2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Bronco Sport is available in four trim levels: the base, Big Bend, Outer Banks, and Badlands. There is also a special First Edition. The base level includes lots of handy features, such as flip-up rear glass, daytime running lamps, power-adjustable side mirrors, roof rack side rails, floodlights, and a convenient bottle opener in the hatch. Upgrading to the Big Bend gives you heated side mirrors and LED fog lamps. In the Outer Banks trim, your wipers will turn on when they sense rainfall and the back window has a de-icer. You'll need a Badlands or First Edition if you want tow hooks or bash plates, and each trim has its own distinctive grille.

The first three trims come standard with a 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine with auto start-stop technology to save fuel. In the top two trims, the Badlands and First Edition, a 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine is installed, also with auto start and stop. All are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. If you live in a cold climate, you may want to add on an engine block heater, optional on all trims.

The top two trims are ready for adventure with an off-road suspension. All trims have four-wheel drive standard and electronic traction control. Adaptive cruise control is an option on the second through fourth trim level, and the two top trims get Trail Control, which functions like cruise control for off-road driving.

Comfortable cloth seats are standard on the base, Big Bend, and Badlands trim. The rest have leather-trimmed seats with mini perforations. Heated front seats are standard on the top three trims and optional on the second-tier Big Bend.

Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system, which is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, is standard on all trims. All trims also include FordPass Connect, which allows you to remotely lock and unlock your vehicle, start it, and locate it in a parking lot. All trims include an AM/FM radio with six speakers, and true music lovers can upgrade the top two trims to include a Bang and Olufsen audio system with 10 speakers and a subwoofer.

Ford has included many safety features standard on all trim levels of the Bronco Sport this year. These include a rear-view camera, roll stability control, auto high-beam lights, and plenty of airbags. They also include Ford CoPilot 360, a suite of features that includes blind-spot sensing with cross-traffic alert, a lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking.

On all but the base level, you can upgrade to the CoPilot 360 Assist + suite, which tacks on additional features such as evasive steering assist, active park assist for parallel or perpendicular parking, reverse brake assist, and hill descent control. If you plan to tow, this upgraded suite provides blind-spot assist for your trailer and even assists with trailer backup.