The Bronco Sport packages serious off-road hardware into a compact footprint that suits Nassau County’s mix of suburban streets, expressway commutes, and weekend trail access better than the full-size Bronco for most buyers. Four trim levels separate the entry-level Base from the trail-ready Badlands, and each represents a meaningfully different vehicle despite sharing the same body.
Bottom Line: The Badlands is the choice for genuine off-road use; the Outer Banks balances comfort and capability for daily-focused buyers; the Base and Big Bend provide an affordable entry into AWD and GOAT modes.
- All Bronco Sport trims include standard AWD and all seven GOAT modes - a distinction from most compact SUV competitors
- The Badlands is the only trim with both front and rear locking differentials, making it a capable trail SUV rather than an off-road-themed crossover
- The step from Big Bend to Outer Banks adds meaningful comfort technology; the step to Badlands adds real off-road hardware
Base and Big Bend: Affordable Entry Into AWD and GOAT Modes
The Bronco Sport Base and Big Bend share the 1.5L EcoBoost three-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque. Both include Ford’s standard AWD system with rear mechanical coupling and all seven GOAT modes - Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, Sand, Mud/Ruts, and Rock Crawl - giving them more off-road mode depth than most compact SUV competitors at their price point.
For a full look at the Bronco Sport’s positioning, available configurations, and how it compares to the full-size Bronco, see our complete Ford Bronco Sport guide.
The Base starts at approximately $31,000 and delivers the Bronco Sport’s core capability at the lowest price. Push-button start, Ford Co-Pilot360 driver assistance technology, and the full AWD system come standard - but the interior is minimal, with a smaller infotainment display and basic cloth seating. It suits buyers who want the Bronco Sport platform at entry price or plan to add features through the used market.
The Big Bend at approximately $34,000 adds an 8-inch SYNC 3 infotainment screen, better-bolstered cloth seats, roof rack crossbars for carrying gear, and improved weather sealing. For Nassau County buyers who want the Bronco Sport as a daily driver between Levittown and Wantagh with honest AWD capability, the Big Bend delivers the right balance of price and content.
Outer Banks: Comfort Technology in a Trail-Capable Package
The Outer Banks step-up adds leather-trimmed seating, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 360-degree camera system, and available heated front seats and steering wheel. The exterior gets chrome accents and body-colored trim that give it a more polished appearance than the sportier-looking Big Bend.
The key Outer Banks upgrade option is the 2.0L EcoBoost four-cylinder producing 245 horsepower - a meaningful improvement over the 1.5L’s 181 hp for buyers who regularly use the Long Island Expressway at highway speeds or need to occasionally tow a small trailer or boat trailer to the north shore. The 2.0L option adds approximately $1,500 to the Outer Banks base price of approximately $38,000.
The Outer Banks lacks the Badlands’ front and rear locking differentials, which means its capability on demanding off-road terrain has a real ceiling. For buyers using the Bronco Sport primarily as a comfortable daily driver with weekend capability on maintained parks and light unpaved roads, the Outer Banks avoids paying for off-road hardware they won’t use.
Explore Ford Bronco Sport options at Levittown Ford. Browse new Bronco Sport inventory or view used Bronco Sport options from our team in Levittown, serving East Meadow, Wantagh, and Seaford.
Badlands: The Off-Road Hardware That Defines the Lineup
The Badlands is functionally a different vehicle from the lower trims. Its 2.0L EcoBoost four-cylinder produces 250 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic versus the 7-speed used in the Base through Outer Banks. The additional gear provides better highway efficiency and smoother power delivery under load.
The critical Badlands advantage is the combination of front and rear locking differentials that no other Bronco Sport trim includes. Locking differentials send equal torque to both wheels on an axle regardless of which one has traction - necessary for crossing rocks, deep ruts, or terrain where a wheel lifts entirely. The GOAT mode system on the Badlands is calibrated to work with this hardware in ways the lower trims can’t access.
The Badlands also includes 8.8 inches of ground clearance - up from 8.0 inches on non-Badlands trims - plus all-terrain tires, wider fender flares, and exterior styling that references the full-size Bronco including an exposed front bumper and unique badging. For Nassau County buyers who plan to access Pine Barrens trails, Long Island off-road parks, or technical terrain when traveling upstate, the Badlands at approximately $44,000 is the only Bronco Sport trim that handles serious trail use without compromise.
"The Badlands is what people envision when they see the Bronco Sport on a trail video. When buyers come in asking about real off-road capability, nine times out of ten they're talking about the Badlands - the lockers and the clearance are what make that capability possible."
General Manager, Levittown Ford
Bronco Sport Trim Comparison: Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Big Bend | Outer Banks | Badlands |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5L 181 hp | 1.5L 181 hp / opt 2.0L 245 hp | ✓ 2.0L 250 hp standard |
| Front Locker | No | No | ✓ Yes |
| Rear Locker | No | No | ✓ Yes |
| Ground Clearance | 8.0" | 8.0" | ✓ 8.8" |
| Starting MSRP (approx) | ✓ ~$34,000 | ~$38,000 | ~$44,000 |
Which Bronco Sport Trim Is Right for Nassau County?
Choose Base or Big Bend if AWD and GOAT mode capability are the priorities and the budget needs to stay below $35,000. The Big Bend is the better value of the two for most buyers - the added screen size and seating comfort make a real daily-driver difference at a modest price premium over the Base.
Choose Outer Banks if daily comfort and technology matter as much as weekend capability. The optional 2.0L engine is worth adding for Nassau County buyers who spend significant time at highway speeds on Route 135 or the Southern State Parkway, or who need the occasional light towing capacity.
Choose Badlands if actual off-road performance is the primary reason for buying the Bronco Sport. The lockers and clearance advantage are the difference between a capable-looking crossover and a genuine trail vehicle - and they’re available only at this trim level.
Use our calculator to model your monthly payment for any Bronco Sport trim:
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Ford Bronco Sport have AWD on all trim levels? Yes. AWD with rear mechanical coupling is standard on every Bronco Sport trim including the Base. This is a meaningful distinction from compact SUV competitors that offer AWD only as an option or on upper trim levels. The AWD system works with all seven GOAT modes to optimize power delivery for the selected terrain type.
What is the difference between the Bronco Sport Big Bend and the Outer Banks? The Outer Banks adds leather-trimmed seating, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 360-degree camera system, and available heated front seats and steering wheel. The Outer Banks also offers the optional 2.0L EcoBoost engine upgrade that the Big Bend doesn’t include. The Big Bend uses cloth seating and the 1.5L engine only.
Is the Bronco Sport Badlands worth the price premium over the Outer Banks? For buyers who plan to use the Bronco Sport on actual off-road terrain - rated trails, Pine Barrens access roads, or technical unpaved surfaces - yes. The Badlands’ front and rear locking differentials provide traction capability the Outer Banks can’t match in demanding conditions. For primarily road-focused buyers who only see light unpaved use, the Outer Banks delivers more comfort features at a lower price.
How does the Bronco Sport compare to the full-size Ford Bronco? The Bronco Sport is a unibody compact SUV; the full Bronco is a body-on-frame, truck-based vehicle. The Bronco is more capable on demanding trails due to larger tires, greater ground clearance, a sway-bar disconnect on the Badlands, and a proper low-range transfer case. The Bronco Sport is the better everyday vehicle - easier to park on Nassau County streets, better fuel economy, and a lower purchase price. For trail-first buyers, the full Bronco is the stronger platform; for daily-driver-first buyers, the Bronco Sport makes more practical sense.
What GOAT modes does the Bronco Sport include? All Bronco Sport trims include seven GOAT modes: Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery, Sand, Mud/Ruts, and Rock Crawl. These modes adjust throttle mapping, AWD coupling behavior, traction control calibration, and transmission shift logic for different surface conditions. On the Badlands, Rock Crawl and Mud/Ruts modes engage the front and rear locking differentials for maximum traction.
Browse Ford Bronco Sport inventory at Levittown Ford in Levittown, serving East Meadow, Wantagh, and Seaford across Nassau County. Our team helps buyers understand which trim matches their actual driving needs before they commit. Contact us to schedule a time to compare trim levels on the lot.