Undecided, trim level

ltcdwb

Badlands
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Congratulations OP. Sounds like you got a really good deal on the 22 Badlands. We were blessed with a very similar situation when we bought our 22 Badlands on November 1. Ours didn't come with a lift, but it had less than 9,000 miles.

Enjoy your new to you Bronco Sport!!!
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Stircrazy

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The cost difference buys you a better drivetrain.
It cruises effortlessly on the highway or in mountain passes and never seems to lack power. It also comes with features that owners of 1.5's wish they had or want to add. It also has more offroad capability if needed or not and can tow more if required.
so in the drive train the only difference is the rear end and the motor, what is better about it? a full locker vs a limited switch, neither is better , different purposes I can agree with though. as for the motor, my 1.5 cruises effortlessly up the mountain passes and never seems to lack power so I am not sure why you think it would, I run up to 13% grades and can easily hold 70mph up them. Towing capacity is 200lbs more for the bigger motor, yes it is more geared towards off road, but its capability is still limited, it compares a little better than a rav4 in tests, it is a different body on a escort platform, not a off road machine.


Using this board as an example, the 1.5"s seem to have more issues (water pumps, RDU's) not to say the 2.0's are without issue, my Badlands had electrical issues caused by the battery, others have had the same.
Some here have gone from a 1.5 to a 2.0 and are happy they did, I have not seen a post where someone went from a 2.0 to 1.5 model.
are the 1.5 issues limited to specific years? My 23 hasn't had any issues with almost 30000miles on it. the wife has the 2.0 in here edge it is nice but I don't think it would be worth the trade off in fuel milage it comes with.
 

Jmuns

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so in the drive train the only difference is the rear end and the motor, what is better about it? a full locker vs a limited switch, neither is better , different purposes I can agree with though. as for the motor, my 1.5 cruises effortlessly up the mountain passes and never seems to lack power so I am not sure why you think it would, I run up to 13% grades and can easily hold 70mph up them. Towing capacity is 200lbs more for the bigger motor, yes it is more geared towards off road, but its capability is still limited, it compares a little better than a rav4 in tests, it is a different body on a escort platform, not a off road machine.




are the 1.5 issues limited to specific years? My 23 hasn't had any issues with almost 30000miles on it. the wife has the 2.0 in here edge it is nice but I don't think it would be worth the trade off in fuel milage it comes with.
This is something no one is ever going to agree on, especially on this forum. However, there is a very noticeable difference between the two engines. Whether its around town or on a highway its an immediate, noticeable difference in how the BS drives. I have a BL and have rented a BB on 4 occasions. Is the 1.5L enough power for the car, yes. Does it drive fine on the highway and have ample power to merge and pass vehicles, yes. Does it get better gas mileage, yes. Is it quicker than a BL, provide better power quickly at higher speeds, and feel better driving around town, no.

For lots of us that, along with the factory lift/suspension/bash plate/advanced 4X4 switch was a good enough reason to buy one. For me personally i didn't choose the car for gas mileage. It is shaped like a box after all, and even if I never took mine off pavement I'd still buy a BL solely for the upgraded 2.0L.
 


Quashish

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I got rid of our big bend so i wouldnt have to worry about casting sand in my water pump, catalytic converters cracking, and less documented rear end issues. Plus the 1.5L was definitely underpowered. It always had to work hard.

The factory lift, steel under engine cover, and extra goat modes were just a bonus
 
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RSH

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so in the drive train the only difference is the rear end and the motor, what is better about it? a full locker vs a limited switch, neither is better , different purposes I can agree with though. as for the motor, my 1.5 cruises effortlessly up the mountain passes and never seems to lack power so I am not sure why you think it would, I run up to 13% grades and can easily hold 70mph up them. Towing capacity is 200lbs more for the bigger motor, yes it is more geared towards off road, but its capability is still limited, it compares a little better than a rav4 in tests, it is a different body on a escort platform, not a off road machine.




are the 1.5 issues limited to specific years? My 23 hasn't had any issues with almost 30000miles on it. the wife has the 2.0 in here edge it is nice but I don't think it would be worth the trade off in fuel milage it comes with.
Why is it that some 1.5 owners get butt hurt and go out of their way to justify their decision for choosing the 1.5 when someone gives the facts that the 2.0 models offer a upgraded drivetrain, have additional standard equipped and are a more capable vehicle.

You made your choice as have I.
If you are satisfied with your choice that's all that matters, I am satisfied with mine.
 

SLJ

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It is shaped like a box after all, and even if I never took mine off pavement I'd still buy a BL solely for the upgraded 2.0L.
Had the 1.5. for a couple of years. It was fine on acceleration in Sport mode and good on gas but was limited in towing. 2.0 isn't much better. Had a 2.0 BL for a few days. Went with a Maverick 2.0 w/4K towing. More power and even quicker than the BL. shaves 2 seconds off 0-60. Bought it for double the towing though. Just depends on what you need.
 

Jmuns

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Had the 1.5. for a couple of years. It was fine on acceleration in Sport mode and good on gas but was limited in towing. 2.0 isn't much better. Had a 2.0 BL for a few days. Went with a Maverick 2.0 w/4K towing. More power and even quicker than the BL. shaves 2 seconds off 0-60. Bought it for double the towing though. Just depends on what you need.
Where are you getting that the Maverick with the same 2.0 engine somehow produces more power? The 4k tow package doesn't add anything for power.
 

SLJ

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Where are you getting that the Maverick with the same 2.0 engine somehow produces more power? The 4k tow package doesn't add anything for power.
Same engine/power but the tow package changes the gearing so it's quicker off the line. Regular Mav is about the same. Biggest difference for my use is the tranny doesn't get hot like the BS did when towing.
 


hellb0y

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Why is it that some 1.5 owners get butt hurt and go out of their way to justify their decision for choosing the 1.5 when someone gives the facts that the 2.0 models offer a upgraded drivetrain, have additional standard equipped and are a more capable vehicle.

You made your choice as have I.
If you are satisfied with your choice that's all that matters, I am satisfied with mine.
I actually really feel like you guys are the ones that get butt hurt - many of us just bring facts and our own experience to the table - often backed by professional vehicle drivers - If the 2.0 was really that much more special, people would pay the extra $2k over the Outer Banks and it would become a best seller, except it is not.

The BL is cool but overpriced, drives too hard and drinks too much gas for what it is…if one really wants that 2.0, they can pay $24k and buy a Maverick - think about that…

Remember, after all we are all driving an econo-box…
 

Jmuns

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…if one really wants that 2.0, they can pay $24k and buy a Maverick - think about that…
Except it's a different vehicle and not a BS.
 

B-Dog15

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At the end of the day, the right choice is whatever vehicle the owner decides to buy. I think that both sides of the argument can be true…

Both the 1.5 and 2.0 are great engines and drivetrains and are both pretty capable for this class. If you want more capabilities with slightly less economy, and don’t mind paying more, then the 2.0 is your best choice. If you want better fuel economy and less capabilities off-road with a reduced price, the 1.5 is the best choice. No need to bash anyone for their purchase or their preferences in cars.

Options in this industry are great and we should be lucky that we even have the option to choose.
 

BSBB4Les

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Well guys got a mint Badlands loaded with 20k miles 5 year warranty for less than a new Big Bend I’m happy with it.
 

BSBB4Les

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As I posted earlier in this thread, we had a '22 BB and traded it for another, a '24 which was an upgraded model and we got it for the same price as the '22. We have no problem with the 1.5 motor. It is stout and provides a fun, enjoyable transportation. We haven't gone off roading nor do we anticipate doing any in the future. We simply purchased the model that we could afford. Badlands models are limited in inventory around here and price is still beyond our budget. We never even considered it, new or used, for that reason. Both BB's were and are equipped with everything we looked for at the time. Even dealing with the recalls, and a defective gauge cluster in the '22, which took about 2 weeks to get replaced, we never considered looking for another vehicle brand. We've put 5,000 miles on the '24 so far with 0 issues. SNOW JW, you have a good looking BS Badlands, and at a price you could afford. Enjoy it, have fun with it! After all, we are all BS fans in this forum, whichever model we own.
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