2022 Ford Bronco Sport

The Bronco is based on the Escape platform, which isn't a bad start. But Ford's other compact crossover has zero off-road aspirations and would easily be defeated by anything more severe than a muddy gravel road. Therefore, the Bronco Sport requires an entirely different suspension setup and a more advanced traction control system. The Bronco's suspension allows for more articulation than the Escape, which also has a four-wheel independent suspension. Couple that with a higher center of gravity, and you get exactly what you expect. It's not unsafe, but it's also nowhere near sporty. If that's what you're looking for, Ford has at least three other models that do it much better.

The steering is devoid of any feel, but the compact dimensions of the Bronco Sport make it easy to drive and park. Thanks to the more supple suspension setup, the Bronco is much better at soaking up bumps than the Escape. If you live in an area with bad roads or regularly travel down dirt roads, the Bronco Sport is the way to go.

As for off-roading, you get the GOAT system as standard. It's an acronym for Goes Over Any Type of Terrain, which is a bit ambitious in this particular model. Think of it as Ford's version of Terrain Response. The driving modes on the Base, Big Ben, and Outer Banks are Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, and Sand. The 2.0 EcoBoost model gets all of the above modes and adds Mud/Ruts and Rock Crawl.

The Bronco Sport is a brilliant SUV with very few downsides. We love that it's not just a poser off-roader but the real deal. We think most people in the market for the full-fat Bronco would be more than happy with what the Bronco Sport is capable of. There is, quite simply, no other car in this segment that's as good off-road as this.

The pricing is also acceptable, and the equipment levels are high. Since this will most likely be used as a family car, we're pretty impressed with the standard safety features and the Bronco Sport's rating from the NHTSA and the IIHS. The only downsides are the iffy interior materials, which we can forgive at this price. The lack of rear legroom is less easy to overlook, but other Ford models offer more.

Despite the initial teething problems, the Bronco currently stands head and shoulders above its competitors. It's a sensational little off-roader that looks the part and can walk the walk.

Be in no doubt; the Subaru Forester is a fantastic vehicle. There's a reason Subaru sells so many of them. It beats the Bronco Sport in several important departments. First, the Subaru's interior quality is much better and almost Germanic. Secondly, the rear legroom is vast. Rear passengers in the Scooby get 39.4 inches of legroom compared to the Bronco Sport's 36.9 inches. The Scooby also handles better and is more affordable. In most departments, these two cars are perfectly matched. The safety levels are the same (both come with Safety Pick + ratings from the IIHS), and the trunk capacities are similar.

The Scooby's biggest problem is its old-school naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine and the CVT gearbox that might compare to the 2022 Ford Bronco's specs, but doesn't feel as good. The 2.5 NA engine produces 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque, which is remarkably similar to the Bronco Sport's horsepower from the 1.5L EcoBoost engine at 181 hp. Yet, the two couldn't feel more different. The Bronco Sport feels zippy, while the Subaru feels sluggish and uneager to respond. We'd go for the Bronco Sport solely to avoid the Scooby's flawed powertrain.

The Bronco Sport's other main rival comes from within its own ranks, and it's not the Escape it's based on. Most people get caught up deciding whether to buy the baby Bronco or the full-fat Bronco. The answer is straightforward. The Bronco is a serious off-roader built on a ladder-frame chassis. You can also have it with Dana 44 axles, electronic locking differentials, a disconnecting sway bar, massive off-road biased tires, and a transfer case with low range. It's also much heavier and uses a lot more fuel. And, naturally, the MSRP of a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport is much less than that of its bigger brother.

Are you going to climb up a mountain, or will you just be using the car to drive to the mall and down the occasional gravel road? If you are serious about off-roading, the big Bronco is the answer. If not, the baby Bronco Sport will serve you much better.