The Ford Bronco Sport (Generation I) is a compact SUV that capitalizes on the styling heritage of the famous Bronco, while resting on a unibody architecture (C2 platform, shared with the Ford Escape/Kuga). Unlike its big brother designed for pure off-roading, the Bronco Sport aims for daily versatility with real all-terrain capabilities (especially on the Badlands trim). Although it displays decent overall mechanical reliability according to ADAC and J.D. Power, its career is marked by a significant number of recalls (NHTSA) concerning electronics, 12V battery management, and engine peripherals (injectors on the 1.5L).
The Ford Bronco Sport is a very endearing compact SUV, offering a killer look and real capabilities for outdoor enthusiasts. Mechanically, the EcoBoost blocks and the 8-speed automatic gearbox are solid (confirmed by ADAC and J.D. Power). However, Ford's quality management of peripherals is alarming, as evidenced by the endless list of NHTSA recalls (leaking injectors, dying 12V batteries, electronic bugs). Verdict: A purchase to consider only if you have the absolute guarantee (supported by invoices) that all manufacturer recalls have been performed. Favor the 2.0L engine (Badlands), which is less affected by the 1.5L's injector problems, and offers significantly superior driving pleasure.