The Ford Bronco Sport and Ford Escape are some of Ford’s premier offerings in the SUV class this year, both expected to benefit from a wide suite of updates in the new year. Both models are suited for their own use cases, it can be hard to know which one hits all the right notes to seal the deal. In today’s review of the Ford SUVs, we’ll be taking a look at the two to see who comes out on top in this head to head.
Key Takeaways
- The Bronco Sport brings a wide range of new updates for 2025, having a newly revised trim structure.
- The Ford Escape is one of the most versatile options in the class, offering buyers a variety of different trims for all intents and purposes.
- The Explorer starts at around 40K this year, while the Bronco Sport starts at $31,590.
Is there going to be a 2025 Ford Bronco Sport?
Yes! For 2025, Ford expands the Bronco Sport lineup. The biggest highlight is the addition of the Sasquatch package, now offered as add-ons to the Outer Banks and Badlands trims. The Outer Banks variant is also updated, gaining a twin-clutch rear differential. Both trims benefit from rugged steel bumpers, replete with a front bull bar and dual rear recovery hooks. The package also adds steel skid plates, slightly increased ground clearance, and aggressive 29-inch all-terrain tires. The Badlands model gets exclusive rear dampers by Bilstein, a company well known for their durability and performance, for enhanced off-road performance.
Inside, all Bronco Sport models now feature a significantly larger infotainment touchscreen, upgraded to Ford’s more advanced Sync 4 interface. This replaces the outgoing 8.0-inch unit which was kitted out with older software. A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster also becomes standard. Subtle changes to the front and rear bumper designs help distinguish the 2025 model, and Ford has added more standard driver-assistance features, including adaptive cruise control.
How much should I pay for a 2025 Ford Explorer?
The 2025 Ford Explorer is available for order now, with deliveries to our Jarrett-Gordon Winter Haven dealership as part of the deal. Pricing begins at $41,220 for the entry-level Active trim, representing a $2,765 increase over the previous base model. However, the price hike is offset by a boost in standard features, including larger display screens, heated front seats, a power liftgate, and adaptive cruise control.
2025 Ford Explorer trims and prices:
- Active RWD - $39,785
- XLT 2WD - $39,855
- Active 4WD - $41,785
- XLT 4WD - $41,855
- ST-LINE RWD - $44,595
- ST-Line 2WD - $44,615
- ST-LINE 4WD - $46,595
- ST-Line 4WD - $46,615
- Platinum - $52,100
- Platinum 2WD - $52,250
- ST - $54,240
- Platinum 4WD - $54,250
- ST 2WD- $54,260
- ST 4WD - $56,260
Summary
Comparing the two, the Bronco Sport and Ford Escape both provide buyers with a versatile set of options when looking for a bonafide Ford experience in a compact, practical package. The Bronco Sport excels when taken off track, with it’s smaller size and friendlier price tag when compared to it’s bigger brother, the standard Bronco, making for a great entry point to the Bronco family of offroaders.
The Ford Escape represents the more reasonable of the two, with it being a jack of all trades capable of excelling in nearly all climates, conditions, and for all uses. The Explorer's history lends a wealth of experience relative to the Bronco Sport to make for a versatile all-rounder that’s hard to turn down. That’s not to say that the Bronco Sport is by any means inferior to the Escape, but it may be better suited as a practical funhaver when compared to the sensible practicality of the Explorer.