Introduction and trim decision help.

[Bucko]

RogueRodney provides great advice and observations. I could add that while the 4runner does have more aftermarket mods available, it has been out there so to speak, and the aftermarket suppliers have targeted it. I'm confident the aftermarket will catch up to the Bronco Sport soon, as it is still a relatively new 4WD vehicle to the market place.

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[67L48]

One thing to consider is the various overlap in options that the BS has. Most cars build linearly on the trim in a standard process of [everything in the lower trim] + [these extra options]. Rinse and repeat. Maybe something like:

• Base: basic features and options
• Q: Base features and options + heated seats + cruise + other stuff
• QL: Q features and options + power adjustable seats + HD radio + other stuff
• QLE: QL features and options + LED headlights + leather seats + other stuff

In that example, the QL would have the heated seats, because the lower trim (Q) had them. Similarly, QLE trim would have the HD radio because the lower trim (QL) had them. And, so on.

The BS does not work like that 100% of the time. For example, the Outer Banks has a heated steering wheel standard. The upper trim level Badlands does not. The Outer Banks has nice interior ambient lighting. The upper trim level Badlands does not. And, so on. While those 2 options may not matter to you, there may be others that do.

So, just pay attention to what's actually included. It would be easy to miss something like this and Ford made this much more confusing than it needed to be. There is no Badlands Limited trim. There is a premium package that can be added to the BL, which adds leather seating and some other things.

We test drove a Badlands and it was on the lot next to a Big Bend. The stance of the two was a stark contrast: one looked like a mild offroad vehicle and the other looked like a grocery getter. Either way, I'd recommend sticking with 17" wheels and get the upgraded AT tires. Everything else is preference -- leather vs cloth, 1.5 vs 2.0, etc.

You can watch YouTube videos to see just how capable the stock BS is. For a unibody AWD car, it's pretty amazing. You can also find videos that show the cargo management system that was mentioned earlier in the thread. It's a bit gimmicky, but it's a feature that can't be added afterwards -- only factory.

Finally, if you get an Outer Banks, the towing package not only gives you the wiring and hitch receiver from the factory, it upgrades you to a full size spare tire (if that's important to you). I think BL and Heritage have a full size spare standard.

 

[DesertRat19]

Price and availability can be perhaps a determining factor in which trim package and model you go with.

As of this moment, I have access to all trim levels, with heritage limited, heritage, and badlands being the least available. I suspect a Big Bend or Outer Banks would be most likely a price reduction

 

[DesertRat19]

One thing to consider is the various overlap in options that the BS has. Most cars build linearly on the trim in a standard process of [everything in the lower trim] + [these extra options]. Rinse and repeat. Maybe something like:

• Base: basic features and options
• Q: Base features and options + heated seats + cruise + other stuff
• QL: Q features and options + power adjustable seats + HD radio + other stuff
• QLE: QL features and options + LED headlights + leather seats + other stuff

In that example, the QL would have the heated seats, because the lower trim (Q) had them. Similarly, QLE trim would have the HD radio because the lower trim (QL) had them. And, so on.

The BS does not work like that 100% of the time. For example, the Outer Banks has a heated steering wheel standard. The upper trim level Badlands does not. The Outer Banks has nice interior ambient lighting. The upper trim level Badlands does not. And, so on. While those 2 options may not matter to you, there may be others that do.

So, just pay attention to what's actually included. It would be easy to miss something like this and Ford made this much more confusing than it needed to be. There is no Badlands Limited trim. There is a premium package that can be added to the BL, which adds leather seating and some other things.

We test drove a Badlands and it was on the lot next to a Big Bend. The stance of the two was a stark contrast: one looked like a mild offroad vehicle and the other looked like a grocery getter. Either way, I'd recommend sticking with 17" wheels and get the upgraded AT tires. Everything else is preference -- leather vs cloth, 1.5 vs 2.0, etc.

You can watch YouTube videos to see just how capable the stock BS is. For a unibody AWD car, it's pretty amazing. You can also find videos that show the cargo management system that was mentioned earlier in the thread. It's a bit gimmicky, but it's a feature that can't be added afterwards -- only factory.

Finally, if you get an Outer Banks, the towing package not only gives you the wiring and hitch receiver from the factory, it upgrades you to a full size spare tire (if that's important to you). I think BL and Heritage have a full size spare standard.

Thanks for this. I agree, the trim levels are confusing and not linear. I'm not interested in towing, but a full spare is desirable. I'm not sure if it's better to get the towing now for convenience and resale, but it is an extra $1k basically.

I am also confused by the wheels and tire options. I think all terrain tires would be useful for me.

 

[DesertRat19]

RogueRodney provides great advice and observations. I could add that while the 4runner does have more aftermarket mods available, it has been out there so to speak, and the aftermarket suppliers have targeted it. I'm confident the aftermarket will catch up to the Bronco Sport soon, as it is still a relatively new 4WD vehicle to the market place.

There aren't many 4Runners available by me and the ones aren't already sold are significantly higher priced

 

[Jmuns]

Badlands will come with the “full size” spare regardless of tow package. I say “full size” because it will be the Pirelli 225/65/r17 regardless of if you choose the upgrades Falken 235s, which you should if you go Badlands. Or just get the Pirellis and buy new AT tires.

The other trims you have to add tow package for the full size spare.

 

[Mark S.]

Is it better to not have a CMS installed and go third party?

Depends on your preference. The CMS has a shelf/divider that can also be used as a table with the liftgate open. You won't get that level of fit & functionality from the aftermarket yet.

 

[Tigger]

I have owned both the Outer Banks and the Badlands (currently an Heritage Limited Edition) and from what I’m reading, the BL and it’s off-road capability and tires seem a better fit. The OBX tires are 18” and are Michelin’s that are not all-terrain, so you would be buying better off-road tires soon. Likewise, it doesn’t sound like much but the extra 1.5” clearance may be useful for your needs.

And I’d do the cargo management system because it’s only $100, it cannot be added later and I have found it useful. You can take out the divider if you find it annoying.

 

[RogueRodney]

DesertRat19:

I should have mentioned one other vehicle, and feel like an idiot for forgetting it as to me it is the most comparable to the Bronco Sport, and that is the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk Edition (not the Grand).

I actually purchased one in 2016 and LOVED it. (I gave it to the Ex in a divorce as I wanted her to have the best car we had and I took her 2010 Honda Pilot).

Anyway, I would be interested in seeing other's opinions here, but as an owner (I owned it for about 2 years but wasn't really the primary driver), I can say it was a great vehicle.

I personally liked the 2016 model more than many of the years since.

There were two "concerns" with the Jeep Cherokee. First, it wasn't very customizable. I think you can lift it (but at cost and not easily, and not much), it can get rock rails, and Cargo Basket on top, with a Hatchback Ladder, but that is about it. Second, Jeep seems to have fallen out of Love with the Cherokee... which is sad because I thought it was a really good vehicle.

On the plus side, the cabin was much more lux, the ride of my 2016 was "sports car like" (whereas the Bronco Sport Badlands lifted is more "Jeepish" (without the crappy handling at speed). The engine was more powerful than the Badlands.

You don't have quite the interior space of the Bronco Sport, but it's not a huge delta from what I can remember.

Honestly when it comes to solely a value proposition, I believe the Jeep Cherokee may be a better bang for you buck (as compared with a Badlands at around $45K).

Again the biggest problem is you are getting the standard SUV egg shape, it isn't that customizable (seems like a HUGE oversight from jeep) and it is badly in need of a refresh.

After getting it in 2016, I took my family (at the time my wife, my sons (10 and 6) and myself) on a 10 day trip from DFW to White Sands NM, and then up through Western Colorado and through RMNP and back. It performed great.

*There was an annoying delay from pressing the accelerator and getting the juice, but I've been told that could be moded out.

Anyway, interested to hear others opinions on that.

RR

 

[Glamdring70]

Yes, unless they have the cargo management system installed. The CMS reduces max width by several inches near the middle of the cargo area to accommodate a rack system for the shelf.

^This, or a Badlands trim or any trim with towing will have a full size spare that bumps the cargo floor up about two inches consequentially reducing the FT³ space.

One thing that is different about your considerations are the wheels. The Outer Banks comes on 18s. The Badlands comes on 17s. The 17 will probably net you more tire options in an AT tire and the larger sidewall is an obvious benefit off-road. There's already plenty of discussion about the other differences. Agree with you about the on-road handling. Sport is much smoother.

 

[DesertRat19]

DesertRat19:

I should have mentioned one other vehicle, and feel like an idiot for forgetting it as to me it is the most comparable to the Bronco Sport, and that is the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk Edition (not the Grand).

I actually purchased one in 2016 and LOVED it. (I gave it to the Ex in a divorce as I wanted her to have the best car we had and I took her 2010 Honda Pilot).

Anyway, I would be interested in seeing other's opinions here, but as an owner (I owned it for about 2 years but wasn't really the primary driver), I can say it was a great vehicle.

I personally liked the 2016 model more than many of the years since.

There were two "concerns" with the Jeep Cherokee. First, it wasn't very customizable. I think you can lift it (but at cost and not easily, and not much), it can get rock rails, and Cargo Basket on top, with a Hatchback Ladder, but that is about it. Second, Jeep seems to have fallen out of Love with the Cherokee... which is sad because I thought it was a really good vehicle.

On the plus side, the cabin was much more lux, the ride of my 2016 was "sports car like" (whereas the Bronco Sport Badlands lifted is more "Jeepish" (without the crappy handling at speed). The engine was more powerful than the Badlands.

You don't have quite the interior space of the Bronco Sport, but it's not a huge delta from what I can remember.

Honestly when it comes to solely a value proposition, I believe the Jeep Cherokee may be a better bang for you buck (as compared with a Badlands at around $45K).

Again the biggest problem is you are getting the standard SUV egg shape, it isn't that customizable (seems like a HUGE oversight from jeep) and it is badly in need of a refresh.

After getting it in 2016, I took my family (at the time my wife, my sons (10 and 6) and myself) on a 10 day trip from DFW to White Sands NM, and then up through Western Colorado and through RMNP and back. It performed great.

*There was an annoying delay from pressing the accelerator and getting the juice, but I've been told that could be moded out.

Anyway, interested to hear others opinions on that.

RR

This article turned me off of the Rav4 and Subaru
https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/ford-bronco-sport-vs-jeep-wrangler-vs-subaru-outback-wilderness-vs-toyota-rav4-trd-off-road-comparison-test-review/

 

[DesertRat19]

Unfortunately I don’t have any great road picture examples but here’s one. In the foreground, it’s easily driveable with my VW but then the hill comes. The road kinda disappears but it’s there if you zoom in. It becomes way more rocky because the rain washes away the dirt. Would a heritage or Outer Banks handle that incline with mostly rocks easily?

 

[DesertRat19]

Here’s another example of river crossing and a rutted road. You can see a javelina on the left, I was too slow at getting my phone camera out. But it’s not far from the river and so it gets soft (not the foreground, that was easy to drive over)

 

[Tigger]

It becomes way more rocky because the rain washes away the dirt. Would a heritage or Outer Banks handle that incline with mostly rocks easily?

For off-road, one of the big advantages of the Badlands over the Outer Banks is the addition of Rock Crawl and Mud/Ruts G.O.A.T. modes. And I’m not dissing the OBX as it can go many, fun places but looking at these pictures and listening to your wants/needs, I think BL is the only logical choice.

 

[davidb1841]

For off-road, one of the big advantages of the Badlands over the Outer Banks is the addition of Rock Crawl and Mud/Ruts G.O.A.T. modes. And I’m not dissing the OBX as it can go many, fun places but looking at these pictures and listening to your wants/needs, I think BL is the only logical choice.

I totally agree with this!

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