In 1966, Ford released the first Bronco, and for the next forty years it would become a symbol of America’s need for exploring remote dirt roads and other uninhabited places. As demand rose for sedans and other smaller vehicles in the early ’90s, sales slowed for the Bronco and production ceased in 1996. It may have taken a few years, but as of 2021, the Bronco is back with a vengeance.
The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport is a sight to behold. From the 17-inch Oxford white wheels to the slightly visible bash plates and tow hooks, you know it means business. The Heritage Limited Edition that we tested comes in pastel exterior colors (Yellowstone Metallic in our case) with Oxford white-painted trim pieces to give off a cool 1960’s impression. Although everything about the exterior of the Bronco shows careful consideration, the interior feels slightly sterile. For some, this may be a turnoff, but sterile doesn’t mean cheap or poor quality. This is a vehicle meant for being off-road, so the rubberized flooring and perforated leather seats are hard to damage and easy to clean.
Once you get the Sport on the road, the optics are immediately secondary and you become hyper-focused on how fun it is to drive. With a 2.0-liter Ecoboost engine that puts out 250 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque, this baby has quite the giddy up. When you hit the gas, you don’t need a review like this to know it’s speedy. It touts a 0-60 in 7.3 seconds, and it feels every bit of that. Even with the speed of the Bronco, one can still expect a very respectable 21 city mpg/26 hwy mpg.
The Bronco is a joy in a straight line, but the real fun starts once it starts maneuvering corners and kicking up rocks. The off-road suspension and tight steering allow the driver to feel they are in complete control of every movement at all times. As the tires hug turns and surge up and down hills, it becomes immediately apparent that this vehicle is doing exactly what it was meant to do.
For Bronco enthusiasts, this Sport Heritage Limited Edition is going to feel like an old friend. Everything about it harkens back to the early years of this Ford icon. But even if you are new to the Bronco game and just want an attractive everyday driver that gives you the option of hitting the dirt from time to time, this is a great choice. If you do choose the Ford Bronco Sport, get prepared for the stares and head nods, because it’s a showstopper.
