Handling and Body Roll

[CreamNSugar]

Given its 70 inches high, my family wants to know if the BS is top heavy and hard to handle with a lot of body roll in turns.

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[Quashish]

Not really, at the same time it isn't a race car.

 

[Warped9]

Given its 70 inches high, my family wants to know if the BS is top heavy and hard to handle with a lot of body roll in turns.

I didn’t buy my 2024 Big Bend for off-roading, but for daily use on the street. One of the reasons I bought it was its good handling, for the kind of vehicle it is. It’s agile and very maneuverable, No, it’s not a sportscar, but it’s not at all sloppy either. I love the steering and steering responsiveness.

I presently have a set of 18x8 Vors alloy wheels on order for my summer tires which will be Michelin Pilot Sport AS 4 235/55R18. I had those same tires on my previous car wherein they were comfortable, had good grip and were good in the rain. My new wheel/tire package will be one inch wider than stock and poke out about 5/8 in. more than the stock wheels and tires.

It all adds up to a vehicle thats fun to drive. And I particularly like it on the highway.

I, too, enjoy good handling and as I said it’s one of the reasons I bought the Bronco Sport. Note mine came which the optional 18in. wheels rather than the standard 17in. so the slightly lower profile tires could have added to steering and handling—and thats why I’m adding slightly wider rubber for the summer.

Note, too, that the vehicles I was considering as alternatives before I bought my Bronco Sport were the Mazda CX-30 and the Volkswagen Jetta with sport package. Both of those would have a definite edge in handling over the Bronco Sport, but I really liked the overall package of the Bronco in size, space and design. Its good handling won me over.

But as has been said it’s not a backroads racer or for throwing around corners. That said I feel very confident with it on twisty roads at reasonable speeds and it’s great wheeling around town.

 

[Davexxxx]

Given its 70 inches high, my family wants to know if the BS is top heavy and hard to handle with a lot of body roll in turns.

Relative to what?

I see this is your first post and your profile shows you owning a Badlands.

What do you think?

 

[Colonel Angus]

I installed the Steeda Strut Tower Brace and I noticed a big difference in the handling.

 

[Mark S.]

This is a relatively tall vehicle compared to its width, so in general you can expect it to be more top-heavy than other vehicles in its class. This is supported by the fact that Ford limits dynamic loads on the roof to 100 lbs if you have a moon roof, and 150 lbs if you don't.

That said, all vehicles sold in the US must pass a battery of safety and handling tests, including rollover tendency during emergency handling. Since the Bronco Sport is available for sale here in the US it's reasonable to assume it has passed this test, and you can expect your Badlands to resist rollover accidents to that standard--assuming you have loaded it within manufacturer recommendations.

 

[Warped9]

I installed the Steeda Strut Tower Brace and I noticed a big difference in the handling.

Hmm… Good idea. I never thought of that. Did you install it yourself?

 

[Colonel Angus]

Hmm… Good idea. I never thought of that. Did you install it yourself?

Yes. Super easy. 15 minute job.

 

[RSH]

I have a Badlands with 245 65R 17 tires, when loaded it's definitely not a canyon carving vehicle.
It's tippy and does not want to turn into corners
unless you trail brake into the corner.
When unloaded it's not as bad, but if driven spritedly it's still tippy and the seats don't really hold you in place, the seat bolsters are lacking.
In a straight line it's quick and will surprise people.

 

[Warped9]

Yes. Super easy. 15 minute job.

I’m going to look into this. What kind of difference did it make to your handling? Ans what kind of wheels and tires do you have?

I have a Badlands with 245 65R 17 tires, when loaded it's definitely not a canyon carving vehicle.
It's tippy and does not want to turn into corners
unless you trail brake into the corner.
When unloaded it's not as bad, but if driven spritedly it's still tippy and the seats don't really hold you in place, the seat bolsters are lacking.
In a straight line it's quick and will surprise people.

The Badlands sits a bit higher than the other models. And your wheel/tire setup would not be ideal for sharper handling. Thats not a knock if your primary focus is off-roading.

It really comes down to what one wants from the Bronco Sport. You can upgrade for better street manners or better off-roading. But no matter what you do it’s never going to be a sportscar.

 

[Colonel Angus]

I’m going to look into this. What kind of difference did it make to your handling? Ans what kind of wheels and tires do you have?


The Badlands sits a bit higher than the other models. And your wheel/tire setup would not be ideal for sharper handling. Thats not a knock if your primary focus is off-roading.

It really comes down to what one wants from the Bronco Sport. You can upgrade for better street manners or better off-roading. But no matter what you do it’s never going to be a sportscar.

From the Steeda website: "Predictable handling. Stiffening and supporting the strut towers will help reduce flex and improve the response of your vehicle when turning. This is a great way to get a more exciting feel and better handling from your Ford."

I have to agree. Definitely noticed the difference.
My wheels are the stock BB wheels but I upgraded the tires to Goodyear Workhorse 245/65/17.

 

[Fishingjts]

Not really, at the same time it isn't a race car.

any car can be a race car!

https://www.fordmuscle.com/features/car-features/this-12-second-flex-might-be-out-to-embarrass-you-on-track/

That being said the new Rally mode on some
TWISTY forest roads is an absolute blast!

 

[Warped9]

I'm quite happy with how the Bronco Sport handles although I will be tweaking it a bit for a little extra feel and sharpness.

 

[Jake25]

 

[Dannyp56]

ouch.

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