Lucas Bell 
The Ford Bronco lineup has officially been revealed to the world, and with it Ford’s outdoor lifestyle brand is begging to take shape. While the full-size SUV may be the one everyone is dreaming about, the smaller Bronco Sport Badlands series promises to be a legitimate off-roader in its own right.
Sitting atop the lineup, Bronco Sport Badlands is the most off-road oriented variant of the new crossover. Unlike the lesser models that are powered by a sub-200 horsepower 1.5L EcoBoost, the Badlands packs the larger 2.0L EcoBoost four-cylinder under the hood. In this application it produces a targeted best-in-class rating of 245 horsepower and 275 lb.-ft. of torque. The motor is backed by Ford’s 8-speed automatic transmission, which features steering wheel mounted paddles on the Badlands series models. That power is sent to all four wheels via a trick all-wheel drive system, which is the first in its class to offer a twin-clutch rear-drive unit and locking rear differential. This means that the plucky off-roader will be able to shift nearly all of its torque to an individual rear wheel, for increased control in rough terrain.
The Bronco Sport Badlands series will also feature an upgraded suspension system over the lesser models, which has been specifically adjusted for off-road performance. A fully-independent layout is in place both front and rear, complete with uniquely tuned front struts with hydraulic rebound stops and 46-millimeter-diameter monotube rear shocks, the largest in its class. Ford has also softened up the anti-roll bars and the spring rates, which should improve performance and increase articulation off-road. Putting the suspension to the ground are a set of 28.5-inch all-terrain tires, which wrap around a set of 17-inch Carbonized Gray-painted aluminum wheels. Buyers can optionally spec a set of 17-inch wheels in a low-gloss aluminum finish, which come with a set of larger 29-inch tires.
These tweaks aren’t just for show either. The Badlands series Bronco Sport is able to wade through up to 23.6 inches of water, and comes standard with seven different G.O.A.T. Modes via Ford’s Terrain Management System. These driving modes include: Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery and Sand, Mud/Ruts and Rock Crawl. Combine this with the Badland’s class-exclusive Trail Control technology, which acts like cruise control for off-roading adventures, and it’s clear that Ford means business with this small SUV. Theres even a Front 180-degree front camera with a split-view for easily navigating the trails.
This sentiment is echoed by the fact that Ford is opening up their Off-Roadeo adventures to buyers of the Bronco Sport Badlands series. The two day off-roading getaways promise to offer something for drivers of all skill levels, while highlighting just how capable these new SUVs truly are.
The Bronco Sport Badlands will be available in 10 exterior color options: Alto Blue Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, Area 51, Cactus Gray, Carbonized Gray, Cyber Orange Metallic Tri-Coat, Iconic Silver, Kodiak Brown, Oxford White, Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, and Shadow Black.
We don’t have any pricing information available for the Bronco Sport Badlands series at this time, though we expect that information to become available shortly as we get closer to the official opening of the ordering books. The Standard Bronco Sport officially carries an MSRP of $28,155.
