Take a look at Drive: 2023 Ford Bronco Sport Heritage Restricted | The Day by day Drive

Class: Compact Crossover

Shade: Yellowstone Metallic

Miles pushed: 168

Noticed gasoline financial system: 22.2 mpg

Driving combine: 60% metropolis, 40% freeway

EPA-estimated gasoline financial system: 21/26/23 (mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed)

Gasoline kind: Common gasoline

Snow Efficiency: N/A

Base value: $44,655 (not together with $1595 vacation spot cost)

Choices on check car: Cargo administration system ($150)

Worth as examined: $46,400

Fast Hits

The good: Spunky character, enjoyable retro look

The nice: Roomy entrance seating row, rides and handles properly

The not so good: Restricted 2nd-row passenger area, dear trim degree

Tom Appel:

Why watch for a milestone anniversary to embrace your heritage? Is it actually needed 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 small 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 way in which 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 shopper consideration turned away from its rugged design to the extremely in style—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 in style 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 was additionally a lot bigger, and dearer. Enter the Bronco Sport:

Take a look at Drive: 2023 Nissan Rogue Midnight Version

Although not a real SUV—it’s constructed on unibody structure shared wit Ford’s Escape small crossover—the Bronco Sport is more true to the unique Bronco by way of measurement and affordability. Certainly, the Bronco Sport continues to be enormous 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 Huge Bend trim, whereas the Heritage Restricted relies on the topline Badlands trim. And, per Ford, Heritage Restricted manufacturing shall be capped at 1966 examples for 2023. No phrase as as to whether or not the trim degree shall be reprised for 2024.

And, about that heritage…

Going Heritage means having fun with some throwback trim components. Particular objects embody an “Oxford White” grille with Race Purple “Bronco” lettering, an Oxford White roof, 17-inch white (transferring ahead, simply assume all white stuff is Oxford White) metal wheels, a white roof, particular aspect stripes, and white inside trim on the door, heart console, and dashboard. Additionally, and this can be the good Heritage bit, is the retro Bronco fender badge.

Mechanically, the Heritage editions are not 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 computerized transmission.

Shopper Information just lately spent every week with a 2023 Ford Bronco Sport Heritage Restricted in Yellowstone Metallic, a colour unique to the trim degree.

Take a look at Drive: 2023 Dodge Hornet GT Plus

We’ll start with a purely topic analysis of the Heritage trim: we like it. Not solely did we obtain a number of unsolicited compliments on our check truck, we discover the throwback white grille and wheels to be stylish callbacks to the unique Bronco. We surprise, nonetheless, what number of current-generation new-car consumers admire design references to a car launched in 1966. Moreover, we are able to’t assist however level out that the Heritage Version contains 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 just lately, and you may learn our critiques of them right here. However allow us to reaffirm that we discover the smaller of Ford’s Bronco choices to be sensible, sporty, and customarily gun to drive.

Our complaints are few: We want there was a little bit extra rear-seat passenger area, and, for this cash—our check 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 helpful characteristic that proves helpful in tight parking areas.

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

5 Cool Issues In regards to the 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line Black

The touchscreen graphics are giant and straightforward to learn

The audio system sounds fairly good

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, Shopper Information averaged 22.2 mpg, not unhealthy given the facility and efficiency of car.

Stepping as much as the Heritage Restricted from the Badlands trim degree will se you again greater than $6000. That’s some huge cash for what quantities to only upgraded trim components. That stated, the Heritage seems nice, and its attainable as a limited-edition providing could also be value extra at trade-in time.

All that stated, the Bronco Sport is a sensible, fun-to-drive small crossover that drips character and is simple to identify in a parking zone. When you don’t have to pack adults into the rear seats too typically, there’s little about Ford’s smallest crossover—the unloved EcoSport goes away—could also be simply the ticket. And, when you have the cash to spend, the Heritage Version seems nice.

Take a look at Drive: 2022 Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid Restricted

Hearken to the Shopper Information Automotive Stuff Podcast

Follow Tom on Twitter

2023 Ford Bronco Sport Heritage Restricted Gallery

(Click on under for enlarged photos)

Meet the 2023 Shopper Information Greatest Buys

Car Stuff Podcast