The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport offers rugged good looks and off-road capabilities right out of the box, in a segment filled with urban-focused crossovers. However, we should expect to pay a higher-than-average price for this active-lifestyle vehicle.
The compact crossover segment is a crowded one, and with good reason, as it’s far and away the most popular vehicle category in Canada. The 2025 Ford Bronco Sport has many rivals to deal with, including the Ford Escape on same showroom floor, but distinguishes itself as a factory-built, off-road-oriented model for those who want or need true capabilities for heading off the beaten path.
What’s the difference between the Bronco Sport and the Escape? They share the same platform, but the Bronco Sport rides on a slightly shorter wheelbase. It’s also a lot shorter and its window surface is narrower, making us think it could belong in the subcompact crossover segment instead, but it’s a compact by width and height. It also benefits from a generous ride height of 198 to 224 millimetres, while the design of its bumpers helps provide off-road-focused approach and departure angles. Basically, Ford offers two similar crossovers with different characters in the same category. For now, at least, as the Escape will be discontinued after the 2026 model year, with no replacement in sight.
Many changes were applied to the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport. A mid-cycle update brings new front and rear bumpers that can accept a wider range of accessories, optional front fender-mounted tie-down hooks, new alloy wheel designs and extra protection for the underbody. A new Off-Road drive mode is standard on all trim levels, and the 360-degree camera system provides a better view of the crossover’s surroundings while off-roading. The range-topping Badlands gets a ride height increase. Inside, the 13.2-inch infotainment system touchscreen running the SYNC 4 interface is now fitted as standard.
There’s also a new Sasquatch Package that includes a twin-clutch rear drive unit with a locking differential as well as a Rally drive mode—both previously exclusive to the Badlands trim level—along with Bilstein rear shocks with position-sensitive damping and piggyback reservoirs, greater suspension travel, a front brush guard, steel bash plates, four recovery hooks and D-rings, and 29-inch 235/65R17 Goodyear Territory All-Terrain tires.
The lineup consists of the Big Bend, Heritage, limited-run Free Wheeling, Outer Banks and Badlands trim levels, while the new Sasquatch Package is available on the top two variants. The first four are equipped with a turbocharged 1.5L three-cylinder engine that develops 180 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque (down 1 hp this year), managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Badlands gets a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine that develops 238 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque (down 12 hp this year) and the same gearbox. All-wheel drive is standard, and so is the drive mode system that Ford calls G.O.A.T., for Go Over Any Terrain, with Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery and Off-Road settings. The Badlands also gets Rally and Rock Crawl modes as well.
Here are the fuel consumption figures for the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport:
| Configuration | City/Highway/Combined L/100 km |
| Turbo 1.5L I3 | 9.3 / 7.9 / 8.7 |
| Turbo 1.5L I3 with Sasquatch Package | 10.2 / 9.0 / 9.7 |
| Turbo 2.0L I4 | 11.2 / 8.7 / 10.1 |
Our latest test involved the base Big Bend variant equipped with the Diamond Package, which tacks on a brush guard, black bumpers with steel plates, steel skid plates, 225/65R17 all-terrain tires, fender tie-downs, front and rear recovery hooks, a rear-seat 110-volt power outlet, auxiliary switches, a cargo mat and a cargo management system and an interior front passenger grab handle. During our drive, we managed a decent 8.6 L/100 km.
Standard features include 17-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing windshield wipers, rear park sensors, automatic climate control, an intelligent key with remote engine start, an eight-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, a six-speaker stereo, a 12.3-inch digital driver instrument cluster, a 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 4, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and wireless phone charging. The usual advanced safety features are on board as well, such as emergency autonomous braking with pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, auto high beams, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert.
Available features, either optional or standard on higher-end trim levels, includes 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, dual-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, a universal garage door opener, a six-way power front passenger seat, a towing package, front and rear park sensors, a 360-degree camera system, a 10-speaker B&O sound system, navigation as well as decal appearance packages.
In Canada, pricing ranges from $41,190 to $58,940, freight and delivery charges as well as A/C tax included. Our test Big Bend test vehicle was equipped with the $3,645 Black Diamond Off-Road Package, the $900 power moonroof, the $605 Black Diamond Graphic Package, the $595 Convenience Package and the $195 front and rear splash guards, for a total invoice of $47,130. In the United States, pricing ranges from $33,690 to $47,615, including the freight charge, but excluding the $695 dealer fee Ford is announcing on its U.S. website.
Compact crossover competition includes the Buick Envision, the Chevrolet Equinox and Chevrolet Equinox EV, the Ford Escape, the GMC Terrain, the Honda CR-V, the Hyundai Tucson, the Jeep Compass, the Kia Sportage, the Mazda CX-5 and Mazda CX-50, the Mitsubishi Outlander, the Nissan Rogue, the Subaru Forester, the Toyota RAV4 and the Volkswagen Tiguan.
Why Should You Buy a 2025 Ford Bronco Sport
- The Bronco Sport offers undeniable versatility. Cargo space is one of the most generous among compact crossover vehicles, and a bunch of accessories are available such as a cargo divider that doubles as a serving table. The tailgate glass can be opened independently, which is a nice touch.
- Many small crossovers offer all-wheel drive, but few can hit the trails and return to the beaten path unscathed. The Bronco Sport has all right gear and capabilities to have fun off road. In addition, the turbo 2.0L engine is among the most powerful engines in the compact class. Towing capacity is also pretty good, ranging from 998 to 1,225 kilograms (2,200 to 2,700 pounds).
- A full suite of advanced safety features come standard in the Bronco Sport, such as blind spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, autonomous emergency braking and automatic high beams. Adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist are available, too.
- It subjectively looks good. Off-road-ready utility vehicles are trending right now, and the Bronco Sport fits that market shift perfectly. It’s also user friendly with a straightforward SYNC 4 infotainment interface, and we like that there’s an easily accessible home button to revert back to Ford’s menu while we’re running Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
Why You Shouldn’t Buy a 2025 Ford Bronco Sport
- The 1.5L engine is definitely powerful enough for the daily drive, but its noise, vibration and harshness levels are a little higher than what we should expect in a new vehicle of this price. Unfortunately, the 2.0L engine is only offered on the top-shelf Badlands.
- Interior fit and finish won’t dazzle anybody, although the overall execution skews more towards durability than luxury, as the vehicle’s mission is to head off road and get dirty. If it was up to us, we’d skip the Black Diamond Graphic Package as seen on our test vehicle.
- The rear seatbacks don’t recline. It’s a minor issue for sure, but something that other crossovers in the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport’s price range offer. In addition, the front seatbacks are rather flat and the driver’s seat height adjustment only operates on one axis, so it kind of tilts the cushion upward instead of raising it.
- Fuel economy is good, but not great. There’s no hybrid powertrain available, unlike the Escape and the Ford Maverick, which would honestly be a better solution than the 1.5L engine in the Bronco Sport.
Should You Buy a 2025 Ford Bronco Sport?
The Bronco Sport is an interesting number in the compact segment. It’s a true off-roader, in the same vein as the Jeep Compass. It’s more rugged appearance compared to the Escape makes it more interesting as well, at least for those who wish to enjoy and flaunt their active lifestyle. The 1.5L engine’s power is adequate and so is its fuel economy, but the latter could be better, and the three-cylinder mill could be smoother.
On the other hand, the Bronco Sport’s price is above-average in the category, and not everyone will hit the trails with their crossover, so its capabilities may not be fully exploited. The rest of its shortcomings are minor quibbles that can be easily be dealt with.
| Specifications | |  |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Ford Bronco Sport | 2025 GMC Terrain | 2025 Honda CR-V | 2025 Jeep Compass | 2025 Nissan Rogue | 2025 Toyota RAV4 | |
| Price Range Before Options ($CAD) | $41,190 to $51,690 | $37,699 to $39,999 | $39,475 to $53,575 | $37,695 to $53,395 | $36,749 to $48,349 | $36,484 to $64,874 |
| Engines | - Turbo 1.5L I3 - Turbo 2.0L I4 | - Turbo 1.5L I4 | - Turbo 1.5L I4 - 2.0L I4 HEV | - Turbo 2.0L I4 | - Turbo 1.5L I3 | - 2.5L I4 - 2.5L I4 HEV - 2.5L I4 PHEV |
| Output (hp) | 180 to 238 | 175 | 190 to 204 | 200 | 201 | 203 to 302 |
| Torque (lb-ft) | 200 to 277 | 184 to 203 | 179 to 247 | 221 | 225 | 184 to 163 + 199 + 89 |
| Combined Fuel Economy (L/100 km) | 8.7 to 10.1 | 8.8 to 9.3 | 6.4 to 8.4 | 8.8 | 7.2 to 7.6 | 6.0 to 8.5 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,670 | 2,730 | 2,700 | 2,636 | 2,706 | 2,690 |
| Length (mm) | 4,394 to 4,448 | 4,597 | 4,695 | 4,404 | 4,648 | 4,596 to 4,611 |
| Width (mm) | 1,887 | 1,892 | 1,867 | 1,874 | 1,840 | 1,854 |
| Height (mm) | 1,788 to 1,831 | 1,680 | 1,690 | 1,641 | 1,689 | 1,707 to 1,743 |
| Headroom Front/Rear (mm) | 1,054 / 1,059 | 970 to 1,015 / 960 to 995 | 1,016 / 970 | 981 to 995 / 978 | 995 to 1,044 / 960 to 996 | 958 to 991 / 1,001 to 1,016 |
| Legroom Front/Rear (mm) | 1,077 / 937 | 1,030 / 996 | 1,049 / 1,042 | 1,046 / 973 | 1,054 / 978 | 1,039 / 960 |
| Cargo Volume Min/Max (L) | 920 / 1,846 | 844 / 1,798 | 1,113 / 2,166 | 770 / 1,693 | 895 to 1,033 / 2,098 | 1,059 / 1,977 |
| Max Towing Capacity (kg) | 998 to 1,225 | 363 to 680 | 453 to 680 | 907 | 680 | 680 to 1,588 |
