What Makes the Bronco Sport Such a Good Daily Driver?

Introduced in 2021, the Ford Bronco Sport is a compact SUV that offers drivers an exciting alternative to the larger Ford Bronco. There are several differences between the two models, but it largely comes down to the way they’re constructed. The Bronco is built in the traditional body-on-frame style that many of today’s larger SUVs share with the pickup class. The Bronco Sport, on the other hand, embraces a more modern approach with its unibody crossover construction. This method carries a number of advantages over the body-on-frame style, making the Bronco Sport lighter, more efficient, more comfortable, and even safer than the larger pickup-based SUV.

That’s not to say the Bronco isn’t worth checking out, but it all comes down to how you plan to use your vehicle. For drivers seeking a powerful, spacious adventure vehicle that isn’t afraid to leave behind paved roads in favor of mud and rocks, the Bronco is worth a closer look. If you’re in the market for an excellent daily driver that puts an emphasis on comfort, safety, and convenience—while still holding its own in off-road scenarios—the Bronco Sport might be just the ticket. Before you start searching for a Bronco Sport for sale near Buena Vista, CO, read on and learn a little more about what makes this SUV such an alluring choice in the ultra-competitive compact crossover class.

Maximized Interior

The Bronco Sport might lack the sheer size of the regular Bronco, but Ford has managed to maximize the SUV’s interior space to an impressive degree. The Bronco Sport provides a comfortable ride for up to five passengers, with more legroom than one might expect in the compact crossover class. This is especially appreciated in the rear seats, where all three passengers can enjoy up to 37 inches of legroom, not to mention 41.7 inches of headroom. The front seats are even more spacious, allowing both driver and passenger to stretch out with 41.5 inches of legroom and 42.4 inches of headroom.

That’s all well and good, but a daily driver is about more than just not feeling cramped; it’s about having all the space you need to run errands, haul supplies, pack for trips, and outfit yourself for those off-the-grid weekend excursions that the Bronco Sport excels at. Ford hasn’t lost the plot when it comes to the Bronco Sport, outfitting their crossover with plenty of cargo room. With all seats in their upright position, the Bronco boasts 32.5 cu.ft. of space to work with, but that number more than doubles with the rear seats folded, increasing the available cargo space to 65.2 cu.ft. That’s enough room to accommodate two adult mountain bikes or a heck of a lot of groceries, sports equipment, and the like.

The Bronco Sport’s iconic, boxy style is a real boon in the cargo-hauling department, allowing this SUV to tote larger, bulkier items that might not fit within the curvy confines of many of today’s other crossover models. The Bronco Sport also has a few neat tricks up its sleeve when it comes to storage and convenience features. The SUV features handy bins hidden under the rear seats, providing the perfect storage solution for busy parents who want a quick and convenient place to stash toys, books, and other kid-friendly distractions that can prove so vital to maintaining family harmony on long road trips.

Safety First

The Bronco Sport was awarded the Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS); this nonprofit is an industry leader in performing safety reviews, testing every new vehicle that’s released by putting it through a range of simulated traffic accidents. These tests not only cover a vehicle’s structural integrity but include a comprehensive review of the various safety systems, including advanced driver assistance systems. When the scores are tallied up, the IIHS recognizes the best of the best with one of two awards: Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+.

In order to qualify for the first distinction, a vehicle must earn at least a “good” rating on the driver-side and passenger side—as well as on roof strength and head restraint tests—in addition to a good or acceptable rating headlight rating and an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention. The bar is even higher if a vehicle hopes to take home the Top Safety Pick+ trophy, which not only requires stellar ratings throughout but also dictates that essential safety features like acceptable- or good-rated headlights are included as standard equipment instead of just being an optional add-on.

The Bronco Sport managed to take home an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ nod in just its second year on the market—an important honor that goes a long way in broadening this SUV’s appeal as a safe, reliable family vehicle. This compact crossover earned at least a “good” rating in almost every category, but it’s the crash avoidance and mitigation tests where the Bronco Sport really got its chance to shine. Both the standard and optional crash avoidance and mitigation systems earned a “superior” rating in vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention tests, which is the highest level recognized by the IIHS. The 2023 model picks up right where its predecessor left off, earning a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

So what makes the Bronco Sport such a standout when it comes to safety? Ford’s legendary Built Ford Tough ethos certainly doesn’t hurt, but it’s the SUV’s full suite of advanced safety and driver assistance features that really set it apart. The Bronco Sport comes complete with all the expected safety features—anti-lock brakes, seatbelt pre-tensioners, front-impact airbags—as well as some less-common inclusions like knee and overhead airbags, stability control, and more. Other unique features include a voice-activated touchscreen that allows drivers to control the SUV’s navigation system with spoken commands and a 180-degree camera that increases peripheral vision when behind the wheel.

Airbags and antilock brakes might have been enough to satisfy drivers in the past, but as vehicles become more technologically advanced, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) have become increasingly important to drivers and automakers alike. The Bronco Sport features one of the industry’s most comprehensive ADAS offerings in the form of Ford Co-Pilot 360 Assist. This system includes everything from forward collision mitigation and lane-keeping assistance to blind spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, and more.

The Ford Co-Pilot 360 Assist system comes standard on every Bronco Sport model, but those who opt for the upper five trims can also add an enhanced version dubbed Ford Co-Pilot 360 Assist+. That little plus sign makes all the difference regarding advanced safety features, adding adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go lane-centering, evasive steering assist, and advanced navigation with SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link.

Good to Get Going

In addition to its long list of safety features and impressive cargo options, the Bronco Sport is also easy on the wallet. This crossover SUV starts at $29,215 for the Base model, but it’s the Bronco Sport’s fuel economy that really makes it such an impressive addition to the Ford lineup. The crossover platform allows the Bronco Sport to achieve some 25 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway, though some tests have shown a true highway rating that edges closer to 33 MPG.

While we’ve focused on those attributes that make the Bronco Sport such a component daily driver, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the SUV’s off-road bona fides. All versions of the Bronco Sport come standard with four-wheel drive, along with five drive modes that give owners the ability to customize the SUV to fit whatever sort of road conditions they might encounter. For those seeking a top-tier off-road experience, the Badlands trim transforms the Bronco Sport into a veritable trailblazing beast, gracing it with an off-road suspension, increased ground clearance, overhauled 4WD system, a locking differential, skids plates, and two additional driving modes.

The Exceptional 2023 Bronco Sport

With a roomy interior that’s capable of hauling around its treasure trove of safety awards, efficient engine, and head-turning style, the Bronco Sport is a well-rounded SUV that’s sure to please everybody. Ford was savvy enough to introduce a scaled-down version of the popular Bronco, allowing drivers to enjoy the revived nameplate without having to shell out for a bunch of heavy-duty off-road equipment that they might never use.

Smaller, more comfortable, and more efficient than the full-fledged Bronco, the Bronco Sport is a tempting option that’s just at home in the grocery store parking lot or school pickup line as it is chewing through all the mud, rocks, and water the great outdoors has to offer. If you’re seeking a reliable daily driver that still knows how to let loose on the weekends, the Bronco Sport is worth a second look.