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

[RWT]

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

I must agree with what has already been stated. My 2023 BSBL has great power and decent off road capabilities. However, the on road prowess is lacking. I live in the foothills of the Appalachians and drive a lot of twisty roads and it becomes very obvious.

Because you own and like the CX-5, I suggest you take a look at the CX-50 Meridian (CX-50's off road package). It will get you a lot of what you get from both the BSBL and the CX-5. Obviously there's some compromise. I own a CX-50, (not the Meridian), and that's what I like to drive on the twisty roads. I save the BSBL for when I want to get dirty. All CX-50's are AWD and come with an "Off Road" mode.

As for long trips, I don't know that I would call the BSBL extremely comfortable but it's not fatiguing either. We owned 2 homes about 6 hours away from each other and I have driven back an forth in the BSBL without discomfort.

It's hard to beat the BSBL as an off/soft roader but easy to surpass in on road handling.

No expertise implied or expressed.

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[dockiwi57]

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.

Thanks, great info.

 

[dockiwi57]

I must agree with what has already been stated. My 2023 BSBL has great power and decent off road capabilities. However, the on road prowess is lacking. I live in the foothills of the Appalachians and drive a lot of twisty roads and it becomes very obvious.

Because you own and like the CX-5, I suggest you take a look at the CX-50 Meridian (CX-50's off road package). It will get you a lot of what you get from both the BSBL and the CX-5. Obviously there's some compromise. I own a CX-50, (not the Meridian), and that's what I like to drive on the twisty roads. I save the BSBL for when I want to get dirty. All CX-50's are AWD and come with an "Off Road" mode.

As for long trips, I don't know that I would call the BSBL extremely comfortable but it's not fatiguing either. We owned 2 homes about 6 hours away from each other and I have driven back an forth in the BSBL without discomfort.

It's hard to beat the BSBL as an off/soft roader but easy to surpass in on road handling.

No expertise implied or expressed.

Great response. Your experience is helpful. Funny you mention the CX-50. I had a non turbo model as a loaner when my Sig was having valve seals replaced on Mazda's dime (my experience with Mazda's reliability/responsiveness has been excellent). As a result, I would never choose a CX-50 over a CX-5 from a handling standpoint even with a slight off road bump. But for off road use that I'm anticipating, I'm not sure a CX-50 would get me safely where I want to go. I guess I'm willing to trade off handling prowess as I know the BS would not match even the CX-50. Thanks again.

 

[rugedraw]

I haven't had a lot of time behind the wheel of our BS since it is my wife's daily driver, but I do like the sporty feel it has. Our has the Falken A/T tires from factory, which I did feel to be not very grippy taking turns on the highway, but the knobby tires just fit the truck's looks so well, I don't know if I would want a true street tire on it even though a doubt it will ever see any kind of off-road action at all. I did feel some body-roll (particularly when you lean into a turn abruptly), but IMO, that's to be expected based on the the vehicle's inherent design.

What I really wanted to chime in on was on the Steeda products mentioned before. Their suspension components are top-notch. For under $400, you can get their strut tower brace and rear sway bar......both very easy installs anyone can do themselves with basic hand tools. There is no doubt in my mind that if it were my daily, I would have both Steeda components installed on it already based on what I felt the little I have driven it.

I will also mention this (even though the Warranty Warriors are going to beat me up over it): These engines respond well to tunes. What is lacks at the start and middle of a curve, it makes up for it when it comes time to come out of the curve!

 

[dockiwi57]

I haven't had a lot of time behind the wheel of our BS since it is my wife's daily driver, but I do like the sporty feel it has. Our has the Falken A/T tires from factory, which I did feel to be not very grippy taking turns on the highway, but the knobby tires just fit the truck's looks so well, I don't know if I would want a true street tire on it even though a doubt it will ever see any kind of off-road action at all. I did feel some body-roll (particularly when you lean into a turn abruptly), but IMO, that's to be expected based on the the vehicle's inherent design.

What I really wanted to chime in on was on the Steeda products mentioned before. Their suspension components are top-notch. For under $400, you can get their strut tower brace and rear sway bar......both very easy installs anyone can do themselves with basic hand tools. There is no doubt in my mind that if it were my daily, I would have both Steeda components installed on it already based on what I felt the little I have driven it.

I will also mention this (even though the Warranty Warriors are going to beat me up over it): These engines respond well to tunes. What is lacks at the start and middle of a curve, it makes up for it when it comes time to come out of the curve!

Great points, thank you. Researching here and on Steeda's site shows a clear positive trend.

 

[GSX86]

I have a 25 BSBL. I’ve only had it for just under 3 months though. I don’t think there’s anything more I can add that hasn’t been said already but ya body-roll is noticeable around tight corners if you don’t slow down a bit but it’s not anything horrendous. It still has great road manners and it’s a comfortable vehicle for road trips. Since you’re already expecting it I really don’t think it’s something that would be a deal breaker. I think someone expecting more of a sports car feel would be disappointed.

I came from a Hyundai Elantra so for me this was a pretty big upgrade but like you, I was looking for something that had good highway driving for trips to visit family in BC but could also take me on adventures down some rough trails. The BSBL fits perfectly in that category.

Personally I love driving it both on and off road. It’s such a fun vehicle. The corners don’t bother me at all but I adapted to the handling. I still have the stock Continental CrossContacts on but I’d like to get some Falkens on before winter.

If you’re able to rent one on Turo so you can really try it out that’s probably the way to go so you can really see the difference in handling from your Mazda.

 

[Ernest T]

I’ve owned a CX-5 and now a BSBL and I’d say there is no comparison in handling between the two on the highway. The Mazda has a lot of sports car in its DNA and is fun to push around on a rural backroad.

The Ford compares favorably in all areas except in that setting. It feels like it has comparable power and acceleration and handles pot holes and rough road better. They are roughly the same size.

The Mazda excels in some areas where the Bronco Sport does not and vice versa. The Mazda can’t hold a candle to the Bronco Sport on any kind of dirt.

On edit. And the back seat of the CX-5 doesn’t fold close to flat while the rear seat in the BS does.

 

[dockiwi57]

I’ve owned a CX-5 and now a BSBL and I’d say there is no comparison in handling between the two on the highway. The Mazda has a lot of sports car in its DNA and is fun to push around on a rural backroad.

The Ford compares favorably in all areas except in that setting. It feels like it has comparable power and acceleration and handles pot holes and rough road better. They are roughly the same size.

The Mazda excels in some areas where the Bronco Sport does not and vice versa. The Mazda can’t hold a candle to the Bronco Sport on any kind of dirt.

On edit. And the back seat of the CX-5 doesn’t fold close to flat while the rear seat in the BS does.

Thanks, our impressions of the CX-5 are identical. I know I'll be giving that up, but the tradeoff is, I think, worth it -- at least for my current stage of life. I just don't want pavement handling to be so bad that it's a pain to drive. I'm certainly not getting that impression from those who have graciously responded. Instead of smoothly rounding that 45 mph curve at 54 without touching the brake on my Sig, I'll be doing 44 and feeling the CG difference. The huge benefit will be taking the forest and off road choices previously out of reach. Plus, I'll still have the turbo experience I've grown to like and reasonable comfort without too many sacrifices.

 

[dockiwi57]

I have a 25 BSBL. I’ve only had it for just under 3 months though. I don’t think there’s anything more I can add that hasn’t been said already but ya body-roll is noticeable around tight corners if you don’t slow down a bit but it’s not anything horrendous. It still has great road manners and it’s a comfortable vehicle for road trips. Since you’re already expecting it I really don’t think it’s something that would be a deal breaker. I think someone expecting more of a sports car feel would be disappointed.

I came from a Hyundai Elantra so for me this was a pretty big upgrade but like you, I was looking for something that had good highway driving for trips to visit family in BC but could also take me on adventures down some rough trails. The BSBL fits perfectly in that category.

Personally I love driving it both on and off road. It’s such a fun vehicle. The corners don’t bother me at all but I adapted to the handling. I still have the stock Continental CrossContacts on but I’d like to get some Falkens on before winter.

If you’re able to rent one on Turo so you can really try it out that’s probably the way to go so you can really see the difference in handling from your Mazda.

Thanks, spot on and very helpful. So many reviewers and owners seem to concentrate on the surprisingly good BS off road performance, that road trip/around town is not addressed to the level that answers my question. I appreciate your use of the word "fun" and pointing out the importance of expectations.

 

[GSX86]

Thanks, spot on and very helpful. So many reviewers and owners seem to concentrate on the surprisingly good BS off road performance, that road trip/around town is not addressed to the level that answers my question. I appreciate your use of the word "fun" and pointing out the importance of expectations.

This is very true. I think reviews are mostly concentrated on off-road capabilities because it really stands out in this regard, especially for its class of compact SUVs, whereas there are quite a few better options when it comes strictly to highway driving.

But I’ve driven in my BSBL for hours at a time on the highway and have found it to be very comfortable and the handling to be pretty good. My husband also enjoys driving it and finds it very comfortable. He’s 6’1. He does have a bit of a heavy foot so if you’re also like that you’ll feel the body roll around those corners for sure.

The BS is definitely the Swiss Army knife of vehicles. It’s good for many different things but it’s not a master in any one area. That’s probably the best way I can describe it.

 

[dockiwi57]

This is very true. I think reviews are mostly concentrated on off-road capabilities because it really stands out in this regard, especially for its class of compact SUVs, whereas there are quite a few better options when it comes strictly to highway driving.

But I’ve driven in my BSBL for hours at a time on the highway and have found it to be very comfortable and the handling to be pretty good. My husband also enjoys driving it and finds it very comfortable. He’s 6’1. He does have a bit of a heavy foot so if you’re also like that you’ll feel the body roll around those corners for sure.

The BS is definitely the Swiss Army knife of vehicles. It’s good for many different things but it’s not a master in any one area. That’s probably the best way I can describe it.

I laughed out loud.. "Heavy foot." Thanks. I've been duly reassured by the folks here and will likely look at what the 26 spiffs up (maybe vent front seats?). If the 26 juice is not worth the squeeze, I'll be looking for a deal on the 25.

 

[jkernitzki]

I laughed out loud.. "Heavy foot." Thanks. I've been duly reassured by the folks here and will likely look at what the 26 spiffs up (maybe vent front seats?). If the 26 juice is not worth the squeeze, I'll be looking for a deal on the 25.

Katzkin does ventilated, and you can get the color(s) you want, not what Ford jams you in to. I think the grey/silver/lime accents in the BL Sas are fugly.

 

[Cursed Bronco]

I live in a city with the most roundabouts in the entire the country. The outer roads in the counties offer a variety of curves. I drive the MF like I stole it and it performs very well. I have the 1.5" lift and wider tires and it is very sport-esque imo.

Steeda offers an upgraded sway bar as well as a front strut brace, which would make it better.

 

[dockiwi57]

I live in a city with the most roundabouts in the entire the country. The outer roads in the counties offer a variety of curves. I drive the MF like I stole it and it performs very well. I have the 1.5" lift and wider tires and it is very sport-esque imo.

Steeda offers an upgraded sway bar as well as a front strut brace, which would make it better.

Makes sense. I've read positive comments over the past few months about the BS being almost nimble in those lower speed roundabout settings, parking lots, et al. The short WB certainly contributes. I will definitely look into the Steeda products after I've eventually made my purchase and driven it a bit.

 

[YLW JKT]

Joining this thread late and kicking it back to life. Just got back from the Mazda (CX-50) and Ford dealer. Leaning towards a BS BL but am concerned about road noise. We regularly do 8+ hour road trips and want to be comfortably having conversations without having to raise our voice. Any comments on this aspect. In reality this car will be on road 98% of the time and 2% off road heading to trailheads for hiking. The interior noise level is really our only concern and are willing to make the tradeoffs on handling in lieu of getting us to that trailhead with no questions asked. Any input on the interior noise level front from current owners???

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