2023 Ford Bronco Sport Performance

There are two engines tasked with powering the Bronco Sport, and both send the power to an all-wheel-drive system. The standard AWD system is unique in this segment, as most cars are sold as standard with front-wheel drive, with AWD an option.

Lower trims are powered by Ford's 1.5-liter turbocharged triple EcoBoost engine, producing 181 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque. While these figures may seem low, the power delivery is so well judged that it feels pretty zippy. There's no need to go for the bigger engine unless you need all of the additional goodies that come with it.

The 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost engine is exclusive to the Badlands and Heritage Limited trims. Here it produces 250 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. Ford does not provide 0-60 mph or top speed figures for any Bronco Sport model, but independent tests have shown that it can complete the sprint in just below six seconds.

The towing capacity is far more critical for a car like this. The maximum towing capacity for Bronco Sport models equipped with the 1.5 EcoBoost is 2,000 lbs, while the 2.0 EcoBoost can tow an additional 200 lbs. These figures are above average in a segment where most cars can handle 1,500 lbs at most.

Both engines in the Bronco Sport range are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. There are subtle differences which we shall get into shortly. The 1.5 EcoBoost engine produces 181 hp at 6,000 rpm and 190 lb-ft at just 3,000 rpm. The latter figure is the secret to the Bronco Sport's zippiness, as the low-down torque and widespread gear ratios ensure that you always have enough power available.

The 2.0 EcoBoost delivers 250 hp at 5,500 rpm and 277 lb-ft at 3,000 rpm. The additional low-down torque makes this model feel quite brisk for a blocky off-roader. Ford also chose to equip the 2.0 EcoBoost with an eight-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift. This is just a fancy way of saying it has paddles behind the wheel, giving the driver extra control over the driving experience. You don't need it, however. The GOAT driving modes are well-judged, and the gearbox does a perfectly adequate job when you simply leave it alone. The manual override does give you more control in off-road situations, which is likely why it's only a standard feature on the most off-road-ready Bronco Sport.

The Ford Bronco Sport has acceptable rather than great gas mileage figures for a compact off-roader with an AWD system. According to the EPA, mpg ratings for the Bronco Sport are as follows: 1.5 EcoBoost turbocharged inline-three models consume 25/28/26 mpg city/highway/combined. The more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder comes with EPA-estimated figures of 21/26/23 mpg.

Thankfully, the Bronco Sport comes with a large 16-gallon tank. The 1.5 has a claimed range of 416 miles, while the 2.0 can do 368 miles between refills.