My Thoughts Exactly: 2023 Ford Bronco Sport Heritage

It’s easy to be reminded of the past. But, do we have to?

Thus, the quandary. The way the automotive industry likes to look back to its past to come up with something attractive for consumers to embrace and love. Sometimes, it works. Other times…not so much.

The Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport are two examples of this industry-borne thinking. It’s not enough to bring back the nameplate, but to form a design that reminds us of the 1966 original. 

The only deviation is it engineering. They applied the Bronco name over two platforms. In this instance, we got what some enthusiasts would consider the “short end of the deal.”

The Bronco Sport shares the same platform as the Ford Escape and Maverick (#VOTY2023), as well as the Lincoln Corsair. The front-drive biased platform may not be the right one to form a rugged SUV that nudges its way onto the active lifestyle set. Judging by the marketing and image-making of this vehicle, it has worked so far for Ford.

For 2023, end-of-year sales rose for the Bronco Sport by 28.1 percent. It is the third best-selling model among Ford’s SUV lineup; fifth overall among all Ford vehicles. That should speak to how much brand equity works for a vehicle that some people might not seriously as worthy of the nameplate.

I know that sounds harsh. Yet, it is what a lot of you have said about the Ford Bronco Sport. 

When I welcomed a 2023 Ford Bronco Sport recently, I tried to put all of the noise away. I also tried to look back at the original review for the 2021 model. Therefore, I approach this Heritage Limited tester with fresh eyes. 

I certainly needed those fresh eyes. This tester came in Yellowstone Metallic. Yellow. A muted tone, but, still, it is in yellow – with white contrasts.

The first white contrast you will encounter is the grille. Back in 1966, the Ford Bronco came with a white grille as standard. The point of the Heritage models – there are two such trim levels available – is to bring back some elements of the original Bronco. That also included the red “Bronco” lettering on the grille. 

Adding to the package are a set of white 17-inch aluminum wheels shod with all terrain tires. Again, this is a nod to the original Bronco. If you also include the white roof paint job and classic badges on the front doors, then the retro package is complete.

It is still a Bronco Sport – a four-door small-ish SUV built on the shared platform I mentioned earlier. The remaining exterior elements remain with an LED headlamp cluster combining a circular main unit with an extended lens area for the turn signal/driving lamp. Unlike its larger sibling, the front end is not completely flat. There is a angle for the headlamp units that merge with the side profile. 

The ”boxy” side profile offers up an angular shape at the C-pillar of the roofline. That leads to a liftgate which could be open fully or with just the back window to access the cargo area quickly. Vertical LED taillights and Bronco Sport letting in white finish out the rear end design.

The interior of the Bronco Sport remains practical, functional, and useful. The only indicator of the Heritage package is a special plate on the center console. Otherwise, it’s just like every other Bronco Sport found on any given Ford dealer lot. 

The instrumentation is a mix of analog dials with digital displays, including the 6.5-inch center screen with some beautiful start-up images promoting the possibilities of your Bronco Sport. As with most Ford vehicles, the transmission is actuated by a knob on the center console. To fine tune your shifts, there are paddles behind the steering wheel. 

Also on the center console is the knob for the G.O.A.T. Modes, featuring seven drive modes for specific traction and driving choices. You also get additional controls for the Bronco Sport’s four-wheel-drive system. All other controls are logical and easy to understand.

The center stack is crowned by a tablet-like eight-inch infotainment screen powered by Ford’s SYNC 3. B&O – Ford’s identification for Bang & Olufsen – offers up 10 speakers throughout the cabin of decent sound. Smartphone mirroring is done through a USB cord in the Bronco Sport. 

Leather seating is part of the upgraded Heritage Limited trim package. The front seats offer plenty of support, but they were a bit firm in places. Rear seat legroom was OK, while offering superb headroom. Cargo space-wise, the Bronco Sport offers up to 29.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats. When you fold down the rear seats, you get a maximum of 60.6 cubic feet of squared off volume for many uses. 

This Heritage Limited tester came with a 250-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder putting down 277 pound-feet of torque. This engine is connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission and an advanced four-wheel-drive system with a twin-clutch rear axle unit. The latter is controlled by the seven G.O.A.T. Modes of the Terrain Management System. 

Overall, the 2.0-liter engine accelerates exceptionally well and keeps up with traffic nicely. It is also does a fine job getting around town. As for fuel economy, I observed an average of 24.8 MPG. 

You might say that the Bronco Sport ride quality is on the softer side. Well…it does want to be an off roader so it seems appropriate that it would ride that way. Nonetheless, the Bronco Sport worked hard to keep from transmitting rougher road patches into the cabin. In turn, we felt that the Bronco Sport’s overall handling was soft, with some roll and lean in the turns.

The Bronco Sport’s size lends towards exhibiting a tight turning radius along with solid response from the steering wheel. However, on-center feel is soft, but controlled. Braking was pretty decent in normal and panic situations. The pedal feel was fine, while sending a solid response to the wheels. 

The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport is available in six trim levels. You actually have two Heritage models available, if you like the 1966 look. Pricing starts at $29,213. This Heritage Limited tester came with a sticker price of $46,400. 

One could dismiss the Ford Bronco Sport as a pretender. A vehicle that could never do the job that its larger sibling can do over rough terrain. If we think that the smaller, front-drive biased Bronco Sport is nothing more than a rebodied Escape, then you might be missing the point.

Consider what would happen if the Escape was discontinued in the Ford lineup. You now have the Bronco Sport as the only small SUV available at those dealerships. Which means you have no choice but to consider one when looking at other small-to-compact SUVs. 

What the Bronco Sport offers is a unique proposition – one born from its history. Add the Heritage package and you’ll be rediscovering its roots. A foot in the past with the other foot firmly in the present. 

DISCLAIMER: Vehicle provided by the Ford Motor Company

All photos by Randy Stern