This week I was in Ford’s answer to a jeep. The immediately rugged 2025 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands with its aggressive chrome grill and “Badlands” moniker.
The Bronco was created to go where most vehicles could only dream of. I normally don’t play with the different drive modes in a car when I know that ECO is all I need in my regular day to day city driving. Although, how can I not when the Bronco calls them G.O.A.T. modes, and has more of these modes than other vehicles. Quickly scrolling through them, I learned that this was definitely built for outdoor fun. With a turn of a dial you had the ability to toggle between sport, eco, and several terrain options.
A little worrisome was the rollover warning stickered on to the fold down sun visor. I didn’t even consider this a possibility. However with an off-roading, rallying, and a rock crawling option this does becomes more likely.
The Rock Crawl was low speed over rocks and boulders. You can hear the engine roar with this one.
Coming out of this mode and going right into Eco you could feel the weight of the Bronco immediately lighten. However, fuel efficiency is no slouch, you still got aggressive power here, and even when going up hill.
Sport mode was described as “spirited on road driving” and that it was. I found the accelerator wonderfully touch sensitive. I felt its force as my back was glued to the seat as the Bronco charged forward.
Off-road is for an even rough and mixed terrain. Here, the Bronco felt planted, more sturdy and steadfast on the pavement. This was signalled by a deeper, more baritone growl from the engine and a steady hum.
I liked the badge of honour on the front passenger and driver side door signifying the speciality “Badlands” trim. This coupled with the bucking bronco insignia on the wheel as well as embossed on the side of the front seats made the brand feel all the more special.
Even though the interior read sporty, it does not mean the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands was unpolished. I liked how the dash dials on each mode were just as rugged to match its given motif. Glowing outlines, neon dials, and patterns meant to resemble rivets and bolts. This matched the splash of caution yellow in the fabric stitching, and on the back of each faux leather seat, meant as a highlight. Everything else was plastic, but given the creative textures less noticeable as such.
