The 2025 Bronco Sport lineup has four main trims, two engine choices, and optional packages that change price and capability significantly

Ford sells the 2025 Bronco Sport in four trim levels: Big Bend, Black Diamond, Outer Banks, and Badlands. Each trim comes standard with a 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine making 181 horsepower, or you can upgrade to a 2.0-liter EcoBoost with 245 horsepower. The bigger engine costs roughly $1,500 to $2,000 more depending on trim. Beyond engine choice, you'll encounter packages for towing, off-road capability, and technology that stack on top of your base trim price.

The real decision tree isn't just which trim to pick—it's whether you need the 2.0-liter engine, whether you want four-wheel drive, and which packages match how you'll actually use the vehicle. A Big Bend with the 1.5-liter and front-wheel drive costs significantly less than a Badlands with the 2.0-liter and four-wheel drive, but they're fundamentally different vehicles for different purposes.

Key Takeaways

  • The 1.5-liter EcoBoost is standard across all trims and sufficient for highway driving and light towing, while the 2.0-liter adds 64 horsepower and improves acceleration but costs $1,500 to $2,000 more.
  • Big Bend and Black Diamond are city-focused trims with standard front-wheel drive, while Outer Banks and Badlands come standard with intelligent four-wheel drive and more off-road features.
  • The Badlands trim includes all-terrain tires, skid plates, and terrain management modes, making it the only trim ready for serious unpaved driving without additional purchases.
  • Popular packages include the Tow Package (adds 3,500-pound towing capacity), the Roof Rack Package, and the Co-Pilot360 Plus technology bundle, each adding $500 to $1,200 to your price.
  • Choosing between trims matters more than choosing between engines for most buyers—your trim determines standard features, four-wheel drive availability, and off-road readiness.

Big Bend and Black Diamond: City and Commute Trims

The Big Bend is the entry-level trim and comes with the 1.5-liter EcoBoost, front-wheel drive, and an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It includes Ford's Co-Pilot360 safety suite (blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping information, automatic emergency braking) as standard. The cabin is cloth, the wheels are 17-inch steel, and there's no all-terrain capability built in.

The Black Diamond sits one step up and adds a power liftgate, roof rails, and a slightly more rugged exterior appearance with body-color trim. It still uses front-wheel drive and the 1.5-liter engine as standard. The real difference between Big Bend and Black Diamond is appearance and convenience features rather than capability—if you don't care about roof rails or a power liftgate, Big Bend saves you money without sacrificing function.

Both trims can be ordered with the 2.0-liter engine and intelligent four-wheel drive, but doing so essentially replicates the Outer Banks trim's powertrain while leaving you without Outer Banks's standard features. Most buyers choosing Big Bend or Black Diamond are prioritizing price and don't need four-wheel drive.

Outer Banks and Badlands: Four-Wheel Drive and Off-Road Trims

The Outer Banks comes standard with intelligent four-wheel drive, the 1.5-liter EcoBoost, and a more upscale interior with leather-trimmed seats and a power driver's seat. It includes roof rails, a power liftgate, and an 8-inch touchscreen. The four-wheel drive system can be shifted into four-wheel-low for light off-road use, though the Outer Banks doesn't include all-terrain tires or skid plates.

The Badlands is the off-road-focused trim and includes all-terrain tires, underbody skid plates, terrain management modes (Eco, Normal, Slippery, Sand, and Rock Crawl), and a locking rear differential. It comes standard with intelligent four-wheel drive and the 1.5-liter engine, though most Badlands buyers upgrade to the 2.0-liter for better acceleration when towing or climbing. The Badlands interior matches Outer Banks with leather trim and power seats.

If you plan to drive on unpaved roads, rocky terrain, or in snow regularly, Badlands is the only trim that doesn't require you to buy additional packages to be properly equipped. Outer Banks can handle light off-road use but lacks the tires and protection for serious terrain. The price difference between Outer Banks and Badlands is roughly $2,500 to $3,000, which is less than the cost of retrofitting an Outer Banks with all-terrain tires and skid plates separately.

Engine Choice: 1.5-Liter Versus 2.0-Liter EcoBoost

The 1.5-liter EcoBoost produces 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. It's paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and handles highway driving, city commuting, and light towing (3,500 pounds with the Tow Package) without strain. Fuel economy is rated at 21 city / 26 highway / 23 combined with front-wheel drive, or 20 city / 24 highway / 21 combined with four-wheel drive.

The 2.0-liter EcoBoost produces 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque—a meaningful jump that improves acceleration and makes towing feel less labored. It's also paired with an 8-speed automatic. Fuel economy drops to 20 city / 25 highway / 22 combined with front-wheel drive, or 19 city / 23 highway / 20 combined with four-wheel drive. The 2.0-liter also enables higher towing capacity (3,500 pounds standard, up to 4,500 pounds with the Tow Package on certain trims).

The 2.0-liter makes sense if you plan to tow regularly, frequently drive with a full load of passengers and cargo, or want noticeably quicker acceleration. For commuting and light weekend use, the 1.5-liter is adequate and saves you money upfront and at the pump. The cost difference is roughly $1,500 to $2,000 depending on trim, which translates to roughly $200 to $300 per year in additional fuel costs based on typical driving.

Drivetrain Options: Front-Wheel Drive Versus Four-Wheel Drive

Front-wheel drive is standard on Big Bend and Black Diamond and saves roughly $2,000 compared to intelligent four-wheel drive. It's suitable for paved roads, light snow, and normal weather. Ford's intelligent four-wheel drive system automatically engages the rear wheels when it detects slipping, so you don't have to think about it in most conditions.

Intelligent four-wheel drive is standard on Outer Banks and Badlands and can be manually shifted into four-wheel-low for steep terrain or deep snow. The system includes terrain management modes on Badlands (and available on Outer Banks) that adjust throttle response, traction control, and transmission behavior for specific surfaces. If you live in a snowy climate, drive unpaved roads, or want the security of four-wheel drive in bad weather, the cost is worth it. If you're in a warm climate and stick to paved roads, front-wheel drive is fine.

You can order Big Bend or Black Diamond with four-wheel drive as an option, but this typically costs more than stepping up to Outer Banks, which includes four-wheel drive as standard. Compare the total price before deciding to add four-wheel drive to a lower trim.

Popular Packages and What They Add

The Tow Package adds a Class II trailer hitch, integrated trailer brake controller, and upgraded cooling, raising towing capacity from 2,000 pounds to 3,500 pounds (or 4,500 pounds on some trims with the 2.0-liter). It costs roughly $500 to $700 and is worth buying if you plan to tow anything heavier than a small utility trailer.

The Roof Rack Package includes roof rails and cross bars for carrying cargo carriers, kayaks, or bikes. It costs around $400 to $600 depending on trim. Big Bend doesn't include roof rails, so this package is useful if you need them. Black Diamond and higher trims include roof rails as standard, so this package adds cross bars and accessories.

The Co-Pilot360 Plus technology package upgrades the standard Co-Pilot360 safety suite with adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and a 360-degree camera system. It costs roughly $1,000 to $1,200 and is most useful if you spend significant time on highways or in heavy traffic. The standard Co-Pilot360 (included on all trims) already includes blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking, so this is an enhancement rather than a necessity.

The Convenience Package bundles power seats, heated seats, and a power liftgate on lower trims where these aren't standard. It typically costs $800 to $1,000. On Outer Banks and Badlands, many of these features are already included, so check your trim's standard equipment before ordering this package.

How to Compare Total Price Across Configurations

The sticker price difference between a Big Bend with the 1.5-liter and front-wheel drive versus a Badlands with the 2.0-liter and four-wheel drive can exceed $15,000. To make an honest comparison, list what you actually need: Do you need four-wheel drive? Do you need off-road tires and skid plates? Do you tow? Do you need the extra power?

Start with the trim that matches your primary use case, then add only the packages you'll actually use. A Big Bend with the 2.0-liter and the Tow Package might cost less than a Badlands with the 1.5-liter and no packages, but they serve different purposes. The Badlands is ready for off-road use; the Big Bend is not. The Big Bend with the 2.0-liter is faster; the Badlands with the 1.5-liter is cheaper to fuel.

Ford's website and dealer inventory tools let you build and price configurations side by side. Use them to compare your top two or three options with all packages included, then decide whether the price difference justifies the capability or feature gain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get all-terrain tires and skid plates on a trim other than Badlands?

Yes, but you'll pay more than buying Badlands. Ford offers all-terrain tires and skid plates as dealer-installed accessories on Outer Banks and lower trims, but the total cost typically exceeds the price difference between Outer Banks and Badlands. Badlands includes these items as standard, making it the better value if off-road capability is your goal.

Is the 2.0-liter engine worth it if I'm not towing?

It depends on how much you value acceleration and responsiveness. The 2.0-liter makes the Bronco Sport feel noticeably quicker, especially when merging on highways or accelerating from a stop. If you mostly commute in city traffic or on highways at steady speeds, the 1.5-liter is adequate and saves you money. If you frequently carry passengers and cargo or want a sportier feel, the 2.0-liter is worth the $1,500 to $2,000 cost.

What's the difference between intelligent four-wheel drive and four-wheel-low?

Intelligent four-wheel drive automatically engages the rear wheels when it detects slipping and is suitable for snow, rain, and light off-road use. Four-wheel-low is a manually selected mode that locks the transfer case for maximum traction on steep terrain or deep snow. Badlands includes both; Outer Banks includes intelligent four-wheel drive and can access four-wheel-low manually. You only need four-wheel-low if you plan serious off-road driving.

Do I need the Tow Package if I'm towing a small trailer?

It depends on the trailer's weight. Without the Tow Package, the Bronco Sport can tow 2,000 pounds. Most small utility trailers and boat trailers weigh 2,000 to 3,500 pounds, so the Tow Package ($500 to $700) is usually necessary. Check your trailer's dry weight before ordering; if it's under 2,000 pounds, you can skip the package and save money.

Can I order a Big Bend with four-wheel drive and the 2.0-liter engine?

Yes, but the total cost will likely exceed an Outer Banks with the same powertrain. When you add four-wheel drive and the 2.0-liter to Big Bend, you're paying for upgrades that come standard on higher trims, so you lose the price advantage of choosing Big Bend. Compare the final prices before ordering; Outer Banks or Badlands may be better value.