Battle of the Broncos: Ford Bronco vs. Bronco Sport
Two Broncos, Two Personalities. Which One Fits Yours?
The Ford Bronco and the Ford Bronco Sport share a name and a love for adventure, but they’re built for very different kinds of drivers. One is a body-on-frame off-road machine with removable doors and roof panels. The other is a nimble, everyday SUV that still has plenty of trail ability when the weekend rolls around. So which one belongs in your driveway? At Ray Skillman Ford in Greenwood, IN, we carry both, and we love helping customers figure out the right fit.
- The Bronco brings serious off-road hardware like up to 13.1 inches of ground clearance, removable doors and roof, and up to three engine choices.
- The Bronco Sport is a compact, fuel-friendly SUV with standard 4×4 and up to seven G.O.A.T. Modes on the Badlands trim.
- Both models offer the Ford Connectivity Package, G.O.A.T. Modes, and a range of trims to match your budget and driving style.
We put together a side-by-side breakdown of the Bronco vs. Bronco Sport below so you can compare engines, off-road ability, technology, and more. Whether you want a dedicated trail rig or a daily driver that can handle a dirt road, one of these two will check your boxes.
Off-Road Ability
The Bronco starts with a 300-hp 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 engine, standard 4×4, and up to 11.6 inches of ground clearance on the Base model. Step up to the Badlands, Stroppe Edition, or Raptor trims, and you’re looking at up to 13.1 inches of ground clearance and over 33 inches of water fording. Removable doors and roof panels come standard across the lineup, so you can feel the breeze on the trail. Up to seven G.O.A.T. Modes (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) are ready to tackle nearly all conditions, and the available HOSS suspension systems add even more control on rough ground.
The Bronco Sport takes a different approach. When properly equipped with available all-terrain tires, it achieves 8.8 inches of ground clearance and up to 23.6 inches of water-fording depth. The Badlands trim brings advanced 4×4, Trail Control with Trail 1-Pedal Drive, and seven G.O.A.T. Modes. It won’t match the full-size Bronco on a rock crawl, but it handles fire roads, muddy campsites, and snowy Indiana winters with confidence.
Engines and Power
Bronco models with the 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 produce 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque, while those with the available 2.7L EcoBoost V6 push that to 330 hp and 415 lb-ft. The Raptor, with its 3.0L EcoBoost V6, puts out 418 hp. That means there’s a Bronco powertrain for weekend trail riders and hard-charging off-road fans alike.
The Bronco Sport’s Big Bend, Heritage, and Outer Banks trims feature a 1.5L EcoBoost engine producing 180 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque. The Badlands model gets a 2.0L EcoBoost with 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, paired with advanced 4×4. What you trade in raw power, you make up in fuel savings. The 1.5L engine offers up to 25 City / 30 Highway / 27 Combined MPG.
Interior, Tech, and Daily Driving
Both models get the Ford Connectivity Package, which includes an unlimited Wi-Fi hotspot powering up to 10 devices and connectivity for available Connected Navigation, voice assistant, and streaming. The Bronco Sport comes with a standard 13.2-inch display, while the Bronco offers an available 12-inch touchscreen. The available B&O Sound System by Bang and Olufsen has 10 speakers, including a subwoofer, and it’s offered on both.
If daily commuting and parking-lot maneuvers matter to you, the Bronco Sport has the edge. With a 105.1-inch wheelbase, it’s easy to zip through Greenwood traffic and fit into tight spaces. The Bronco is a bigger vehicle with a longer footprint, which pays off on trails and highways but takes a bit more room in parking garages. Browse our full Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport lineup online to compare trims and pricing.
Bronco vs Bronco Sport at a Glance
| Feature | Ford Bronco | Ford Bronco Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Body Style | Body-on-frame SUV (2-door and 4-door) | Unibody compact SUV (4-door) |
| Base Engine | 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 (300 hp / 325 lb-ft) | 1.5L EcoBoost I-3 (180 hp / 200 lb-ft) |
| Available Upgrade Engine | 2.7L EcoBoost V6 (330 hp / 415 lb-ft) | 2.0L EcoBoost I-4 (250 hp / 280 lb-ft) on Badlands |
| Top Performance Engine | 3.0L EcoBoost V6 (418 hp) on Raptor | N/A |
| 4×4 | Standard on all trims | Standard on all trims |
| G.O.A.T. Modes | Up to 7 (includes Rock Crawl and Baja) | Up to 7 (includes Rock Crawl and Rally on Badlands) |
| Max Ground Clearance | Up to 13.1 in. | Up to 8.8 in. (with available tires) |
| Max Water Fording | Over 33 in. | Up to 23.6 in. (when properly equipped) |
| Removable Doors and Roof | Yes, standard across all trims | No (fixed unibody design) |
| Length (4-door) | 189.4 in. | 173.1 in. |
| Max Cargo Space | Up to 83 cu. ft. (4-door, rear seats folded) | Up to 65.2 cu. ft. (rear seats folded) |
| Center Display | Available 12-inch touchscreen | Standard 13.2-inch touchscreen |
| Best Fuel Economy | Lower (larger engines, body-on-frame) | 25 City / 30 Hwy / 27 Combined (1.5L) |
| Max Towing Capacity | 3,500 lbs (when properly equipped) | 2,200 lbs (when properly equipped) |
| Available Trims | Base, Big Bend, Outer Banks, Heritage Edition, Badlands, Stroppe Edition, Raptor | Big Bend, Heritage, Outer Banks, Badlands |
| Best For | Serious off-roading, open-air driving, trail adventures | Daily commuting, light trails, fuel efficiency |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ford Bronco bigger than the Bronco Sport?
Yes. The Bronco 4-door measures 189.4 inches long, while the Bronco Sport comes in at about 173 inches. The Bronco is also wider and taller, and it offers up to 83 cu. ft. of cargo space compared to around 65 cu. ft. in the Bronco Sport. If you need extra room for gear, the Bronco gives you more to work with.
Can the Bronco Sport go off-road?
Absolutely. Every Bronco Sport comes with standard 4×4 and G.O.A.T. Modes. The Badlands model sits at the peak of Bronco Sport off-road ability, with metal bash plates, all-terrain tires, Trail Control with Trail 1-Pedal Drive, and standard 17-inch Matte Black-painted aluminum wheels. It’s a very capable SUV for moderate trails, gravel roads, and winter driving.
Which one gets better gas mileage?
The Bronco Sport wins on fuel economy. The 1.5L engine delivers 25 City / 30 Highway / 27 Combined MPG, while the Badlands’ 2.0L engine gets 21 City / 27 Highway / 23 Combined. The full-size Bronco, with its bigger engines and body-on-frame construction, uses more fuel. If you want to keep gas costs low on your daily commute, the Bronco Sport is the way to go.
Can I remove the doors and roof on the Bronco Sport?
No. Removable doors and roof panels are only available on the full-size Ford Bronco. The Bronco Sport uses a fixed unibody design. If the open-air driving experience is a must-have, the Bronco is your pick.
What is the Sasquatch Package?
The Sasquatch Package is an off-road upgrade available on both the Bronco and the Bronco Sport. On the Bronco, it adds features like larger tires, high-clearance fender flares, and electronic-locking front and rear axles. On the Bronco Sport, the Sasquatch Package is available on the Outer Banks and Badlands trims and adds HOSS 3.0 suspension along with upgraded off-road hardware. It’s a popular choice for drivers who want extra capability without stepping up to the Raptor.
What trims are available for each model?
The Bronco offers seven trims: Base, Big Bend, Outer Banks, Heritage Edition, Badlands, Stroppe Edition, and Raptor. The Bronco Sport offers four: Big Bend, Heritage, Outer Banks, and Badlands. Both lineups have a trim for every type of driver, whether you’re focused on value, style, or maximum off-road performance.
Find Your Perfect Bronco at Ray Skillman Ford in Greenwood, IN
Still not sure which Bronco is right for you? That’s what we’re here for. At Ray Skillman Ford, we carry a wide selection of both the Bronco and the Bronco Sport, with tons of trims and packages to look through. Our team is happy to walk you through the differences in person, answer your questions, and set up back-to-back test drives so you can feel the difference for yourself. We also make financing simple and offer competitive trade-in values on your current vehicle. Stop by and let’s find the right Bronco for your life.