While the quintessential "family SUV" is probably a three-row beast designed for hauling kids and their gear back and forth to soccer practice, dads deserve to have some fun, too! We've always loved Ford's offerings when it comes to sporty, compact vehicles and now one of our favorites has gotten even better - the 2025 Bronco Sport has grown up and moved on from being merely a "sporty looking" SUV to one that is truly offroad ready. We got a chance to preview it last week in Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains, and I am sincerely impressed.
As families grow and adventures call, dads everywhere are looking for that perfect vehicle that balances ruggedness with safety, style, and comfort.
The new 2025 Ford Bronco Sport emerges as a standout choice for active families, especially with its latest enhancements that cater specifically to those who thrive on exploration and versatility. Here’s why the Bronco Sport is your ultimate companion for family adventures. While there are plenty of options on the market that approach this space, none go as far as Ford has with truly matching the desire to explore beyond the pavement with an affordable, capable, confident vehicle that has the equipment to match.
For those of you who are saying, but what about the Subaru Outback, Jeep Compass, RAV4 Adventure and similar compact offroad vehicles? Well, quite frankly they are all designed to "look" good but when it comes to tackling tough terrain ... the closest thing to the Bronco Sport Sasquatch is possibly the Jeep Compass Trailhawk but even there - Bronco Sport Sasquatch beats it pretty much every category.
Let's take a deeper look at what dads with active families can expect once the 2025 Bronco Sport goes on sale early next year!
Off-Road Readiness with Sasquatch Capability
The 2025 Bronco Sport now offers the high-performance Sasquatch off-road package, previously celebrated in its larger counterpart, making it perfect for families looking to venture beyond the pavement. Available for both the Badlands and Outer Banks models, this package equips the SUV with 29-inch Goodyear Territory All Terrain tires, a locking rear differential, and a twin-clutch rear-drive unit. This setup ensures that whether it's a snowy path to a ski resort or a muddy track to a remote camping spot, the Bronco Sport can handle it with ease.
More than that though, when combined with the undercarriage armor, one-pedal driving, G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Terrain) mode, and advanced 360 camera with "Trail View" ... now the vehicle is literally in a class of it's own when it comes to being able to tackle more advanced trails that those other competitors simply can't.
At this point, the biggest limitation is the ground clearance - only 8.7" rear and 8.3" front (on Bronco Sport Badlands Sasquatch - 0.6" additional vs the standard Badlands trim). For those counting at home, this is half an inch better than RAV4 Adventure and just barely higher than Jeep Compass Trailhawk but it's still a win!
Cutting-Edge Technology for the Road
Ultimately, while I'm incredibly passionate about offroad adventure, the reality is most of my time is spent on pavement. This is ultimately why I love Bronco Sport so much, even though it's older ... bigger ... brother Bronco and especially Bronco Raptor is an absolute beast. Simply put, off-road and on-road experiences are often in conflict with each other and so as a customer you sorta need to know what's important to you and your family.
For me, a comfortable and efficient ride with plenty of modern technology is essential to a safe and happy family road trip. Staying connected and safe on the road is crucial. The 2025 Bronco Sport steps things up with a 13.2-inch touchscreen featuring the SYNC(R) 4 system, providing seamless integration with over-the-air updates and standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Families will appreciate the advanced Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ that includes adaptive cruise control, a lane-keeping system, and a pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking among other safety features, ensuring peace of mind while navigating both crowded highways and secluded backroads.
While more advanced technology such as hybrid, PHEV, and BlueCruise don't seem to be on the agenda, I'm ok with Ford focusing on keeping things affordable.
Family Adventure Ready: Biking, Hiking, and Boating
The new Bronco Sport is not just about getting to your destination but also about enjoying the journey.
The interior is crafted with adventure in mind, featuring a new passenger grab handle, modular accessory-ready points for customizations, and an optional Bring Your Own Device tray for enhanced connectivity.
The vehicle’s spacious cabin and reconfigurable storage options make it easy to pack all your family’s gear, from hiking boots to strollers, while maintaining comfort for all passengers. Plus, the Bronco Sport's Safari-style roof is designed to load stuff on top, as well as offer more space in the back for bikes and other bulky adventure gear.
Robust and Refined for Everyday Use
While its off-road capabilities are impressive, the Bronco Sport does not compromise on everyday usability and comfort. The vehicle's style is unmistakably Bronco, showcasing a traditional rectangular grille and revised wheel designs that make it stand out in any school pick-up line. The more confident and aggressive look this year I think will also appeal to men who may have previously thought that the Bronco Sport was more for their wives than something truly masculine enough to match the testosterone pumping through that dadbod of theirs.
We're really excited to continue following this vehicle as it gets closer to launch and I can't wait to bring you a first-hand account of what it's like to take it on a true adventure road trip.
For families who demand a vehicle as dynamic as their lifestyle, the Bronco Sport is a compelling choice that promises to enhance your adventures without compromise.
