12 Reasons Why the Ford Bronco Sport Is So Cool
The Ford Bronco Sport Heritage is for those comfortable standing out in a crowd and excited to get away from it.
The bright 2023 Ford Bronco Sport Heritage that showed up in my driveway was yellow. And the roof was white. And it was really fun because the grille had “BRONCO” emblazoned across the front in red. Add to the package white wheels and I was ready to be a standout everywhere I went. I am someone who likes a distinctive car, and I wasn’t worried about the little ray of sunshine to drive around in the dreary winter-to-spring weather.
My test Ford Bronco Sport Heritage starts at $44,065, and with a few accessories and destination fees comes to a total of $46,400. The Ford Bronco Sport has a 245-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It’s got plenty of power.
Related: Steep Hills, Dusty Thrills: My Experience in the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport at the Off-Roadeo
Throwback Looks Aren’t Just on the Exterior
The look of the Ford Bronco Sport Heritage isn’t reserved just for the outside. I loved the interior the most, especially the perforated leather seats that looked like plaid. I want that in every car I ever have going forward, thank you very much.
The Ford Bronco Sport Heritage is Fearless
What’s just as important is that I drove the Ford Bronco Sport over 50 miles in a blizzard. There was wet, heavy slush that was rapidly turning to ice. It was slick, the slush was grabby, and the visibility was terrible.
I was dazzled at how sure-footed the Bronco Sport was before I put it into Snow Mode.
The Heritage Edition is based on the Badlands trim of the Bronco Sport and has more off-road features like bash plates and tow hooks with recovery points, an off-road suspension, and additional off-road drive modes.
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The Cockpit was My Favorite Feature in the Ford Bronco Sport
The plaid leather seats didn’t just look great; they were comfortable, too. The front seat area accommodated all I’d need to bring along, though my purse did need to go on the passenger seat rather than the center console. This is a smaller SUV, after all.
There was a center console capable of carrying a smaller purse or clutch and two front cupholders that gripped beverages just right.
Related: Why the Ford Bronco is One of the 10 Best American Luxury SUVs
The Driver Displays are Notably Clear
The Bronco Sport Heritage has a digital driver information display with gauges and a customizable screen. It also has an eight-inch multimedia touchscreen, which is a decent size, though small compared to its competitors.
The icons are large and easy to identify, and there are a bunch of buttons and knobs, too, so you don’t need to rely on going into the screen to adjust the stereo or your climate controls and stereo preferences.
Plenty of Power in Both Ways
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto worked wirelessly and seamlessly, and my test car had the upgraded sound system that sounded good, but at lower volumes did compete a little with the engine noise.
There were plenty of charging opportunities in the Ford Bronco Sport Limited Edition. There was a wireless charging pad and both a USB-A and USB-C port just below the climate controls. The Bronco Sport also had a 12-volt outlet there. In the center console, there were two more USB-C ports.
It’s Organized Ruggedness
The Bronco Sport Heritage was fun in that there was some engine noise that sounded a little heritage-y. It had a mechanical noise to it that felt very appropriate. The steering was also just a little heavy, and I liked that.
If I wanted to take the Bronco Sport Heritage out into the wild, it would have been a fun partner. Not just because of the rugged style but also because the cargo area has a shelf to help manage all the gear I’d need.
It also has tie-downs, a 110-volt outlet, a 12-volt outlet, and I’d be able to clean out the cargo space because it is made of sturdy plastic. The floors are also plastic and have rubber floor mats.
The Ford Bronco Sport Heritage is Accommodating
One of my favorite features is in the back seat. The seatback pockets have a bunch of straps and even a large zippered pocket to hold stuff. This was one of my favorite features, and if you can keep goldfish crackers from getting crunched up in there, it’s a great rear-seat perk.
Another rear seat perk is how easy it is to get in and out of. Come to think of it, the whole car is easy to get into and out of. I loved that my mom could get in and out easily.
Additionally, because the SUV is squared off in the back, the roofline in the rear seat stays high, so headroom is abundant, and legroom is good, too.
The Ford Bronco Sport Can Handle Your Gear
The cargo area was also easy to work with. The load floor is a little high, but the bumper and cargo area are covered in durable hard rubber, so it wasn’t difficult to get luggage into, especially if you set it on the edge of the cargo area and slide it in.
Two carry-on-sized suitcases fit easily, with room for probably two more on their sides. There would be room to add a backpack or two on the floor and then more gear on the shelf if need be.
There are Some Fun Easter Eggs in the Ford Bronco Sport
I particularly liked the lasso icon for the tie-down anchors in the cargo area. The Bronco Sport has a cool shelf in the cargo area about halfway up; it’s a great, stable platform for piling more stuff in the back.
I have to mention that the rear window opens, so you can access items at the top of the stack without opening the liftgate and risking everything falling out. I love this feature.
My Favorite Aspects of the Ford Bronco Sport
I particularly enjoyed the distinctive Heritage color and details, the confident handling in inclement weather, and the ease of getting in and out.
Noteworthy Things to Know About the Ford Bronco Sport Heritage
This version of the Bronco Sport is based on the Bronco Sport Badlands trim; power is good, but sometimes feels a little unbridled. If you like to bring your toys on road trips, this SUV can tow up to 2,000 lbs when equipped.
The Ford Bronco Sport Heritage Limited Edition is Fun
The Ford Bronco Sport Heritage made me smile whenever I saw it. Opening the door made me smile some more. Driving it was easy, and I would certainly trust it to get me out of some atypical driving conditions. Just as important, I’d feel comfortable deliberately getting myself into some of those situations, like camping or off-roading.
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Categorized:Car Reviews SUVs