First impressions of the Bronco Sport from Edmunds
I find it interesting that he kept comparing it to the Cherokee Trailhawk. There will be some cross-shopping I'm sure but it should be noted that the Cherokee Trailhawk is $2,500 more expensive than a Bronco Sport Badlands, and a whole 10 inches longer. But the Bronco Sport definitely slots in between the Cherokee and Compass, the latter being $1,500 cheaper for the Trailhawk. The Compass Trailhawk is right at the same size as the Bronco Sport but is considerably less capable in off-road trim.
I myself would go with the Bronco Sport Badlands. The low-range of the Cherokee Trailhawk is sort of irrelevant when you factor in powertrains and how people use these vehicles. First, neither of these vehicles will be carrying enough weight nor being pushed on technical enough terrain to really need low-range, but that said the powertrain characteristics of the Trailhawk may necessitate low-range on terrain which isn't even complex, like it does on current Jeeps and Toyotas. The V6 simply isn't torquey enough at low speeds to easy handle terrain at low, technical speeds. The torque of the turbo Ford can do that just fine, especially at altitude which is a big concern for all the folks out west exploring the mountains at 8,000+ feet. While these NA V6s struggle for power at that altitude, necessitating low-range, the turbo engine won't have a problem and will be plenty happy churning out torque at 2000 rpm not needing low-range as a bandaid for lack of power.
I suppose the Bronco Sport is either a cheaper Cherokee or a much better Compass. It's also a much better Outback because despite the new Outback offering a turbo, it takes $35k to get it, and it's backed by a CVT which limits engine torque so it doesn't grenade itself unlike the Ford's torque converter. I've driven a 2017 Outback on some pretty serious off-road trails and while it's surprisingly capable with great traction control, the transmission is a letdown. The Ford won't suffer that problem, and on top of similarly good traction control it also has a rear locker which the Subarus can't match.
Bottom line, The Bronco Sport Badlands is either a cheaper Cherokee Trailhawk, or a cheaper and better Outback, or a much better Compass Trailhawk. I hope TFL gets all these cars together - I'm pretty sure the Bronco Sport will embarrass the Outback and Compass since they both come equipped with basic all-season tires. The Cherokee will be a great competitor.
Edit: When I think about how I've used my Sequoia so far (I do plan to tow a car soon, and help people with snow recoveries, and actually overland and camp in the future, but like, a couple times a year) this Bronco Sport is actually making a heckuva lot of sense. Especially after you puck lift it, put taller tires on it, and remove the sway bars for better articulation.
