People are getting confused if the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport is the new Ford Bronco and the short answer is no.
Earlier last year Ford reintroduced the Bronco nameplate with the 2021 Ford Bronco and 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. While it’s true that both have “Ford Bronco” in its name, only one is technically the true successor, in every sense of the word, to the fifth generation Ford Bronco that last rolled off Ford’s Wayne, Michigan Assembly Plant in 1996 and that’s the 2021 Ford Bronco, not the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport.
The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, with its smaller size, less-powerful engines, and not-as-capable off-road suspension, is technically not the new Ford Bronco.
The 2021 Ford Bronco is the larger body-on-frame truck-based traditional SUV with a longitudinally mounted engine literally based on the Ford Ranger Pickup Truck. The 2021 Ford Bronco, comes in two-door or four-doors, has larger turbocharged engines (incl. an optional V6,) a more sophisticated four-wheel-drive system, a more capable suspension system (live rear axle) compared to Bronco Sport, and a traditional electronic locking rear differential.
The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport is the slightly more affordable, smaller, FWD-based unibody SUV that’s largely based off the Ford Escape Crossover. The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport only comes in four-door spec, does not have the larger, optional V6 Ecoboost engine, a traditional fully independent front strut and rear multi-link suspension, and an AWD system that sends power to the rear using a twin-clutch, rear drive unit (read, not a true locking rear differential.)
Motor Trend does a through comparison between the two.
Physical key differences
Then, there are, of course, the physical exterior (and interior) differences between the two. Click the photo below to familiarize yourself.
Generally, the new Ford Bronco is larger with mostly hard-straight angles, while the Ford Bronco Sport is smaller with softer curves, and a more traditional crossover look.
Key differences to help you spot the Bronco vs. the Bronco Sport is most Bronco owners will keep the rear tire on the back, the Bronco has flat-looking front and rears and has the bucking horse emblem out back. A dead giveaway the Ford Bronco Sport IS the Bronco Sport is it says “Bronco Sport” on the tailgate whereas the true Bronco does not.
Tale of the tape- 2021 Bronco vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport
Specs | 2021 Ford Bronco | 2021 Ford Bronco Sport |
---|---|---|
Starting MSRP | $28,500-$59,305+ | $26,660-$32,660+ |
Shares Platform With | Ford Ranger | Ford Escape |
Body Type | Body-on-Frame | Unibody |
Seating Capacity | 4, 5 | 5 |
Engines | 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbo 4-cyl or 2.7-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 | 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbo 3-cyl or 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbo 4-cyl |
Horsepower | 270 hp, 310 hp | 181 hp, 245 hp |
Torque | 310 lb-ft, 400 lb-ft | 190 lb-ft, 275 lb-ft |
Transmission | 7-speed manual or 10-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
Length | 173.7 inches, 189.4 inches | 172.7 inches |
Width (Base, Mirrors Folded) | 75.9 inches | 76.3 inches |
Height (Base) | 71.9 inches, 73.0 inches | 70.3 inches, 71.4 inches |
Wheelbase | 100.4 inches, 116.1 inches | 105.1 inches |
Max Ground Clearance | 11.6 inches | 8.8 inches |
Approach Angle (4-Door Bronco vs Bronco Sport) | 35.5 degrees / 43.2 degrees (35-inch tires) | 21.7 degrees / 30.4 degrees (29-inch tires) |
Breakover Angle (4-Door Bronco vs Bronco Sport) | 21.1 degrees / 29.0 degrees (35-inch tires) | 18.2 degrees / 20.4 degrees (29-inch tires) |
Departure Angle (4-Door Bronco vs Bronco Sport) | 29.8 degrees / 37.2 degrees (35-inch tires) | 30.4 degrees / 33.1 degrees (29-inch tires) |
Suspension Travel (Front/Rear, mm) | 200 / 215 (Base), 240 / 261 (Badlands) | 188 / 206 |
Curb Weight | TBD | 3,467 lbs, 3,707 lbs |
Max Towing Capacity | 3,500 lbs | 2,200 lbs |
Max Payload Capacity | 1,370 lbs | 1,000 lbs |
Cargo Space (Seats Up) | 23.6 – 35.6 cubic feet | 29.4-32.5 cubic feet |
Cargo Space (Seats Folded) | 52.3 – 77.6 cubic feet | 60.1 – 65.2 cubic feet |
MPG (Est.) | 20 city/ 24 hwy/ 22 comb (2.3 L) 18 city/ 23 hwy/ 20 comb (2.7 L) | 25 city/ 28 hwy/ 26 comb (1.5 L) 21 city/ 26 hwy/ 23 comb (2.0 L) |