January car of the month: 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

by Joey Crosetti

posted on January 29, 2021

Retro-inspired ruggedness for the family

Ford has definitely made waves in the headlines with the release of the new Bronco. While Ford may be ready to go head to head with the famed Jeep Wrangler, it’ll be a bit of a wait before customer deliveries begin. However, Ford thought ahead and expanded the Bronco family to include a model that captures the 4×4 capabilities of its big brother, in a package that is just as fun around town. For January 2021, we’re celebrating the new year and highlighting Jeremy’s Ford Bronco Sport as our car of the month.

2021 Ford Bronco Sport

Huey Lewis may have been on to something when he said it’s hip to be square. The Bronco Sport captures the boxy look of old school SUVs, but don’t be fooled, as it’s a completely modern automobile underneath the metal. Powering the Bronco Sport is a turbocharged 1.5L inline three-cylinder engine that produces a healthy 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque that makes its way through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Like any proper Bronco, the latest Bronco Sport packs an all-wheel drive system (known as G.O.A.T.) that can be switched between settings to handle a variety of surface conditions.

Jeremy’s truck is the first Bronco Sport listed on Turo (and was featured on MotorTrend!), and wears the unique “Area 51” blue paint that stands out from the crowd without being too flashy. A step up from other Bronco Sport models, the Outer Banks trim on Jeremy’s truck bumps up the wheels to a stylish 18-inch diameter that balance both form and function. Unlike traditional solid axle 4x4s, the independent front and rear suspension give the compact Bronco Sport the smooth and comfortable ride you’d come to expect in a modern vehicle.

Hop inside the Bronco Sport and you’ll notice the interior is a mix of comfort and ruggedness. Jeremy’s Outer Banks model gets brown leather upholstery. The heated front seats get multi-way power adjustability. Since the Bronco line is meant to handle the great outdoors, there are plenty of tough materials that aren’t afraid of a little dirt. Additionally, the rear seats have 60/40 folding ability in case you need to stuff some extra gear in the back. In case that’s not enough, the Bronco has factory roof rails to tie down some extra cargo. Should you want to bring passengers along for the ride, it has plenty of rear headroom thanks to its “Safari Style” roof design.

While the Bronco Sport does a good job of capturing the spirit of the retro SUVs, Ford hasn’t forgotten about the modern age. Instead of a traditional gear lever, Ford uses a rotary dial for quick selections while the computer takes care of the rest. The Sync 3 touchscreen infotainment system and LCD gauge cluster feature easy-to-read displays along with bespoke animations to accompany each of the different drive modes. For extra convenience while you’re off the grid, Ford has cleverly integrated a 3-prong outlet in the back seat that will allow you to plug in some extra accessories when you want them most.

As we roll into 2021, plenty of great open road adventures await, and the new Bronco Sport is the perfect vehicular companion. Not only will it be able to handle the city pavement like a pro, but is also ready for the roads less traveled. Best of all, Ford knows drivers will genuinely use the baby Bronco, so it’s just excited to see some action.

*Daily price subject to change

Joey Crosetti

Joey is usually thinking about one thing: cars, cars, and did we mention cars? If he’s not talking about cars, chances are he’s tinkering under the hood of his old E30 BMW.

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