2022 Ford Bronco Sport

The volume 2022 trims (Base, Big Bend, Outer Banks) run the 181 hp 1.5L EcoBoost turbo-three carried over unchanged from 2021; only Badlands steps up to the 250 hp 2.0L four.

Standard 1.5L EcoBoost produces 190 lb-ft at 3,000 rpm; the Badlands-only 2.0L jumps to 277 lb-ft, both unchanged from the model's 2021 debut.

Car and Driver's best instrumented run of a 1.5L Outer Banks 4WD was 8.2 s (averaging 8.4-8.6 s across tests); the Badlands 2.0L is significantly quicker at a tested 5.9 s. Powertrain and performance are unchanged from the 2021 model.

The 1.5L turbo-three is adequate but reviewers note some coarseness and turbo lag under hard acceleration; the optional 2.0L four is notably smoother and stronger but confined to the Badlands trim.

The 8-speed automatic (shared across both engines) shifts smoothly and decisively for the segment, without the droning or hunting typical of CVT-equipped rivals.

Ford rates the 2022 Bronco Sport at 2,200 lbs max tow with the Class II Trailer Tow Package regardless of engine, versus 2,000 lbs for an unequipped 1.5L model.

4x4 is standard across every 2022 Bronco Sport trim (not optional or limited to top trims), with selectable G.O.A.T. Modes terrain management; Badlands adds a twin-clutch rear drive unit for torque vectoring.

Badlands trim brings standard HOSS suspension, skid plates, and an optional Sasquatch package (8.7 in ground clearance, 31.2° approach angle) — genuine off-road credibility for the segment, well above pavement-only subcompact rivals, though short of the full-size Bronco.

Only two gasoline engine choices (1.5L and 2.0L EcoBoost, both paired to the same 8-speed auto) with no hybrid, PHEV, or EV variant — a narrower lineup than segment rivals now offering electrified options.

The volume 1.5L EcoBoost AWD trims are EPA-rated 26 MPG combined for the 2022 model year; the 2.0L EcoBoost used on Badlands and First Edition trades efficiency for off-road capability and towing.

City rating for the standard 1.5L EcoBoost powertrain used on the volume Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims.

Highway rating for the standard 1.5L EcoBoost powertrain used on the volume Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims.

Computed from Ford's published 16.1-gallon fuel tank capacity (standard across the 2022 lineup) against the EPA combined rating for the volume 1.5L EcoBoost trim.

Estimated using the standard EPA annual-cost formula (15,000 mi/yr) applied to the 26 MPG combined rating for the volume 1.5L EcoBoost trim, using the elevated regular-fuel price assumption EPA used for MY2022 window stickers; not independently verified against a live fueleconomy.gov listing this session.

All 2022 Bronco Sport trims, including both EcoBoost engines, run on regular 87-octane fuel with no premium recommendation or E85/diesel complexity.

NHTSA gave the first-generation Bronco Sport a 5-star overall rating in its 2022 testing, with 5-star frontal and side results and a 4-star rollover score consistent with this crossover's structure.

The 2022 Bronco Sport earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+, its highest award, with Good ratings across all six crashworthiness tests (both small-overlap fronts, moderate-overlap front, side, roof strength, head restraints) and Good headlights; the only blemish was an Acceptable (not Good) LATCH ease-of-use rating, which doesn't factor into crashworthiness.

Ford Co-Pilot360 is standard on every 2022 Bronco Sport trim, bundling Pre-Collision Assist with AEB, Lane-Keeping Assist, BLIS with cross-traffic alert, and auto high-beams; adaptive cruise control and lane centering require the optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package on upper trims, keeping the suite just short of top-tier.

IIHS rated both the standard and optional front crash prevention systems Superior in vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations, a top-tier result that anchored the Bronco Sport's Top Safety Pick+ award.

BLIS with cross-traffic alert is standard on every trim, but it remains an alert-only system with no active steering or braking intervention.

Lane-Keeping Assist (warning/keep-assist) is standard, but true lane centering only arrives bundled with the optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package, and reviewers don't call out the system for smoothness.

Adaptive Cruise Control (bundled in Co-Pilot360 Assist+ with Lane Centering, Evasive Steering Assist, Navigation, and Traffic Sign Recognition) is capable but optional and limited to Big Bend trim and above, not standard across the range.

Ford's BlueCruise hands-free system was not offered on the Bronco Sport in 2022, unlike some other Ford/Lincoln models.

IIHS rated the 2022 Bronco Sport's LED projector headlights Good, its top tier, which was a requirement for the Top Safety Pick+ award.

The boxy body and upright windshield give good forward sightlines and headroom, but thick C/D-pillars leave rear-quarter visibility only average per reviewers.

IIHS rated LATCH ease-of-use Acceptable (not Good) for the 2022 Bronco Sport, the one crash-avoidance/usability category it fell short in on the way to Top Safety Pick+ — a workable but not effortless setup.

2022 Bronco Sport is a strict 5-seater across all trims (Big Bend, Free Wheeling, Outer Banks, Badlands) — no third-row option, unlike some larger subcompact-adjacent rivals.

Boxy, upright greenhouse gives the Bronco Sport class-leading front headroom on non-moonroof trims; the optional moonroof (Outer Banks/Badlands) cuts it to 39.1 in. Unchanged from the model's 2021 launch spec.

Front legroom is mid-pack for the subcompact SUV segment; unchanged since the model's 2021 launch.

The boxy body-on-crossover shape gives the Bronco Sport unusually generous rear headroom, unaffected by the optional moonroof, topping the segment's normalization band.

Rear legroom is average for the subcompact SUV class — adequate for adults on shorter trips but bested by longer-wheelbase rivals like the VW Taos.

No third row offered on any 2022 Bronco Sport trim — it is a strict two-row, 5-seat SUV. Per prompt rubric, missing third row scores in the 0-49 band.

Behind-second-row cargo volume trails the subcompact SUV segment despite the boxy shape, and drops further on the 2.0L Badlands trim due to the full-size spare tire and different suspension hardware eating into cargo floor space.

Max cargo with seats folded is below the SUV normalization band's midpoint, reflecting the model's subcompact footprint.

Standout for the segment: oversized center console bin sized for a tablet or 6-pack of drinks, available MOLLE panels on door trim (Badlands), rubberized flooring and seatbacks for easy cleanup, and an available cargo-area 400W power outlet.

Seats are supportive and upright with grippy bolstering on Badlands' contour buckets, but cushioning is on the firmer side and reviewers note limited long-haul plushness versus car-based rivals.

Truck-like suspension tuning and available all-terrain tires (Badlands) trade some on-road compliance for off-road capability; ride is busier over broken pavement than car-based subcompact SUV rivals.

Reviewers consistently flag above-average wind and road noise at highway speed, worsened by boxy aerodynamics and all-terrain tire options — a known segment weakness for this model since launch.

Heated front seats and heated steering wheel are available from Outer Banks trim up (standard on Badlands' cold-weather package), and dual-zone climate is optional, but base Big Bend trim is comfort-feature-sparse and no ventilated seats or rear climate are offered on any 2022 trim.

2022 Base trim MSRP is $28,910 including the $1,495 destination charge, a low entry price for the subcompact SUV segment.

Big Bend is the best-selling 2022 trim, priced at $29,980 incl. destination; range across the four available trims runs $28,910 (Base) to $35,585 (Badlands) — no Heritage trim existed for 2022.

CarEdge projects 5-year maintenance and repair costs near $2,957 for the Bronco Sport platform; blended with typical repair-frequency estimates, total cost of ownership sits comfortably below the segment norm.

Estimates diverge — CarEdge projects steep 57% depreciation (43% retained) while iSeeCars is more favorable at 41.6% depreciation (58.4% retained); KBB's real-world 2022 tracking (current resale ~$18,550 against original pricing) is consistent with mid-40s-to-high-50s retention, so the blended figure sits toward the weak end of the SUV band.

Ford's standard 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty sits at the low end of the mainstream segment, well behind Hyundai/Kia's 5-year coverage.

5-year/60,000-mile powertrain coverage is standard Ford issue and the shortest in-segment relative to rivals with 7–10 year powertrain warranties.

No factory-included scheduled maintenance plan for 2022, but FordPass Rewards points at purchase (enough to offset roughly the first few services) plus 5-year/60,000-mile complimentary roadside assistance provide a modest offset.

$29,980 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (47% retained, or about $14,091) leaves about $15,889 in depreciation. Add the projected $4,200 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $20,089 in total.

Consumer Reports gave the 2022 Bronco Sport a predicted reliability score of 2/5, an improvement over the 1/5 it received as an all-new model in 2021, but still well below segment average.

Ford ranked 18th of 24 brands in Consumer Reports' 2022 reliability survey (below average) while placing closer to average in J.D. Power's contemporaneous Vehicle Dependability Study — a mixed, mid-to-below-average brand picture in this era.

The 2021-2024 Bronco Sport generation has accumulated roughly 15 NHTSA recalls, including a fire-risk fuel injector recall (858,000 vehicles with the 1.5L engine), a front control-arm ball-joint recall (loss of vehicle control), and a 12-volt battery failure recall (loss of drive power) — a pattern of repeated, safety-critical recalls rather than minor administrative fixes.

The standard 1.5L EcoBoost has a documented history of water pump failures, fuel injector cracking (subject of a large recall), and carbon buildup, while the optional 2.0L EcoBoost has reported exhaust manifold cracking; neither engine has the long-mileage proven record of Ford's older naturally aspirated units.

Reviewers describe a rugged, functional cabin with durable-looking plastics and leather on upper trims that suits the Bronco Sport's outdoorsy character, but materials are not class-leading and trail well-finished rivals like the Subaru Outback in outright perceived quality.

Assembly quality reports are inconsistent — some reviewers cite tight panel gaps and lined storage bins, while other owners report panel-gap and alignment issues becoming noticeable over time.

Ford operates one of the largest dealer networks in the US (~3,000 dealers), giving Bronco Sport owners broad nationwide access to sales and warranty service.

Parts are widely stocked given Ford's dealer/parts scale and shared components with the Escape, and the Bronco brand's popularity has spurred a fast-growing aftermarket for accessories; repair costs run at typical mainstream-SUV levels, neither notably cheap nor expensive.

Every 2022 Bronco Sport trim uses the same 8-inch SYNC 3 touchscreen; Ford did not bring the larger 13.2-inch SYNC 4 unit to Bronco Sport until the 2025 model year.

SYNC 3 is quick to reach and responsive for basic tasks with physical climate/volume knobs retained, but reviewers flagged a small, dated-looking 8-inch display next to segment rivals with newer systems.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on every 2022 trim but wired-only — SYNC 3 offers no wireless phone-projection option on any Bronco Sport trim; wireless connectivity did not arrive until the 2025 SYNC 4 update.

SYNC 3's voice control handles basic commands but isn't a natural-language assistant, and built-in SYNC navigation is a limited paid add-on that most owners bypass in favor of CarPlay/Android Auto maps.

Base 6-speaker audio is adequate; a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen system with subwoofer is available on upper trims (Outer Banks/Badlands), giving those configurations a genuinely strong stereo for the segment.

The 2022 Bronco Sport keeps a mostly analog gauge cluster with a small central productivity/trip-computer screen (6.5-inch digital screen on Badlands) rather than a configurable full-digital display across the lineup; the jump to a full-digital cluster came later in the model's life (2025+).

SYNC 3 supports map and infotainment software updates via Wi-Fi/FordPass or USB, but the Bronco Sport does not receive whole-vehicle OTA updates on the scale of Ford's newer SYNC 4A-equipped models.

The FordPass app provides remote start, lock/unlock, vehicle locate, and fuel-level checks standard across all 2022 trims at no extra cost, though it lacks a digital-key feature.

USB-A and USB-C ports are provided for driver and front passenger, with an available Qi wireless charging pad and, on Badlands, an available 110V household outlet in addition to 12V power.

Proximity entry with push-button start is standard from Big Bend up, and the factory SecuriCode keypad is standard on Outer Banks and Badlands (optional via Convenience Package on Big Bend), giving a fuller keyless suite than later model years where SecuriCode was dropped as a factory option (2024+).

A rear-view camera is standard across the lineup via Ford Co-Pilot360, with a 360-degree camera/Trail View standard on Badlands and offered on Outer Banks via the Tech Package, plus rear parking sensors bundled in that same package.

No head-up display is offered on any 2022 Bronco Sport trim or option package.

The boxy body and low beltline give good sightlines for spotting car seats, and 36.9 in of rear legroom with standard flat-folding 60/40 rear seats is workable for the class, but IIHS rates LATCH ease-of-use only Acceptable (anchors set too deep, easily confused with other hardware) and door apertures are tighter than taller-cabin rivals.

Ford Co-Pilot360 (AEB with pedestrian detection, Lane-Keeping System, BLIS with cross-traffic alert, auto high-beams, rear camera) is standard on every 2022 trim, and the model carries IIHS Top Safety Pick+ with Good ratings in small-overlap front, moderate-overlap front, roof strength, head restraints, and headlights, plus a 5-star NHTSA overall rating — a strong safety package for families.

32.5 cu ft of cargo behind the second row (1.5L trims) is decent for a subcompact SUV and helps on family trips, but a firm/choppy ride and above-average wind/road noise at highway speed keep multi-hour comfort with kids and gear only average versus car-based crossover rivals.

The standard 1.5L EcoBoost three-cylinder is adequate but reviewers note coarseness and turbo lag, and the tall, boxy stance with standard AWD/4x4 trades some low-speed refinement for off-road capability, though the 8-speed automatic shifts smoothly and helps daily manners.

EPA combined economy of 26 mpg on the volume 1.5L EcoBoost trims (25/28 city/hwy), dropping to 23 mpg combined on the 2.0L Badlands, trails most subcompact SUV rivals (many in the high-20s/low-30s combined) with no hybrid option, though regular 87-octane fuel keeps per-fill costs in check.

A tight roughly 18.2 ft turning radius and compact ~172.7 in overall length make it easy to place in city driving and tight lots, though the 82.2 in width with mirrors extended is on the wider side for the segment.

Max tow rating for 2022 is only 2,000 lbs on the standard 1.5L EcoBoost, rising to 2,200 lbs on the 2.0L EcoBoost Badlands when properly equipped — usable for a small trailer or light toys but not a meaningful work hauler.

The 2022 model year is directly named in NHTSA recall 22V-319 (June 2022), a serious under-hood fire risk from the 1.5L EcoBoost leaking oil onto the hot exhaust manifold, which led Ford to advise affected 2021-2022 Bronco Sport and Escape owners to park outside and away from structures until repaired — a significant black mark for hard-use durability versus fleet-proven work vehicles.

The signature rubberized, easy-to-clean cargo floor, available MOLLE-style door panels on Badlands, an oversized console bin, an available 400W cargo-area power outlet, and rated roof rails give it a genuinely useful work/gear accessory ecosystem for a subcompact SUV, even without body-on-frame ruggedness.

Standard Co-Pilot360 helps on the highway, but adaptive cruise control requires the optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package rather than coming standard, and reviewers flag above-average wind/road noise and a firm ride plus below-average highway fuel economy (26-28 mpg), meaning more frequent stops and more fatigue than car-based rivals on long trips.

Standard 4x4 across every 2022 trim with up to five G.O.A.T. terrain modes (Badlands adds Mud/Ruts and Rock), plus Badlands' off-road-tuned suspension, skid plates, and 8.8 in ground clearance on all-terrain tires make it a genuine adventure enabler, though the larger-tire Sasquatch package that further boosts capability wasn't introduced until the 2025 model year.

A best-in-class 65.2 cu ft of cargo volume with the rear seats folded flat (1.5L trims; 60.6 cu ft on 2.0L Badlands due to the full-size spare), standard roof rails, and the rubberized cargo-management floor give it exceptional gear-hauling flexibility for the segment.

Secure and composed for a tall, off-road-capable crossover in normal driving — controlled body roll and confident grip on the standard all-terrain-friendly tires — but reviewers note it gets looser when pushed and trails on-road-focused subcompact rivals like the Mazda CX-30 or VW Taos in outright body control.

Well-weighted and accurate enough for confident everyday driving and light trail work, though feedback through the wheel is muted; the off-road-tuned Badlands trim's heavier steering feels more truck-like on the highway than the street trims.

Pedal is easily modulated for everyday stops, but instrumented 60-0 mph testing of the same-generation Bronco Sport (127 ft) runs longer than the subcompact-SUV average, and reviewers cite soft initial pedal feel as the main weakness carried over from 2021.

The volume-trim 1.5L EcoBoost turbo three-cylinder (181 hp/190 lb-ft) shifts smoothly through its 8-speed automatic with adequate everyday response, but a Ford Special Service Message covering the 2021-2023 Bronco Sport documents a lugging vibration/boom condition at partial throttle tied to the engine's firing frequency and cylinder deactivation, most noticeable in ECO mode. The optional 2.0L EcoBoost inline-4 (245 hp/275 lb-ft, standard on Badlands) is markedly stronger and smoother.

Normal EcoBoost engine noise is audible but inoffensive under most driving; the documented boom/vibration complaint at light-to-moderate load on the base 1.5L three-cylinder — present since launch and unresolved for 2022 — is the main knock on refinement versus four-cylinder subcompact-SUV rivals.

Consistent 37.4 ft curb-to-curb turning circle across 2022 trims (unchanged from 2021 launch specification), mid-pack for the subcompact SUV segment.

A high seating position, generous shoulder/hip room, and clearly segregated physical climate controls give a commanding, easy-to-use driving environment, though some owners report difficulty dialing in an ideal seat position on the power-adjustable driver's seat.

Taut steering, boxy Bronco character, and genuine trail capability (especially Badlands with the available Sasquatch package) give the 2022 Bronco Sport more personality and adventure appeal than appliance-like subcompact-crossover rivals, even though the firmer off-road-tuned trims trade away some on-road polish. The new-for-2022 Free Wheeling trim adds visual flair but no mechanical change to the driving experience.

Every 2022 trim, including the Base, comes standard with AWD (G.O.A.T. Modes terrain management), an 8-in SYNC 3 touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and the full Ford Co-Pilot360 suite (automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping, automatic high beams, backup camera) — well ahead of rivals that charge extra for AWD or gate driver-assist tech behind higher trims.

A sub-$30K starting price with standard AWD undercuts many rivals that charge a premium for four-wheel drive, but 2022 pricing rose versus 2021, options add up quickly on Badlands (~$38K), and there is no hybrid or high-output trim beyond the 250-hp 2.0L, leaving the range at fair-not-standout value.

Four trims for 2022 (Base, Big Bend, Outer Banks, Badlands) span roughly $28,815-$38,185, but the limited-run First Edition was dropped and option packages were simply reshuffled (Convenience/Tech/Premium) rather than expanded — a reasonable but not wide lineup, with the throwback Heritage trims not arriving until 2023.

US sales fell about 8% year-over-year to 99,547 units in calendar year 2022, placing the Bronco Sport 11th of 17 nameplates in the compact crossover segment — a below-average, softening seller rather than a steady mid-pack performer.

Ford is a mainstream volume brand, but the Bronco Sport borrows image equity from the freshly relaunched (2021) 6th-gen Bronco and distinctive retro-adventure styling, giving it more desirability pull than a generic crossover, though it falls short of an aspirational or beloved-brand halo.

2022 fell during the industry-wide chip shortage and tight-inventory period; Ford offered only modest financing incentives (2.9% APR in March 2022) with little cash-back, and constrained supply meant many units sold close to or at MSRP rather than with meaningful discounts.

Only the second model year of a generation that launched for MY2021, the Bronco Sport carried current platform tech and driver-assist hardware with no imminent redesign; 2022 changes were minor (new colors, discontinued First Edition, repackaged option groups) rather than signs of an aging design.

Reviewers praised the 2022 Bronco Sport's distinctive styling, standard AWD/terrain-management capability, and clever cabin storage, but consistently flagged so-so on-road manners, tight rear seating, and a buzzy base 3-cylinder engine; it did not land a 10Best or major comparison-test win for the year (those went to the larger Bronco).