A gravel two-track along the Mississippi asks different things of a compact SUV than a Monday run down John Deere Road, and most are built for one or the other. The 2026 Ford Bronco Sport was engineered to refuse that trade-off. Sexton Ford gets plenty of questions about how this model behaves once pavement ends, and the answers sit in the hardware.
Two EcoBoost® Engines, Two Kinds of Confidence
Big Bend, Heritage, and Outer Banks models run a 1.5-liter EcoBoost® engine rated at 180 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque, enough for confident merges onto Interstate 74. Badlands steps up to a 2.0-liter EcoBoost® engine that puts out 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. Both pair with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4x4.
G.O.A.T.® Modes® Match the Surface under Your Tires
This model gives you five G.O.A.T.® Modes on 1.5-liter trims, including Slippery and Off-Road, each retuning throttle response and traction control for what is under the tires. Badlands adds Rock Crawl and Rally for seven total. Selecting the appropriate mode allows the Ford Bronco Sport to adjust vehicle systems for changing road or trail conditions.
Towing and Cargo Figures Worth Knowing
When properly equipped, Big Bend, Heritage, and Outer Banks models pull up to 2,200 lbs, while Badlands handles up to 2,700 lbs. Cargo splits the same way. Depending on configuration, the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport provides up to 32.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.2 cubic feet behind the first.
Traction Technology Stays a Step Ahead
AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™ can adjust engine power and apply braking as needed to help drivers maintain vehicle control. BLIS® with Cross-Traffic Alert and Pre-Collision Assist® with Automatic Emergency Braking supplement attentive awareness on the road, and electric power-assisted steering stays light in parking lots and firm at speed. Equipment varies by trim and package.
Test-Drive the Ford Bronco Sport in Moline, IL
Capability is easy to list and harder to feel, which is why 20 minutes behind the wheel beats a spec sheet. Sexton Ford can talk through which trim matches your weeks, from Quad Cities commuting to a weekend in the Driftless. Our finance team can also lay out Ford Credit terms before you decide.