2025 Ford Bronco Sport Sasquatch First Look: The Baby Bronco Goes Burly
New bumpers, grilles, armor, tires, more advanced tech, and larger screens enhance Ford’s littlest off-roader.
4The Bronco Sport made waves in 2021 as the first of Ford’s highly anticipated new family of Bronco SUVs to hit dealer lots. Though diminutive in stature, Ford packed the car-based Sport with as much of the original Bronco’s charm, appeal, and capability as would physically fit. Since then, Ford has kept the Bronco Sport fresh with special-edition models and minor updates.
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For 2025 the company has just announced a handful of updates that will bring Bronco Sport more in line with its full-size Bronco sibling both stylistically and functionally.
The Sasquatch Is Out of Hiding
First offered on Ford’s new full-size Bronco, the Sasquatch package is now headed for the Bronco Sport, adding a bevy of additional off-road hardware to the Outer Banks and Badlands trims it’ll be available on. A key component of the Sasquatch package is the vehicle’s dual-clutch torque-vectoring rear drive unit, previously used only on the Badlands trim. For the first time, this rear differential will be available with the 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine, with the slightly less hardcore Outer Banks Sasquatch.
Ride height is increased by 0.6-inch over the base Badlands and 1.6 inches over the standard Outer Banks trim to accommodate the largest-in-class 29-inch (235/65R17) Goodyear Territory RT all-terrain tires. This results in 23.6 inches of water-fording ability for Badlands Sasquatch, along with a robust 31.2-degree approach, 27.9-degree departure, and 21.7-degree breakover angle. The Outer Banks Sasquatch’s dimensions are slightly less aggressive. Both offer a generous minimum ground clearance of about 8.8 inches.
The Badlands’ Tenneco twin-tube front dampers carry over; the rears, however, are new, position-sensitive Bilstein monotube shocks with piggyback reservoirs. These shocks are a scaled-down version of the dampers found on the full-size Bronco Sasquatch. The result is 8.3 inches of front wheel travel with 8.7 inches in the rear. Outer Banks Sasquatch retains its standard front twin-tube and rear monotube shocks. Wheel travel for Outer Banks checks in at 7.9 inches in the front and 9.0 inches in the rear.
Matching the upgraded suspension is a suite of new steel underbody skidplates. These include protection for the fuel tank, carbon canister, and engine, and a front bash plate. Oversized cast-steel front recovery hooks are standard, as are new rear tow hooks. A front brush guard is also included.
The Sasquatch package also adds a new Rally GOAT mode to the Bronco Sport’s drive mode selection. Rally mode is tuned for sand driving and offers a sharper throttle response, holds gears longer, and increases steering feedback.
Sasquatchless Badlands Is Still Badass
Although the Sasquatch package is a big upgrade for Bronco Sport, and priced at $44,580, don’t sleep on the regular Badlands (priced at $41,590). This compact ute includes a host of legitimate off-road hardware, and has since the Bronco Sport was introduced in 2021. Stepping up to the Badlands brings you Ford’s High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension (HOSS) which is comprised of a MacPherson strut type front suspension with twin-tube dampers and hydraulic rebound stops. The rear gets an independent double lateral link semi-trailing arm-type suspension with large 46mm monotube dampers. Off-road-tuned coil springs offer a 1.1-inch increase in ride height over base models, allowing for the fitment of 28.5-inch Pirelli Scorpion all-terrain tires.
Under the hood of the Badlands is a 2.0-liter EcoBoost I-4 that produces 238 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. That power is routed through an eight-speed automatic transmission and to the previously mentioned dual-clutch torque-vectoring rear drive unit. A “Rock Crawl” setting gets added to the standard suite of GOAT modes. The Badlands also receives the modular steel front bumper, a set of four cast-steel recovery points, and aluminum underbody protection. Ford’s Trail One-Pedal Drive also joins Trail Control on Bronco Sport for 2025.
Sadly, with the addition of the Sasquatch package, gone is the ability to option 29-inch Falken Wildpeak all-terrain tires on the Bronco Sport Badlands. Want the bigger rubber? You gotta cough up for the Sasquatch or hit your local tire dealer after driving your Badlands home.
Looking to save some coin but still want a rough-and-rugged Bronco Sport? Customers shopping the Bronco Sport Big Bend can add the Black Diamond package and get the same rugged front bumper, four recovery points, and steel underbody skidplates as Sasquatch, minus the suspension and rear axle upgrades. In addition, Black Diamond features a graphics package, unique 17-inch wheels, and all-terrain tires. Expect the pack to cost about $1,500.
Everything Else New for 2025
In addition to the new Sasquatch package, the full Bronco Sport lineup is receiving a host of updates as well. All the trims from 2024 are set to return, including the uber-stylish Heritage and Free Wheeling models. All Bronco Sports benefit from updated front and rear styling along with new grille offerings. Inside, all Bronco Sport models will receive a new 13.2-inch infotainment touch screen that runs the company’s Sync 4 software. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard as well, as is a new Bronco Raptor-inspired 12.3-inch digital driver information screen.
As with the 2025 Maverick pickup that just debuted (and is mechanically related to the Sport), Ford’s Co-Pilot360 Assist+ is now standard across the lineup. This includes such niceties as blind-spot monitoring with cross traffic alert, lane keep assist, auto emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and auto high-beams. Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 is optional on Outer Banks and standard on Badlands and includes a 360-degree camera, reverse brake assist, and speed sign recognition.
Most intriguingly, Big Bend Black Diamond, Outer Banks Sasquatch, Badlands, and Badlands Sasquatch add new front fender tie-down points. These anchors are spring-loaded and stow in the fenders. When extended, they provide an additional point to lash down roof-mounted cargo, and are rated up to 150 pounds.
On Sale Now—Sasquatch Coming Next Year
Order banks for the 2025 Bronco Sport are open now and Big Bend, Outer Banks, and Badlands models will begin shipping to dealers in November. Those keen on snatching a Bronco Sport Sasquatch model will need to wait until the first quarter of 2025. Ford hasn’t announced availability of the Heritage and Free Wheeling trims, and full pricing will be revealed closer to the on-sale date.
Jason Gonderman was born and raised in sunny Southern California and grew up with subscriptions to 4-Wheel & Off-Road, Four Wheeler, and many other off-road magazines. The off-road bug bit hard after a summer building up a Baja Bug with friends to drive in the sand dunes of Glamis (Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area). After that it was over and he bought his first 4wd vehicle, a 1999 Ford Ranger that eventually transformed into a capable desert pre-runner and back-country adventurer. Jason has logged thousands of miles off-road in many different terrains and vehicles. He has raced the Baja 1000, participated in the Ultimate Adventure, and covered Top Truck Challenge, Diesel Power Challenge, Real Truck Club Challenge, and many other big name events. When not behind the computer Jason can be found fabricating truck parts, shooting short-course off-road races, riding dirt bikes with his wife, or participating in any sort of other 'extreme' activity.
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