year along with the larger body-on-frame Bronco. The smaller Bronco Sport is based on the Escape SUV platform and is designed for those who don't need an all-out off-roader. Instead, the Sport offers a more affordable and practical package that still has lots of off-road chops and a unique rugged look.

Owners who take it off-road will enjoy the Bronco Sport's capability thanks to a standard all-wheel-drive system, several traction settings, and a generous amount of ground clearance. But the little off-roader has more to offer. Standard and available tech is plentiful, as are advanced driver aids.

The Bronco Sport is a very distinctive SUV, but it doesn't have the best on-road manners and the rear seat has its flaws. The Ford is well matched against other off-roaders like the Jeep Cherokee, yet it also competes against popular SUV nameplates such as the Subaru Outback and Toyota RAV4. For a full analysis, check out what our test team thinks of the Bronco Sport in the Expert Rating below.

Which Bronco Sport does MatoCar recommend?

The 2022 Ford Bronco Sport is available in four trim levels: Base, Big Bend, Outer Banks and Badlands. The first three trim levels come equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine that makes 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque. The Badlands packs a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 250 hp and 277 lb-ft. An eight-speed automatic transmission backs both engines and sends power to a standard all-wheel-drive system. Two-wheel drive is not offered. 

Notable features in each trim level includes:

Bronco Sport Base The Base model gets you the basics plus some decent tech features, such as:

• All-wheel drive
• 17-inch wheels
• Roof rails
• LED headlights
• Rear liftgate with flip-up rear window and lighting
• Adjustable drive modes
• 8.0-inch touchscreen
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
• 4.2-inch digital instrument panel display
• Remote monitoring and control via a smartphone app
• Six-speaker audio system

Every Bronco Sport also comes with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced safety features that includes:

• Frontal collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Lane keeping assist (steers the vehicle back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
• Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
• Automatic high beams

Big Bend The Big Bend trim adds several convenience and comfort features that include:

• Heated mirrors
• Tinted rear passenger and cargo windows
• Keyless ignition and entry
• Automatic climate control
• Stain-resistant cloth upholstery and rubberized cargo floor
• Molle cargo straps
• Rear fold-down center armrest with two cupholders
• Satellite radio

The optional Convenience package on the Big Bend includes:

• Power-adjustable driver's seat
• Heated front seats
• LED foglights
• Rear parking sensors
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Wireless smartphone charging pad
• Front seatback cargo pockets
• Universal garage door opener

Outer Banks The midrange Outer Banks trim is a good pick for those who want comfort over off-road capability. Features include:

• 18-inch wheels
• Rain-sensing and heated wipers
• Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)
• LED foglights
• Remote engine start
• Leather upholstery
• Heated front seats
• Power-adjustable front seats
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• 6.5-inch digital instrument panel display
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Interior ambient lighting
• Heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Household power outlet
• Cargo pockets on the front seatbacks with Molle cargo straps

Unique to the Outer Banks trim, the optional Tech package includes:

• 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system
• Wireless charging pad
• HD radio
• Universal garage door opener

Badlands The Badlands model comes with the most off-roading features. Compared to the Big Bend trim, it adds:

• Specific off-road suspension and all-terrain tires
• Underbody skid plates
• Front tow hooks
• Upgraded 4WD system with special rear differential
• Two additional driving modes
• Trail control (cruise control for off-roading)
• Forward-looking 180-degree camera system
• Rubberized flooring
• Household power outlet
• 6.5-inch digital instrument panel display
• Power-adjustable driver's seat
• Heated cloth front seats
• Passenger-side rear-seat underfloor storage

Features found in last year's range-topping First Edition trim are now single options or are found in the available Badlands-only Premium package, which includes:

• Power-adjustable passenger seat
• Leather-trimmed upholstery
• 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Wireless charging pad
• Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)
• Heated steering wheel

The Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package is available on all trims with the exception of the Base trim. Features include:

• Adaptive cruise control with speed limit recognition (maintains a driver-set distance between the Ford and the car in front, and can also react to traffic signs and set speed)
• Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
• Evasive steering assist (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance)
• Navigation system

With the exception of the Base trim, the Class II Trailer Tow package with trailer sway control (adjusts vehicle brakes to help control trailer movement if a trailer begins to sway) is available. 

Single feature options including a power sunroof and larger all-terrain tires are offered on most trim levels.