2023 Ford Bronco Sport Heritage Ltd Review and Off-Road Test

Ryan gets behind the wheel of the new 2023 Ford Bronco Sport Heritage Edition in all it's Yellow and White glory! Also compared against the Ford Escape Platinum AWD.
#Ford #fordbroncosport #offroad
CONTENTS
00:00 - Introduction
00:31 - Features
08:49 - Driving Impressions
17:05 - Off-Road Test
Get a VIP Pass for Driving Sports TV on KZbin:
/ @drivingsports
Driving Sports produces exclusive automotive reviews, news and motor sports for broadcast, web, mobile and set-top boxes. Do not use our video content without permission. All rights are reserved.
Equipment used to make this video:
Canon R5: amzn.to/2KcwacW
Canon R6: amzn.to/33xLpUa
Canon 24-105mm f/4: amzn.to/2Jx0I8e
BlackMagic Ursa 4.6k G2: amzn.to/37poIm6
Sony RX0II (in-car camera) amzn.to/2NCfWbp
Rode Go Wireless mic amzn.to/364zLP5
GoPro amzn.to/2RrdNjT
Aputure Amaran AL-MW LED amzn.to/3lZHbfP
Follow us:
Facebook: / drivingsports
Twitter: / drivingsports
Official Site: www.drivingsports.com

[@mtbrdude]

Ryan, can you start opening/closing the driver's door when you have two wheels off the ground? I saw it done on an Australian car channel, and it was interesting to see how much certain frames flexed, preventing doors from working properly.

[@drivingsports]

I can tell you Kia/Hyundai rear doors hate being in that situation. For that reason we’ve considered doing it with the rear gate. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@GT-gt4bf]

CarExpert, right? Love that channel.

[@petergilbert144]

I saw that video too. To no surprise at all the only brand that failed was Jeep considering how low-quality materials are in FCA vehicles.

[@mikefoehr235]

​@@petergilbert144really

[@Michael-ur5qb]

It’s crazy how much I miss those old school pop up back windows. Idk who thought customers wanted those gone. They’re handy.

[@MegaRetr]

Love your content Ryan and I look forward to each new video!

[@thewanderingpinto5979]

I have a 2022 fully loaded Bronco Sport Badlands. We just returned form an 18,000 miles road trip to Alaska towing a small travel trailer. The Bronco preformed well. During our trip we also attended the Bronco Off Roadeo in Moab. It was a great experience.Learned a lot about what the vehicle can do. In Moab we took several trails and had a ton of fun! Trails taken , Schafer Switchbacks/ Potash Road, Gemini Bridges, Chicken Corners, Willow Springs Road,Dry Mesa Road, first half of Fins and Things.The trails were easy to moderate. The only thing that held us back from the tougher trails was ground clearance. It was not traction, rarely did I have ANY tire spin, It just climbed up where ever I pointed it. If I did off roading more I would have the full sized Bronco. But for daily driving with the occasional off road , the Bronco Sport Badlands works well for me.

[@munchies24]

Amazing that you can get a 4Runner TRD Off-Road for the same money. Ford got greedy with their pricing during the pandemic and this is a shining example.

[@Jcruzer70]

Agree 100%. This should be a 36k vehicle.

[@BradWilson1969]

While I do agree, there are two things that I would consider 1) This is basically a Badlands with all of the options, plus an appearance package. 2) This drives and rides better on the highway than that 4Runner TRD Off-Road will. If I want to do more than a little off-roading, I'd pick the 4Runner. If I'm going to drive almost entirely highway miles, and maybe a dirt road in a state park or something, this might be the better pick. That said, I'd still get an Outback of some kind instead of this, but I've also had three Subarus over the course of 22 years, so I'm more than a little biased.

[@cptiii]

It really is about $38k for the Badlands which is what this is. The Heritage are limited edition and in small production so they are like $8k more than the normal Badlands. It’s wildly higher for no reason.

[@freeskierdude_]

i got my badlands, which is the same thing in every way as this veichle without the fancy paint and leather seats + sound system for 32k@@Jcruzer70

[@robertyoung8289]

The price is beyond absurd.

[@Jcruzer70]

I love when ppl comment snidely that the Bronco Sport is an Escape with a higher profile. Not a single one has watched anyone test them off-road. 🙄🤣

[@RickFerris70]

There’s a lot of Bronco Sport hating crybabies out there. I’d love to see someone TRY to take an Escape off-road so all these whiners will see the difference and shut up. I’ve only seen ONE and it didn’t do well.

[@koskos1971]

Amazing! Please advise Ford to send the bronco sport to Greece because until now only the Bronco is coming. But in Greece the Sport would be a more wise choice due to tax limitations and would be great for the terrain in the area. Thank you for the detailed presentation.

[@jediguy634]

A BS Engineer told me part the safari design was so you can fit 2 bicycles standing upright. Tested it and it definitively works as intended.

[@drivingsports]

Makes sense. Same rationale for the Subaru Forester’s box shape.

[@stephenbanda]

If this guy says legs tonsil proportionate one last time😠😠😠😠

[@drivingsports]

@@stephenbanda TORSO

[@mikefoehr235]

A BS engineer eh. Lmao

[@mart7404]

nice review. Sad thing is the Heritage Limited has already been removed for the current 2024 models as per the Ford website.

[@drivingsports]

Yup, the Heritage for 2024 has the little engine (probably because there seem to be plenty of the 2T versions still on dealer lots.)

[@Jcruzer70]

Boo 😢

[@TheKingPrawn114]

They made all 1966 of them already. Badlands is still awesome though.

[@spotshooter1]

The lag is in the throttle... add a throttle accelerator like the Pedal Commander and the lag will disappear. I discovered this with my Bronco 2.3 Turbo. I thought it had bad turbo lag until I added a Pedal Commander. It's the "laggy" gas pedal... not the engine.

[@drivingsports]

Good to know. We have an EVCX we can try the next time we get one to test.

[@MrMikeDao]

The pedal commander is essentially just a throttle response change by adding more gas. There’s still lag but the gap is smaller

[@robbybred5702]

Great review! great car~

[@adonayjc]

Can we get a comparison video with the jeep renegade Trailhawk? Preferably with the new 1.3liter turbo haha 😁

[@CarlosCCantu]

I love that color, it's beautiful!

[@EZapar]

Tease! Let's see this on your off road mountain! lol Great vid as always.

[@drivingsports]

Have to meet the vehicle before we put it through the wringer! 😀

[@EZapar]

Stoked to see how well it does. @@drivingsports

[@bussov77]

Amazing review! But could you share some information regarding the reliability of the EcoBoost 2.0 l engine? Thanks in advance!

[@manojsaxena9840]

Wonder why you decided to test it on the Corolla Cross course? Not good enough to take it to the SUV hill?

[@brohammer]

He says at the end they’re going to soon

[@Yansanchez89]

I’m interested if possible to do a review of the Hyundai Santa Cruz with the base engine and htrac. Hoping that does better than the dual clutch version

[@danielmaybee68]

Ya I agree ab the pastel yellow/white/red combo! It's the equivalent of fingernails on a chalkboard to my eyes!

[@healthylifecircle2801]

Ford did wondeful job..with its design...superb

[@andoniades]

When the manufacturers loan to you these vehicles, do you need to buy special insurance for any damages? Do they get mad for hitting the "bash plate?" Ty

[@jdmoney1000]

Great overall useful sub compact....No downside!

[@robertyoung8289]

😂 did you see the price???

[@jdmoney1000]

@@robertyoung8289 Yeah, ....not for everybody. That's probably why they only made 1,966 of them. But the options justify the price imo. There are a shit-ton of lesser vehicles in the 45K price range that can't touch the amount of bells and whistles that this loaded LTD has....

[@galactictomato1434]

The downside is interior quality. Worst in class

[@adamblakeley5865]

Ryan, is this trim available to build on the Ford website? I found the Heritage Edition, but I didn’t see anyway to get the options shown in the video. No 2 ltr, only a 1.5. Also no advanced 4wd. Only one 4wd option, no leather seat option etc. maybe I’m just not looking in the right place?

[@drivingsports]

It was a 2023 model. For 2024 they have it in a lower spec config only. I have seen a bunch of these on dealer lots still, so if you want one they are out there.

[@adamblakeley5865]

@@drivingsports Awesome. Thank you for the reply! Def not my color choice but I like the funky retro-ish look.

[@WolfWagon]

i think that not long after you drove this they did a full redesign on this trim because it now has the 1.5L engine and different tires. plus the interior is different and it only has 5 goat modes instead of 7 now

[@ValFinale]

and it's still the same shtity CUV for 10k more than it should be. yawn

[@MrCh1cken]

I traded my 21 Bronco Sport Badlands on a 22 Bronco Badlands. If I'm being honest and analytical the Sport is a much better vehicle for my needs. The ergonomics are far better than in the Bronco. Bronco is more capable off road but you do give up a lot of day to day livability. In the looks department, the Sport is polarizing, it seems you love it or hate it. Whereas Bronco seem to be universally appealing.

[@BoopSnoot]

I like it, but I'm not sure of the value factor on this trim. Doesn't look as expensive as it is, especially comparing other vehicle's infotainment systems and interior plastics these days.

[@BoopSnoot]

Also, is it just me or does this color scheme remind you of Ronald McDonald?

[@drivingsports]

Totally.

[@jediguy634]

As a basic BS Badlands owner, the Heritage is definitely NOT worth the up-charge. That price is about $12,000 more than i paid, granted my only option was the factory installed trailer receiver.

[@arunmaroli5946]

How do you rate offroad worthiness of Compass Trailhawk and Forester Wilderness against Bronco Sport Badlands/Heritage

[@ValFinale]

Subaru is the only option unless you're going 4runner/wrangler/bronco (the real one not this garbage)

[@arunmaroli]

@@ValFinale Subaru CVTs are garbage even for tarmac, worse when you off-roading

[@ValFinale]

@@arunmaroli still better than this or any fake Jeep

[@13BMASTER]

I think I’d still take the forester wilderness over with a few $$$ left over!

[@Ruddline]

Definitely an awesome competitor if you want to have more of a outgoing look do Bronco but Wilderness is so classy.

[@RangerRickTV]

This or Forester wilderness?

[@drivingsports]

Forester Wilderness is a better value.

[@kubi0461]

The only problem for me personally, is that for the $43k cost of the 2024 badlands (with the main package added) I think I'd rather go with the $43k base RDX AWD. Or the $46k RDX Tech. Different markets of course but considering I don't do any extreme rock climbing and SH-AWD handles dirt road driving very well, I think I'd enjoy the RDX more than the Bronco Sport. Longer warranty on RDX and 2 years maintenance included is a bonus.

[@drivingsports]

Key point: you can get A LOT of vehicle for $43k.

[@Ruddline]

You probably went to an Acura car lot and they had you snowed. The model on this video was Heritage at 35K btw. If I go 45K on a Badlands sport I can get almost everything imaginable on it. Also, I don't see any Acura even coming close to this things off road capability Ryan has basically put this through a meatgrinder and it 90% wins obstacles on his trail made for 100K Wranglers and trucks and what have you.

[@carinmotion]

acura is a laxury car for pleasure, ford just an us junkjard

[@CalvinHikes]

46k... Bruhhhhhh

[@ILL_Equipt]

Ah, the coveted Deviled Egg color scheme.

[@Koreanrevinruralarea]

With $46k you can buy *Based on Autotraders. -Ford Explorer XLT -Jeep Wrangler Sports S -Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo -Kia Sorento SX -Honda Piolt Sport -Volvo XC40 B5 -Honda Passport Elite -Nissan Frontier Pro-4X Choice is yours.

[@hershlawfirmpc]

Add a Subaru Outback Wilderness and keep an extra $4-$5k in your pocket

[@ValFinale]

@@hershlawfirmpc this option over all the garbage he listed aside from the Wrangler lol

[@SSS-mp8th]

$46k wow. I mean I know it’s loaded and all but isn’t it smaller than a Tucson? Which is what under $40k loaded?

[@mickeybrumfield764]

Nothing fancy about those wheels.

[@MarcGaerlan]

I’m struck by the Bronco Sport shares its chassis with the Escape, and it has similarities in looks and function to the first generation Escape. That first Escape also had the ability to “lock” the center.

[@nebaldeby5369]

$$$46k$$$.?! insane

[@mad636man]

One thing I’ve learned as an avid comments reader. If you say “first” I can almost guarantee you aren’t.

[@Zanderthelab]

First what?

[@TinLeadHammer]

$46K for a boxy Escape with a dozen of physical buttons and clutches in the rear diff? I don't think so. Also, instead of the Escape I would prefer a regular hatchback like, you know, Focus.

[@WW-wf8tu]

I like the Bronco Sport. Not sold on the Heritage Ltd. Not sold on the "flat floor" impression in the cargo area. Nor the idea that sleeping in anything less than the fetal position is what I would call, do-able back there. lol Not in love with the trend of no more V6 engines as an option either. All that being said, I could easily see Ford ending their Escape and only offering this thing as its replacement. Nice review.

[@subielife4life]

I feel that an 8inch infotainment display is like the perfect size

[@jdmoney1000]

Tesla model 3 = 45K..CHEAP BASIC MINIMALIST INTERIOR. Heritage limited = 45K..LOADED TO THE GILLS WITH EVERY CONCIEVABLE OPTION. ..Enough already with implying that it's too expensive.!!!!! It's worth the money in this trim level package. It even self-drives with 360 adaptive cruise control. Try driving your Tesla off-road. THE HERITAGE LIMITED IS NEARLY PERFECT!!!!

[@thomas735]

Forester wilderness is a better value IMO

[@drivingsports]

Agreed.

[@BoopSnoot]

Only problem with the Forester I drove is the engine is kinda "meh" and it didn't get the interior update that the Crosstrek and Outback did. Do they have the refreshed Foresters out yet?

[@carllovullo6602]

The heritage version is way too expensive, just get a regular badlands trim to save some $$

[@BaldKiwi117]

​@@BoopSnootthe interior update basically just removes the physical buttons and adds the giant touchscreen, which has its own issues. To me it's a downgrade and why I chose to go for the 2023 forester instead of waiting for the 2024. As for the engine, it's slow but it's been perfectly adequate. Definitely much better value than the bronco sport.

[@thomas735]

@@carllovullo6602 true, they are still pricey though. Pretty sure the badlands is still a 41k proposition. Getting into 4Runner territory.

[@JRs-guitars]

Thanks for the video! Price is a little much compared to a Grand Cherokee or Cherokee. But compared to the regular Bronco i think a sport Badlands trim with a small lift is a better choice.

[@alittlebitoftlc]

Don’t get this vehicle. I’ve had my big bend for over a year. I think it’s been close to 2 years now. Its suspension is super rigid and stiff feeling. I think it’s due to that suspension that I’ve had to realign my vehicle way more than any other vehicle I’ve had. I’ve put 31k miles on it. Took it on road trips. It’s not comfortable enough for long drives to be a road tripper. There’s a lot I WANT to love about it but I just don’t.

[@carlson2012abqb]

Way overpriced 😂😂😂

[@Slickpete83]

*Correction all new 2023 Ford Escape Sport Heritage Ltd lol* hahahaha...

[@Deetroiter]

Ford, GM, Chrysler, etc all trying to sell their vehicles at Mercedes Benz prices and they sure aren’t a Mercedes Benz quality vehicle. Pure greed!

[@Daniel_Scott89]

Price as you see it $46,000…..at the Ford dealership it’ll be marked up to $70k. Ford is such a joke nowadays

[@subielife4life]

Subie is the best when it comes to having adaptive cruise control since all their automatic equipped vehicles come with Subarus eyesight which comes with adaptive cruise control along with other features such as lane keep assist and lane centering and so on….and they all work amazing!!!

[@lrlapua8035]

Lol.... I've done way worse in a 2wd ford ranger....

[@sturgis97]

First of all, you shouldn’t be using cruise control in tight traffic. I’ve been anover the road truck driver for over 23 years. I hardly ever used Cruise. In a car things are usually a lot more comfortable. I get wanting to be able to use cruise control and I have in my personal vehicle but that is very limited even when driving three hours or four hours to the beach. I just feel that people are so spoiled and in a lot of ways lazy because they don’t want to have to do anything. They want technology to do it for them. I also feel that being too dependent on a lot of this technology poses more of a risk for accidents to happen, such as not covering the break when traffic is slowing in front of you and expecting the adaptive cruise control to always work. Another issue is Blindspot monitoring, although very helpful sometimes people don’t physically pay attention to what’s in the mirror they just rely on the little light or the beep this happens a lot of times using back up cameras. As a professional truck driver, most trucks do not have Blindspot monitoring. We have Blindspot mirrors and still cannot see anything behind us because we have no way rearview so we have to heavily rely on the mirrors and physically look! Again, I’m not saying that the technology is bad I think it is very helpful at times but I think it also creates laziness on the part of a lot of drivers. As far as the acceleration is concerned, I have the 1. 5 L in my bronco sports the acceleration does just fine if I wanted to accelerate quicker all I have to do is simply switch to sport, and the acceleration is almost instant. We have been spoiled by vehicles that have almost 300 hp or more. Somehow we have come to think that 300 hp.is basically nothing because we are spoiled by all the computer, technology, traction control, rollovers, stability, suspension, etc. that helps us too handle that amount of power. When I was in school 150 hp was pretty good it wasn’t great but that was a lot of power especially coming from a four-cylinder engine. my 89 Ford ranger only had like maybe 110 was plenty of power to get you around. Of course we all want more but the Corvette was really the only thing that had 300 hp and that was considered very fast the Mustang GT only had maybe 260-280 until you upgraded to the cobra which was around 300 305. I remember plenty of teenagers and young adults that got their selves killed with that much power because they couldn’t handle it. It was more than enough. Now you look at everybody driving on the interstates at least in my area and they’re flying down the road at speeds that should only be on a track. Especially since most don’t have the skill necessary to handle a car at that speed. Yes I have had very fast cars. Have I gone over the speed limit of course most everyone has, but I also have enough not to be running over 100 miles an hour on an interstate, I go to the track for that. My dad and I have always been a part of racing and he is the number one Roush Dealer worldwide , now added, is the RTR brand of vehicles, you may have heard of him the crazy Mustang man. So as a professional driver, who has more miles backing up than most people have going forward and also being involved in the racing world not to mention my cousins were professional drag racers lol, I have seen a lot of changes in the automotive industry and in the way people drive. Sometimes we should just be grateful for what we have. Just remember also anything mechanical can and will fail at some point! Thank so much and I wish you a blessed and wonderful day.

[@joeamith838]

Savagegeese said all that needs to be said about this thing...

[@drivingsports]

Who?

[@MrCh1cken]

I love their channel but SG doesn't test anything offroad.

[@joeamith838]

@@MrCh1cken Yeah I was referring to the cost of this thing...no dig against Driving Sports which is great!

[@MrCh1cken]

@@joeamith838 Oh yeah, no doubt it's crazy expensive, but so is everything else. I'm with Ryan, buy the Badlands version. OTOH, if you love the "look" by the time you paint and wrap a Badlands you'd probably be better off just buying the Heritage.

[@Thankyou_3]

46K for a disastrous Ecoboost garbage? At least put in the Coyote V8 which will be more reliable engine.

[@JC71444]

Tell me you don’t understand ford engines without telling me you don’t understand ford engines.

[@Thankyou_3]

@@JC71444 I can recognize garbage engines from far away, not one version of the Ecoboost engines were reliable and long lasting. All of them had issues. Even the old 4.0 litre V6 from the older Explorer would have been better choice.

[@JC71444]

@@Thankyou_3 clearly you’re making uninformed decisions so I’m not gonna waste my time with this. As someone who’s had multiple engines (including the 4L v6 you’ve just mentioned and this 2l engine), the better engine is clear as day. You should do some research on ecoboosts before making dumb statements, the 5L drinks oil faster than gas and that’s saying something.

[@Thankyou_3]

@@JC71444 keep pushing and rooting for garbage Ecoboost and you will be begging for bail out soon. I had all variances of the Ecoboost engines and every one of them had oil leak issues, coolant leak issues, timing chain issues and the list is too long to list here. I still have a 3.0 V6 Duratex, 4.0 V6 and even an old Escort wagon still kicking around with engines and transmissions untouched. All had other body panels and paint issues but were reliable and didn’t empty my bank accounts. The Ecoboost engines will empty your wallet or better yet just lease these garbage and dump it after 3 years.

[@jayamerican5390]

$46,400. I am speechless. Ford is quickly becoming the most overpriced brand in America. I guess they are trying to offset the EV loses, which are astronomical.

[@petergilbert144]

I can't get over how ugly that heritage front looks. Maybe its just because to me classic cars look like ugly, creepy death traps.

[@jdmoney1000]

5 star safety rated....

[@petergilbert144]

@@jdmoney1000 Sorry if I was confusing. I wasn't talking about the actual crash worthiness, I was making a styling metaphor.

[@haroldbeauchamp3770]

What a massively overpriced vehicle. Ford is insane. This should be a 30k dollar vehicle with incentives.

[@jcollins1305]

Might be the ugliest car on the road in 2023.

[@bextar6365]

Clown's Car !!!

[@indaydongtv5139]

No to this bronco this is suck bronco!my friend bought new bronco 2023 and after 3 weeks she got stock on the road with 1k miles on it, and the problem transmision and when she call the car dealer they said they can't provide a lawner car lol and i help her to go to car dealer and the car dealer keep exesting to apply more insurance lol this bronco is suck promise dont ever buy this bronco your wasting your money

[@drayhutton]

Love your content Ryan and I look forward to each new video!