2024 Big Bend 1.5—I don’t think it’s slow…

Warped9

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If you read and watch reviews and follow generally accepted thought the Badlands with the 2.0 is the only Broncos Sport to get. Otherwise there just isn’t enough get-up-and-go with the 1.5.

I disagree, particularly when you put things in context of driving in the real world.

I’ve been driving for 47 years. I’ve driven a number of different vehicles over those years. And like a lot of guys with a pulse I’ve followed the car market in newspaper driving sections, numerous car magazines and more recently online.

With car enthusiasts there is never enough power. If you have the chance always opt for more. A Mustang GT with the 5.0 Coyote V8 is the only “real” Mustang. Same with V8 Challengers—no one should be caught dead with a 6.

I will say that in practically any field of interest the general mindset of enthusiasts and diehard fans becomes much the prevailing school of thought for everyone else. You see the same thing with a lot of motorcycle enthusiasts.

But in the real world you‘re not doing 0-60 and 1/4 mile runs repeatedly on a daily basis. Neither are you exploring your vehicle’s top end (unless you get to use Germany’s autobahn) nor carving corners every time you run to the grocery or hardware store. In the real world it’s more how the vehicle feels and performs In general overall rather than being measured with a stopwatch.

Yes, the 2.0 has more power and is definitely quicker when clocked by the stopwatch. But in real world driving how much does that really matter?

If you’re towing or doing hardcore off-roading then the 2.0 makes the better case. But under most other situations on the street it doesn’t really matter unless you like flooring it all the time.

I often find my BB 1.5 rather quick off the line without really trying when pulling away from stoplights or pulling into traffic. I never feel it hasn’t enough power, even in Eco for crying out loud. I have zero issue getting smartly up to speed to merge on the highway. And my BB cruises easily in that 120-140 kph (75-85 mp) range.

In pure numbers my BB 1.5 is about 8 seconds 0-60. But in real day-to-day driving I feel it’s nicely quick, responsive and handles highway speeds very well. And the only mod it has is a K&N air filter, which wouldn’t make much difference.


Anyway thats my rant for the day.

Ford Bronco Sport 2024 Big Bend 1.5—I don’t think it’s slow… IMG_7732
Sponsored

 
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jkernitzki

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All true. Sometimes though, like Ricky Bobby you just gotta go fast. :D

In all seriousness, I find myself preferring a power and acceleration reserve that admittedly I won't need 99% of the time. But when I do, it's nice to have that extra "get out of the way" capability. Just getting on the freeway in Phoenix can strain a smaller 4- (or 3-) cylinder. Hell, even turning on to any of our major boulevards is like entering a freeway from a dead stop.
 
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Quashish

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glad you’re happy with it. Wasn’t for me. I felt like when cruising on the freeway, rpms were always pegged higher than i liked. I want to say it would be riding at 3500 or 4500 rpms at 70mph in sport mode (dont know how you can possibly drive it in eco. The delayed throttle response is very apparent) vs. the badlands i want to say rides at 1500 -2000 rpm at 70mph in normal and has better throttle response than the 1.5l in sport.

obviously 1 less cylinder has to work harder, but to me that results in increased wear and noise. i wont get into how i feel about all the other faults with the 1.5l trims some people get super but hurt.

the bronco sport isnt fast. And it isnt meant to be. But the 1.5l is still slower than the 2.0l.
 

rocks

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glad you’re happy with it. Wasn’t for me. I felt like when cruising on the freeway, rpms were always pegged higher than i liked. I want to say it would be riding at 3500 or 4500 rpms at 70mph in sport mode (dont know how you can possibly drive it in eco. The delayed throttle response is very apparent) vs. the badlands i want to say rides at 1500 -2000 rpm at 70mph in normal and has better throttle response than the 1.5l in sport.

obviously 1 less cylinder has to work harder, but to me that results in increased wear and noise. i wont get into how i feel about all the other faults with the 1.5l trims some people get super but hurt.

the bronco sport isnt fast. And it isnt meant to be. But the 1.5l is still slower than the 2.0l.
Well stated!?
 

thomasm23

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glad you’re happy with it. Wasn’t for me. I felt like when cruising on the freeway, rpms were always pegged higher than i liked. I want to say it would be riding at 3500 or 4500 rpms at 70mph in sport mode (dont know how you can possibly drive it in eco. The delayed throttle response is very apparent) vs. the badlands i want to say rides at 1500 -2000 rpm at 70mph in normal and has better throttle response than the 1.5l in sport.

obviously 1 less cylinder has to work harder, but to me that results in increased wear and noise. i wont get into how i feel about all the other faults with the 1.5l trims some people get super but hurt.

the bronco sport isnt fast. And it isnt meant to be. But the 1.5l is still slower than the 2.0l.
Why would you drive at freeway speeds in Sport mode?

Normal and Eco mode will give you a 2000rpm at 65-70mph.
 


Quashish

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Why would you drive at freeway speeds in Sport mode?

Normal and Eco mode will give you a 2000rpm at 65-70mph.
My numbers were just guesses. I just remember looking down on road trips and saying God that seems high.

First thing I did with the big bend after ignition was put it in sport mode. Not enough throttle response. The few times I tried eco on the freeway, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get out of a sticky situation if needed.
 

Jmuns

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If you have driven both you'll understand why the reviewers say that. Everything @Quashish said is spot on.

When I have rented a BB on trips I'm always glad that I have a BL at home.
 

Quashish

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I wish ford would've put the 2.3L ecoboost in the sasquatch. I swear I read they were somewhere. But maybe I dreamed it. That would've been awesome. Someone should swap one.

Also, I should add the Big Bend we had was equipped with toyo 245 tires and swapped to the badlands. So that would've affected rpms also
 
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Warped9

Warped9

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I certainly don’t feel my BB is noisy or feels strained on the highway, and 120-130 kph (75-80 mph) is where I usually cruise. I don’t see the point of having it in Sport Mode when just cruising. I rarely use Sport given I’m not in the habit of thrashing my car around.

My prior car, 2004 CrownVic, actually seemed noisier on the highway, which isn’t surprising given it had Stainless Works dual exhaust and headers. It was never bad or even bothersome, but it sure as hell wasn’t stock. My Bronco Sport is quieter on the highway. My CrownVic was a great highway car, but honestly my Bronco Sport steers and tracks better than the CrownVic (which did have suspension as well as wheel and tire upgrades).
 


Arthonon

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It's always a case of personal preferences, and if it works the way you want, that's great! If you ever watch the retro Motor Week review videos of sporty cars from the 80s, you'll see that back then, an 8-second 0-60 was considered fast, so it's all relative to a certain degree as well.

For me, I felt the 2.0l was needed because of the roads I intended to drive on. I like going to the Eastern Sierras and that requires driving on the 395 freeway, which for many miles is two lanes, with only 1-mile or so passing lanes every so often. I wanted the ability to make the best use of that passing opportunity, and I don't think the 1.5l would have really done it for me.
 
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Robins21

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We have the 1.5 in our BS/BB which is my wife's DD & it has plenty of get up & go even when we have towed my wife's motorcycle with it.
 

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If you read and watch reviews and follow generally accepted thought the Badlands with the 2.0 is the only Broncos Sport to get. Otherwise there just isn’t enough get-up-and-go with the 1.5.

I disagree, particularly when you put things in context of driving in the real world.

I’ve been driving for 47 years. I’ve driven a number of different vehicles over those years. And like a lot of guys with a pulse I’ve followed the car market in newspaper driving sections, numerous car magazines and more recently online.

With car enthusiasts there is never enough power. If you have the chance always opt for more. A Mustang GT with the 5.0 Coyote V8 is the only “real” Mustang. Same with V8 Challengers—no one should be caught dead with a 6.

I will say that in practically any field of interest the general mindset of enthusiasts and diehard fans becomes much the prevailing school of thought for everyone else. You see the same thing with a lot of motorcycle enthusiasts.

But in the real world you‘re not doing 0-60 and 1/4 mile runs repeatedly on a daily basis. Neither are you exploring your vehicle’s top end (unless you get to use Germany’s autobahn) nor carving corners every time you run to the grocery or hardware store. In the real world it’s more how the vehicle feels and performs In general overall rather than being measured with a stopwatch.

Yes, the 2.0 has more power and is definitely quicker when clocked by the stopwatch. But in real world driving how much does that really matter?

If you’re towing or doing hardcore off-roading then the 2.0 makes the better case. But under most other situations on the street it doesn’t really matter unless you like flooring it all the time.

I often find my BB 1.5 rather quick off the line without really trying when pulling away from stoplights or pulling into traffic. I never feel it hasn’t enough power, even in Eco for crying out loud. I have zero issue getting smartly up to speed to merge on the highway. And my BB cruises easily in that 120-140 kph (75-85 mp) range.

In pure numbers my BB 1.5 is about 8 seconds 0-60. But in real day-to-day driving I feel it’s nicely quick, responsive and handles highway speeds very well. And the only mod it has is a K&N air filter, which wouldn’t make much difference.


Anyway thats my rant for the day.

Ford Bronco Sport 2024 Big Bend 1.5—I don’t think it’s slow… IMG_7732
Try using a Pedal Max or similar Throttle Response Booster You'll be even Happier with Your 1.5 EB's Performance. The Pedal Max made a huge difference on my BB BS i had well worth the money IMO.
 

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I try to keep my cars for a few years and I am risk adverse so for me it is definitely worth it. I would only buy the actual Ford Protect ESP, not a third party plan and I would only buy it from the online Ford dealers like Granger, Flood or Ziegler. My dealer will not even match the prices. A couple of advantage of getting the Ford Protect ESP over third party plans is the dealer gets repair approval very quickly and some TSB's state that if past the 3 year bumper to bumper warranty the TSB is covered by the Ford Protect ESP Plan.

The plans do not cover maintenance items so that is a negative. I recently had to pay over $600 to replace rear shocks on my son's 20 Escape because they are considered a maintenance item.

My most recent experience has been with my 2019 Edge with 50,000 miles on it. Within the last few months I needed to replace the torque converter and EGR Cooler. Since out of the original warranty it would have cost me about $4,500 - $5,000 out of pocket without the Ford Protect.
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