How Does The Ford Bronco Sport Handle Our Off-Road Course? I Take It Over Every Obstacle To Find Out

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In this episode of Dude, I Love (Or Hate) My Ride, Roman goes off-road in Andre's Pit with Bronco Sport owner Michael Giles.
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#ford #bronco #broncosport

[@michaelgiles7844]

I had a great time with the TFL crew. They are really good guys. As usual, the course in person is much more challenging than on video. We would have taken on the more difficult course too but, I lack front tow hooks. Thank you again for having me.

[@Atomicmouse]

Any particular reasons you decided on the big bend instead of the badlands with the 2t and the more advanced awd?

[@justyouraverageguy4771]

@@Atomicmouse I would say price and MPG since its daily plus long commute.

[@highwayman5355]

Mike, your earlier video on stock Continental tires convinced that the BS Big Bend would work for me. Bought one in July, did the same mods but with Toyo Open Country AT 3’s. This video with TFL was awesome totally reinforces that the BS in any guise is pretty legit! Also, I have an Eruption Green 2 BaseSquatch on order…with a manual transmission.

[@piscesplayer9473]

It's nice to see what a non Badlands can do. I have a Big Bend with a lift as well.

[@broncomustangponypower]

I get good mpg on my BS Badlands - 27 mpg average BUT I live in a rural area so minimal stop/go driving. It gets about 22-24 then. Highway is really good - surprised me at 29-34. Thanks for doing this. Love seeing Bronco Sport content.

[@yissibiiyte]

Even ignoring the big Bronco, this thing is still more of a real Bronco than the new "Blazer" is to being a Blazer. The Sport is very capable for a daily crossover.

[@flight2k5]

Ford could take a crap on a box and add wheels and you would worship it.

[@yissibiiyte]

@@flight2k5 I'm glad you somehow know everything about me based on this one YT comment

[@flight2k5]

@@yissibiiyte well you’re like most on here

[@jakubstrumillo]

Its actually Freelander III

[@yissibiiyte]

@@flight2k5 so you're disagreeing with the fact that the Bronco Sport is more capable than the Blazer, and looks much more like the old Bronco than the Blazer looks like an old Blazer? Henceforth it's much more of a Bronco than the Blazer is a Blazer? You seem to have magically convinced yourself that I'm some form of Ford fanboy for no reason

[@hikesbikesbrews]

I like that this video was done with a Bronco Sport Big Bend, not the Badlands. While I understand why, too often videos are only made showing off the top trim with all the gadgets. I appreciate seeing their mid level option, which is very capable in itself shown off. Funny enough, I also came from a Tacoma Off-road to a Bronco Sport Big Bend and drive 60-120 miles/day with work

[@herbertwildey2349]

Me too. This is the one guy who has posted videos on Big Bend off the pavement and good to see it on a course.

[@michaelbell75]

a modified Big Bend....

[@DrummahMike]

I agree, I really wanted to see what that little 3 cylinder can do. The badlands has the bigger 4 cylinder 2.0L engine which is the top trim level while all 3 other trim levels beneath it have the 1.5L 3 cylinder. I don't think the badlands is a true representation of the bulk of the bronco sport sales.

[@chizzelfingers]

do u still have the sport. my wife's buying,maybe,1 in 2 days. grat deal on it but is it a good vehicle longish terms. bc we can't afford a dud

[@hikesbikesbrews]

@@chizzelfingers I've had mine since April 2022, has just over 42k on it. I've only done oil change/tire rotations. Yeah, there have been 1-2 recalls but recalls are good (fixing an issue before it becomes one). I have no complaints about it

[@WillieWonka928D]

The Bronco Sport is a underrated little off roader IMO. Sure its based on the Escape and not as off road capable as the full size Bronco or a Wrangler, but its not designed to be. I personally think its got some impressive capability for what it is, while being nicer to drive and more economical than a Bronco, Wrangler, or 4Runner. It's a good overall package. I love mine!

[@fk6823]

I love mine as well.. only wish there was a Badlands available when I bought my Big Bend.. I bought what I could get my hands on

[@cmdr1911]

It is a light off roader. I have seen a lot of inspectors drive them on job sites. Haul roads, mud, loose gravel nothing crazy. But they seem to go well, decent mileage and lower cost than a deadicated off road truck. I think it hits it's market well.

[@WALL-E559]

You must work at a mine, lol! And I’m assuming you’re talking about MSHA inspectors, lol!

[@cmdr1911]

@@WALL-E559 pipelines and transmission power lines. I do see a few that the soil conservation district uses and some heavy highway inspectors.

[@patw9175]

@@cmdr1911 I work at cell towers and I'm looking at the bronco sport for exactly the same reason haha

[@kylebar724]

So glad to see the 1.5 working. Makes me more confident in mine

[@JohnMiller-zn9pf]

for the average Joe, this will be more offroader than most will ever need and that's a good thing

[@dmegahan]

I think this is the first video where you had someone who is not a regular bring their car and they actually had a personality that works well on camera.

[@michaelgiles7844]

Thank you!

[@OldThomMerton]

I really like the Bronco Sport . . . roadworthy, comfortable, and with minor off-road chops. Love the looks especially.

[@michaelst-amour3264]

It’s actually pretty off-road capable. It’s not the Big Bronco, but I guess the only thing I would not do with the Baby Bronco is Rock Crawling.

[@welder7074]

My bronco sport big bend did amazing in about a 1foot and half of snow. It absolutely loved driving in it and it suprised me it did so well

[@cookedo5743]

Honestly, this is a really practical vehicle for most people. I sat in one and in a Land Rover at the same dealer. I’ll be honest, I preferred the bronco sport.

[@mromatic17]

some of the Land Rover models are the same thing as ford with a blowout price tag!

[@darncodemonkey]

I was honestly wondering how a non badlands would handle with just two wheels on the ground. It did surprisingly well. i Would say having a good driver who knows his car well helps as well.

[@michaelgiles7844]

Thank you!

[@michaelbell75]

Thats a modified Big Bend with a lift and nice tires. Dont expect a bone stock Big Bend to do this

[@fk6823]

​@@michaelbell75 That's not much in the way of modifications.

[@brandonboyer7064]

I traded my big bend in for the badlands. I like both but the badlands definitely is a lot better as far as power

[@speed47777]

Im really impressed with the awd on the sport. Im surprised it made it up without more momentum.

[@toanmaxdark7]

I love you guys. I've been watching you all for 10 years. Can I provide a little feedback just because I care about the channel? Ever since this course was built, the trail adventures have been less which I'm sure was the point of building it but that's what a lot of us enjoyed. Watching trucks, crossovers, SUVs compete in the hardest, most beautiful trails. If you could try to add more of those adventures to the channel more, we would all appreciate it! Keep up the great content guys! I'll always watch your videos!

[@brad7227]

They said the trails were crowded, and other factors a while back. They bought this property to do the test going forward. I would bet they will still take some adventures later on but with the cost of gas and everything else it's probably more economical to do as much as possible in house.

[@cnw-jd9tt]

Yessss I agreeeee

[@TheRamGuy]

More ike's to

[@rowerwet]

Trails keep getting popular, overwhelmed and then closed

[@CarswithNash]

Better than I expected, it helps the owner is clearly a skilled driver.

[@mrgmc6314]

The turbo flutter going up dare was sweet , it's a great compact suv ,,, kinda reminds me of a lr4 or older escape looking vehicle but I do think it's a great vehicle for most people , ample seats ample storage would do a family of 4 well and even a daily commute vehicle or a light duty overlander for maintained rural roads with the occasional obstacles...

[@scottyellis3442]

Glad to see the sport did so well, changes my perspective on them. Thought they were only good for rain & light snow. Great job to both. 👍🏻

[@johnt6673]

You need to view some of fords offroading videos of the sport. They have the bronco, a jeep wrangler,sport all on the same trails. The sport out wheels the wrangler in spots. Makes the jeep look silly.. I was shocked. This little thing is very impressive, a lot of people are offroading these.

[@davepalmer1739]

A quick search of Bronco Sport Moab will show some really interesting vids.

[@michaelbell75]

Youre going to need a Badlands or a nicely modified Big Bend like this one to do any of this kind of stuff.

[@JohnstasBACK]

better than anything else in its category

[@CraigSmith568]

This is a good course to test these light off-road vehicles. Really tests the 4WD and AWD systems to see if they perform as advertised.

[@TheEnergydoc]

How fun! We just brought home a 2021 Bronco Sport Big Bend, and while we won't be attempting any off-road, it is great to see you put it through it's paces here! We empty nesters needed safe for winters and better gas mileage than our Explorer...

[@thecleanoffroader]

Small suv like Bronco Sport & Renegade Trailhawk are best all around 4x4s. I'm proud owner of 2018 Renegade Trailhawk with Falken Wildpeak Trails

[@ebnhahn1993]

Great Video!!, real life run of the mill test. TFL should invite more drivers with their own vehicles and test at the ranch.

[@squishycrab6330]

I love the little turbo noises it makes.

[@anthonyzhang4918]

Wow, I’m very impressed by the traction control system! That was really good performance for a crossover type vehicle

[@Expressionistix]

The Bronco Sport to me is Ford admitting they screwed up the styling of the Escape which used to be an attractive car but now a bland imitation of the Japanese market leaders in its segment.

[@marcus_ohreallyus]

The Bronco Sport is the Escape I've always wanted.

[@ryzen397]

I like the bronco sport, its ability is quite impressive. I like the traction control system and I think it would be cooler with some mud terrains on it.

[@dustinherrick3360]

The course is looking awesome! Great work fella’s

[@kubeanie18]

We've seen this thing on all the Jeep trails before it came out It's very capable little truck with the locker

[@SiuLeung]

finally a test of the non-Badlands trim!!!

[@stephenzerfas5307]

Really wanted to get a Bronco Sport. A lot to like. Two things held me back. The 3cyl eco boost was a bit gutless on highway merges with people on board and seating behind me (6ft) was tight. Really loved everything else about it.

[@prestondeters5093]

That 3 cylinder impressed me on a test drive in town and around highways up to near 60mph. Getting on the freeway, it doesn't quite pull enough if you're doing that all the time. I was heavy into the pedal for my about 30 mile test drive with a little stretch of going 80 mph and the computer was showing 27 mpg.

[@johnross6314]

Excellent coaching on the trail, Roman! Great energy, enrollment, instruction, showing purpose. He could have been a rookie and been as ease with your right seat 💺 instruction. Liked the episode, including picking owner Bronco Sport.

[@jmar3011]

Love this series, keep it going!

[@jonathancollard3710]

Love our little Bronco sport!… so nice to know it’s more capable that just looking cute in a parking lot 🧐

[@regsparkes6507]

Now that is a fun coarse. Mike has now mentioned why I do not, or cannot, drive/ own a Tacoma,.. those 'floor level seat' boy oh boy, do they play havoc with my frame, spell that 'BACK ACHE, now that aside, It's good to see that the Bronco Sport has some off-road fun built in.

[@jimmym5262]

Same here, was going to get a Tacoma but bought a maverick when I sat in a Tacoma. I can’t stand the seats and seating position. It’s like sitting right on the floor to me

[@regsparkes6507]

@@jimmym5262 That issue and the fact that Toyota doesn't seem to acknowledge it, is why I just don't give these a second look anymore. So Jimmy, how do you like your Maverick now? I am thinking bout one of those too.

[@ridder4629]

Bought my wife the exact same Bronco Sport same trim and color, she loves it, she wanted something smaller than her CX9. It does fantastic in snow and ice conditions

[@tomassanguinetti6414]

Very impressed it could do the last one being the big bend without the badlands rear locker

[@jbandt]

Pretty impressive what the bronco sport and maverick can actually do. It would be super cool if they could do something like the manual big bronco and the crawler 1st gear. Put in a really low 1st gear for offloading and leave the rest for highway driving.

[@kevinlabanca5199]

They kind of do as far as I understand. 1st gear is pretty low (though definitely not as deep as the crawler gear). I personally think that these smaller less powerful vehicles need a real low range, like the cherokee trailhawk has. I know it adds price and complexity, but larger SUVs and trucks make so much torque now that I rarely need 4lo, where as something making 190 ft lbs would be amazing with a 3:1 low range for crawling over stuff, pulling stuck vehicles out, etc.

[@ChicagoOutfit1900]

If y'all still have the red Crosstrek, I'd like to see it attempt this course.

[@jamesleasure8836]

Great stuff. Congrats, Mike. Thanks for sharing your Sport!

[@michaelgiles7844]

Thank you!

[@scttymn]

Just picked up one of these a couple of weeks ago. Love it so far.

[@mach1mustangguy992]

I’m impressed…. Good job lil bronc

[@austinformedude]

Wow. Did way better than I thought it would!

[@mikewright2858]

Nice job, Sport! The little Bronco looks good and did well on the course.

[@lowfiveTX]

I'm glad y'all did this test. I have a similar set up on my BS BB (2" lift w/ BFG's) and I've been interested on how well a non Badlands model would do. Thanks!

[@IamChucky_]

My commuter car is a 21 bronco sport big bend. It’s been a great vehicle. Don’t know what all the hate is about. Build quality is pretty good and the 1.5L is more than adequate for this size vehicle. Not the fastest but definitely ain’t no slouch either. It’s the slow transmission shifts that really hold the engine back which can be easily fixed with a mild tune. I got mine for a fair price 28k despite circumstances.

[@SpooxyCowboy1911]

Actually surprised and impressed it made it through

[@RKmndo]

I consider it a very competent softroader. It doesn't have a serious 4Low. It doesn't have durable high-clearance steel bumpers. It's basically AWD. It has car-like articulation. It has an available dual-clutch rear diff though, and good power/torque. The clearance angles aren't bad either. Can it fit big siped mudders?

[@Malc664]

A really good awd system. It didn't need momentum either.

[@Coloradohiker658]

Great video. Bronco did very well up the last section.

[@mromatic17]

I daily a 1994 F-150 4x4 5.0 5 speed and I shift at or below 2200 RPM's and I average 19mpg and I have got 22mpg on long drives. Plus it has 31/10.5R15 tires with a 3.55 rear end. its all in how you drive it! My first few tanks were like 14mpg so I decided to see what rpm I cruise at on the freeway at 65-70mph in 5th im barley over 2000 rpm's so I started pretending its a diesel and it worked out!

[@fadedsincedayone]

I got one in Hawaii and I’m glad i did because it got me to some beaches and some great views where most cars wouldn’t have lol

[@ifixthings86]

Roman, Im from Illinois….and I completely agree with your message 😅

[@landon_shonuff1181]

It’s about time y’all do the sport

[@thewanderingpinto5979]

I just bought a Bronco Sport Badlands on Saturday, looks like a destination I should go to to test it out.

[@chiefenumclaw7960]

Good job Sport!

[@josem6929]

A walk in the park, impressive crossover.

[@javierlugo259]

Hey Guys, I love that you are inviting your Special Guests that is soooooooo Awesome......However, I am still thinking that the trail here is too too easy......A trail has to push and even extend a vehicles and drivers capacity.

[@Coloradohighcountrywheelin]

Great content🧡. I love seeing my whip put to the test🤪.

[@stevehoward3981]

Love my Bronco Sport

[@carllovullo6602]

Bronco Sport Badlands and First Edition are something else! The awd system is more advanced on these 2 trims

[@tarfeef101]

Problem with most compact and subcompact crossovers, even ones that claim some offroad chops is angles for me. In BC we have lots of roads with lots of large cross-ditches, and they just get eaten up by em. Jeep is basically the only company really considering that with upland and trailhawk models. The badlands bronco I believe also does. Even with a fake low range, LSD, etc that some vehicles get in this segment, though, none of that matters if the car just doesn't fit

[@erics667]

Always have a backup cowboy shirt :P

[@jasonalbert4746]

It's 1.5 3 cylynder EcoBoost. I had the same thing minus the lift and AT tires before trading it for my Maverick. They are great but not that quick. They're very comfortable and just quick enough to get out of their own way. LOL.

[@justincolt9968]

that was cool! 😊 nice video! ❤

[@greggb681]

Very impressive!

[@jfaber99]

When they announce the plug in hybrid version, I’m the first to sign up.

[@John_Mack]

I like mine the way I use it, as a Mall Crawler. Not interested in playing off-road. Good to see its capable though.

[@OnJMilesWay]

Would love to see a (lifted) Cherokee Trailhawk out there!

[@awesomeness369]

This was honestly cool to see the boys being boys and hanging with the viewers

[@Kwanka69]

I just got a Badlands version and it does real well of road but like the owner here said, it could have better ground clearance, however I think for that you step up to a Big Bronco

[@patmason7276]

Should've gotten the badlands has a better motor and bigger tires. We get 25 to 30 depending on the fuel. We have the locker also.

[@reimuelalbayalde1506]

It's been a long time since you uploaded a video about a bronco sport

[@toadranger50]

The best thing about Illannoy is we still have the ability to travel out of it. And to be honest 90% of this place is ok, 10% is where we keep the urban manure politicians. I’ve got a 96 power stroke turbo 4x4 and a 2022 Area 51 outer banks Bronco Sport.

[@pgo2372]

Wtf is an "illannoy"?

[@toadranger50]

@@pgo2372 sound it out genius 😵‍💫

[@scupking]

The BigBend version with some good tires is a very capable little off-roader for around 32k.

[@jasonn.1089]

I'd love to see one on the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk on this course for a comparison. But great video.

[@racingfortheson]

Do the people who go through harder course get the same sticker as the easier course?

[@canamforlife2275]

Manual mode in 1st gear won't work similarly to low range ? My tiguan has a better 1st gear low an slow that works great in any condition and has yet to let me down as far a snow mud ruts wet steep hills got it stuck only one time and was trying to pull another stuck vehicle but when I unhooked it climbed right out if the tire ruts from spinning and that's where the tiguan fails its to light and doesn't tow other vehicles well

[@GT-43]

I need one of these, seems like every time I'm on my way to the mall somebody has put a dirt hill with logs on it out the middle of the street.

[@laloolhouvum1634]

I would never trade a Toyota Tacoma Trd for a Ford Bronco sport. I, would just buy a Ford Bronco sport and keep the Tacoma. I would daily drive Bronco sport. On the other hand mod up my Tacoma for overlanding and off road touring.

[@lordrayden3045]

That’s sort of what I was thinking

[@zachariewright1690]

You guys should bring a Cherokee Trailhawk through there. I would love to see how it compares.

[@rockymountainjazzfan1822]

A good friend has a Cherokee Trailhawk and it will tackle trails tougher than the Bronco Sport will tackle because the Cherokee has a low-range. Other than that, they likely would be pretty comparable. The penalty is that the Cherokee Trailhawk doesn't get anything close to class-leading fuel economy. Though the pandemic/supply chain crisis totally skewed the used market, before that happened one could buy a 1-2 year-old used Cherokee Trailhawk for very reasonable prices, likely the market responding to the less than stellar fuel economy and Jeep's continual reliability issues.

[@johncarrillo3518]

Great video

[@weekendwarrior8179]

As soon as he said no rear locker….🧐…I’d like to try my lifted Cherokee trail hawk on this trail…That has a rear locker and a low range, and skids

[@Appalachian4WD]

Let me bring my Disco out and give it a go.

[@michaelbell75]

Crazy thats just a Big Bend with a modest lift and tires. Tires make a big difference. The Badlands edition is even better. This is the 3rd video Ive watched with the Sport going over some fairly rough terrain and Ive come to the conclusion that its a better deal than the big Bronco. Way cheaper, much better on the road, better gas mileage and actually available. The vast majority of buyers will never need to do any more than what Ive seen the Sport do off road. Its only that very small percentage of hard core off-roaders that will need the big Bronco.

[@richardwinslow1936]

Is the warranty voided because of the lift you added or is it still good since a Ford factory technician performed the install?

[@johndaltroff2241]

I wonder if there are any after market skid plates available for the big bend edition.

[@nickydamooch5630]

If you push the center the shifter the L it's a low like range setting

[@cptJackSeether666]

You guys should do a slightly modified jeep Cherokee trailhawk to compare, i have a 2019 CTH with the exact same lift and 31 inch toyo at3 tires that im sure would give that trail of yours a good run! i take it off-road fairly regularly.

[@carllovullo6602]

Trailhawk will compete with the Badlands not the Big Bend

[@KeepYourSWORDInYourHand]

No Explorer Timberline test yet....we're waiting!

[@garybolenable]

How much of a difference did the aftermarket lift make?

[@herbertwildey2349]

Love my Big Bend too, good to see one hitting the trails. So, I am still unsure what mode to be in. Some folks say that sand mode is specially geared to spin the tires fast like you would need for sand, so that makes me unsure it would work in these conditions and that Normal is the way to go. And the driver didn't bother to use the L gear on these obstacles either which is surprising, or maybe I missed that.

[@michaelgiles7844]

I always use sand mode while off-roading, the Sport really performs best in that mode. I didn't use low just because I know it could do the course without it.

[@herbertwildey2349]

@@michaelgiles7844 Ok, cool. Thanks for the reply. I have enjoyed this video and the others you have made. So, even descending in SAND is a good to go? I was thinking you could disable traction control and use Normal and then you could avoid that heavy wheel spin that SAND is supposed to do and still get the 'off road' experience. I guess I have to get out and experiment more, just don't have good tires or a lift yet (still debating).

[@michaelgiles7844]

@@herbertwildey2349 I highly recommend the lift and bigger all terrain tires if you are wanting to do more off-road driving.

[@directorjustin]

I'd love to see a modern day Jeep Liberty style of vehicle- something practically sized, not too expensive, rear wheel drive based four wheel drive, and genuinely good off road capabilities without being as hardcore as a Bronco or Wrangler. Now that I think about it, the recently announced Jeep Recon might be just that.

[@RimRig_AZ]

Gang, when will you open the course to your fans? Maybe you can start a reservation list.

[@HoosierDaddy_]

Well.... That answers that. Cool baby Bronco. It actually can do some off roading. Unlike my ex wife's terrible Mazda CX9!

[@VideosOffRoad]

Since the vast majority of Bronco Sport owners don't put a lift and bigger tires on them, wouldn't this video have had noticeably more value if it had used a bone stock Bronco Sport instead?

[@tomassanguinetti6414]

Well to be fair the badlands trim, wich is the more off road focused one, has like 1 inch more ground clearance compared to this one stock (even more with optional tires). Also a locking rear differential among other things.

[@iornhawk321]

Would love to see how the Renegade Trailhawk 1.3 turbo does on this course.

[@the305hauler]

Booyah 👊 😁 👍 🇺🇲

[@matt34003434]

I need to bring the wife’s Badlands up from the Springs!

[@SquawkCode]

Please take a Ford Maverick hybrid through your course. I wish they'd offer the hybrid with AWD. I'm curious how the front wheel drive would perform at Tumbleweed Ranch.

[@mattmann1972]

So a cakewalk for my Badlands edition, copy.