The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport is ready to buck out of the gate and take on Jeep’s smaller models. With its rugged good looks and impressive list of innovative features, the Bronco Sport is well-positioned to become a popular SUV. All trim levels boast plenty of interior space, are all-wheel-drive, and offer a ton of driver assists.

But the Bronco doesn’t have everything. MotorTrend took a close look at the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport and its various trims. And one lacks a vital feature.

The Ford Bronco Sport Badlands

The folks at MotorTrend took the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport out on the trail, and its performance impressed them. Eager to lead your off-roading adventures, the Bronco Sport boasts standard Pirelli Scorpion ATR tires. Other models offer optional Falken Wildpeak A/T tires with capable tread patterns.

The model that MT evaluated had the Badlands trim. Both the Badlands and the limited-run First Edition trim based on Badlands are equipped for serious off-roading and have the attitude to match. Badlands is the only trim that gets a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine that harnesses 250 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. 

The Bronco Sport Badlands also has a better rear axle, which features clutch packs on each half shaft. The setup lets the all-wheel-drive system direct power to the wheels that have the best grip. It also works as a rear-axle locker, MT explains, and bias torque to the outside wheel to give the vehicle greater agility.

The Ford Bronco Sport offers an impressive selection of active and passive driver aids, the best being the optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ system. The system offers adaptive cruise control and lane-centering features that handle a good deal of driving for you, particularly on the highway.

But one thing it doesn’t have standard: a wireless charging pad.

Can you get a wireless charging pad on Bronco Sport Badlands models?

For most of us, the ability to charge our phones at home is crucial. But it’s also handy to have wireless phone-charging capabilities on the road. It’s not a completely wireless process because you still need to plug into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter or USB port. But it’s a great convenience. And many automakers are beginning to offer wireless charging pads in their vehicles.

MT’s reviewers mentioned they liked the abundance of storage space inside the Bronco Sport Badlands. And they liked the easy-to-reach charging ports. However, they said it’s a shame this compact crossover doesn’t offer a standard wireless charging pad because the phone would be able to lay flat while charging thanks to the interior layout.

Yes, you can get a wireless charging pad on the 2021 Ford Bronco’s Badlands trim. But you have to add the Lux package. That’s an additional $5,000, according to Ford Authority. The wireless charging pad comes standard on the limited-run First Edition models, which cost about $5,400 more than the Badlands.

Interestingly, the feature can also be added to the Outer Banks trim of the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, which costs just $600 less than the Badlands model. The Lux package for Outer Banks models costs only $3,500.

The Badlands interior

MotorTrend’s reviewers also liked the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands’ efficiency and storage space. They especially admired the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ system. But what did they think of the rest of the interior?

They said they felt a little cramped sitting in the Bronco Sport’s backseats. The layout uses cut-away spaces in the front seatbacks to provide adequate legroom in the back. But they thought the cargo space was decent and squared off to make the most of the space. Accessing the cargo hold by popping open the back window is a very convenient throwback feature.

The team didn’t care for the liberal use of hard plastic throughout the cabin. Considering the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport’s cost, they thought the plastic gives the interior a cheap look. But it’s plenty durable, they said. And durability is arguably the most important part of an off-roader like the Bronco.