In general the new 2025 Ford Bronco Sport gets a mild refresh over last year’s model. Powertrains and transmissions remain unchanged. But, Ford did double down on making the baby Bronco much more capable off-road with the Sasquatch edition. It’s a roughly $3,000 goodies package available for the base model Big Bend, the Outer Banks middle trim, and the top-shelf Badlands model. The package adds a 0.6″ lift, 29-inch Goodyear Territory AT tires on 17-inch wheels, steel bumpers and skid plates underneath, a more robust engine cooler, and one-pedal off-road driving. Some could argue that it’s now the best off-roading compact crossover in the game with more legit 4×4 features and tech than anything from Toyota, Honda, and even Subaru.
What’s the Same in the Bronco Sport
The mechanicals carry over from last year. The base engine is the 1.5-liter turbo 3-cylinder EcoBoost found in the Ford Escape that’s good for 180 hp and 200 lb-ft. torque. The top line engine is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder pumping out 238 hp and 277 lb.-ft of torque. An 8-speed transmission is standard across all the line-up and transfers power to an all-wheel-drive system. EPA fuel economy figures have not been released yet, but we don’t expect a big change from the mid- to high-20 mpg numbers seen on the 2024 model. The interior gets some small updates, but the layout and space remains the same.
What’s New in the Bronco Sport
Outside of some aesthetic changes inside an out, the real new news is the Sasquatch package. The well-integrated steel front bumper houses two stout recovery hooks and space for optional bull bars, light bar mounts. Steel skid plates underneath cover the oil pan and transmission and more. The rear steel bumper is deftly integrated around recovery hooks and a 2-inch receiver for a hitch plus a 4-pin trailer connection. Considering the Bronco Sport’s tow rating maxes out at only 2,700 pounds, it’s commendable that Ford took such care to treat the hitch placement and bumper design with such care. The Sasquatch package includes clever retractable tie-down hooks just forward of the front doors. These allow users to better secure canoes, paddle boards and other long objects to the roof. Like the hitch mount, it’s an above-and-beyond thoughtful detail.
As for off-roading chops, the new Ford spec’s Bilstein shocks in the rear with a piggyback reservoir for a better ride. And Ford claims its 29-inch tires are the biggest in its class, which makes them better for rolling over stuff. Inside, the driver can pick between 3 off-roading drive modes including rock crawl and rally mode. Rock crawl enables one-pedal operation where the driver can control both acceleration and braking with just the throttle pedal. And any off-road mode will activate the forward facing camera and give you the option to view the forward-facing side view cameras so you can track where your tires are going.
TFL’s Take
All-in-all, the Bronco Sport should be on anyone’s list who’s looking for a capable all-weather, all-conditions, all-wheel-drive vehicle. If you’re looking at a Toyota RAV4 TRD, Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness, definitely put the Bronco Sport Sasquatch edition on your list to consider. Pricing starts at $31,000 including destination charge for the base model without the Sasquatch package. The top-line Badlands with the Sasquatch package will set you back $43,000, destination charge included.
To see what André thinks of Ford’s updated AWD crossover, check out the video below.
