Bronco Sport vs. Full Size Bronco

[J3u29!]

Has anyone traded in for the full size yet? After purchasing the Bronco Sport in 2022 i am slowing growing out of the car and looking to stay in the Bronco family and upgrade to the full size.

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[BLUEOVALRACER]

I bumped a Thread TTT for You for people who prefer the Big Bronco Over the Bronco Sport.

 

[J3u29!]

Sweet, thank you!

 

[Nam3]

I recently switched from 2021 Bronco Sport OBX that I bought new, to a 2022 Bronco Black Diamond 2 door, and I could not be happier. I absolutely loved my BS, we went on many adventures and had a blast. I also pushed her to the limits, and there started the problem for me. I had always wanted a big bronco from the start but in 2021 the wait limit was crazy, and you couldn't get one off the lot. Plus, the price.

So, few months ago I checked to see what mine was worth on Carvana and was surprised. They were offering 21k when everyone else offered 19k. I owed 23k and started looking at trading in for a BS Badlands. In the process I was looking at big broncos and realized I could trade in for a big bronco, a year newer with less miles, and only raise my monthly payment $60. So, I did.

The only thing I miss from the OBX is the Brake hold. It really does feel like a chore holding your foot on the brake at a stop light, I'm still not over it. Everything else was a huge upgrade for me. The power this 2.3 has is insane, I was not expecting it seeing as it's the smaller engine, I can't wait to put the Ford Performance Tune on it. The ground clearance is great, and I've already added a 2-inch lift and will be adding 35s pretty soon. And I will be going back to this hill that kicked my ass twice in the BS. It's been an absolute blast so far, I can't wait to push it to its limits.

 

[Warped9]

I have unseriously considered swapping for the bigger 2dr. Bronco, but since I’m not into hard off-roading I cannot rationalize the significant added cost for something that has less useable room, worse fuel economy, worse road manners and fewer features just because it looks cool.

 

[Nam3]

I have unseriously considered swapping for the bigger 2dr. Bronco, but since I’m not into hard off-roading I cannot rationalize the significant added cost for something that has less useable room, worse fuel economy, worse road manners and fewer features just because it looks cool.

There is noticeably less room in the 2 door, so if room is an issue definitely consider that. I did a rear seat delete which left me with a massive trunk, bigger than the BS. So, the trunks bigger, but you have no back seat. My back seat was only for the dog, so she goes up front now, and I don't miss the back seats at all.

 

[Escape2Bronco]

I have unseriously considered swapping for the bigger 2dr. Bronco, but since I’m not into hard off-roading I cannot rationalize the significant added cost for something that has less useable room, worse fuel economy, worse road manners and fewer features just because it looks cool.

I wouldn’t advise the 2 door as your only vehicle just as I wouldn’t advise a Mazda Miata or a Chevy Corvette. Not saying it can’t be done, I just wouldn’t advise it. They have their purpose, but an all around general purpose vehicle they aren’t. I’ve got both, so I think I’m fair to judge.

But, it’s way more fun to drive especially with the top off. It’s also way easier to take off road on more difficult trails with less puckering on clearance and metal bash plates rather than felt. I get almost the same gas milage as my BSBL but my 2 door is the 2.3 with the 7sp tranny.

 

[Uncle Brad]

I traded in my 2024 Bronco Sport Big Bend (well-optioned) for a 2024 Bronco Big Bend. I missed the ground clearance, a 2-door and a manual transmission above all. It wasn't an easy decision, because I really liked my Bronco Sport (and my older boy kept his).

Pluses: The full-sized Bronco - even the lowly Base or Big Bend with open diffs and < 33" tires - off-road performance will pulverize any optioned-out Sport Badlands package. You get a full frame, an amazing amount of room if you're a big guy and TON of power: I did a Ford Performance ProCal4 tune on my 2.3L four with 7-speed manual, and nailed down a little over 6 seconds zero to 60. Towing capacity more than doubled (in my case), gas mileage is 23MPG. Another thing: a well-optioned 2025 BS Badlands is getting into the low $40s, so you're getting more for your money going for the big one, which is assembled in Michigan. No wet belts in the 2.3L.

Minuses: Lost 5mpg. My wife has a hard time climbing up into the big Bronco.

Trade-in value will be higher for the big Bronco. Having just come out of an OffRodeo event in TN, it's evident that the scale and seriousness of the off-road enthusiasm is VERY different between the two.

These are two very different platforms: just make sure you understand them, drive them and get the feel of them.

I'm very glad I traded up for the big one.

 

[Warped9]

It’s also way easier to take off road on more difficult trails with less puckering on clearance and metal bash plates rather than felt. I get almost the same gas milage as my BSBL but my 2 door is the 2.3 with the 7sp tranny.

I like the idea of the manual shifting, but I’m just not interested in off-roading so the extra capability is irrelevant to me.

There is also a limit to what I’m willing to spend on a new vehicle and they want way too much for the bigger Bronco particularly if I want the same features I have presently.

 

[Uncle Brad]

I like the idea of the manual shifting, but I’m just not interested in off-roading so the extra capability is irrelevant to me.

There is also a limit to what I’m willing to spend on a new vehicle and they want way too much for the bigger Bronco particularly if I want the same features I have presently.

Exactly - and I think what you're saying is why the Bronco Sport exists. It's not that it's a compromise if it does exactly what you ask of it! Most people DON'T go off-road. Most people DON'T haul around anything more than their zero-turn mower. With the Sport, you get the comfort, the technology and enough chops to handle what nature generally throws at you.

 

[Warped9]

I’m sorry if I derailed this thread. The OP’S question was whether anyone had traded in from a Bronco Sport to the bigger Bronco.

 

[Schuelady]

I have unseriously considered swapping for the bigger 2dr. Bronco, but since I’m not into hard off-roading I cannot rationalize the significant added cost for something that has less useable room, worse fuel economy, worse road manners and fewer features just because it looks cool.

Same!!

 

[Uncle Brad]

Same!!

I gotta add something here: road manners on the big Bronco depends, among other things, on what variant you get, the shocks, the tire size and tire design. I took the Dragons Tail in Virginia two weeks ago in mine. I have it all on the GoPro - it was a BLAST and very surprising to me.

The big Bronco does of course have some understeer (which isn't a bad thing if you understand how to exploit it). On a stock Big Bend 2.3L/7MT on 32" tires handling was impressive, for what it is, with 330HP and almost 385 pound-feet of torque available firmer shocks. Conversely, the Big Bend Sport I had did NOT not handle well with the awful stock Continental tires, but became surprisingly thrashable after putting some proper AT3's on it. I would love to do a comparison, but sadly that will never happen.

The big Bronco is heavy. Even the base trim tips the scale at over two tons (I removed the rear seats and have done some other things to keep the weight down and get power up). With the short wheelbase, its limits can show up quickly. But the difference in power, road conditions and driver experience have to be factored in. Fact: On irregular or rutty, unpredictable, cambered surfaces the big Bronco is obviously a better bet. I can also confidently say that the ride on the full-sized Bronco (base for 2024) is better, and well-suited for long trips. The seats, headroom and legroom are superior to the Sport. But if you go with a Sasquatch variation all bets are off!

The little Sport may not be able to take the abuse or have enough power to deal with tougher problems like I encountered. Moreover, with its full-time "AWD" I'd be concerned with the clutches and/or brakes overheating.

I'm saying these things having owned vehicles like an SRT-4 ACR: While it's all great fun learning this stuff, sometimes we can't really try to make comparisons without consideration of all the variables.

 

[Sojourner]

We have both (same level, same trim, same color).

Different vehicles entirely. Which is why we didn't trade (in either direction).

Love them both. Both are simply excellent vehicles.

 

[Uncle Brad]

We have both (same level, same trim, same color).

Different vehicles entirely. Which is why we didn't trade (in either direction).

Love them both. Both are simply excellent vehicles.

I guess that's what I was trying to say. Should've kept it simple, like you just did. Anything else is just an attempt to add emphasis!

Same color? Let me guess: Cactus Gray?

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