1.5L engine vs. 2.0L. Noticable difference?

[Elegance]

Hi folks. I currently drive a Big Bend but have a Badlands on order. I was fortunate enough to be able to test drive a Badlands at my local dealership before ordering my own, and was able to feel a blatant difference in acceleration with the 2.0L engine as opposed to the 1.5L just driving around town. Obviously, there is a difference in overall horsepower, 181-hp on the 1.5L and 245-hp on the 2.0L. However, I was only able to take it for a quick spin down the road. I'm planning on utilizing my new towing package pretty frequently and running it through its paces off-road in the National Forest I work for.
For those of you who have driven both engines or have had your 2.0L for a little while, is the upgrade significant in terms of off-road capability and overall power/enjoyment to drive? Very excited for my new build and looking forward to hearing how everyone feels about the capability of their Badlands.

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[Folkman]

I can’t speak to off-road much yet. But around town? 2.0 I can totally tell. Mind you, my OB 1.5 wasn’t anything to flick your nose at either. It was peppy but the 2.0 is much more fun.

I did a little bit on some unmaintained roads and the 2.0 seemed to struggle a lot less on the less roady roads. But I wouldn’t call it “off-road”.

that’s next to try hopefully soon.

 

[MaxVelocity]

I was not able to test drive a 2.0L prior to ordering, but suffice it to say it gets more smiles-per-gallon than the 1.5L I test drove. But the 1.5L was certainly peppy and I don't begrudge anyone who makes that choice.

 

[Elegance]

I was not able to test drive a 2.0L prior to ordering, but suffice it to say it gets more smiles-per-gallon than the 1.5L I test drove. But the 1.5L was certainly peppy and I don't begrudge anyone who makes that choice.

Good to know. It's all about the fun for me. That's what the Bronco Sport is intended to be, anyway. A peppy daily driver.
On an unrelated note, it looks like you and I are twins according to your profile picture. Do you have any photos of yours that I could see? Can't wait to check out Velocity Blue with that gray roof in-person.

 

[AndyMac204]

you mention utilizing towing regularly. if that's the case, the 2.0 might be a better option for you. just my 2 cents.

 

[MaxVelocity]

Good to know. It's all about the fun for me. That's what the Bronco Sport is intended to be, anyway. A peppy daily driver.
On an unrelated note, it looks like you and I are twins according to your profile picture. Do you have any photos of yours that I could see? Can't wait to check out Velocity Blue with that gray roof in-person.

Yep, check out post #2 in the Velocity Blue thread:
https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/threads/official-velocity-blue-bronco-sport-thread.4674/

 

[Tigger]

You mentioned off-roading, towing and liking the extra pep. You will notice significant improvements in all three. Your biggest negative will be city mpg, imo. But in your case, the positive will far out way that negative.

Also, as someone that also traded in a 2021 Big Bend, I highly recommend you check with Carmax before going to the dealership. It was a few months ago but they gave me $6800 over what I paid.

 

[JEspey]

We looked first at an Outer Banks, and felt it was a little “laggy” and the ride somewhat “tinny”. Plus, we didn’t like the comfort of the leather seats. Not terrible, perhaps acceptable, but not worth trading in our Edge. But we later test drove Badlands, and I was hooked. Not sure if it was the cloth seats were more comfortable, the engine was noticeably peppier, or the suspension was that much better. But we finally found one on the lot and traded our 7 month old Edge on it. We haven’t regretted our decision for one minute.

 

[Terry]

Hi folks. I currently drive a Big Bend but have a Badlands on order. I was fortunate enough to be able to test drive a Badlands at my local dealership before ordering my own, and was able to feel a blatant difference in acceleration with the 2.0L engine as opposed to the 1.5L just driving around town. Obviously, there is a difference in overall horsepower, 181-hp on the 1.5L and 245-hp on the 2.0L. However, I was only able to take it for a quick spin down the road. I'm planning on utilizing my new towing package pretty frequently and running it through its paces off-road in the National Forest I work for.
For those of you who have driven both engines or have had your 2.0L for a little while, is the upgrade significant in terms of off-road capability and overall power/enjoyment to drive? Very excited for my new build and looking forward to hearing how everyone feels about the capability of their Badlands.

I just hit 10k on my Badlands Bronco Sport and I have to say I’m disappointed with the acceleration. I had a 2.0 escape that felt way faster than the Bronco and was more fun to drive. Also I noticed on the highways when driving directly behind a semi at 80 mph+ the Bronco will have a very noticeable shimmy where the escape did not. Travelled cross country 3 times with the escape and once with the bronco so far.

 

[Mark S.]

I just hit 10k on my Badlands Bronco Sport and I have to say I’m disappointed with the acceleration. I had a 2.0 escape that felt way faster than the Bronco and was more fun to drive. Also I noticed on the highways when driving directly behind a semi at 80 mph+ the Bronco will have a very noticeable shimmy where the escape did not. Travelled cross country 3 times with the escape and once with the bronco so far.

This isn't surprising. The Escape is built lower to the ground and is a few hundred pounds lighter than the Bronco Sport. The lighter weight will contribute to better acceleration and handling, and being lower to the ground provides better handling and more resistance to the effects of wind.

We own both a Badlands and a 2020 Escape with the 2.0L. Personally I'm glad they don't drive the same. I didn't buy the Badlands to be an Escape—we already had one of them!

 

[SoCalBonanza]

I just hit 10k on my Badlands Bronco Sport and I have to say I’m disappointed with the acceleration. I had a 2.0 escape that felt way faster than the Bronco and was more fun to drive. Also I noticed on the highways when driving directly behind a semi at 80 mph+ the Bronco will have a very noticeable shimmy where the escape did not. Travelled cross country 3 times with the escape and once with the bronco so far.

I am brand new to the car. And my previous 3 cars were a Ferrari, and 2 AMG cars. So, my accelerometer is set pretty high. But in "Sport" mode, I was pretty happy with the get up and go. Have you tried the Sport mode?

 

[RSH]

It's like night and day.
Unless your concern is all about getting the the best mpg, the 2.0 is the way to go, besides the 2.0 models have better running gear and with what's been posted on this board, fewer problems.
I have a Badlands, I did test drive a number of the 1.5"s and while the additional creature comforts of the Outer Banks were nice, the driving dynamics of the 2.0 is much better.

 

[BLUEOVALRACER]

In my case i couldn't afford the extra $6,000.00 IIRC the Badlands cost was over the Big Bend i have now. I bought the JMS Pedal Max and man what a Difference on the 1.5 Eco Boost in throttle response and it's much more enjoyable to drive.I would imagine the Pedal Max would make a huge difference on the 2.0 Eco Boost in the Bad Lands as well. I had many different F-150's mostly with the 3.5 Eco Boost and one with the 2.7 Eco Boost and wish i would have tried the Pedal Max on them because i'm really impressed with it on this little 1.5 Eco Boost in my Bronco Sport.

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