While the regular Ford Bronco is one of the best full-fledged off-road SUVs currently available alongside the likes of the Jeep Wrangler and Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro, the 2022 Bronco Sport is a toned-down, urbanized version that feels more at home on the pavement.
However, the range-topping Badlands trim of the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport lineup presents itself as the perfect pseudo-off-roader SUV, in that it isn’t like its purebred Bronco big brother, but still has plenty of capable tech to help it deal with tough terrains. In fact, it’s better suited for the task than rivals such as the Subaru Outback Wilderness.
Starting at $38,000 - which is about $8,000 over the base model, the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands gets everything the lineup has to offer, including more power, more tech, and more off-road capable hardware. Here’s why the Ford Bronco Sport Badlands is an underrated off-road beast.
The 2022 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands Gets A More Powerful Engine
Two engines are available in the Bronco Sport’s 2022 lineup, and one of them is specially reserved for the range-topping Badlands trim. Every other trim gets a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline 3-cylinder engine that produces 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. It mates to an 8-speed automatic that sends power to all four wheels, and 0-60 mph takes about 8.2 seconds.
Along with a price increase, the Bronco Sport Badlands boasts a hefty bump in power to motivate its off-road prowess. It comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder that produces 250 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, and the transmission is the same 8-speed auto found in lesser trims. 4WD is obviously standard, and the Badlands Bronco Sport needs just 5.9 seconds to scoot from 0-60 mph.
The 2022 Bronco Sport Badlands Is A Sturdy Off-Roader
On its own, the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport is reasonably capable of overlanding, since 4WD is standard across the range and the vehicle itself has decent ground clearance, it can definitely take on mild trails, but not much more than that. On the other hand, the Badlands trim equips the Bronco Sport with an array of extra hardware and tech that elevate its rock-crawling capabilities.
Its 4WD system includes a twin-clutch rear drive unit that allows either one of the rear wheels to move the vehicle even if the other three wheels can’t get traction - which is a common occurrence when off-roading, as well as a center-locking diff. Additionally, while all Bronco Sports come with GOAT driving modes (goes over any type of terrain) that include sand, slippery, sport, eco, and normal, the Badlands 4x4 trim includes two additional off-road driving modes in the form of mud/ruts mode and rock crawl mode. You’ll also find a few hardware upgrades, most notably 17-inch wheels with Falken WildPeak all-terrain tires, a 1-inch suspension lift, and heavy-duty shock absorbers with increased travel.
Despite all this, we should remind you that the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport isn’t a full-out off-roader, and can prove incapable of dealing with more demanding trails and terrain. Avid enthusiasts with a taste for challenging off-road runs should look to the regular Ford Bronco.
The Ford Bronco Sport Badlands Has Tons Of Tech
Leaving off-roading aside, the Bronco Sport Badlands also provides the lineup’s most desirable tech assortment, with plenty as standard and as well as a few options. The entire interior uses easy-to-wash upholstery and flooring, and the Badlands’ overall layout makes extremely efficient use of space. There’s ample space for front and rear passengers, a 29 cubic-foot cargo area, 8-total cupholders, as well as plenty of storage cubbies within - including a large storage space underneath the back seats.
The 2022 Ford Bronco Badlands comes standard with an 8-inch center infotainment touchscreen, a 6.5-inch digital LCD driver’s display, heated front seats with power adjustability for the driver and manual adjustability for the passenger, and intelligent access with push-button start. Desirable optional features come in the form of a power moonroof, a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, leather-trimmed front seats with power operation for the passenger, and a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. Safety tech also abounds, such as lane-keeping assist, pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, Ford’s BLIS Co-Pilot360 system with cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, and plenty more.
Boiling things down, the Badlands trim fully accomplishes the 2022 Ford Bronco Sport’s main intent, providing a practical daily-drivable SUV that also doubles as a capable off-roader, making for one of the most versatile options in the entire market. You’ll have to dig deeper into your pockets to gain access to the Badlands trim along with other optional features, but doing so will prove to be more than worth it to most.