2026 Bronco Sport Changes

[SandDawg]

I just got back from driving the 2025 Bronco Sport Badlands at the Maryville, TN Off-Rodeo. Of course, we had properly optioned 2025 Badlands to drive. (I have a 2024 Badlands Premium in Eruption Green). We encountered mud, ruts, rocks, streams, and fallen trees, among other obstacles. I was so impressed with the larger screen and digital displays that upon return, I went on a shopping day on the web looking for a well-equipped 2025 Badlands but found very few in my area. So, today I thought "what the heck, look at the 2026s." Well, there's no build sheet available yet but I found folks who knew what is coming. (Just search in Google) BE FOREWARNED, there are changes coming. I can't remember them all but a few were crazy. No auto windshield wipers. No phone charging pad. No Eruption Green. Tailgate lights optional on some models. One implied that the smaller infotainment screen is returning in place of the 12" one. The Bull bar is optional. Front fender tie downs may be optional. I won't go any further and some of these may not matter but if you are considering moving up, make sure and get an early read on what will be available in the various builds. I ordered my 2024 in August '23 with everything imaginable. When it arrived, there was no wifi hotspot. The headrests on the back seats didn't fold. The little pencil clip on the center arm rest was gone. Just the hole was there. The clip is $9. Don't get me wrong. I love this car. I think it's one of Ford's best-kept secrets of sorts. it's way better off-road than its competitors in my view and better in some ways to others more expensive simply because of its size. BUt I'll be keeping mine until the '27s hit the market.

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[Dude]

I just got back from driving the 2025 Bronco Sport Badlands at the Maryville, TN Off-Rodeo. Of course, we had properly optioned 2025 Badlands to drive. (I have a 2024 Badlands Premium in Eruption Green). We encountered mud, ruts, rocks, streams, and fallen trees, among other obstacles. I was so impressed with the larger screen and digital displays that upon return, I went on a shopping day on the web looking for a well-equipped 2025 Badlands but found very few in my area. So, today I thought "what the heck, look at the 2026s." Well, there's no build sheet available yet but I found folks who knew what is coming. (Just search in Google) BE FOREWARNED, there are changes coming. I can't remember them all but a few were crazy. No auto windshield wipers. No phone charging pad. No Eruption Green. Tailgate lights optional on some models. One implied that the smaller infotainment screen is returning in place of the 12" one. The Bull bar is optional. Front fender tie downs may be optional. I won't go any further and some of these may not matter but if you are considering moving up, make sure and get an early read on what will be available in the various builds. I ordered my 2024 in August '23 with everything imaginable. When it arrived, there was no wifi hotspot. The headrests on the back seats didn't fold. The little pencil clip on the center arm rest was gone. Just the hole was there. The clip is $9. Don't get me wrong. I love this car. I think it's one of Ford's best-kept secrets of sorts. it's way better off-road than its competitors in my view and better in some ways to others more expensive simply because of its size. BUt I'll be keeping mine until the '27s hit the market.

More info here

https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/threads/all-the-changes-to-the-2026-bronco-sport-including-the-ones-ford-didnt-tell-us.18212/

 

[Dude]

2026 order guide:

https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/threads/all-the-changes-to-the-2026-bronco-sport-including-the-ones-ford-didnt-tell-us.18212/post-284642

 

[jkernitzki]

Order banks have been open since last month, but as I write this the Ford website still doesn’t even mention the ‘26’s. Interesting…

 

[OBSASQ]

Tim Bartz thinks it will be next month before Ford puts the 2026 on their build site. Long McArthur has a 2026 build site they set up at the Long McArthur Ford web page, under the drop down for Order Your New Ford. It doesn't include pictures of the 2026 because Ford hasn't released any yet. Take a look at that site.

 

[SandDawg]

Order banks have been open since last month, but as I write this the Ford website still doesn’t even mention the ‘26’s. Interesting…

I believe what’s going on is the tariffs. Our cars are built in Mexybut there’s more. It’s the chips, the electronics They come from everywhere and is trying to maintain a reasonable price point by using older chips on hand or none at all. I recall that Homelink may not be available on any build for example. Not a killer but a loss for those with garages. Oh well.

 

[dwrufus53]

I believe what’s going on is the tariffs. Our cars are built in Mexybut there’s more. It’s the chips, the electronics They come from everywhere and is trying to maintain a reasonable price point by using older chips on hand or none at all. I recall that Homelink may not be available on any build for example. Not a killer but a loss for those with garages. Oh well.

Actually, I despise Homelink. I always have trouble linking it to my garage. I much prefer a clicker clipped to the visor.

 

[topspin34]

They decided to get rid of eruption green. Dumb move IMHO I get comments, questions and compliments on the color of my BS all the time. People who have no reason tell me they love the color.

 

[wireman]

I just got back from driving the 2025 Bronco Sport Badlands at the Maryville, TN Off-Rodeo. Of course, we had properly optioned 2025 Badlands to drive. (I have a 2024 Badlands Premium in Eruption Green). We encountered mud, ruts, rocks, streams, and fallen trees, among other obstacles. I was so impressed with the larger screen and digital displays that upon return, I went on a shopping day on the web looking for a well-equipped 2025 Badlands but found very few in my area. So, today I thought "what the heck, look at the 2026s." Well, there's no build sheet available yet but I found folks who knew what is coming. (Just search in Google) BE FOREWARNED, there are changes coming. I can't remember them all but a few were crazy. No auto windshield wipers. No phone charging pad. No Eruption Green. Tailgate lights optional on some models. One implied that the smaller infotainment screen is returning in place of the 12" one. The Bull bar is optional. Front fender tie downs may be optional. I won't go any further and some of these may not matter but if you are considering moving up, make sure and get an early read on what will be available in the various builds. I ordered my 2024 in August '23 with everything imaginable. When it arrived, there was no wifi hotspot. The headrests on the back seats didn't fold. The little pencil clip on the center arm rest was gone. Just the hole was there. The clip is $9. Don't get me wrong. I love this car. I think it's one of Ford's best-kept secrets of sorts. it's way better off-road than its competitors in my view and better in some ways to others more expensive simply because of its size. BUt I'll be keeping mine until the '27s hit the market.

Ford's protocol, like most manufacturers, seems to be to make changes every year. Most of them IMO are not beneficial other than saving Ford money and still raising prices.

Some good features are added though. 2025 added the 360 degree camera, and Sync 4 but losing the physical HVAC controls was a negative.

2027 won't be any different so it's a crap shoot on the changes that will happen.

 

[BulldogHI]

I just got back from driving the 2025 Bronco Sport Badlands at the Maryville, TN Off-Rodeo. Of course, we had properly optioned 2025 Badlands to drive. (I have a 2024 Badlands Premium in Eruption Green). We encountered mud, ruts, rocks, streams, and fallen trees, among other obstacles. I was so impressed with the larger screen and digital displays that upon return, I went on a shopping day on the web looking for a well-equipped 2025 Badlands but found very few in my area. So, today I thought "what the heck, look at the 2026s." Well, there's no build sheet available yet but I found folks who knew what is coming. (Just search in Google) BE FOREWARNED, there are changes coming. I can't remember them all but a few were crazy. No auto windshield wipers. No phone charging pad. No Eruption Green. Tailgate lights optional on some models. One implied that the smaller infotainment screen is returning in place of the 12" one. The Bull bar is optional. Front fender tie downs may be optional. I won't go any further and some of these may not matter but if you are considering moving up, make sure and get an early read on what will be available in the various builds. I ordered my 2024 in August '23 with everything imaginable. When it arrived, there was no wifi hotspot. The headrests on the back seats didn't fold. The little pencil clip on the center arm rest was gone. Just the hole was there. The clip is $9. Don't get me wrong. I love this car. I think it's one of Ford's best-kept secrets of sorts. it's way better off-road than its competitors in my view and better in some ways to others more expensive simply because of its size. BUt I'll be keeping mine until the '27s hit the market.

I just got back from driving the 2025 Bronco Sport Badlands at the Maryville, TN Off-Rodeo. Of course, we had properly optioned 2025 Badlands to drive. (I have a 2024 Badlands Premium in Eruption Green). We encountered mud, ruts, rocks, streams, and fallen trees, among other obstacles. I was so impressed with the larger screen and digital displays that upon return, I went on a shopping day on the web looking for a well-equipped 2025 Badlands but found very few in my area. So, today I thought "what the heck, look at the 2026s." Well, there's no build sheet available yet but I found folks who knew what is coming. (Just search in Google) BE FOREWARNED, there are changes coming. I can't remember them all but a few were crazy. No auto windshield wipers. No phone charging pad. No Eruption Green. Tailgate lights optional on some models. One implied that the smaller infotainment screen is returning in place of the 12" one. The Bull bar is optional. Front fender tie downs may be optional. I won't go any further and some of these may not matter but if you are considering moving up, make sure and get an early read on what will be available in the various builds. I ordered my 2024 in August '23 with everything imaginable. When it arrived, there was no wifi hotspot. The headrests on the back seats didn't fold. The little pencil clip on the center arm rest was gone. Just the hole was there. The clip is $9. Don't get me wrong. I love this car. I think it's one of Ford's best-kept secrets of sorts. it's way better off-road than its competitors in my view and better in some ways to others more expensive simply because of its size. BUt I'll be keeping mine until the '27s hit the market.

Fender Tie Downs 2026 Become Optional

https://fordauthority.com/2026/02/2026-ford-bronco-sport-fender-tie-downs-become-optional/

 

[EddieTheBear]

Damn, removing the wireless charging pad is a real bummer since I use that thing daily in my '23 Badlands.

 

[Garth]

Fender Tie Downs 2026 Become Optional

https://fordauthority.com/2026/02/2026-ford-bronco-sport-fender-tie-downs-become-optional/

I was thinking about how to retro install them but then I figured they were too far back for anything I would be tying down.
What would be useful on my 25 BL is some padding for the front of the hood that protrudes past the face if the grill, so when I tie to the tow rings the straps wont do damage.

 

[Unicorn]

I've heard of some of these changes and I'm fine with some of them.
The auto wipers aren't on the '25 Badlands either.

The charging port is not good at all, if I use my phone for music or Waze, it won't charge it, at most it will onlykeep it even and if the screen is on, it just slows the rate of discharge. While making my phone hot as hell. And I need to remove it from the case so it doesn't stop charging if it barely moves. Even then it still only has a tiny bit of wiggle room before it stops.

A lot of people didn't like the bull bar and I guess when combined with cutting costs this made sense.

Getting rid of the liftgate lights sucks. Those are great. Keep those standard and get rid of that stupid light in the cargo area. It never made sense to me in any SUV, CUV, or wagon why the light is low on the side. Set anything there, backpack, boxes, duffel bag, stacked groceries, and the light is blocked and useless. At least have it high.

I wouldn't have minded the lack of fender tiedowns if it would have taken a bit off the price. I don't kayak and I can't really think of a use for them. Maybe if I use it to pick up some 2x4s or 4x4s from Home Depot.

 

[Iamcanadian]

I've got the 25 Big Bend with black diamond off-road package so I have most of these features. Personally I couldn't care less if they get rid of the stupid auto wipers because they suck on any vehicle especially if you're someone that uses aquapel or Rain-X because you don't want the wipers to come on as soon as there's rain. As for the fender tie downs I could do without those I've only flipped one of mine out once to show it to someone that was it. The boulevard I don't mind, I wish it was a little lower so it doesn't block the Bronco letters on the grill. I don't think they should have get rid of the lights on the rear hatch because they're very handy just as someone else mentioned pointless having the light down in the side of the cargo hatch because it's blocked instantly you need something up high which is where those hatch lights come in handy.
The charging pad in mine works absolutely flawless but I like to be able to see my screen so I use an external phone mount and just plug my phone into a fast charger. But the few times I have used the wireless charger it works fine with Android auto, charge the phone fine it didn't overheat. Seemed to work perfectly. I wouldn't want any of the screens either the infotainment or the gauge cluster screens to be any smaller. They're laid out nicely in the 25.
As for the losing physical buttons to me that's not a big deal everything you actually need is right there on the bottom of the screen visible all the time you don't even need to look at it to adjust them. Just like physical buttons in a new vehicle you're going to look at them the first few times to learn where they are after that muscle memory kicks in and it's no problem to just touch and go. I actually had it for 2 weeks before I realized you're still a physical volume control under the screen that I never noticed.
One thing I I don't really care about is the stupid grab handle for the passenger on the center console. It's kind of pointless and it makes for a great place for stuff to fall out of that little cubby onto the floor on the passenger side.
Couple things that could have been added would be a light in the glove box and some sort of light in the cup holders like small LED just backlighting where they are and the same thing for the little copy where the wireless charger area is. Just some dim ambient light would be very nice there.

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