Five Features Bronco Nation Members Would like to See in a New Bronco Sport

Do you love your Bronco Sport but have wished for a few more features from the factory? I know, what could possibly be better than the already included bottle opener? I asked Bronco Nation members what they’d like to see in the future Bronco Sport and here are some of the responses.

#1-Better Bash Guards and Protection

It’s no doubt that the lower height makes the Sport vulnerable to bottoming out or catching rocks or berms off-road. Nowhere is this damage more visible than under the front end. The plastic “nose” of the vehicle quickly becomes in the need for plastic surgery as the metal pops through at the bottom. Even with the “protection” offered in the Badlands trim, and the good approach angle, these areas on the Sport are not protected. Although the damage is cosmetic, it’s still hard to see it happen, and it really looks like it’s broken. There are some after-market options available but a little more underneath would go a long way in keeping that new car look after some trail days.

There is also a left and right felt piece underneath the floor that is often referred to as a splash guard that is directly exposed and frequently can be torn with contact with heavy brush or with the ground, even snow/ice. It would be great to have this feature, if needed, be above the bash plate, or be made of more durable material, or eliminated completely. I have personally torn this splash guard myself in the sand and seen it torn multiple times out on the trails. It tears or the tabs stretch quite easily, so I’m hoping this can be addressed and either reinforced or removed in the near future.

#2-Larger Engine Availability on all Trims

The Bronco Sport certainly has lots of styles and appearance trims available, from the Free Wheeling package, Black Appearance, Outer Banks, and Heritage styles, making it challenging to pick just one. Unfortunately, though, unless you’ve invested in the Badlands trim, have a First Edition, or a Heritage limited, your only engine option is the 1.5l, three-cylinder engine. Bronco Nation members would like the 2.0l engine (or larger, some are asking for the 2.3l) to be an option, for those who want better performance and more horsepower but don’t need all the off-road features. Could we have a Ford Performance tune too?

#3-Hybrid Options

With Ford’s commitment to having a full hybrid lineup by 2030, this is not an if it’ll ever happen, but a when. There is already a hybrid version in the Maverick as well as the Escape, so we will see if the Sport gets this option in the 2025 refresh or if that will be released in a later version. Hybrid sales continue to do well and there’s definite interest, even some Bronco owners in the forums would consider their second vehicle to be a Sport, if there was a hybrid option.

#4-A Powered Cargo Door

I recently saw a forum post where an owner was delighted to find the cargo door release button in her Sport, only to be disappointed that it is simply a release and not powered. I know that the Sport is considered a more off-roading style rig but it’s also a cargo and grocery hauler and a powered door would be appreciated by Sport fans. I’ve heard that having the rear glass opening makes some challenges for a powered door, so Ford, if you’re reading this, don’t take that glass opening away. My doggies ride in the rear and love a quick sniff of fresh air when I stop for coffee. I guess since we’re asking, why not ask for it all? Powered door and glass?

#5-6-An Auxiliary Switch (switches?), and More/Better Recovery Points

Okay, you caught me, this adds up to six features. Some of my earlier ones were voted on almost across the board. These two were included, although more rarely.

Auxiliary switches with wiring are available in the Bronco and we use four of the six currently in our Badlands. Certainly, the design of the Sport would make some of this challenging but hey, I have a light bar on two of my Sports and it came with this nifty, 50 cent looking on/off switch that was installed after market. Again, not too pretty, and having at least an installed switch to wire to would improve the cosmetics of the car.

Anything that’s going off-road should have recovery points and people do wheel their non-Badlands trim. Currently there’s only a rear recovery point on the non-Badlands and if you have the factory tow hitch installed, you have to rely on that because the threaded connection is not available under that plastic door on the right side of the rear bumper. Yes, that’s what that’s for. There should at least be a similar option on the front of the Sport, if not the same recovery points that are included on the Badlands.

Okay, that’s my list based on chatting with Sport Bronco Nation members and personal experiences. What’s missing here? What would you like to see on a future version of the Sport? Comment below.