The Ford Bronco and the Ford Bronco Sport were released on the same day, with the latter commonly referred to as the Baby Bronco. Because of the simultaneous release, car shoppers continue to be confused between the two-vehicle series.
The Ford Bronco Sport was released as an off-road brand to the 2021 Ford Bronco. But asides from their aesthetic and horse badge, the Sport and Bronco are completely different vehicles. This guide will explore the main differences between the two cars, making it easy for you to decide.
Differences
Engine and Performance
One of the evident differences between the Ford Bronco Sport and the 2021 Ford Bronco is the engine and performance. The Baby Bronco is powered by an impressive 1.5-liter turbocharged EcoBoost three-cylinder engine, while the optional engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Both engines provide eight-speed transmission. They provide 181 and 250 horsepower, respectively.
As for the 2021 Ford Bronco, the standard engine under the hood is a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 270 horsepower. The optional engine is a 310-hp 2.7-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine. The Bronco has a seven-speed manual transmission for the 2.3-liter engine and an optional ten-speed automatic transmission but for the 2.7-liter engine, the ten-speed automatic is the only option.
Although the Ford Bronco has better engine power, the Bronco Sport does not lack the power you need for a good driving experience.
Size and Dimensions
The Ford Bronco is mainly an off-roading vehicle, which you can tell from its intimidating stance that overshadows the Baby Bronco. Thus, their most significant difference is the size and the shape, as the Bronco Sport is much smaller.
The Ford Bronco boasts dimensions of 173.7-190.5 inches by 75.9-79.3 inches by 71.9-75.2 inches for length, width, and height. It is an SUV and is ideal for those who want to go off-road often.
But, the Bronco Sport is a crossover, unibody vehicle, designed for those who want a small adventure car. It does not have a bulky design like the main Bronco, which is evident from its dimensions. It measures 173 inches by 74 inches by 70-74 inches.
Towing Capacity
The Bronco Sport is a smaller model than the Ford Bronco, but it can still handle its weight. It has a maximum towing capacity of 2,205 pounds while a payload rating of 1,000 pounds.
On the other hand, the Ford Bronco can tow up to 3,500 pounds with a payload rating of 1,370 pounds.
Fuel Economy
The Ford Bronco offers impressive ratings of 20 mpg and 22 mpg on the city and highway, and this is pretty decent mileage for the engine size. If you upgrade to the Sasquatch package, the ratings decrease drastically to 17 mpg.
Using the three-liter engine on the Bronco Sport, it offers 25 mpg and 28 mpg for the city and highway. But upgrading to the four-cylinder version drops the ratings to 21 mpg and 26 mpg, respectively.
Price
The Baby Bronco is the affordable version of the Ford Bronco, with only four trim lines. From the Base to the Badlands, the price range goes from $28,760 to $35,430. The Badlands is the most expensive and the most capable, with a turbo-four engine, 245 horsepower, and an enhanced all-wheel-drive system.
On the other hand, the Ford Bronco features six trim lines, starting from the Base model at $30,795. The most expensive trim is the Wildtrak, which costs around $49,275. This Bronco comes entirely off-road ready, with massive 35-inch mud-terrain tires, 17-inch Beadlock-capable, and other hardware. There are more expensive trims for Bronco like First Edition, Raptor. But as for now it’s not available to order.
Similarities
Infotainment and Technology
The Ford Bronco is fitted with an 8.0-inch touchscreen, which is the same as the Bronco Sport. This is the only evident similarity between these two vehicles.
The Bronco’s infotainment system is powered by the latest Sync 4 software in the middle of the dashboard, with over-the-air updates and wireless connection to phone and cloud. The unit is also fitted with built-in navigation and a Bang and Olufsen stereo.
As for the Ford Bronco Sport, you can benefit from the voice commands, touch-sensitive controls, and the hard buttons used to operate the system.
Both systems come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto systems in the infotainment console.
Off-Road Capability
Both the Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport feature top-notch off-road capability. Although the former comes more equipped than the latter, you can still enjoy both.
The Ford Bronco is already well-known for its off-roading capabilities because of all the hardware and equipment it comes with. You can enjoy even better off-roading with the higher Bronco trims with part-time and full-time four-wheel drive. The vehicle would also feature different G.O.A.T modes, 35-inch tires, off-road navigation, locking differentials, two-speed transfer case, and more.
You can also enjoy off-road travel with the Ford Bronco Sport, as it offers seven G.O.A.T modes across all trims. The standard four-wheel drive is excellent for rough terrains, while the optional version is the advanced 4×4 system coupled with a twin-clutch R.D.U. Other features include a 180-degree camera, 17.1-inch water fording, trail control, and off-road suspension.
Warranty and Maintenance
Since they are both from the same car company, the Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport offer the same warranty coverages. While Ford’s limited and powertrain warranties can go head to head with other competitors, there is no complimentary scheduled maintenance.
The limited warranty coverage is three years or 36,000 miles. It goes up with the powertrain warranty, offering five years or 60,000 miles.
Final Verdict
Since both the Baby Bronco and Ford Bronco feature versatility and capability, it’s not easy to choose one that works best for you. The Bronco Sport offers interior comfort, while the Ford Bronco would give you more room.
The Ford Bronco Sport is the right choice if you want something more agile and light on its tires. You would enjoy driving it when you’re off-road, but it’s better suited for daily driving. Shoppers who go more on the road than off-road would enjoy the Ford Bronco Sport.
The larger Ford Bronco is more maneuverable off-road, with better clearance, higher power, and break-over angles. It’s a perfect fit for off-road enthusiasts, hard workers, thrill-seekers, and anyone who wants to enjoy a lot of time on rough terrains.
