Check Drive: 2023 Ford Bronco Sport Heritage Restricted | The Every day Drive

Class: Compact Crossover

Coloration: Yellowstone Metallic

Miles pushed: 168

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)

Gasoline 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 watch for 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 yr. The small and rugged Bronco was a bare-bones 2-door affair, providing consumers little in the best way of creature comforts. The Bronco grew in measurement for the 1978 mannequin yr, sharing mechanical bits with Ford’s F-150 giant pickup truck. Ford killed the Bronco after the 1996 mannequin yr, as client consideration turned away from its rugged design to the extremely fashionable—and extra household pleasant–Explorer.

Coming Quickly: 2024 Chevrolet Trax

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 fashionable with customers.

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

Check Drive: 2023 Nissan Rogue Midnight Version

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 accessible 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 Massive Bend trim, whereas the Heritage Restricted is predicated 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 whether 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 objects embrace an “Oxford White” grille with Race Pink “Bronco” lettering, an Oxford White roof, 17-inch white (shifting ahead, simply assume all white stuff is Oxford White) wheels, a white roof, particular facet stripes, and white inside trim on the door, heart console, and dashboard. Additionally, and this can be the best Heritage bit, is the retro Bronco fender badge.

Mechanically, the Heritage editions aren’t any completely 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 not too long ago spent per week with a 2023 Ford Bronco Sport Heritage Restricted in Yellowstone Metallic, a coloration unique to the trim stage.

Check Drive: 2023 Dodge Hornet GT Plus

We’ll start with a purely subjective analysis of the Heritage trim: we adore it. 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 stylish callbacks to the unique Bronco. We marvel, nevertheless, what number of current-generation new-car buyers admire design references to a automobile launched in 1966. Moreover, we are able to’t assist however level out that the Heritage Version incorporates a small, turbocharged engine and Japanese-brand tires, neither of which feels very true to the unique Bronco idea. That stated, we doubt anybody will actually care.

We’ve pushed various Bronco Sports activities not too long ago, and you may learn our opinions of them right here. However allow us to reaffirm that we discover the smaller of Ford’s Bronco choices to be sensible, sporty, and usually enjoyable to drive.

Our complaints are few: We want there was a bit of 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 stated, we do admire the separate-opening rear-hatch glass, a useful characteristic that proves helpful in tight parking areas.

Listed below are a couple of impressions of the Bronco Sport Heritage restricted from our log:

5 Cool Issues Concerning the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line Black

• 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 trip high quality
• Good dealing with and steering really feel
• Surprisingly premium cabin facilities
• Plaid-look seat perforations stylish, mimic old-school plaid Bronco seats

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

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 stated, the Heritage appears nice, and its attainable as a limited-edition providing could also be value extra at trade-in time. For a greater worth, contemplate 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. When you don’t must pack adults into the rear seats too typically, there’s little about Ford’s smallest crossover—the unloved EcoSport goes away—to complain about. And, when you’ve got the cash to spend, the Heritage Editions look nice.

Check Drive: 2022 Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid Restricted

Hearken to the Client Information Automobile Stuff Podcast

Follow Tom on Twitter

2023 Ford Bronco Sport Heritage Restricted Gallery

(Click on under for enlarged photographs)

Meet the 2023 Client Information Greatest Buys

Car Stuff Podcast