To say that the Ford Bronco Sport has had a strong start is an understatement. Last month, the baby Bronco outsold the popular Ford Escape for the first time, with 11,686 units sold compared to 11,462 Escapes. It also has an excellent safety reputation, with the IIHS awarding the Bronco Sport a coveted Top Safety Pick Plus. Recently, the off-roader's safety prowess was put to the test when a Bronco Sport tumbled 400 feet down a mountain at the dangerous Black Bear Pass.

Currently, the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport will set you back $28,710 with destination, but an inside source claims that the 2022 version will get a price increase. Considering how popular the Bronco Sport is, this isn't surprising.

The base 2022 Bronco Sport will start at $28,760 including a $1,495 destination charge, making it $50 more expensive than the 2021 model. Higher trims will get steeper price hikes. Slotting above the base model, the Big Bend will start at $30,320, which is $105 more expensive than the 2021 model, while the Outer Banks will set you back $34,570, an increase of $215.

The range-topping Badlands trim will get the biggest price bump, however. For 2022, the Bronco Sport Badlands will retail for $35,430, making it $575 more expensive than the 2021 model.

However, when you consider that Ford increased the price of the Bronco Sport Badlands in the summer, the 2022 model is $1,115 more expensive than the 2021 Bronco Sport's original price. Even so, we suspect the price increase won't harm the Bronco Sport's stellar sales.

Like the 2021 model, the 2022 Bronco Sport will be powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine rated at 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque as standard or an optionally available 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine good for 245 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission sending power to the front or all four wheels.