Took my Badlands to the Maze District in Canyonlands National Park

[bstn rnr]

Unfortunately, my wife refuses to be a spotter. While my Badlands Sport has a front camera, I’ve found that having a shorter wheel base and 7 more inches of ground clearance at the pinchweld, the 2 door just makes it less stressful for me. I haven’t hit the pinchwelds of the Sport but it took much more time to verify lines.

If I get a full size, it will be the two door.

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[bstn rnr]

Unfortunately, my wife refuses to be a spotter. While my Badlands Sport has a front camera, I’ve found that having a shorter wheel base and 7 more inches of ground clearance at the pinchweld, the 2 door just makes it less stressful for me. I haven’t hit the pinchwelds of the Sport but it took much more time to verify lines.

How do you find the overall ride quality between the two? Cabin noise, gas mileage, Handling, etc?

 

[Escape2Bronco]

How do you find the overall ride quality between the two? Cabin noise, gas mileage, Handling, etc?

The 2 door definitely rides like a body on frame truck compared to the more car like ride of the Sport. Wind noise is higher on the full size but I have the mod hard top so it’s not as bad as the soft top. It gets worse once you hit 70-80. The Sport isn’t terribly noisy but I have the optional Falkens and not a much more aggressive tire. Gas milage is relatively close to my Sport. I’m normally getting around 23 -24 with the Sport and 18-20 with the 2 door. The Sport handles probably better than the full size but they are both SUV’s and not like my old Lightning!

As I’ve said before in othe threads, they are two completely different vehicles. If I had to pick just one to use all the time everywhere, I’d probably pick the Sport. I bought the 2 door as a replacement for my Lightning as having a vehicle that was built for speed and handling just wasn’t a need for me anymore. I got the Sport to replace an aging Escape while I waited ( nearly 3 years) for my 2 door. The plan was to trade the Sport in when the 2 door finally arrived but I liked it so well, I kept both.

The Sport is great in the winter and for use on the forest roads in Wisconsin. We have had it out in Colorado and Utah but it was a bit nerve wracking for me. The trails are getting beat up due to the SXS’s and everyone going to 37’s and larger tires. We go out there only a few times a year and the 2 door just handles them much better in my opinion. The fact I can remove the top is a bonus for me as a secondary vehicle.

edit: I should add that for most driving around the area, I still prefer the 2 door, it’s just more fun to drive with being able to go topless and having a manual transmission.

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