Test Drive: 2023 Ford Bronco Sport Heritage Limited | The Daily Drive

2023 Ford Bronco Sport Heritage Restricted 4X4

Class: Compact Crossover

Shade: Yellowstone Metallic

Miles pushed: 168

CG Report Card


Room and Consolation	B+
Energy and Efficiency	B
Match and End	A-
Gas Economic system	B-
Worth	B-

Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and should not mirror Client Information’s impressions of all the mannequin lineup.

Large & Tall Consolation

Large Man	A
Tall Man	A

Large & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Large” score primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester.

Drivetrain
Engine Specs	250-horsepower 2.0-liter
Engine Kind	Turbocharged 4-cylinder
Transmission	8-speed automated
Drive Wheels	AWD

Noticed gasoline economic system: 22.2 mpg

Driving combine: 60% metropolis, 40% freeway

EPA-estimated gasoline economic system: 21/26/23 (mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed)

Gas sort: Common gasoline

Snow Efficiency: N/A

Base value: $44,655 (not together with $1595 vacation spot cost)

Choices on take a look at automobile: Cargo administration system ($150)

Value as examined: $46,400

Fast Hits

The nice: Spunky character, enjoyable retro look

The great: Roomy entrance seating row, rides and handles effectively

The not so good: Restricted 2nd-row passenger area, dear trim stage

Tom Appel:

Why anticipate a milestone anniversary to embrace your heritage? Is it actually essential to permit 50, 75, or 100 years to roll by earlier than celebrating a storied previous? Clearly Ford doesn’t appear to assume so, because the model’s new Heritage Version Bronco Sport trim ranges have arrived on the 57^th anniversary of the primary Bronco SUV.

For these unfamiliar, the Bronco SUV arrived in dealerships for the 1966 mannequin 12 months. The small and rugged Bronco was a bare-bones 2-door affair, providing patrons little in the way in which of creature comforts. The Bronco grew in measurement for the 1978 mannequin 12 months, sharing mechanical bits with Ford’s F-150 giant pickup truck. Ford killed the Bronco after the 1996 mannequin 12 months, as shopper consideration turned away from its rugged design to the extremely widespread—and extra household pleasant–Explorer.

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2023 Ford Bronco Sport Heritage Restricted

Responding to the rising recognition—and profitability—of the Jeep Wrangler, Ford resurrected the Bronco for 2021, this time in 2- and 4-door guise. The brand new off-road prepared SUV attracts liberally on the Bronco model’s trail-ready heritage, and has confirmed widespread with customers.

Whereas the brand new Bronco gave the impression to be the off-road equal of Ford’s unique trail-dusting enjoyable machine, it’s also a lot bigger, and costlier. Enter the Bronco Sport:

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Although not a real SUV—it’s constructed on unibody structure shared with Ford’s Escape small crossover—the Bronco Sport is more true to the unique Bronco when it comes to measurement and affordability. Certainly, the Bronco Sport remains to be large relative to the 1966 Bronco, coming in 22-inches longer, and using on a 13-inch longer wheelbase. The Bronco Sport can be 6-inches wider and 1-inch taller than the ’66.

And, about that heritage…

For 2023 Ford has made out there Heritage variations of each the large Bronco, and the Bronco Sport. We’ll check out the Bronco variants at a later date. As for the Bronco Sport, the usual Heritage is basically a specifically trimmed model of the midlevel Large Bend trim, whereas the Heritage Restricted relies on the topline Badlands trim. And, per Ford, Heritage Restricted manufacturing will probably be capped at 1966 examples for 2023. No phrase as as to if or not the trim stage will probably be reprised for 2024.

And, about that heritage…

Going Heritage means having fun with some throwback trim components. Particular gadgets embrace an “Oxford White” grille with Race Pink “Bronco” lettering, an Oxford White roof, 17-inch white (transferring ahead, simply assume all white stuff is Oxford White) wheels, a white roof, particular facet stripes, and white inside trim on the door, middle console, and dashboard. Additionally, and this can be the good Heritage bit, is the retro Bronco fender badge.

Mechanically, the Heritage editions are not any totally different than non-Heritage Bronco Sports activities, that means the usual Heritage is powered by a 181-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine, whereas the Heritage Restricted comes with a 250-horsepower turbo 2.0-liter 4-cylinder. Each engines mate to an 8-speed automated transmission.

Client Information just lately spent every week with a 2023 Ford Bronco Sport Heritage Restricted in Yellowstone Metallic, a shade unique to the trim stage.

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We’ll start with a purely subjective analysis of the Heritage trim: we find it irresistible. Not solely did we obtain a number of unsolicited compliments on our take a look at truck, we discover the throwback white grille and wheels to be elegant callbacks to the unique Bronco. We marvel, nonetheless, what number of current-generation new-car consumers recognize design references to a automobile launched in 1966. Moreover, we will’t assist however level out that the Heritage Version encompasses a small, turbocharged engine and Japanese-brand tires, neither of which feels very true to the unique Bronco idea. That mentioned, we doubt anybody will actually care.

We’ve pushed numerous Bronco Sports activities just lately, and you may learn our evaluations of them right here. However allow us to reaffirm that we discover the smaller of Ford’s Bronco choices to be sensible, sporty, and customarily enjoyable to drive.

Our complaints are few: We want there was a little bit extra rear-seat passenger area, and, for this cash—our take a look at truck listed for greater than $46,000—an influence tailgate isn’t a part of the deal. That mentioned, we do recognize the separate-opening rear-hatch glass, a helpful function that proves helpful in tight parking areas.

Listed here are just a few impressions of the Bronco Sport Heritage restricted from our log:

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The touchscreen graphics are giant and simple to learn
The audio system sounds fairly good
There’s a large quantity of front-seat adjustability
Nice journey high quality
Good dealing with and steering really feel
Surprisingly premium cabin facilities
Plaid-look seat perforations elegant, mimic old-school plaid Bronco seats

Over 168 miles, Client Information averaged 22.2 mpg, not unhealthy given the ability and efficiency of car.

Stepping as much as the Heritage Restricted from the Badlands trim stage will se you again greater than $6000. That’s some huge cash for what quantities to simply upgraded trim components. That mentioned, the Heritage seems nice, and its attainable as a limited-edition providing could also be price extra at trade-in time. For a greater worth, think about the usual Bronco Sport Heritage.

The Bronco Sport is a sensible, fun-to-drive small crossover that drips character and is straightforward to identify in a car parking zone. For those who don’t must pack adults into the rear seats too usually, there’s little about Ford’s smallest crossover—the unloved EcoSport goes away—to complain about. And, if in case you have the cash to spend, the Heritage Editions look nice.

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