No Outback Wilderness for me - Changed my mind (new here)...

[The Shark]

Thanks. I did use the build and price tool to build out even a base model full size Bronco to see what the price difference is, but even with the base and then having to add the Sasquatch package to get certain things I'd want, then adding the upgraded B&O sound system and so on, it ends up being around $10,000 more than a full loaded BS Badlands Sasquatch...and it would get worse MPG. While I CAN afford to get the bigger one if I really wanted to, I'd rather not spend that much more and then also have worse MPG. I even looked at a Ranger built how I'd like and for the MPG, price and size of the vehicle, I keep coming back to the Bronco Sport. I have to keep the actual use case in mind for myself to not overbuy or buy something I'll regret later...sort of like how I did with my truck. I could have gotten by with a smaller truck in the past, but I went with the larger one and ended up regretting it later on

I appreciate the feedback though. The full size Broncos look great, but I think it's just more than I'd want in the long run. I want smaller, better MPG, loaded (upgraded stereo option, etc, etc), good looks and plenty of power/zippy/fast. I consider 0-60 in around 6 seconds to be fast for a truck/SUV just to have some perspective there and if I'm seeing the numbers right for various reviews, 0-60 in around 6 sec is the number for the 2L Ecoboost Bronco Sport models. That's even faster than most 1980's sports cars.

I totally get it, it really does come down to use case. For as much as people think the Bronco and the BS are alike they really aren't, the Bronco is a 4x4 truck plain and simple and the BS is a SUV...well an Escape in a different package but if you have no need for a 4X4 truck then the BS is probably your better choice for the reasons you outlined. If MPG is your concern a Bronco isn't for you.

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[The Shark]

Bummer. I want a wireless charge pad. I still have a couple years before I’m buying one, which I know is silly but I’m just trying to settle on what I want for now, but maybe by then they will have the wireless charging pad back in the list of features either included or at least available. I guess I could probably buy some aftermarket wireless charging option but I’d rather have it integrated into the truck/car.

Believe me when I heard they were dropping the wireless charging pad I was shedding no tears, it's a absolute POS. Now the Homelink visor is a different story, I was mad about that.

 

[Whpony96]

Believe me when I heard they were dropping the wireless charging pad I was shedding no tears, it's a absolute POS. Now the Homelink visor is a different story, I was mad about that.

FYI ------ find a visor on Ebay that has the Homelink on it and replace your non-Homelink visor with it, it's 100% plug and play. The Homelink feature utilizes the same circuit and plug as the lighted mirror visor.

If you trade in your 2024 and it currently does have the Homelink. Remove the driver side visor before going to the dealership for the first time when you trade it in. If you remove it after they give you your quoted trade in value you can not take it out. If they saw it was there they will tell you to put it back.

 

[bronco4me]

If MPG is your concern a Bronco isn't for you.

Yeah, I'm getting around 15 to 16 MPG at 80 MPH on the highway with my truck as long as there aren't too many hills. So, if I were to get around 20 MPG on the highway at 80 MPH in a Bronco Sport, that would be like a dream to me

Oh by the way, I was in Cary a few times over the last couple years. We have an office there in one of those business park areas (in that area where the Bass Pro Shops is). Nice area. I only visited a few times for a project there.

 

[Dude]

More about the Outback Wilderness

2026 Honda CR-V TrailSport vs. Subaru Forester Wilderness vs. Toyota RAV4 Woodland

Takeaway for those that didn’t read the article: ULTIMATELY, THE TOYOTA RAV4 WOODLAND IS THE BEST BET IN THIS KOOKY SEGMENT

https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2026-honda-cr-v-trailsport-vs-toyota-rav4-woodland-subaru-forester-wilderness-comparison-test-review

 

[incavulator]

Yeah, I'm getting around 15 to 16 MPG at 80 MPH on the highway with my truck as long as there aren't too many hills. So, if I were to get around 20 MPG on the highway at 80 MPH in a Bronco Sport, that would be like a dream to me

Oh by the way, I was in Cary a few times over the last couple years. We have an office there in one of those business park areas (in that area where the Bass Pro Shops is). Nice area. I only visited a few times for a project there.

Just make sure you do the math in dollars and not just MPG.

Everyone makes fuel economy a high priority (myself included!) but if you drive 15,000 miles/year even at $4/gal, the annual cost save between 20MPG and 25MPG is only $600.

That's only $11.50/week. Not that I'm a proponent of monthly or weekly costs for anything. Just trying to put it in perspective.

 

[PONY LOVER]

Thanks. I did use the build and price tool to build out even a base model full size Bronco to see what the price difference is, but even with the base and then having to add the Sasquatch package to get certain things I'd want, then adding the upgraded B&O sound system and so on, it ends up being around $10,000 more than a full loaded BS Badlands Sasquatch...and it would get worse MPG. While I CAN afford to get the bigger one if I really wanted to, I'd rather not spend that much more and then also have worse MPG. I even looked at a Ranger built how I'd like and for the MPG, price and size of the vehicle, I keep coming back to the Bronco Sport. I have to keep the actual use case in mind for myself to not overbuy or buy something I'll regret later...sort of like how I did with my truck. I could have gotten by with a smaller truck in the past, but I went with the larger one and ended up regretting it later on

I appreciate the feedback though. The full size Broncos look great, but I think it's just more than I'd want in the long run. I want smaller, better MPG, loaded (upgraded stereo option, etc, etc), good looks and plenty of power/zippy/fast. I consider 0-60 in around 6 seconds to be fast for a truck/SUV just to have some perspective there and if I'm seeing the numbers right for various reviews, 0-60 in around 6 sec is the number for the 2L Ecoboost Bronco Sport models. That's even faster than most 1980's sports cars.

These are the exact reasons we went with the Badland Sport. I love the looks of the 2 door Bronco but I couldn't justify the price difference & I'm sorry but my 5.0L F150 gets a lot better gas mileage than the Bronco. I love the 2.0L's performance & now that we've got over 17,000 miles on it we get high 20s mpg & we've hit over 30 mpg on some long road trips. We LOVE our Sport!!!

 

[The Shark]

Yeah, I'm getting around 15 to 16 MPG at 80 MPH on the highway with my truck as long as there aren't too many hills. So, if I were to get around 20 MPG on the highway at 80 MPH in a Bronco Sport, that would be like a dream to me

Oh by the way, I was in Cary a few times over the last couple years. We have an office there in one of those business park areas (in that area where the Bass Pro Shops is). Nice area. I only visited a few times for a project there.

With your mpg bar being pretty low 20 mpg is very doable in a 2dr Bronco. I can even squeeze up to 21 mpg on the highway.

I know the area around Bass Pro Shop pretty well, there is a great chicken and waffles place in that shopping center.

Here is a picture of my baby

When you see it next to my wife's Cyber Orange BS you can really see how Cyber Orange isn't as yellow as you think.

 

[Whpony96]

Yeah, I'm getting around 15 to 16 MPG at 80 MPH on the highway with my truck as long as there aren't too many hills. So, if I were to get around 20 MPG on the highway at 80 MPH in a Bronco Sport, that would be like a dream to me

Oh by the way, I was in Cary a few times over the last couple years. We have an office there in one of those business park areas (in that area where the Bass Pro Shops is). Nice area. I only visited a few times for a project there.

I'm getting 24mpg in a mix of Normal & Sport mode and I'm still playing around with or 2025 Bronco Sport Badlands Sasquatch. I don't miss our 2018 Explorer Platinum that was getting 16.5mpg. (Well I do miss the massage seats just a little bit.)

 

[Escape2Bronco]

A lot better options out there for chasing gas milage. Like @The Shark says, the real world difference between the 2 door and the BSBL isn‘t much. I get 18-20 with my 2 door and 22-24 with the BSBL with every day driving. The BSBL is definitely better on the highway as far as gas milage. Off road gas milage goes to the 2 door. I’ve said it before…best to have one of each!

 

[Glamdring70]

Sounds like you've done the research and became educated enough to make a choice.

Mostly I came to say, 3rd party wireless charge pads exist. Some even drop right in as a replacement mat and plug into the existing USB.

 

[NMhunter]

The BS is a box, and the slower you go, the better the gas mileage. I average 25 mpg overall, but I don't often drive over 75 mph. When I drive on backroads, I can sometimes get 30 mpg. When I pulll my trailer, the mileage drops quickly.

 

[Unicorn]

I was looking at replacing my '14 Forester (with small lift, skid plates, heavy duty springs, 15 inch Methods, and tires with more sidewall) with a '25 Crosstrek Wilderness because it is lighter than the Forester and Outback but with the same engine as the Forester. And being smaller than the Outback it would be a little more nimble in tight areas.... even though externally it's the same size as a 2nd gen Forester, or the first Outback Sports.

The BS Badlands was something I'd glanced at but I was liking the higher ground clearance of the Subaru, and I was used to them. Also more subaru groups like MTNroo, and more parts available. But then I started looking around, and look at a Maverick for some reason. Then the Bronco Sport with Sasquatch package. Better skidplates already installed (and they are pretty good other than the one for the EVAP canister only covering the canister and not the wiring or hoses there. I can see an argument aluminum to save weight (quite a bit I think), and I had aluminum before saves a lot of money. The locking rear (I know not a real locker, but acts like one and is better than just putting the brake on the spinning one after it already is spinning) was what really pushed me.


Some of the changes to the 2026 make sense... at least if they were to reduce the price a little or at least keep it the same.
The wireless charging port sucks and has been the source of many complaints and statement that people don't use it.
The brush bar on the Sasquatch package hasn't been universilally liked and many people have said they wish it was an option. They don't like the look, how it blocks the grill, that is has no real purpose, and that it looks like it's trying to hard to be something it's not. A few people have offered to trade them for the standard Badlands recovery points to those who like it but didn't get the sas quatch package. I can go either way, but I might mount a small light bar on the top of it since I found that mounting it lower blocks part of my camera view.

If they are getting rid of the Ford logo on the back, then it's probably so that everything is Bronco. It's the only Ford logo on the Bronco Sport. Even the keyfob says Bronco and not Ford. So this could just be Ford going all in on the Bronco labeling.

 

[rocks]

The new Gen Outback sales are very bad. Big discounts on a new Gen. Outback fans do not like the run of the mill SUV/CUV look. I agree.

 

[Dude]

I was looking at replacing my '14 Forester … with a '25 Crosstrek Wilderness

I’ve been considering the Wilderness if I ever let go of my 2022 Badlands

Let us know if you go with the wilderness

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