Which Ford Bronco Goes Off-Road?

It felt like the world stopped spinning for a moment when Ford announced the return of the infamous Bronco. The GOAT (Goes On Any Terrain) Bronco had a solid reputation for owning the off-road trails like no other SUV on the market.

The confusing part for Ford enthusiasts was when this American auto manufacturer dropped the Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport on the same day. Both vehicles were considered new additions to the Ford lineup with the same general nameplate. While the Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport share a similar name, they are absolutely different vehicles.

Here is what you need to know about how the Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport compare, especially when it comes to creating new paths away from the paved road:

Judge These Books By Their Covers

The Ford Bronco is built with a body-on-frame design that is similar to what you find on pickup trucks and large SUVs. It comes with 35-inch tires, part/full-time four-wheel drive, and a variety of terrain modes. It was also named the Best-in-Class Break-Over angles, which gives it a step up on even the most rock-covered roads.

The Bronco also comes with three different configurations that use various combinations of hard and soft tops. The doors and roof are removable, so you can enjoy a completely open-air experience. The waterproof vinyl upholstery and rubber floor cover make it easy to clean up all of the mud you might kick around while off-road.

The Bronco Sport is smaller in size. It uses a unibody design (body-and-chassis) that is similar to what you’ll find in smaller SUVs, crossovers, and sedans. The Sport handles beautifully but isn’t meant to veer off of the pavement quite like its cousin.

Even though the Bronco Sport isn’t as off-road ready as the regular Bronco, it’s not afraid to hit the dirt. You can get this SUV with four-wheel drive, an off-road suspension, and the ability to cross up to 17.1-inches of water.

True Power Comes From Within

Both the Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport come with some pretty impressive gear under the hood. The Bronco can be equipped with either a 2.3-liter turbocharged EcoBoost engine (270 horsepower; 310 lb-ft of torque) or a 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 (310 hp; 400 lb-ft of torque). With this kind of power, the Bronco can handle a max towing of 3,500 pounds and a max payload of 1,370 pounds.

The Bronco Sport also has two engine options. The standard option is a 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine (181 hp; 190 lb-ft of torque), but you can also get a 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine (345 hp; 275 lb-ft of torque). This SUV can handle a max towing rating of 2,200 pounds and a max payload of 1,000 pounds.

The True GOAT

If you’re interested in getting a Bronco that can take on any terrain, the standard Ford Bronco is the right choice for you. It offers bigger and more powerful engines, tons of off-road tech, and all of the styling elements you need to make a mess.

The Bronco Sport has some off-road capability but is more geared towards the driver who stays on the road a little more often. It’s still an impressive machine.

Stop by your local Ford dealer to see how the Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport compare in person. You won’t be disappointed by either option.