How does the 1.5 3 Cylinder Engine Do Up Big Mountains?

[jasongitar]

Hello, I am new to the forum. I was thinking about getting a newish Bronco Sport and I recently found out about the engine only having 3 cylinders. I go back and fourth from Phoenix then up a big mountain to Prescott, Arizona. It's about a 1 hour drive each way and about 15-20 minutes of that is up that big mountain when going from Phoenix to Prescott. I was wondering how the engine holds up after a while on drives like that. I probably wouldn't be ever pulling a trailer or anything like that, but likely to carry band equipment for shows I play up there in the back. I have read that a lot of dealers are getting these vehicles back because the engine going out and it takes a long time to get them replaced even with warranty. That scared me, but I really like this vehicle a lot, wanted to hear some opinions. I was looking at the bigger V6 Broncos, but way too out of my price range. Thanks for your help in advance!

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[rugedraw]

Welcome to the forum. Find yourself a Badlands trim with the 2.0L turbo 4 cylinder if you have any doubts. Better to pay a little more for the vehicle now than to regret not getting the bigger engine later.

 

[jkernitzki]

Welcome to the forum. Find yourself a Badlands trim with the 2.0L turbo 4 cylinder if you have any doubts. Better to pay a little more for the vehicle now than to regret not getting the bigger engine later.

^^ This. The 2.0 in the Badlands has more than adequate torque and horsepower to pull yourself up the grades from the Valley to Preskitt () regardless of which route you take (89, 17, Beeline). Keep in mind it’s at the cost of fuel economy, but that’s a trade off that’s well worth if if you do those kind of runs regularly.

 

[thomasm23]

I have over 180,000 miles on my 21 OB. My 1.5L 3 cylinder runs great. I have traveled over mountains, up and down, and never had an issue looking for more power.

 

[Stircrazy]

Hello, I am new to the forum. I was thinking about getting a newish Bronco Sport and I recently found out about the engine only having 3 cylinders. I go back and fourth from Phoenix then up a big mountain to Prescott, Arizona. It's about a 1 hour drive each way and about 15-20 minutes of that is up that big mountain when going from Phoenix to Prescott. I was wondering how the engine holds up after a while on drives like that. I probably wouldn't be ever pulling a trailer or anything like that, but likely to carry band equipment for shows I play up there in the back. I have read that a lot of dealers are getting these vehicles back because the engine going out and it takes a long time to get them replaced even with warranty. That scared me, but I really like this vehicle a lot, wanted to hear some opinions. I was looking at the bigger V6 Broncos, but way too out of my price range. Thanks for your help in advance!

it does just fine. I can hold 70mph with no issues going up a 13 mile hill that ranges from grade 8 to grade 13 in cruse control. I also comute daily to work an hour each day at 70 mph on the coq (high way to hell tv show) and it is all grade 6 to 8 going to work uphill. I have been doing it for 60000miles now and havent had any issues.

what you heard about the engines most likly is an exageration at best. up here there has been no reported issues like that. the guys in the dealers shake their heads at the issues you guys see in the USA when I ask them about things.

 

[BroncoBoy25]

I live in Tucson and have a Bronco Sport with the 1.5. It does well, better than I thought it might. They really seem to have gotten the turbo and transmission set up right on these. The sport mode is the way to go because it keeps the revs up. You have power to go up and it slows the vehicle on the way down, saving the brakes a bit.

 

[Dangerdangle]

A 1.5l does fine. I would never begrudge anyone that went with a 2.0, but the 1.5 is more than enough power for a majority of the people on the road.

 

[TNFurb]

I have a 2023 Outerbanks and I’ve never had a problem going up Mont Eagle mountain near the border of TN and GA. The only issue I’ve had with my Bronco Sport is the water pump needing replacement which was under warranty and a known issue prior to the 2025 models

 

[SeaJay]

There are reasons to get the 2.0 Badlands but I don’t think going up and down mountains and long distance highway miles are on that list. (‘23 Outer Banks, 52K miles, lots of trips up and down lil Smokey Mtn hills)

 

[Dangerdangle]

There are reasons to get the 2.0 Badlands but I don’t think going up and down mountains and long distance highway miles are on that list. (‘23 Outer Banks, 52K miles, lots of trips up and down lil Smokey Mtn hills)

Yeah, I live in Washington and have zero complaints.

I'm also currently in the middle of a cross country drive and have had no issues in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and Colorado.

 

[jasongitar]

Wow, thank you everyone for all your responses! I knew this was the place to ask! Well I got a lot of thinking and looking at Broncos to do! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

 

[Quashish]

the 2 liter isn't a big engine, but from personal experience having one less cylinder i got LESS MPG mostly flat land. i hated how the 1.5L was always working so hard. seemed like revs were higher on average during normal driving just to get out of its own way. its impressive for what it is, and i was excited to try it out, but couldn't trust it long term. with the long list of recalls and no real fixes for major issues like water pumps, and fuel injectors, and the random cracked catalytic converter here and there.

not what most of you want to hear but its my 2 cents.

 

[RSH]

Wow, thank you everyone for all your responses! I knew this was the place to ask! Well I got a lot of thinking and looking at Broncos to do! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

If you get the chance when looking at Bronco Sports, drive the 2.0 and 1.5 back to back, there is a noticeable difference, I did that multiple times and chose the 2.0, that was in 2021.

I've been on a number of road trips loaded up and unloaded and have never thought I needed more power. If your plans include towing at some point, the 2.0 towing capacity is greater as well.

 

[Dangerdangle]

I should say that I'm coming from a 4 cyl 1.8l turbo that I drove for 6 years, so the differences in power were slight from my point of view.

I was looking for a commuter with more utility and I've been happy so far.

 

[thomasm23]

Hello, I am new to the forum. I was thinking about getting a newish Bronco Sport and I recently found out about the engine only having 3 cylinders. I go back and fourth from Phoenix then up a big mountain to Prescott, Arizona. It's about a 1 hour drive each way and about 15-20 minutes of that is up that big mountain when going from Phoenix to Prescott. I was wondering how the engine holds up after a while on drives like that. I probably wouldn't be ever pulling a trailer or anything like that, but likely to carry band equipment for shows I play up there in the back. I have read that a lot of dealers are getting these vehicles back because the engine going out and it takes a long time to get them replaced even with warranty. That scared me, but I really like this vehicle a lot, wanted to hear some opinions. I was looking at the bigger V6 Broncos, but way too out of my price range. Thanks for your help in advance!

What year are you looking at? The 25-26 engines are a new design MPC engine for both the 1.5L 3-cylinder and 2.0L 4 cylinder.

Do not get hung up on the engine. Select the BS that fits your needs.

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