Page 45 - Layout 1

AUTO AUTO
REVIEW REVIEW

2021 FORD BRONCO SPORT

By Stephen Schutz, MD

This is not a review of the new and long-awaited Ford Bronco. New cargo area for two mountain bikes (if you lay the rear seats flat).
Broncos are finally arriving at dealerships around the country to rap- The screens, tech and what have you are as contemporary as any-
turous applause from anxious customers, many of whom put down thing from the competition. And like most new vehicles in 2021, the
hefty deposits over a year ago. But the Bronco Sport is not a Bronco. user interface is a central touch screen, which enables you to control
In fact, it’s so different that I wondered why it’s named, “Bronco” at the audio, phone and climate functions effortlessly without much dis-
all. The real Bronco is a direct competitor to the Jeep Wrangler, and traction from the road. The overall impression from behind the wheel
for that reason is a legit off-road intending big tough truck. The is that this is a tougher and (slightly) bigger Escape.
Bronco Sport, on the other hand, is a much smaller crossover SUV The many Bronco-esque styling cues in and outside of this main-
with styling elements that connect it to its big brother, but has nothing stream small SUV may make it seem a bit more adventurous than it
else in common with it. It’s not wrong to think of the Bronco Sport as really is. For instance, when you start the Bronco Sport, a little “movie”
a rebodied Escape. plays on the central screen, showing rolling boulders in a desert scene
A Ford Escape is a nice vehicle owned by many fine, hardworking that suddenly come together to become a young horse (a Bronco!). I
Americans, but exciting it is not. Ford probably thought, “wouldn’t suspect the “real” Bronco will do the same thing.
making a more ‘off-roady’ version generate some enthusiasm that the I get it, Ford wants to imbue Bronco Sport buyers with as much
Escape can’t?” Bronco as they can, but it seems a bit like fans getting backstage
Yes, it would, and after driving the Bronco Sport for a week, I un- passes to a rock concert—they feel almost like they're rock stars, but
derstand why it’s here—for that enthusiasm. they’re not.
Importantly, it looks way more like a Bronco than it does an Escape. For the record, the Bronco Sport does have some off-roading chops.
Three people asked me what I thought of “the new Bronco” and were While the upmarket Badlands edition sports an enhanced AWD sys-
disappointed that it wasn’t that (all three said something like, “Oh that tem, stouter suspension components, and more ground clearance, even
makes sense, it seems too small”). the base model Bronco Sport has been engineered for more off-road
Bronco-esque styling cues on the Bronco Sport include a boxy pro- capability than the Escape. So, if off-roading is your thing, I’d go with
file, an upright grille with the name “Bronco” across it in big letters, a the Badlands version.
hefty clamshell hood, short front and rear overhangs, and big chunky Pricing of the Bronco Sport is aggressive, with a base MSRP of just
door handles. under $29,000. Badlands models, which I suspect BCMS members
I haven’t driven the Bronco yet—I very much hope to soon, by the will be most interested in, start at around $35,000. This is 2021, the
way—but I’m certain that it will drive nothing like the Bronco Sport. year of “no discounts,” so expect to pay right around MSRP (or more)
The latter drives, no surprise, a lot like the Escape (and Toyota Rav4, for your Bronco Sport.
Honda CRV and GMC Terrain), which is to say pleasant. Handling The Bronco Sport is not a real Bronco, but it kind of looks like one,
is reassuringly neutral, the ride is comfortable without being too cushy and it costs a lot less. While it can’t do what a Bronco can off road, on-
and acceleration is acceptable. road it’s a pleasant small SUV, and for many buyers these days, that’ll
A 181HP 1.5-liter 3-cylinder turbo are the guts of the Bronco be just fine.
Sport, but a 245HP 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo is also available as an
option. Both come with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and As always, call Phil Hornbeak, the Auto Program Manager at
all versions come with AWD. The 3-cylinder gets you a 0-60 MPH BCMS (210-301-4367), for your best deal on any new car or truck
time of 8.7 seconds, while the 4- does it in just 5.9. Fuel economy is brand. Phil can also connect you to preferred financing and lease rates.
25 MPG City and 28 Highway for the 3-cylinder, and 21/26 for the
4-cylinder. Stephen Schutz, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist
The interior of the Bronco Sport is surprisingly good. The materials who lived in San Antonio in the 1990s when he was stationed
are nice to look at and touch, and the boxy shape of the vehicle pro- here in the US Air Force. He has been writing auto reviews
vides a lot of space. In fact, there’s enough space in the configurable for San Antonio Medicine since 1995.

44 SAN ANTONIO MEDICINE • October 2021 Visit us at www.bcms.org 45