The Ford Bronco Sport Has 1 Frustrating Dealbreaker
Tons of critics have gotten the chance to take the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport for a spin. While it’s an excellent, boxy off-roader, it’s not perfect. We aren’t calling the Ford Bronco Sport bad, but it seems to have one frustrating feature that everyone comments on.
The Ford Bronco Sport has a weak interior
A majority of critics are discovering that the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport doesn’t have the best interior. Cars.com mentioned that the seats feel smaller than they should, and they have an uncomfortable shape.
The Badlands trim has optional leather-covered seats, but the cushions have an odd dome that can make it feel like you’re sitting on an exercise ball. The Ford Bronco is smaller than the Escape, so that could explain why the back seat lacks legroom. However, headspace is abundant.
Edmunds explained that there are a lot of plastic materials used in the interior. But the Bronco Sport is an off-roader, not a luxury vehicle. It’s durable and easy to clean. They also mention that long rides in the backseat could become uncomfortable due to limited leg space.
Doug DeMuro from Cars and Bids explained that the interior layout and cheap materials seem a little odd. It’s very rubbery with out of place pops of leather covering areas like the center console. The cheap rigid plastic doesn’t look great. The seats are a little short, and adults will have trouble fitting in the back row.
What are Ford Bronco Sport positives?
On a positive note, the lackluster interior seems to be the only consistent issue people are finding with the new Ford Bronco Sport, so far. It does have a higher starting price of about $26,660, but it includes a lot of value.
The base engine is a 1.5-liter Ecoboost I3 engine with 181 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque, which is adequate. You can also upgrade to the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine for 245 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque for a more powerful ride. This engine gives the Bronco Sport an edge by making it one beefy compact SUV option.
You’ll notice that the Bronco Sport has a smooth ride around town. Plus, it’s nimble turning radius makes it easy to maneuver in tight spots. However, Edmunds mentions that the steering is a little light and can cause an uneasy sensation while off-roading.
The Badlands and First Edition trims have an upgraded 4WD system with a clutch at each rear axle to send more torque to either rear wheel if needed. Trail Control also acts as a hill descent control or cruise control as it limits speed to about 20 mph.
2021 Bronco Sport features
The interior is loaded with Easter eggs to provide more style and appeal like Jeep models have. There is an 8-inch infotainment center with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto too. You can upgrade to include features such as the 6.5-inch digital instrument screen and a power moonroof.
Each trim comes with Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor, and lane-keeping assistance. Optional features include lane-centering adaptive cruise control, navigation, road sign recognition, and more.