One underappreciated crossover SUV is the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport. Since it carries the Bronco name, buyers are disappointed when it isn’t a regular Bronco. However, plenty of things are excellent about the Bronco Sport, including the Badlands trim level. One expert even goes as far as to say this particular trim level deserves more respect than it’s getting. Check out a few reasons why a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands off-road crossover is totally worth it.

1. Exclusive Badlands engine with more power

According to HotCars, the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport lineup features two different engines. The standard unit is a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-three that makes 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque. However, the Badlands model doesn’t get this engine. Instead, a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four power unit engine is exclusive to this model. It makes 250 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, which is a big step up from the other Bronco Sport variants. All versions use the same eight-speed automatic transmission.

2. 2022 Ford Bronco Sport off-road tech

Next, the Badlands trim gets more off-road tech than the rest of the lineup. The Badlands model is the way to go if you’re buying a 2022 Ford Bronco Sport crossover and plan to do some off-roading. First, the 4×4 system comes with a twin-clutch rear drive. With it, any single rear wheel can continue moving even if the other three lose traction. Additionally, the Badlands has a center-locking differential, which makes it much better off-road than other Bronco Sport trims. It also has an off-road suspension that sits an inch higher than the rest of the lineup, along with heavy-duty shock absorbers.

3. Additional driving modes

Along the same line as off-road tech, the Bronco Sport Badlands has extra driving modes. Besides hardware, the upper trim also has two more driving modes on top of the standard Sand, Slippery, Sport, Eco, and Normal modes that are standard. They are the Mud/Ruts mode and the Rock Crawl mode; their names are self-explanatory.

4. Trail Control System is only in the Bronco Sport Badlands

Another thing exclusive to the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands trim is the Trail Control System. This system is also equipped in other heavy-duty off-roaders, like the F-150 Raptor and Ranger Raptor. The system takes over the acceleration of the Bronco Sport Badlands at a preset speed, allowing the driver to put all their focus on obstacles in their path.

5. 17-inch carbonized wheels

According to HotCars, the second-highest trim, Outer Banks, rides on 18-inch aluminum wheels. However, the publication found the 17-inch units found on the Badlands model more impressive. They come wrapped in Falken WildPeak all-terrain tires and leave more travel room in the wheel wells. Additionally, they respond well to every driving mode.

Why the Bronco Sport Badlands is totally worth it

If you’re interested in buying an off-road crossover, the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands is totally worth it. As the range-topper in the lineup, it costs more but offers far more than other models. With off-road-focused features like an improved engine, additional driving modes, off-road tech, a Trail Control System, and 17-inch carbonized wheels, the Badlands model looks and behaves superior to other Bronco Sport models.