Bronco? Ranger? Bronco Sport? What should I buy?

[Shadow Bronc]

Hi All,

I have decided to buy a second vehicle, something more for me than the family. I want something that I can go off-road with. I’m not going to be doing any extreme off-roading, I just want to be able to take off into the woods, explore logging roads, etc. I really like the look of the Bronco and love the modular approach to the vehicles and how customizable they are. But I had real trouble finding the vehicle I wanted, at the price I wanted. So I have become frustrated and have given up on a Bronco and need to move to plan B... a Ford Ranger. A Ranger would give me the same frame and engine as the Bronco and I could get a Ranger with the FX4 Off-Road Package and save 10K over the price of a similar Bronco.

Or maybe I should go for the Bronco Sport? It would probably do everything I need and be more car like. But I'm unsure how the Bronco Sport really is for off-road. And the Ranger and Bronco Sport I am having trouble comparing them. I have driven both and they are very different. I currently drive an Escape (my second). So a Sport would be plenty familiar. I'm just not sure if that is good, bad or neutral.

If I sound indecisive, its because I am. The Bronco, Bronco Sport and Ranger all have pros and cons and I keep changing my mind. I am really uncertain which route to go and would really appreciate any advice people who have a Bronco Sport could offer.

Thanks

I understand your whole thinking, even had a smile on my face when I was reading it. My wife and I are in our early seventies and wanted to change things up. So I gathered up my 2019 California special mustang and my 2014 Ford Taurus limited after a ton of research, and picked up a 2024 bronco sport Badlands in Shadow black. Why? For exactly what you were saying, didn't want to go crazy off-roading but for the same reason you stated but I wanted something good for the highways and the freeways. I drove that bronco sport and I couldn't believe the way that it drives and handles. So there you go that was my decision, I am now a bronc head.

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[Warped9]

I think it comes down to being really honest about what you want out of a vehicle and how you really intend to use it. They're all nice vehicles and, as you said, all of them will address your needs.

The full-size Bronco is expensive, no question. It will also be thirstier on gas and it won't have the same road manners as the other two. So the question here is how much are you comfortable spending on purchase and running costs for something you like the look of? And how particular are you in terms of on-road drivability? The Bronco isn't bad at all, but it won't be as nice as the other two on the street. You mentioned this vehicle is a second vehicle mostly for yourself--so it's a matter of how much do you want this tailored strictly to your liking? If you really want a manual transmission and/or a 2dr. vehicle then the big Bronco is your only option.

Do you need a pickup bed? Can/will you make use of it? For a pickup the bed is an open trunk unless you're going to cover it with a tonneau cover or box. I considered a Maverick and a Ranger because I liked the look of them, but it didn't take me long to admit my lifestyle has absolutely zero use for a pickup bed--it would be wasted space for me. That said the Ranger is probably a more rational choice than the full-size Bronco particularly if you have zero intent of serious off-roading beyond the logging trails you mentioned.

The Bronco Sport Badlands is likely the most rational choice. It will do pretty much everything you want and cost you less all around. It's also most likely the nicest of the three in terms of on-road manners.

 

[davidg4781]

I probably would've thought this through if my BS wasn't one of the most impulsive item I've bought.

Like others have said... what do you plan to do with this long term? Would you haul stuff? Maybe take a nap or sleep at night in it? Do you have a need for hauling items? Are those items ok in the open or would they need to be covered?

Almost everyone here will try to sway you to the Bronco Sport. Me too, but test drive it. It's a bit smaller than the Ranger, Bronco, or another high on my list, the Honda Passport.

If money really wasn't a consideration and going by what you've described, I would choose a Bronco Sport Big Bend with Black Diamond Off-Road Package. That puts you at $35,100 MSRP USD. For $40,980 you can step up to a Bronco Base.

 

[Warped9]

Almost everyone here will try to sway you to the Bronco Sport. Me too, but test drive it.

Agreed. That said I admit to really liking the idea of a 2dr. Base Bronco with manual transmission and adding a few aftermarket items to personalize it. I, too, need a vehicle only for myself. But in the end I still went with the Bronco Sport because a really cool looking vehicle didn't offset a vehicle that drove better, had more features, still looked nice and cost distinctly less.

I suppose I see the full-size Bronco as something of a "sports car" idea of SUVs. It looks very cool and really makes a statement, but with it come compromises.

 

[davidg4781]

Agreed. That said I admit to really liking the idea of a 2dr. Base Bronco with manual transmission and adding a few aftermarket items to personalize it. I, too, need a vehicle only for myself. But in the end I still went with the Bronco Sport because a really cool looking vehicle didn't offset a vehicle that drove better, had more features, still looked nice and cost distinctly less.

I suppose I see the full-size Bronco as something of a "sports car" idea of SUVs. It looks very cool and really makes a statement, but with it come compromises.

The BS was on the high end of my budget. And not that I couldn't afford it. I had just gone 26 years owning cars costing less than $13,000 and usually worth about $3,000 at their end of life. Driving home, it felt really weird and I wanted to return it over the next couple of days. But here I am, 2 years later, and I don't have near as much regret.

I don't know if I would do a Bronco Base myself. My BSBB handles my needs fine at my current location. If there were more technical trails, or even just trails, near me, I might consider one. If I were to jump to a big Bronco, I think I'd go with a 2 door Badlands. Only because that's the only one with a 2 door besides the Base and I would want to add on to the Base.

 

[Bill G]

As others have said, only you can decide what you want.
That said, what we want and what we really can use are two different things.
I ordered my BSBL in 2020, took delivery in early 2021 and have loved it ever since. I was initially going to order a base 2dr Bronco, then thought about it. At the time I would have had a 2 year wait for the Bronco, and was in my mid seventies. I started really looking at the BSBL and discovered it would do everything I wanted, cost less, would arrive sooner — and I and the wife could get in it without a stepladder (I’m gimpy and the wife is 4’11”).
If I needed a p/u bed the Maverick and the Ranger are both nice.
But no matter what my heart says my brain knows the Sport is the best vehicle for me and my actual life.

 

[Arthonon]

It's been pretty well covered by everyone else, but I'll still throw my 2 cents in.

As has been said, it really depends on what's most important to you - off-road capability? Room inside? Towing? Efficiency? Image? Price? I'm pretty sure the full-sized Bronco would cost a lot more than the Bronco Sport, but I haven't looked at Ranger pricing.

I have not driven a Ranger or a full Bronco, but I'll share my recent experience with my 2021 Bronco that I bought used. I took it on a road trip that had about 400 miles of highway driving, and myself and my passenger were really impressed with how comfortable and quiet it was on the freeway. It's a Badlands, so it has the 2L, and it had plenty of power for passing. It got a solid 25mpg on the trip overall, and I'm a bit of a leadfoot.

At our destination, we took it on some rough off-road paths and trails, nothing too extreme, and it handled it with no problem, and I left it in Normal most of the time. I'm sure its abilities are beyond mine right now. Another friend with a Wrangler drove it on some of the milder trails and seemed impressed with its composure and comfort on those trails compared to his Jeep.

With that said, it's small, without a lot of room for passengers and gear, and of course lacks the more serious off-road capability of the full-sized Bronco. My biggest concern was clearance, which probably would not have been an issue for the full Bronco or Ranger. I could get lifts, etc., but it would never be able to match those two.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

As others have said, only you can decide what you want.
That said, what we want and what we really can use are two different things.
I ordered my BSBL in 2020, took delivery in early 2021 and have loved it ever since. I was initially going to order a base 2dr Bronco, then thought about it. At the time I would have had a 2 year wait for the Bronco, and was in my mid seventies. I started really looking at the BSBL and discovered it would do everything I wanted, cost less, would arrive sooner — and I and the wife could get in it without a stepladder (I’m gimpy and the wife is 4’11”).
If I needed a p/u bed the Maverick and the Ranger are both nice.
But no matter what my heart says my brain knows the Sport is the best vehicle for me and my actual life.

Perfect reponse!

If I had to pick only one vehicle to have, I’d pick the Sport over my 2 door or my Lexus ES. Fortunately, I dont. The problem of being a jack of all trades is you usually are not as good as the others in the trade they are designed for. The 2 door was designed as a body on frame off road SUV. The Lexus ES was designed as a plush road cruiser. The Sport was designed as a general purpose SUV. It’s pretty good as a general purpose vehicle if that’s what you are looking for.

 

[Jmuns]

Do not get a BS. Why would you buy one when you already have an Escape? Get a Bronco or Ranger. If it's for you and a second car to go off-road don't get one that's less capable than the other two in your price range. I have a BS because it fits all my needs as a primary (and only) vehicle. If I was looking for something to compliment my daily driver a BS would not be it.

 

[Warped9]

I'm presently contemplating a second vehicle for myself, but given it would be strictly for fun around my local area I'm considering a modest 350-500 sized motorcycle. Not looking to barnstorm or carve corners like a wannabe racer, just for enjoyable rides weekend through the countryside.

Sorry, off-topic, so I'll just quietly duck out now... ?

 

[RSH]

I've had my Badlands for over 4 years, I would choose the Ranger or a Maverick, to me they are just more useful than the Sport. Either can carry or tow more if needed and it's also nice to just be able to throw whatever into the bed.

 

[hellb0y]

The BS Badlands will do that with no problems. That’s exactly what it’s designed for. Of course, the mind and heart have different wants ?

a Toyota Camry will as well…???

 

[Jake25]

If you're smart, it shouldn't be a Ford product.

 

[Bill G]

a Toyota Camry will as well…???

I watched some guys try to off road a Plymouth Roadrunner once — worked right up ’til that first stream fording

 

[hellb0y]

Now seriously - OP, don’t know how much you wanna spend, but I’d go with a 2-door Bronco.

I happen to have both a Bronco and a BS…the difference is like night and day: one is a proper truck, 4WD, low range, you can upsize the tires, go convertible, slap all sorts of accessories you can think of…the other is a cute little SUV that is built on a modified platform of the Focus, I did put 245/50s to make it look more macho but that’s the max you can go without rubbing.

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