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Check out our 2022 Ford Bronco Sport review for a rundown of off-road capability, trim levels and the long list of driver aids found on this SUV.
2022 Ford Bronco Sport – ford.com | Shop 2022 Ford Bronco Sport on Carsforsale.com
What’s new for the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport
Though the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport is the “baby” brother to Ford’s full-size Bronco that we review here, it is no off-road pretender. Four-wheel drive is standard and the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands model features a locking rear differential, skid plates, and nearly two feet of water fording ability. It’s built on the Escape platform but unlike that mostly on-road crossover, the Bronco Sport is built for adventure. Only one year old, there are no major changes for 2022 aside from new themed bundles, three new exterior colors including Bronze Smoke and a $950 price bump on Base models.
The Breakdown
Real off-road abilities
Strong fuel economy from base engine
Loads of adventure-centric features
Big motor only on top trim
Tiresome daily driving ride quality
No packages on Base model
Please make a Raptor version
2022 Bronco Sport Specs
- 181 horsepower from base engine
- 190 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 4 available trims
- 32 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 65 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- Trail friendly 180° front camera
- IIHS Top Safety Pick+
- 5-year powertrain warranty
2022 Ford Bronco Sport Powertrain
With lineup standard 4WD, it’s clear the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport intends to back up all the marketing that shows it bounding through dunes and backwoods. The top dog Badlands trim goes further with a twin-clutch rear drive unit and differential lock to prevent getting bogged down. It also adds an inch of ground clearance over the other models for 8.6 total, boasts almost 24 inches of water fording capability and a 30° approach angle. Ford wants you to get wild with the Badlands and builds it accordingly.
Most 2022 Bronco Sports are fitted with a 1.5L turbocharged, or “EcoBoost” in Ford-speak, three-cylinder making 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque. Only the Badlands model gets the more potent 2.0L EcoBoost four-pot that cranks it up to 250 hp and 277 lb-ft of twist. In both cases, an 8-speed automatic routes power to all four wheels, though the bigger motor comes with paddle shifters to up the sporty attitude.
Ford gets all of-the-moment with their “goes over any type of terrain” (G.O.A.T) terrain management system, otherwise known as selectable drive modes. Models with the 1.5L engine feature five modes from normal and eco to slippery and sand. The Badlands comes with trim-exclusive mud/ruts and rock crawl modes as well as trail control which is a sort of low-speed cruise control. Hopefully, Ford decides to make a truly wild Raptor variant like they’re doing with the full-size Bronco that we look at here.
Fuel Economy & MPG
Active grille shutters and idle start/stop tech are fitted to all 2022 Ford Bronco Sports. These systems help the three-cylinder powertrain achieve EPA fuel economy ratings of 25 mpg around town and 28 on the highway. Badlands models with the more powerful engine earn ratings of 21/26 mpg in city/highway driving.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
With Escape proportions, the 2022 Bronco Sport falls into the small SUV segment. So, it has seats for five but that middle position in the back row is going to be tight for larger folks. Mid-level models feature an easy-to-clean fabric and Badlands are outfitted with a washable rubberized floor. All part of Ford’s effort to create a vehicle you can truly get dirty. Of course, amenities like leather upholstery, heated seats and steering wheel and dual-zone automatic climate control are available, but Base models keep it simple with cloth fabric and manual HVAC controls.
Thoughtful features abound like flip-up rear window glass to make loading of long objects that much easier. Open the tailgate up to reveal a pair of integrated floodlights for ease of nighttime loading and even a bottle opener to enjoy post-adventure beverages. Ford has done quite a lot of legwork on creating accessories specifically for the Bronco Sport to further the outdoor lifestyle. There is a camp table/workbench that fits the cargo hold and slides out as needed or a bike mount for the same area allowing two mountain bikes to be loaded upright.
Entertainment & Technology
Across the 2022 Ford Bronco lineup, an 8-inch touchscreen display featuring Apple and Android smartphone integration is standard fare. As is a Wi-Fi hotspot four USB ports and remote vehicle access via the FordPass phone app. Further up the trim ladder, you can access navigation with Sirius Traffic and Travel Link as well as a 10-speaker sound system by Bang & Olufsen that includes a subwoofer. SecuriCode is Ford’s name for their exterior-mounted keypad entry system, a boon for going on adventures without worrying about losing your key. Badlands trim features a front-mounted camera that displays a 180° view of what’s out in front of your Bronco Sport and an integrated wireless charging pad is available.
Safety Features
Every Bronco Sport comes with automated emergency braking, lane keeping system and blind spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert. For $895, the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package adds adaptive cruise control with evasive steering assist and speed sign recognition. Additional driver-aids include reverse parking sensors and automatic high beam control. Passive features like a robust network of airbags, SOS Post Crash Alert and Post-Collision Braking help the 2022 Bronco Sport earn a 5-star crash test rating from NHTSA and Top Safety Pick+ award from IIHS.
2022 Ford Bronco Sport Trims & Pricing
Base – $29,660
2022 Bronco Sport Base pricing increases by about $1000 over the 2021 Bronco Sport we review here, but aside from that is largely the same with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps and a manual liftgate. Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment software is run via the 8-inch central touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration plus a Wi-Fi hotspot. Pre-Collision Assist with automated emergency braking, lane keeping assist and blind spot monitoring with cross traffic alert are all included here.
Big Bend – $31,475
Big Bend trim adds heated side mirrors and automatic climate control but the main upgrade is access to packages. For $1085, the Convenience package adds SecuriCode, heated front seats, a wireless charging pad and reverse parking sonar. The Co-Pilot Assist+ packages runs $895 and brings adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane centering.
Outer Banks – $35,225
Upscale Outer Banks Bronco Sport features LED signature lighting that highlights the retro front-end styling of this modern ute. You can read up on the classic Bronco that inspired that look in this comparison with the K5 Blazer. Furthering the fancy vibe are LED fog lamps with cornering functionality, a heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel and snazzy ebony and roast leather upholstery.
Badlands – $36,445
Badlands are actually slightly less luxurious than the Outer Banks trim, trading in off-road cred instead. All-terrain tires, an off-road tuned suspension and more capable 4×4 system are the highlights of these abilities. Badlands-exclusive active orange trimmed interior and the front facing trail camera are nice touches. Of course, you can tack on the lux with the Premium package that, for $2085, nets leather seating, a 10-speaker Band and Olufsen stereo, wireless charging and dual-zone automatic climate control
Warranties
Ford backs the Bronco Sport with a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, which is nice to know when you’re banging around off-road. The basic vehicle coverage runs for 3 years or 36,000 miles and 24-hour roadside assistance is on hand for 5 years or 60,000 miles.
What we think
2022 Ford Bronco Sport – ford.com | Shop 2022 Ford Bronco Sport on Carsforsale.com
The modern Ford Bronco lineup kicked off at about the same time, unleashing a wave of intense customer demand. There’s no doubt the full-size version is more capable off-road than the smaller Bronco Sport, as we discuss in this comparison. However, it comes with a much bigger price tag and is a tough sell as a daily driver. The 2022 Bronco Sport, on the other hand, offers enough 4×4 fun for most weekend adventures and shares the familial Bronco styling. With its 18-inch wheels and signature lighting dressing up the looks along with a nice array of creature comforts, the Outer Banks model is where I’d start.
