Interested in the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport but not sure which model is right for you? We are here to help. I will go over all four of the Bronco Sport’s trim levels and then give a few quick thoughts on who each one is for.
Bronco Sport Base Model
The entry-level Bronco Sport is the Base trim. Under the hood you’ll find a small 1.5-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine making 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Even in its simplest form, the Bronco Sport still comes with a healthy mix of standard features.
Every Bronco Sport comes with all-wheel drive, rear glass that opens independently of the hatch, Ford’s Co-Pilot360 active safety system, a terrain management system with 5 different terrain modes, floodlights on the underside of the liftgate (great for camping), an 8-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and the ability to haul two mountain bikes upright inside the cabin – provided you remove the front wheel on both of them.
If you’re on a budget, don’t have any specific needs in mind, and just want a small SUV that’s both boxy and efficient, the Bronco Sport in its Base trim might be all you need. Find a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport Base for sale
Bronco Sport Base Model Price:
- Starts at $26,820
Bronco Sport Big Bend Model
The Bronco Sport’s second-tier trim is the Big Bend. It adds features like a rubberized cargo floor, easy-to-clean front seats, Ford’s popular keypad entry system, a MOLLE strap system with pockets on the rear seatbacks, LED fog lights, and 17-in gray aluminum wheels. Items like a sunroof, backup sensors, leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated seats, a wireless charging pad, and a Class II trailer hitch with a full-size spare can be added via packages.
If you want a basic Bronco Sport with a few features and an easy-to-clean interior, the Big Bend is a safe bet. Find a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend for sale
Bronco Sport Big Bend Model Price:
- Starts at $28,320
Bronco Sport Outer Banks Model
The Bronco Sport Outer Banks is the comfort-oriented model. On the outside, it comes with 18-in black-and-silver wheels, a black roof, and a black grille with white ‘B-R-O-N-C-O’ lettering. Inside you’ll find leather seats and a heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Outer Banks also includes a full-size spare. That can save you a lot of grief if you get a flat far from home.
If you want to be comfortable and don’t plan to do too much driving on dirt roads, then the Bronco’s Outer Banks trim will fit the bill. Find a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks for sale
Bronco Sport Badlands Model Price:
- Starts at $32,320
Bronco Sport Badlands Model
The top-tier Bronco Sport is the Badlands model. Under the hood, the Badlands comes standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine making 250 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. The off-road-oriented model, it’s offered with mild all-terrain tires wrapped around two different available aluminum wheels designs, one of which mimics the look of a utilitarian steel wheel (a nice touch).
The Badlands’ main selling point is its Advanced 4×4 system, which is more sophisticated than the system on lesser trims. This is what sets the Badlands apart from lesser trims, and what gives the Bronco Sport a leg up on other crossovers when it comes to off-asphalt capability.
No Bronco Sport is going to crawl over boulders like the regular Bronco, but a Badlands model with its twin-clutch rear drive unit should be more capable when it comes to rutted forest roads — the kind you encounter on your average camping trip into a remote area. Additionally, the Badlands has a full-size spare, seven different terrain modes, trail control, a driver-selectable simulated locking rear differential, and exposed front recovery points, though we aren’t sure exactly what kind of duty they’re rated for.
So if you want a Bronco Sport that’s suited for exploring remote areas on the weekends, and gives you the capability to go a little deeper down that forest road without having to worry, the Badlands model will give you the greatest advantage. Find a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands for sale
Bronco Sport Badlands Model Price:
- Starts at $32,820
Bronco Sport First Edition Model
The Bronco Sport First Edition is a special roll-out version of the Bronco Sport. It comes fully-loaded, combining the best of both the Outer Banks and Badlands models; think luxury touches with enhanced dirt road capability. The First Edition comes with a gray grill and black Bronco badge, hood and side decals, unique leather seats, the more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, the Badlands all-wheel drive system, a trailer hitch, sunroof, and all-terrain tires.
Unfortunately, only 2,000 First Editions will be built, and they’re all already spoken for. Find a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport First Edition for sale
Bronco Sport First Edition Model Price:
- Starts at $38,500
Things to Consider
While no Bronco Sport will replicate the type of off-road capability you get from the regular Bronco, the Sport was designed to maximize the off-road capabilities of a road-oriented unibody crossover platform with a fully independent suspension, which is the basic skeleton that underpins everything from the Chevrolet Trax to the Kia Sorento to the Honda Pilot.
As for the Bronco Sport’s specific trim levels, all four get you the vehicle’s boxy design and functional cargo area. The Base model doesn’t come with many extra features, the Big Bend comes with a few, the Outer Banks gets you some curb appeal and comfort-oriented bits, and the top-tier Badlands model gives you the ability to confidently go on dirt-road adventures to remote areas.
