Exploring the on-road performance of the BSBL-- Decisions.

[dockiwi57]

BLUF: I’d like your on-road driving and handling impressions with the 2025 BSBL non Sas.

I’m new to the Forum and appreciate the helpfulness. I’m making a purchase decision in the next 6 months and am drawn to the BS BL. Currently in a 21 CX-5 Signature. I took brief test drives in a 25 BL and BLSas and was favorably impressed, leaning towards the BL non-Sas. Rides a bit better and I don’t need the Sas package.

I’ve had 2 CX-5s (and many Subarus and a couple Highlanders, et al.) and CX-5s are a kick in the pants on road trips, both NA and Turbo 2.5. However, I have gotten my Sig into some tight spots several times in the mud on forest roads in ID. Like most, I will spend 80-90% on pavement but am attracted to expanded BS capabilities.

I have no illusions about a direct road trip impression comparison between the Mazda and Ford. The CX-5 is simply outstanding on pavement all year, but I want not to be held up in backcountry. I keep hearing about the BS being “fun” to drive and I’d like more details about your experiences on pavement, say 4-8 hour road trips (yes, I’m a Westerner). Considering renting a BSBL for a week or so to really get a sense of things. I know I'll be making trade-offs. Thanks

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[RSH]

I have a 2021 Badlands and it's straight line street performance is pretty good, it's actually quick. It's a decent road trip vehicle (open highway) as a canyon carver it's not so great, it seems tippy and doesn't want to turn into corners unless you trail brake into the turns. I'm talking sprited canyon/mountain road driving, if you are cornering at the posted speed limits it's fine. I do have larger tires than standard and for offroad it's great but they do degrade it's canyon carving capabilites.
As an everyday vehicle it's more than adequate and can hold it's own.

 

[dockiwi57]

I have a 2021 Badlands and it's straight line street performance is pretty good, it's actually quick. It's a decent road trip vehicle (open highway) as a canyon carver it's not so great, it seems tippy and doesn't want to turn into corners unless you trail brake into the turns. I'm talking sprited canyon/mountain road driving, if you are cornering at the posted speed limits it's fine. I do have larger tires than standard and for offroad it's great but they do degrade it's canyon carving capabilites.
As an everyday vehicle it's more than adequate and can hold it's own.

Excellent, thanks for thoughtfully sharing your experience. I smiled when you mentioned "canyon carver" as that is an apt description of the CX-5. I know that will be a tradeoff, but "cornering at posted speed limits" is a great distinction.

 

[jkernitzki]

I have a 2021 Badlands and it's straight line street performance is pretty good, it's actually quick. It's a decent road trip vehicle (open highway) as a canyon carver it's not so great, it seems tippy and doesn't want to turn into corners unless you trail brake into the turns. I'm talking sprited canyon/mountain road driving, if you are cornering at the posted speed limits it's fine. I do have larger tires than standard and for offroad it's great but they do degrade it's canyon carving capabilites.
As an everyday vehicle it's more than adequate and can hold it's own.

If you’re talking paved canyon/mountain, it’s definitely not designed for that. CG way too high, too much articulation. My Kawi Mach III & Miata were ideally suited for that, but off pavement were a Life Flight waiting to happen. The BS is an ideal compromise between road & trail, but more suited towards the latter.

 

[dockiwi57]

If you’re talking paved canyon/mountain, it’s definitely not designed for that. CG way too high, too much articulation. My Kawi Mach III & Miata were ideally suited for that, but off pavement were a Life Flight waiting to happen. The BS is an ideal compromise between road & trail, but more suited towards the latter.

Thanks, that's a great bottom line. I'm looking for experiences from members where they've pondered the handling differences. Some vehicles seem to wallow rather than corner, but it doesn't sound like anyone has said this about BS BL handling. City/suburb handling seems be where the "fun" term seems to pop up frequently--outside of off-road. My major tradeoff appears to be in this category of handling.

 

[Wandering Pinto]

I Have a 2022 Bronco Sport Badlands that I have had for almost 3 years and have put 75,000 miles on it. Yes, its a great road trip vehicle. Longest road trip was 18,000 mile three and a half month trip to Alaska and back.

 

[dockiwi57]

I Have a 2022 Bronco Sport Badlands that I have had for almost 3 years and have put 75,000 miles on it. Yes, its a great road trip vehicle. Longest road trip was 18,000 mile three and a half month trip to Alaska and back.

Outstanding, thanks for the info.

 

[bryanintowson]

I concur with what others have said. It does great in a straight line but it is optimized for off road. I have purchased but not yet installed the steeda strut brace to see if that may help a bit. I think the Falken tires contribute a lot to the fairly plush ride.

 

[DonImbimbo]

I have a 2021 Badlands and previously a Forester. The ground clearance between the two is about the same at 8.5 inches. Great for snow and off road but not what you would want for high speed cornering, even with stock tires. Before buying the Badlands I test drove a CX5 Turbo. I felt the Mazda was much smaller inside, probably because the Badlands is boxier.

 

[dockiwi57]

I concur with what others have said. It does great in a straight line but it is optimized for off road. I have purchased but not yet installed the steeda strut brace to see if that may help a bit. I think the Falken tires contribute a lot to the fairly plush ride.

Thank you, the strut sounds interesting.

 

[dockiwi57]

I have a 2021 Badlands and previously a Forester. The ground clearance between the two is about the same at 8.5 inches. Great for snow and off road but not what you would want for high speed cornering, even with stock tires. Before buying the Badlands I test drove a CX5 Turbo. I felt the Mazda was much smaller inside, probably because the Badlands is boxier.

Yes, I noticed that on my BS test drives. Despite possessing a slightly shorter WB and overall length/width than my CX-5. There's no handling plus off-road unicorn out there, but at least the BS is sounding "competent" when driven logically on road.

 

[jkernitzki]

Thank you, the strut sounds interesting.

I had a strut brace on my Miata, and it was a noticeable improvement. On the BS, though, I’d love to see some empirical data on handling improvements before adding it to the list of bolt-ons.

 

[dockiwi57]

I had a strut brace on my Miata, and it was a noticeable improvement. On the BS, though, I’d love to see some empirical data on handling improvements before adding it to the list of bolt-ons.

Indeed. Qualitative data would help with understanding perceived improvement. Specific quantitative data might be harder to come by. May have to extrapolate.

 

[dockiwi57]

Indeed. Qualitative data would help with understanding perceived improvement. Specific quantitative data might be harder to come by. May have to extrapolate.

Well, I just queried ChatGPT Plus: "Do Steeda strut braces, or other types of automotive strut braces, have data to support their perceived or actual improvement in vehicle handling or drivability?" Then I followed up with a specific request for BS data. Too long to C/P here, but it does sound promising. I will look into it after I put on some miles in a few months.

 

[PONY LOVER]

We've had our 2025 BL since July & have put over 5000 miles on it. We take 200 to 400 mile road trips every weekend. The only "Off Roading" we do is some poor gravel roads with some nasty washboarding. We run primarily on Eco mode with the Start/Stop turned off. We've averaged over 28 mpg. We generally drive 5 to 10 mph over the posted limits. This is our 1st SUV & I've been very pleased with its drivability. We traded in our 2019 Mustang GT with over 120,000 miles. Do I like it more than the Mustang? NO!!! But I prefer it over our 2022 F150 Super Cab 4X4. We purchased the BS BL for a better winter vehicle over the wife's Focus

I hope this helps.

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