2025 Ford Bronco Sport vs. the Competition

The entire Jeep brand is built around off-roading or at least the perception of off-roading ability. Naturally, it’s no surprise that they have a competitor to the Ford Bronco Sport. A lot about the Compass is really quite similar including price, power output, fuel economy, and both vehicles come with AWD as standard. However, there are some important details that set the two apart. 

This begins with the option for a more powerful drivetrain which is something only available on the Bronco Sport. The Bonco Sport also has a noticeably larger fuel tank which is an important quality in an off-roader that you shouldn’t overlook. Off-road areas are famously lacking gas stations and a bigger tank can make the difference between getting stranded and making it home. Passengers in the Bronco Sport have more space than in the Compass and more space for cargo as well. Even more impressive, the Bronco Sport is a couple of hundred pounds lighter than the Compass which is an advantage both on the road and off.

The Bronco Sport comes with automatic climate control as standard while it’s an optional extra on the already more expensive Compass. For going off-road, the Bronco Sport comes with five different G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Terrain) modes, Sand Slippery, Sport, Eco, and Normal. While the Compass has multiple drive modes as well, it doesn’t offer as many despite versatility being such an important part of off-roading. The Bronco Sport also comes with built-in liftgate flood lights for when you’re out in the wilderness after dark. 

The next competitor to challenge the Ford Bronco Sport is the Subaru Crosstrek. Most of Subaru’s lineup is geared towards light off-roading but the Wilderness line of trims imbues several models with much more serious equipment. This includes things like off-road suspension and all-terrain tires. Choosing Ford over Subaru in this case represents major savings. There is also a huge difference in power between the two, something you’re really going to notice in situations like trying to merge on the highway. Not only that, but the Bronco Sport comes with a robust 8-speed automatic transmission. While the CVT transmission in the Crosstrek can simulate the experience of shifting through 8 gears, CVTs aren’t nearly as durable as traditional automatics and that’s a pretty important distinction for an off-roader. 

Another important distinction is the AWD system. Both vehicles come with standard AWD but the system in the Crosstrek isn’t mechanically distinct from the one in more on-road-focused Subaru models. The Bronco Sport features a twin-clutch rear drive unit which allows the system to send all of the power to just one wheel in especially low-traction situations or to electronically lock the rear differential.

We see once again that the Bronco Sport offers more interior space, an even bigger advantage compared to the Crosstrek than it was with the Compass. Similarly, the Big Bend trim of the Bronco Sport comes with seven G.O.A.T. modes while the Crosstrek’s traction control system basically amounts to an on/off switch for slippery conditions. It lacks the tuning for specific conditions that you get with the Bronco Sport. You’ll have to settle for manual front seats inside the Crosstrek since Subaru also only made them available as part of a package that costs more than $2,000. Helpful off-road accessories like liftgate-mounted floodlights and an A/C power outlet are standard on the Bronco Sport but aren’t available on the Crosstrek at any price. 

For our last comparison against the Ford Bronco Sport, we have the GMC Terrain. In terms of power, the Terrain can’t compete with either of the two powertrain choices offered on the Ford Bronco Sport. The Terrain does a little better than the other competitors for interior space but it still isn’t enough to beat the Bronco Sport. Since you also can’t tow as much with the Terrain, it seems the Bronco Sport has a really solid advantage when it comes to taking your off-road toys out into the wilderness.

Like every new vehicle sold in the US, the Terrain has a traction control system, but this one is as simple as it gets. There are no modes for this system at all, it’s either on or it isn’t. Even the base model Bronco Sport offers five G.O.A.T. modes. If you upgrade to a much more expensive trim of the Terrain, there’s still no changing the traction control mode. You get more equipment for your money in the Bronco Sport with things like heated side mirrors coming standard and even paid options offering an advantage in the Ford. For example, both vehicles come with standard 6-speaker stereos and both have the option for a premium stereo that upgrades the system to name-brand speakers. In the Terrain, you only get one more speaker with this upgrade while the Bronco Sport offers a 10-speaker system.